Did I miss something or does Android still only allow Java apps? Is this really an anti-virus against Java applications? Even for the native platform, Linux there are no serious malware infections known. I think this product preys on user ignorance and fear rather than any real threat.

I think a lot of the Android platform software is excellent for a first release. It's bound to improve over time too. I doubt they'll get any serious device volumes until they produce some much nicer looking hardware though, probably from a top tier manufacturer.

The only thing I have to say on the cheap phones is that the 7 models under €100 headline hides the truly astonishing story. The cheapest model is €25 and there is a €30 model with a color screen! Having seen a lot of bills of materials for phones in my time I find it truly astonishing that Nokia have been able to acheive this price and still make some money (although clearly very little).

Thanks for your thoughts, they're always worth reading.

Mark

Mark,

What I know about Android (among others) that they try to open the platform so much that most of the things that can be done on a platform in its native environment (Linux in this case) can be done in Java, too. And since there will be no restriction on what an application can do (at least that's how I interpret the fact that the USER can decide on permissions) it's a free road for malware applications. I understand the "YouTube-ish" way of application distribution that Google supports (rating apps), but still there will be a latency period for malwares until they're identified as malicious applications. And I don't find it satisfactory.

As to Nokia making very little money on these devices, well, per unit you mean. But that's the point of the pyramid model: since you'll be able to sell LOTS of phones at this low price it will finally sum up to a much bigger amount. In theory. :)

Finally, thanks for your comments. You always ADD to my articles and I truly appriciate that.

Tote

I guess it comes of no surprise to those who know me that I am in favour of openness and letting the users decide what applications they wish to install and then allocate permissions but I understand this has serious possibilities for wide scale abuse. From my standpoint the Java signing process is a best compromise where you pay a small fee each year to allow you to sign as many applications as you like without the excesses of the Symbian signing process. The certificate then allows the users to set permissions through the application manager as they deem appropriate. I think if users are educated to the dangers and the community is given powers to police and highlight rogue developers it can work it and collective intelligence will prevail.