That appears to validate my belief that only Google can competitively take the Linux kernel and build atop it a software stack known as a desktop/mobile/user operating system.
And if my assertion that intention prediction and voice search will be competitive features for users, features that rely on mass data collection and expensive top talent, then I think organizations like Canonical or RedHat will fall behind in the desktop/mobile/user os space.
I tend to mix up Linux and Unix and that might be the issue here... But isn't the `Apple Garden` (OSX and iOS) an example of a desktop/mobile/user operating system built on Linux?
Apple's no M$, but they are certainly competitive.
It's entirely possible that Apple takes code or inspiration from the Linux software project, but I think it's better to say that OS X is Unix based. Even if Linux and Darwin hail from Unix roots, at some point, I think they become separate projects with separate interests and fates. What's good or bad for one doesn't have to be the same for the other.
When I think of what organizations will be competing on machine-learning backed features like intention prediction or voice search, I think of Apple, Microsoft, or Google. Those OS features won't be inside the OS. They'll be backed by a wealth of proprietary data hidden behind company servers.
I think user expectations for what a modern OS ought do will evolve, and I don't think Canonical or Redhat will be able to catch up to Microsoft, Apple, or Google.
Eventually, what we think of "Linux OS" will be Android (and if you want, OS X) and maybe some other offerings by these big giants, but the most user-demanded features won't be on the OS. Therefore, Samsung can't just fork Android and expect to compete sans Google, and Canonical or Redhat won't be able to compete either.
And if my assertion that intention prediction and voice search will be competitive features for users, features that rely on mass data collection and expensive top talent, then I think organizations like Canonical or RedHat will fall behind in the desktop/mobile/user os space.