Developer Platform for Mobile devices

Currently, the four major competitors in the developer platform for Mobile devices are Java, Microsoft Mobile & CE, Symbian, and the latest to challenge is Google’s Android. Each of them has its own pros & cons.
Microsoft Mobile & CE platform is a proprietary platform and it is limited by that very sense. It is not building up on open systems. Symbian has recently opened up its platform to developers but getting started with Symbian is non-trivial for variety of reasons (one being the lack of a good development environment). Java also has its platform but comparatively slow and does not abstract out the underlying hardware that beautifully. One of the biggest challenges that has plagued the Mobile industry is that the developers have to write up different versions of applications for different mobile phones. That is where Google’s Android can score. It builds up on an open platform and promises to integrate different mobile phone development, and make it easy for developers to cross-transfer applications. But the big question is why would the mobile industry which has remained a close /proprietary industry be willing to give up its control and adopt Google’s Android system. May be the answer lies in the promise, that it will be draw a line between hardware producers and software producers. Within the software producers segment, there would be some big companies but mostly the typical solo developers who bring in the best innovation. These developers would be able to create a widget sort of mobile applications and be easily able to install on such Google Android. Further, the business model would be Mobile Advertizing which would help in providing cost advantage to all the players. The Mobile digital advertizing would take in money from local/regional advertizers, bring in better monetary value to the local businesses. The application developer may/will be able to share the revenue from advertizing. The End user will get more relevant information on their mobile and further they may/will be able to also share the revenues from advertizing (in terms of subsidized service charges).
Eventually, the current Mobile platforms have to actively tap into:
(a) The developer Gaia
(b) Abstract the hardware, basic os kernel functions, and final application development. Imagine an end user being able to attach a device to my current phone such as 802.11n chipset and being able to use it.
(c) Enable new business model of “Personalized Digital advertizing” and share the revenues
(d) Provide more relevant information to the end-users. It should not be restricted to simple games, and reading Microsoft Documents on phone. By the way, who reads a document on phone?
(e) Access and draw up on the information available in public and personal domain to provide personalized applications. For example, imagine an application which pulls up data from Calendar and current location, and tells us you that you should start now or you will be late.
Google’s Android is a good step for the masses as it will invigorate the mobile application development industry and new business models. This coupled with new hardware/software innovation by Apple’s iPhone will bring in new era to phone. In this era the phones would move out of audio & text communication but phones will become information portals, entertainment, & alert devices. I am really very excited about the mobile phone future and what this future it holds for us.