If Europeans could agree on common currency.. who knows! maybe one day :)

Second, we get what you mean by “This dilemma is platform fragmentation” from the context, but you sure didn’t say it. Dilemma implies two alternatives, platform fragmentation is a single phenomenon, thus cannot be referred to as “dilemma”.

Third, “likelihood” is one word, like “neighborhood”. I don’t know why you’re talking about a probable soft covering for the head…

You are correct and both the mainframe and the mini followed a fragmented model as well. Then the industry standardized and now it is fragmenting again. History has a tendency to repeat itself.

I agree with you hardware and platform differentiated in important, particularly in a fragmented market. My point is that instead of committing to a platform I would rather commit to the applications provider.

The debate should be around whether software should have as little of shelf life as the device or not. If we agree it should not then it needs to be platform agnostic.

It was much like it is today, except that the quality of the apps were very different.

Visicalc and Wordstar on CP/M behaved the same, even on different platforms, and even on PC/DOS a while later.

There are still some accountants that dream of Visicalc and the DOS version of Lotus 123. They worked well.

Now days, I have about 40 options for a tip calculator for my phone. That is just silly, especially since many of them want $0.99 for it. (or more)

In the early days, software was much more open and shared. That is how Lotus made 123. That is how many database engines use the same algorithms. They are known.

Software diversity is a very good thing. Hardware diversity is a very very good thing. It prevents vendor lock in and high prices.

Please, lets not start spouting the Microsoft mantra of ‘compatibility’ in this day and age. We know where that leads.

The Droid X and the iPhone have roughly the same level of hardware sophistication. But in the near term we are seeing many devices being produced that will eclipse both. Well before an iPhone 5 refresh.

Do you really want to slow down the rapid pace of smartphone development?

That is what happens when you require compatibility.

Let them fragment. Let them diversify. Allow them to differentiate, and let the consumer choose features.

Yes, advertising in the free market can overturn consumer awareness, but not all of it.

I am excited to see how far they will take this new marketplace.

When considering how many different platforms are available, consider all of the accessories we buy for our Mp3 players, smart phones, laptops, satellite radio, tablets etc.

I personally have a history of spending as much as hundreds of dollars extra for things like car docks, home docks, boomboxes, cases, chargers and adapters. They are almost never interchangeable.

One of the great things I like about Apple…they make it easy to upgrade your device and still be able to use all of your expensive accessories.

I get it, that the developers of these great electronics want to have something special and different to entice you to buy their product, but wouldn’t it be great if there was a standard connector and charger for all devices?