incrediBILL - 5:34 pm on Dec 27, 2009 (gmt 0)

For Android to continue to succeed, it needs the backing of Google.

Nonsense.

Ever hear of the "Open HandSet Alliance"?

Google is just one of many names [openhandsetalliance.com] supporting it.

The fact that Android was tied to Google had ZERO to do with why I bought one nor a factor in most other buying decisions.

Facts:
1. AT&T network stinks, been there, done that dropped call thing, wasn't doing it again
2. iTune software stinks, wife has an iPod, we hate iTunes, wasn't doing that again
3. DRM stinks, got hosed with Yahoo Music and others, not doing that Windows thing again
4. The Palm Pre is too tiny and too little apps support, not going down that sinkhole
5. Verizon and Sprint have better networks, so whatever they shipped first was going to be purchased, whether it was an iPhone or an Android

They shipping Android, about 1M sold in no time at all.

Had the iPhone shipped on those networks I think millions would've been sold, but people are evangelizing the Droid and Hero, showing them to our friends, our friends are tossing their old phones once they see what it can do.

Guess what?

Google is never part of that conversation until you get down to the cool apps like voice search, Google MAPs GPS and Google SKY on Android.