Practically all of the commentary I have read about the Android platform and the Open Handset Alliance seem to take it for granted that this initiative will be successful and will revolutionise the industry. But looking at the line-up of players, in my gloomier moments I can imagine at least as many orthogonal objectives as there are players involved.

1. Why might Android succeed?
2. Why might it fail?
3. How long might we have to wait to find out one way or the other?