Realizing Android's Potential

[andrewjordan]

I would like to propose an idea for the purpose of promoting a conversation that will help focus the efforts of android's software development. This is one vision; I would like to hear others'.

I have an idea for the next generation of android phones. Apple, by releasing the iphone 4s with little noteworthy improvements besides Siri, has given Android a strategic opportunity. This current dynamic, combined with a ground-breaking phone would result in loyal Apple customers easily justifying a switch to a great Android phone. All the hardware exists for for this idea, and would become cost effective on a large enough scale (I'm aware Google and Android are currently not involved in hardware manufacturing.)


The software required is daunting. Google has the best software engineers and programmers in the world. This project could in the short term be asking employees and volunteers to devote extra time and energy. But the long term rewards for the company, the employees, developers and users would be incredible.


I have a creative background (recently graduating with a Bachelor of Arts), so I found it easiest to convey my idea in an unconventional, and hopefully enjoyable, way: a script for a commercial of the phone. Here it is:


A man pulls up to a house that's having a small get together; possibly 6-8 family members. The man is greeted at the door, which shows a modest sized living room and possibly a board game being prepared by some of the others. Before sitting, the man places his phone face down on a nearby table. There is commotion, laughing, activity. We pick up on a conversation:



A: “Kind of like that one movie where the guy uses kung fu to play soccer!”


Crowd: “Yeah, that's right!” “I think I know the movie your talking about!”



B: “What was the name of that movie? ”



Crowd: “Uhhh.” “Hummm.” (Pause)



A: “I know the main character was in another kung fu film that was like it, but I can't remember the name.”



The man's phone, which he earlier placed several feet away on a nearby table, makes a noticeable but non intrusive sound.



The man: (looking to his phone) “Yes Europa?”


In the process of saying this the room grows silent, skeptical of a response.

For a millisecond the phone shines a red laser on the wall to orient itself. A short three second commercial projects onto the wall:



A voice says: "Choose Oral-D for a whiter, brighter smile! Available at (wherever the phone's owner likes to shop)."



The projection shows a man looking into the mirror above the sink in his bathroom. Cut to him brushing his teeth. Just before the voice finishes, cut to him finished, smiling in the mirror, showing a set of perfect, clean, white teeth.



Then, a calm helpful voice (the phone's voice) says:



P: “The movie you are thinking of is Shoalin Soccer, starring Stephen Chow.”



The phone projects the Internet Movie Database (IMDb) web page for "Shoalin Soccer".



P: “Stephan Chow also starred in Kung Fu Hustle, another comedy involving martial arts sequences. Would you like to know more? ”



The man: “No thank you, Europa.”



The projection on the wall disappears and the phone makes another sound, this time signaling that it is standing by.



The next shot is of the rest of the family silently starring at the man with their mouths open.



The man: “Pretty cool, right? ”

End commercial.


So, there is a lot of work to be done before this happens, and it probably won't be accomplished before the iphone 5 comes out, but it's certainly within the realm of possibility. Like I said, the hardware exists. It's physically possible, but it requires engineers and programmers to be more than just the best, they need to be the best they can be.


Hopefully something useful will come from this thread, even if it is just a laugh. I like Google; I like how the company has grown, and I like the activities it engages in and decisions it makes. I want to see it continue this path. Feel free to respond or contact me if you would like.