The convergence of media technologies has paved way for a never before seen dynamic conversation between consumers and producers, and allowing for the former to merge with the latter. The population is now pinning, tweeting, booking and linked in. Whether they have read it, snapped it or tagged it.
This dissemination of platforms and technologies can be overwhelming, and so four characteristics have been identified to make sense of the storm (Bruns 2007) and better yet, understand the nuances of the Android OS.
Firstly is a shift in producers, which is encouraged by Android as the app development kit is free. This allows the users to become producers and flex their creative muscles, however as previously mentioned this allows for more nefarious deeds as discussed here. This bred an online community of avid developers sharing ideas and insights.
The nature of remix is seen with companies re working the base Android OS code and applying their own aesthetic and technical changes, such as HTC which runs their own skin of the Android OS. Or if you prefer you can run an iOS skin.
If you have happened to have read my previous posts you should understand that Android is an open OS, which is one of its greatest strengths and greatest weaknesses. The open nature allows for creative and unique apps that may be rejected by the Apple store, but as a result of this there is an organised chaos on Google Play. This puts the onus on the user to navigate this and deduce which apps are useful and which ones will steal your banking details.
Finally as a result of this fluid movement can occur between the people who work professionally for Android and to those who develop as a hobby. Alterations to the look and feel of the OS by a hobbyist may be how the next Android OS update actually is. Personally I think Gummy Bear would be a fun name.
References:
Bruns, Axel (2007) Produsage: Towards a Broader Framework for User-Led Content Creation. In Proceedings Creativity & Cognition 6, Washington, DC.
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