Garrett: The state of XMir

Using Google services is just a tool. It can be a cause for bad communication, but doesn't have to be. The rest of your post has nothing to do about communication, but more about possible secrecy. Launchpad allows search engines to index Launchpad. Seems a bit conspiracy theory to suggest that Analytics is used by Google to spy on competitors if I understand you correctly. Obviously if you add a Analytics thing to a website, you should only add it on public pages. No idea if that is done on Launchpad, but that's just basic security IMO. And regarding security: it is far easier to send some people off to conferences, you'll hear enough (even if just rumours).

Xmir seems destined to remain a Canonical-only solution. But I finally think I understand the reason for starting it: being able to control the pace of their phone product.

Regarding XMir and your Google/communication bit: Things are worked on at the same time. Some people work on XMir, some on the distribution, some on the phone bit, some on Launchpad. Cool that you have a pet peeve, but you have failed to show that it is a problem. Further, you have failed to show that this should be prioritized over XMir or that the XMir team could do that.