Re: [tdf-discuss] java / phone strategy ..

[Benjamin Horst <bhorst@mac.com>]

Hi all,

On Nov 3, 2010, at 9:38 AM, Ian wrote:
> On Wed, 2010-11-03 at 09:09 -0400, Michael Meeks wrote:
>> Hi Ian,
>>>> I've seen OO.o running quite nicely on small ARM devices as native
>>>> code; that would be my approach to mobile.
>>> 
>>> So why is there no strategy to get OOo on to these mobile devices? Or
>>> maybe there is ?
>> 
>> 	Sure - improve performance and memory footprint - that work is
>> underway, and beef up the ARM port. Beyond that - a new UI shell is
>> required on top - and we have a mobile phone version.
> 
> That sounds good.

I expect the iPad and upcoming Android tablets to become the dominant computing platform in developing countries--they are cheaper and make a simple upgrade path from the mobile phones that are the primary means of internet access in many places already (India, China, Africa, etc). There is no inertia from an installed base in this category--thus we can achieve first-mover advantage and define expectations for the "next billion" users. We don't have existing UIs (and brand names) to retrain users from, and we don't have an entrenched document format they will need to be compatible with. 

>From a broad view of future success, tablets merit a great deal of attention on our part. As I mentioned elsewhere, a "LibreOffice Touch" for tablets would be huge. We'd "outflank" our main opponent, capture vast new markets and develop great momentum, and then with that increased strength, address the initial marketplace (of PC desktops and laptops) with a much larger arsenal at our disposal.

>> 	Ultimately - the techincal strategy is easy; the only problem is people
>> to actually hack on doing it :-) are you volunteering ? 
> 
> What will be much more effective is for me to devise a strategy that can
> pay several developers to work on the project. I'm out of date in
> hacking, but I know how we should be able to make money. I think that is
> just a better use of the resources I can provide. 

You're the General in my above, overly-military sounding metaphor. :) As a person who appreciates strategy myself, I agree with you on the importance of what you do.

-Ben

Benjamin Horst
bhorst@mac.com
646-464-2314 (Eastern)
www.solidoffice.com


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