Google challenges Apple, Microsoft and Garmin

Google is brave. It tries to break open the operating system monopolies of Microsoft on the pc, and Apple on the iPhone and other Apple devices.
The Google Nexus One is developed in co-operation with the Taiwanese manufacturer HTC, is intened to take the Apple iPhone head-on, and runs Google's open source Android operating system.
At the same time, Google is said to be working on a Netbook running Google Chrome OS, and a navigator.
Primarily, the devices are launched for the US market, and create pressure for Apple, Microsoft and Garmin respectively.

Not bad for the ambitious online search and advertizing giant that promised "To do no evil". Of course, its own core is as closed as can be. But, at least it is challenging the 'closed' software monopolies, and it is not afraid to open multiple fronts at the same time. Even if Google only partially succeeds with its hardware projects, it will already be able to stir the market, and show how committed it is to its open source OS philosophy. More hardware providers will be challenged to adopt Android, Chrome or just plain-old Linux with some adaptations.