IMO, the apps/firmware are not overly important, be it analog circuits, digital circuits, logic circuits, memory circuits, speaker circuits,.... a myriad of dedicated circuits for pretty much anything you wish ....The methods to implement as needed are.

How you plug them in(actual control circuitry) and be compatible with existing environments(handsets/networks)

IMO, they are seeding the landscape and forcing the hand of many.....e.g Apple, with its recent patent for ICC interface....being nothing more than physical plug connections for a device(non-control circuitry issues).

We're right there in the thick of it and can't seem to get over the hump.....for some strange friggin reason.
doni