Android: The new king of the mobile castle

[mtkregs]

Very good article!

re: The comments in this thread...It always makes me laugh when I read threads that debate dominance in the smartphone world. Fanboys calling fanboys "fanboys" never becomes less funny to me. Also, every thread, of this kind, is guaranteed to have some form of name-calling in it. The world of smartphones has become a very passionate marketplace.

Stripping out rhetoric and passion, and looking at this strictly from a market perspective, this is what I think:

Apple: You might not like Jobs (for whatever reason), but it is a fact that Apple set the standard in personal media and smartphone devices as we know them today (iPod, iPhone, etc..). What's brilliant is the point at which Apple begins influencing people that their brand is "THE" brand to have/want/need. How many kids ask for Apple devices at Christmas time or birthdays? So, Junior gets an iPod Shuffle, then in a couple of years wants a Mini or Touch. After living with and using those devices for years, what smartphone do you think that Junior will be drawn to when he/she comes of age?

RIM: Lives and breaths on their stronghold of the corporate world. However, Google and Apple are getting closer to breaking that stronghold with enhanced Enterprise Server integration. I have owned a couple of Blackberry devices as I need instant accessibility to my corporate email, calendar, and contacts. I was concerned about switching to the Droid because I couldn't go without that. There are a few things that BB does better, in that regard, but after having my D1 since November, I can honestly say I don't miss my BB devices. RIM needs to come up with something big to stay in the game.

Palm: Is a company that blew it. I used to love Palm. I had a couple of their PIM devices before smartphones were popular...and my first smartphone was a Palm Treo. It's really a shame that a company with great ideas and a nice OS fell to the bottom of the pack. That's what bad marketing and inferior hardware will do to a company.

Google/Android: I still own the same D1 I bought the morning of launch day. I chose the D1 as I wanted a better web browsing experience than I had with my BB. I could have chosen the BB Storm, but didn't like the feel of it as much as the D1. I can honestly say that, had an iPhone been available on VZW at the time, I'm not sure if I would have my D1 now or the iPhone. I wasn't going to leave VZW though. I've been a Sprint and AT&T customer and have traveled all over the country while being on those networks. My experience has been that VZW is the most reliable. Knowing what I know now, and living with my Droid for nearly a year, I'm glad I made the choice I did. I am amazed at the strides Android has made in such a short period of time.

My opinion is that a VZW iPhone will have a significant effect on Android, and certainly AT&T. Android will continue to be a contender, but will most likely experience a decline in market share unless Google releases something irresistible in that same time period.

 

[czerdrill]

Very good article!

re: The comments in this thread...It always makes me laugh when I read threads that debate dominance in the smartphone world. Fanboys calling fanboys "fanboys" never becomes less funny to me. Also, every thread, of this kind, is guaranteed to have some form of name-calling in it. The world of smartphones has become a very passionate marketplace.

Stripping out rhetoric and passion, and looking at this strictly from a market perspective, this is what I think:

Apple: You might not like Jobs (for whatever reason), but it is a fact that Apple set the standard in personal media and smartphone devices as we know them today (iPod, iPhone, etc..). What's brilliant is the point at which Apple begins influencing people that their brand is "THE" brand to have/want/need. How many kids ask for Apple devices at Christmas time or birthdays? So, Junior gets an iPod Shuffle, then in a couple of years wants a Mini or Touch. After living with and using those devices for years, what smartphone do you think that Junior will be drawn to when he/she comes of age?

RIM: Lives and breaths on their stronghold of the corporate world. However, Google and Apple are getting closer to breaking that stronghold with enhanced Enterprise Server integration. I have owned a couple of Blackberry devices as I need instant accessibility to my corporate email, calendar, and contacts. I was concerned about switching to the Droid because I couldn't go without that. There are a few things that BB does better, in that regard, but after having my D1 since November, I can honestly say I don't miss my BB devices. RIM needs to come up with something big to stay in the game.

Palm: Is a company that blew it. I used to love Palm. I had a couple of their PIM devices before smartphones were popular...and my first smartphone was a Palm Treo. It's really a shame that a company with great ideas and a nice OS fell to the bottom of the pack. That's what bad marketing and inferior hardware will do to a company.

Google/Android: I still own the same D1 I bought the morning of launch day. I chose the D1 as I wanted a better web browsing experience than I had with my BB. I could have chosen the BB Storm, but didn't like the feel of it as much as the D1. I can honestly say that, had an iPhone been available on VZW at the time, I'm not sure if I would have my D1 now or the iPhone. I wasn't going to leave VZW though. I've been a Sprint and AT&T customer and have traveled all over the country while being on those networks. My experience has been that VZW is the most reliable. Knowing what I know now, and living with my Droid for nearly a year, I'm glad I made the choice I did. I am amazed at the strides Android has made in such a short period of time.

My opinion is that a VZW iPhone will have a significant effect on Android, and certainly AT&T. Android will continue to be a contender, but will most likely experience a decline in market share unless Google releases something irresistible in that same time period.

