Democracy or dictatorship? When it comes to designing the best product, is it better to have a determined leader who's willing to sacrifice all to fulfil a vision, or a multi-member ruling party where everyone has a say?

It's the question that has once again come to the fore with the launch of the HTC Dream, Google's first Android phone in Australia.

The Android mobile platform is the result of a collaboration of companies, led by Google, called the Open Handset Alliance (OHA). The goal of the OHA - currently made up of 47 technology and mobile companies - is to build an open and free mobile platform. A noble cause indeed.