What she apparently means is that devices are becoming commodities where software and services do not create as much differentiation as once was hoped.
On the other hand, that might be good for consumers who will find they get more power and utility from newer devices without paying higher prices.
"Some, including me, thought that apps and services would help vendors add value to hardware," says Milanesi. "It seems to me though, that the popularity of Android is not going to allow that to happen."
Perhaps oddly, what Milanesi is suggesting is that "open" platforms, though generally considered a better way to foster innovation than "closed" approaches, might need to be re-thought.
She says Apple and Research in Motion provide alternate examples, where suppliers can innovate and capture the returns. She also seems to be suggesting that the separation of ownership of operating systems and hardware is not necessarily the best way forward for device suppliers.
The healthier financial approach would be to feature an "open" approach to applications on "closed" platforms (operating system and hardware bundled).
