Google Android Losing Its Mojo? Not So Fast!
Garett Rogers of ZDNet posted recently that Google’s Andoid is shedding its allure with developers and therefore won’t be as attractive as an mobile application platform. In turn, Rogers argues, Android-powered phones won’t be as competitive as the newly released iPhone 3G.
My reply is “wait a minute!”. Why? Mainly because Android hasn’t appeared tangibly on any hardware yet. It’s still just a theoretical operating system. Yes, the iPhone and it’s corresponding Application Store are a fantastic package for adopting and consuming mobile applications.
However, studies show that the mobile market will grow increasingly over the next few years. What I’m getting at is there will be plenty of room in the mobile marketplace for numerous players. Just like the personal computing market, those who want a more seemless experience will seek Apple (adopting the iPhone mobile side), business types will seek their corporate-mandated computing environment (looking at Windows Mobile and RIM for the cell phone, and the DIY/geeky crowd will seek another option - perhaps Android is just that.
What makes me believe Android will be a hit in the mobile marketplace? Many factors, including but not limited to:
- Google Integration: This mobile OS is going to have deep Google services integration benefiting those who use Gmail, Google Calendar, Google Docs. Jaiku has an awesome micro-blogging software with built-in presence on the Nokia S60 platform and since then Google has bought Jaiku. Expect some sweet integration with Jaiku into the Android OS. Also, Google has bought GrandCentral, the fantastic VoIP product that provides you one phone number to ring every phone in your life. How can GrandCentral be integrated? I’m not sure, but expect great things.
- The Google touch demonstrations: at conferences, the Android demos have been fantastic. See this one for reference:
- The (known) present Google applications. Check out the winners from the Google app contest. There are some fantastic applications that stack up against the Apple iPhone applications in usefulness and functionality.
- Open-ness. Google Android and Symbian have a factor that is absent from iPhone and it’s App Store. Open-ness. It lacks Apple’s DRM and walled garden approach and might be more attractive to independent software developers.
- The International factor: Android and the Open Handset Alliance are going to be able to build attractive handsets powered by a rich and capable operating system. Internationally, this will be a hit in countries that don’t drink the Apple kool-aid like we do in the US.
