On Wed, Aug 19, 2009 at 2:15 PM, Eric House<[email protected]> wrote:
> Does anybody know of a place to find out what smartphone OSes are
> potential open source software platforms?  Ideally there'd be some
> discussion of what's involved in installing software without the
> permission/involvement of the carrier or device maker.
>
> * I know from experience that it's possible on Windows Mobile and
>  PalmOS, though the latter is becoming less relevant.
>
> * I believe it is not possible on iPhone or Palm WebOS without
>  "jailbreaking" the phones.
>
> * I belive it's possible for Symbian OS devices, but in the US, who
>  cares?
>
> * I don't know much about Android or Blackberry.  It's a good sign
>  that Sourceforge has a few apps for each, but I don't know and can't
>  tell from the documentation what it takes to install.  For example,
>  would I need a "Developer edition" of an Android phone to install
>  unsigned apps?
>
> (There are multiple levels to this discussion, alas.  For example, on
> WinMo unsigned apps can use the network but can't send/receive NBS/SMS
> messages.  And I think carriers have the ability to block installation
> of all unsigned apps, though I don't know of any who've chosen to
> cripple their phones to this extent.  Yet.)
>
> Why do I care?  I write/maintain an open source mobile game (see .sig)
> for fun, and I happen to need a new cellphone.  I might as well buy
> one that I can develop for.  The newer OSes are more familiar in being
> based on open source foundations, but -- and I find this more than a
> bit ironic -- are trending away from being open platforms.
>
> Thanks!

I recommend watching http://carlfk.blip.tv/file/2213225  "Android App
Dev 101 (part 1 of 3)"  (follow the Next: links.)

I just recored and posted it, so don't ask me about details.  I did
get an Android 5 weeks ago, love it.  GF plays tower defense on it,
graphics are nice.

-- 
Carl K
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