+1. this post describes exactly what's happening and what will happen if the iphone comes to VZW. It's baffling that people think Android has that much influence over new smartphone shoppers. There are people on VZW who have dumbphones and have been saving their upgrades for years in the hope that the iPhone comes to verizon. Android is just not as popular as iOS. It's a fact.

 

[FnTwizted]

Ill be the first to tell you ios isn't a joke, and I'm glad that they made it chase I feel that phone revolutionized the smartphone. But dragon here in lies where u opinion fails, Steve jobs instead of pushing the boundaries they pump out a minimally updated version like they always do with all their products and call it revolutionary, oh wait I didn't know not being able to make a call was a step forward in cellphone technology. Or the fact that the facetime was advanced considering within a month of boasting about it HTC with their evo was like yeah cool here u go that's not a big deal... oh wait we can do it and be on 3g, oh yeah 4g oh darn wifi too shucks next trick... all joking aside I'm not loyal to a os I'm loyal to progression without stagnation, and apple is a stingy shirt I will not wear cause I have lived the long enough to see how apple runs its self and they are on the same path they were in the 80's and that is run themselves out into oblivion.

 

[Big Ry]

I love android... but just to be fair... The only reason IPhone(iOS phones) isn't @ the top is baaaad marketing. Ifit was available on all networks... If IPhone was offered by Sprint, Verizon, Tmobile... etc as Android, RIM, and Palm phones are. The world would be a dark dark place... run by that *mod edit for inappropriate language* Steve.

But how ever would apple find the time for such a thing!? They're scrambling to develop 1 OS that runs on 1 device on 1 network in only a 1 year time frame! That's incredible productivity!!!

considering its outsold android and will set record sales numbers if it comes to verizon, somehow i doubt steve jobs is losing sleep...

I don't doubt that it will sell well. My point was simply that the apple dev team could not possibly have it any easier. Any company could make a seemless and fluid OS if they only need to design it for 1 device on 1 network once a year...especially if they limit the end users freedom and flexibility like apple does.

 

[czerdrill]

But how ever would apple find the time for such a thing!? They're scrambling to develop 1 OS that runs on 1 device on 1 network in only a 1 year time frame! That's incredible productivity!!!

considering its outsold android and will set record sales numbers if it comes to verizon, somehow i doubt steve jobs is losing sleep...

I don't doubt that it will sell well. My point was simply that the apple dev team could not possibly have it any easier. Any company could make a seemless and fluid OS if they only need to design it for 1 device on 1 network once a year...especially if they limit the end users freedom and flexibility like apple does.

But that's my point. They have a one year cycle on one network they limit flexibility and they've still outsold every other android device combined...furthering my argument that people don't care about that...simplicity functionality and effective marketing sell...apple provides all three...

 

[HuffPCair]

I love android... but just to be fair... The only reason IPhone(iOS phones) isn't @ the top is baaaad marketing. Ifit was available on all networks... If IPhone was offered by Sprint, Verizon, Tmobile... etc as Android, RIM, and Palm phones are. The world would be a dark dark place... run by that *mod edit for inappropriate language* Steve.

I agree with you on this one. Who knows if Android would of done as well as they have if Apple was on every network. Would this many people give it a chance if they had an iPhone. But they messed up and Android is a great OS. I now have no interest in the iPhone because I love Android. Thank you Apple, for not allowing me to get the iPhone on Verizon. I have moved on towards a better OS.

Of course now they are coming to Verizon dancedroiddancedroid

 

[Dragon3463]

Why am I an idiot? Because I use droid in short of android? I guess I'm an idiot then..
The iphone has been proven for years and the ANDROID OS is a new, just as windows 7 phone os is as well..The android needs approving with alot of things...first of the copy and paste issue that is finally starting to make an appearance..

Let me ask if you ever had something that constantly messes up? Sooner or later you get tired of fighting with it, and begin to hate it. But I guess that don't happen to you since you are so perfect!!! Yeah Whatever!!

I've had two android phones and both have been POS...The first one the D1 no copy and paste for one...then I started to get emails that have been deleted over and over again, from both the phone and the email account. My girlfriend has the same phone and guess what..The problems exist on it, my friend has the same phone, with the same problems. You know what she got from the Verizon tech and every other tech we have talked to about it ...and I quote. "We don't have problems with the droid, millions of people have the same phone and they don't report it!" unquote.

Maybe its because they have never reported it or they have never had the problem..WHo knows? Truthfully, I don't really care...It also froze alot and had to pull the battery..

My second phone is the droid X. When I first got it, loved it. been out what 2 months maybe 3. and already its freezes constantly, having to pull the battery. The screen quits. and the same things goes for tech...We don't have problems with the droid operating system.

With froyo, it has gotten worse...Do I hate the android os? Yes and No..

But it does need approving...Just because sells are off the chart, doesn't make it a great phone...Just makes google and verizon doing their job selling a product.

So say what you want about me...don't really care...

 

[kodiak799]

But that's my point. They have a one year cycle on one network they limit flexibility and they've still outsold every other android device combined...furthering my argument that people don't care about that...simplicity functionality and effective marketing sell...apple provides all three...

They've outsold because they were revolutionary in smartphones. But Android is selling more and selling faster these days.

