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I never knew Android OS was derived from Linux. If android is suitable for tablets is it only a matter of time before ubuntu is squeezed from its already small desktop share?

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I doubt that Ubuntu can move fast enough to capture tablets; as far as Linux winning the tablet wars, I definitely think that will happen but it will be Android that wins, not Ubuntu. Google has put years and years of effort into tuning the kernel for power savings, eliminating unnecessary things and adding new code. Ubuntu's kernel would need significant modifications to be competitive in the mobile market. I'm sure they'll follow and build a tablet Ubuntu, but I seriously doubt it'll be competitive in the market. iOS and Android are years and years ahead in that regard.

Also worth noting, Android is the most frustratingly closed flavor of Linux ever seen (thanks, mostly, to handset manufacturers).

I understand manufacturers can't sell uncertified software with their devices, but, they could, at least, make it a switch the user can flip that voids the warranty, warns me it could be a criminal offense depending where I am located and let me install whatever I want on my hardware.

I might be misremembering, but wasn't Tivo also Linux-based?

Right. It's a tie.

And TiVo doesn't have the excuse of telecom equipment regulations preventing user tweaking.

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