Android News
AT&T CEO still not sold on Android
February 24, 2009 | by Andrew Kameka
Android, AT&T, Carriers
It was no surprise that AT&T didn’t warm up to Android when Google first announced the mobile operating system. AT&T was still getting fat off subscribers the iPhone attracted, so why rock the boat with a new product that directly competed with its flagship device? Even less surprising, AT&T still isn’t sold on Android according to an interview Engadget conducted with AT&T Mobility CEO Ralph De La Vega.
De La Vega told Engadget, “We like the Android as an operating system on its own, but we want to make sure that we have, and customers have the option, to put applications on that device that are not just Google applications.”
Come again? Android allows anyone with $25 and some programming skills to develop apps, so it’s not “just Google applications.” Outside developers have plenty of opportunities to develop apps, much like the iPhone. Not to mention that Apple places far more restrictions on applications than Google.
De La Vega did express some valid concerns about Android’s security and openness, citing them as issues that need to be addressed before AT&T considers bringing Android to its subscribers. De La Vega says that his company is open to the idea of an Android coming to AT&T someday, just not anytime soon based on his comments. You can read the full interview at Engadget.
Every time I hear about AT&T and Android it makes me more and more convinced I made the right decision… I was with AT&T until the day the G1 was released, I paid the early termination fees and everything
I could say I too am happy I did not hold my breath for an Android phone from AT&T. I really feel that they could have made all the apps and changes to android over the last year or so of feet dragging. By the way, instead of termination fees I was going to just SIM Unlock a G1 (pain) until I heard of the Android Dev Phone 1. It is a root enabled and SIM unlocked HTC Dream (G1) and I’m still on AT&T without 3G (thank goodness for Wi-Fi). Just hopes AT&T comes around as all the other major cell carriers see much more promise in Android.
Honestly, the Google presence is why I haven't gone Android yet. The truth of the matter is that if you are not a fan of Gmail you will have a rough time getting push email to work. Google is pushed on you with Android. Android is not THAT "wide open" and "liberated" as it's made out to be. I hope Cupcake fixes the push email issue.