Google's whole play on the Android thing was to ensure Apple didn't triumph too far, and they've succeeded. It was never about putting Linux on phones. Look, Nokia's died. (Though last time I mentioned this someone on HN got upset.) The other device manufacturers (including Smart TVs now) are essentially presently dependent on Google (though Samsung is trying very hard not to be), and our mobiles are all online without us buying Apple devices.
Second, the whole lockdown thing is dual-faced. First, the carriers in the US and other markets that subsidise phones (advertising: $0!) with long term lock-in contracts don't want people hacking the phone. Therefore there's a requirement for them to make it a bit hard to open up. On the other hand, often a content licensing requirements from content partners force them to include this stuff, typically Hollywood studios. (I have it on good information that Microsoft paid a hundred million dollars up front to Samsung to convince them to introduce their new DRM solution in the Galaxy series. So the DRM thing is basically a moot point, if you are paid that much!) And finally, the devices do need some secure storage for cryptographic purposes, for example storing passwords.
Net result: the consumer is shafted. Thanks, industry. I hope FirefoxOS can get some traction.
Here's what I believe 'should' happen: - Carriers realize their value-add is the consumer relationship, actually provide decent billing interfaces to all and sundry, replace PayPal and the credit card companies. (Problem: They can't. Their internal billing systems are generally a mess, custom hacks layered on to black boxes they outsourced to AMDOCS) - Device manufacturers should embrace openness, encouraging people to load whatever they want with an OPTIONAL vector for validating cryptographic trust of a codebase. The manufacturers should actually invest in facilitating this. In most of the world, people are super keen to muck with phones, there is a community that will fix bugs and improve things, and those who sell the devices have time to customize. - AOSP people should join FirefoxOS and work for a more open world instead of working on Google's pretend-open platform (step 1: upload everything to google, step 2: see step 1) for free. Work on there a year or so, then pimp yourself out to a device manufacturer. Guaranteed cash, feel good about your work, help break the unhealthy Googopoly.