Android: A House Divided

[Darkseider]

Articles like this are great. It reminds me of why I love Android so much and the ability to have multiple markets PLUS the Android market as well. Imagine that? Verizon has its' own market that will be exclusive to them PLUS the standard Android market. Sounds like a value add if there is something in there that a consumer wants that is not available elsewhere. The only real thing needed is a better search mechanism within the market and that will pretty much iron out the confusion.

 

[Michael Heller]

I think people are savvier than you give credit for...

Phones and service are becoming commoditized so apps are ultimately going to be a source of differentiation.

Based on my entire life being more tech savvy than most, and the constant stream of help people need, I think the majority of people aren't as tech savvy as you might think. I think that's why iPhone has such an appeal: it's a sophisticated computing device that's made for those who don't know, or care to learn, much about technology. Sure power-users will find apps, but my concern is with people like my siblings, or not-so-savvy friends.

Isn't apps being part of the differentiation process a problem? As good as the service is with Verizon, I don't like their pricing structure, so I don't use their service. On an open system like Android, why should I be locked out of certain apps because they are in Verizon's Market? Carriers should be differentiating based on their service, pricing structure, and devices. Manufacturers can differentiate with custom UIs, and devices. But, the Marketplace should be ubiquitous and open. Are people switching to Verizon just because they have an exclusive deal with Skype? No, people just aren't using Skype. That doesn't help anyone.

 

[Michael Heller]

Imagine that? Verizon has its' own market that will be exclusive to them PLUS the standard Android market.

And what about those of us who don't want Verizon's pricing structure? What about those of us who travel and want to have a GSM phone? We get locked out of the "open system" because of it? There's no value in Verizon for me, this just gives them more power over the market.

 

[Darkseider]

Imagine that? Verizon has its' own market that will be exclusive to them PLUS the standard Android market.

And what about those of us who don't want Verizon's pricing structure? What about those of us who travel and want to have a GSM phone? We get locked out of the "open system" because of it? There's no value in Verizon for me, this just gives them more power over the market.

No you still have the Android Market. You don't like it? Waaaaaa.... wait here comes the waaaambulance. GM makes a Chevy Corvette and a Chevy Cruze. Does that mean that the Geo Prism should have the same options as the Corvette? No. You the consumer makes a choice best suited to your needs and budget. Simple. Don't demand equality demand differentiation and individuality. Otherwise the lack of competition will stifle development and innovation on both the software and hardware front. An example of this stifling iPhone 3GS to iPhone 4. iPhone iOS 3 to iOS 4. This is what closed markets and closed minds do to products. Android has reinvented this and given the mobile community a new fresh breath of air.

 

[Michael Heller]

Don't demand equality demand differentiation and individuality. Otherwise the lack of competition will stifle development and innovation on both the software and hardware front. An example of this stifling iPhone 3GS to iPhone 4. iPhone iOS 3 to iOS 4. This is what closed markets and closed minds do to products. Android has reinvented this and given the mobile community a new fresh breath of air.

As I said before: Carriers should be differentiating based on their service, pricing structure, and devices. Manufacturers can differentiate with custom UIs, and devices. But, the Marketplace should be ubiquitous and open.

Ignoring those of us in the USA not on Verizon being locked out of their Market and those apps, what happens to international users? Will the Verizon exclusives be completely unavailable to them? Will Google have to create a way to list apps for international users, but hide them from American users?

You decry the iPhone as a closed system that is bad, but you do realize that is exactly what Verizon wants right? Verizon wants to make a Marketplace that is closed, tightly monitored, and proprietary, just like Apple's App Store. Verizon wants a Market that will make them money and they couldn't care less about anyone else on the Android platform.

 

[harv2000]

I think we will find that there is a balance to be struck between rights (freedom) and responsibility. If we were all willing to assume perfect and complete responsibility for all aspects of our use of technology, including accepting the complete consequences of any decisions made, then no governence would be necessary. As soon as we want something like "support", "warrantee", or "protection" we begin to accept governence in exchange for giving up those "rights".

Additionally, nothing in this world is free. It is not always clear where your "financial payment" occurs, but don't be fooled, it does occur. Many times, it is so abstract that you don't think about it. There is altruism in this world, but no one is capable of nothing but free production. If nothing else, there needs to be enough "pay" for the acquisition and consumption of food.

Okay, enough with the highflying conceptual stuff, the bottom line is that the more protection the consumer base wants on their marketplace, the fewer rights the consumer base will have over what that marketplace contains. There will always be an open marketplace, even if that marketplace is completely underground and known as the black market.

 

[kodiak799]

Isn't apps being part of the differentiation process a problem?

Absolutely not. Apps will increasingly be viewed as part of the overall service paid for. Here we are lamenting the supposed disinterest from developers because people can't find their apps and here's a deep-pocket multi-billion dollar company willing to throw resources behind it because they recognize it as a future source of competitive advantage. Ultimately I would expect to see tiered pricing, maybe your plan comes with included apps free but if you are on another network they might cost $10 each. And you'll still have a market for free and open competition.

You can't purchase and transfer an IPhone app to a Droid, so how are VZW-only apps any different?

To put it simply, which is better: a market with the addition of VZW supported apps, or one without it? The former clearly will offer more choice and quality. If you don't want VZW service then it's no different than if the VZW market never existed in the first place.

 

[Michael Heller]

If you don't want VZW service then it's no different than if the VZW market never existed in the first place.

If that is true, then so be it. The problem I see is what we've already seen with Skype, where apps that once were available to everyone will suddenly become Verizon only.

 

[kodiak799]

If that is true, then so be it. The problem I see is what we've already seen with Skype, where apps that once were available to everyone will suddenly become Verizon only.

Fair enough. I understand the concern. I'm sure it will make financial sense for some developers to do exclusivity agreements. That's not necessarily a negative you have to think in terms of net benefit. You might have some Skype-type scenarios, but the resources will probably yield numerous other applications. And anything successful/good is going to quickly be replicated if there is a market for it.

More than anything I'm saying the Android app development lacks leadership, and VZW & Moto getting into the game will provide leadership that should be far more beneficial than some apps not being open platform.

 

[Michael Heller]

More than anything I'm saying the Android app development lacks leadership, and VZW & Moto getting into the game will provide leadership that should be far more beneficial than some apps not being open platform.

Agreed. There needs to be leadership, but I think it needs to be central leadership, not factions. Verizon and now Amazon can and probably will make intriguing markets that are better than the standard Android market, but I still think Android needs to be unified, not split apart.