There are people out there waiting for the VZW IPhone, but not that many. With upgrades every year or two you either plunged with Android or switched to AT&T.

Apple gets a premium for that brand/marketing but don't underestimate the consumer. Like I said, Apple has the same branding and marketing with the Mac but is less than 5% of the market - the majority of consumers value price and/or functionality. Most of the new smartphone buyers walking into that store are not presold on IPhone and when they run the side-by-side comparisons Android will hold its own just fine.

 

[Dragon3463]

and yes the Iphone with differently give the Android phones a run for its money when or if it comes to Verizon. and no Steve Jobs isn't losing sleep, hes dreaming of the extra millions the phone with generate with Verizon. And why are the experts predicating that over 300 million of Iphones would sell within the first 6 months to 1 year of the phone coming to the big red network..Is verizon worried about the google phones, of course not. But they will see a decline in sells for sure..

It will be interesting if it happens...

 

[Dejuanxg]

Why am I an idiot? Because I use droid in short of android? I guess I'm an idiot then..
The iphone has been proven for years and the ANDROID OS is a new, just as windows 7 phone os is as well..The android needs approving with alot of things...first of the copy and paste issue that is finally starting to make an appearance..

Let me ask if you ever had something that constantly messes up? Sooner or later you get tired of fighting with it, and begin to hate it. But I guess that don't happen to you since you are so perfect!!! Yeah Whatever!!

I've had two android phones and both have been POS...The first one the D1 no copy and paste for one...then I started to get emails that have been deleted over and over again, from both the phone and the email account. My girlfriend has the same phone and guess what..The problems exist on it, my friend has the same phone, with the same problems. You know what she got from the Verizon tech and every other tech we have talked to about it ...and I quote. "We don't have problems with the droid, millions of people have the same phone and they don't report it!" unquote.

Maybe its because they have never reported it or they have never had the problem..WHo knows? Truthfully, I don't really care...It also froze alot and had to pull the battery..

My second phone is the droid X. When I first got it, loved it. been out what 2 months maybe 3. and already its freezes constantly, having to pull the battery. The screen quits. and the same things goes for tech...We don't have problems with the droid operating system.

With froyo, it has gotten worse...Do I hate the android os? Yes and No..

But it does need approving...Just because sells are off the chart, doesn't make it a great phone...Just makes google and verizon doing their job selling a product.

So say what you want about me...don't really care...

See you are learning, and the D1 Does have copy and paste dude what are you talking about?

 

[kodiak799]

call me crazy but i HIGHLY doubt Verizon reps are going to push droids over iphones by using LTE as a selling point. the iphone will be the "new" product, and it will undoubtedly be the product of a ridiculous advertising blitz. So if a customer comes into the store, reps are not going to tell them "don't buy the iphone get the droid". Your VZW store, if it does that has very odd sales protocol. Verizon knows an iPhone on their network will get them sales numbers that were before unseen. No chance they'll ask their managers to push LTE over the iPhone. LTE won't have any benefit for at least a year since it'll be limited, if i wanted an iphone (which I don't and never will), telling me about LTE wouldn't change my mind.

VZW reps don't work on commission. They have sales targets, but you're delusional to think they won't be pushing LTE. The speeds of LTE are a big selling point, and 2/3 of VZW's market has LTE at launch. Don't think for one minute that a new customer who might go to Sprint or AT&T isn't getting the LTE pitch. Their job is to tell a customer about all their phones, even find the right fit. The goal is that service contract. LTE is VZW service that differentiates them, phones are phones. They're not doing their job if people leave that store without knowing about LTE.

Let's not forget that Jobs wants to control the purchases experience. My guess is the IPhone won't be sold in VZW stores. IMO Jobs doesn't want to go toe-to-toe with Android. There are a lot of marginal customers he can get to the IPhone store that will buy that would otherwise be lost when they start doing comparisons with Android.

 

[Dragon3463]

See you are learning, and the D1 Does have copy and paste dude what are you talking about?

That is where you are wrong as usual....The android phone is still a POS!!!

 

[huskerkate]

i know that debating OS's evokes certain passions in a lot of people. but, the purpose of this thread was to debate/discuss the merits of differing OS's, and the possible impact on market trends of new OS's and availability of iPhone on VZW. however, the discussion has periodically started to deteriorate - please keep in mind what hook said:

Respect is #1 in the Droid Forums. Calling someone an idiot is not being respectful to another member. Lets stop that right now.

You can get an infraction and time off of the Forms. That's flaming and we have strict rules against it. 30 days off if insults continue.

 

[Dejuanxg]

See you are learning, and the D1 Does have copy and paste dude what are you talking about?

That is where you are wrong as usual....The android phone is still a POS!!!

Ok I'll stop the name calling but what was I wrong about when I said the D1 had copy and paste.

 

[kodiak799]

I'll believe a VZW IPhone when I see it, but I think the IPhone would be a nice way for VZW to milk some extra mileage out of their 3G network with the pending launch of LTE.

Hmmm, what might be interesting is if they agree to an "exlusivity period" with AT&T. AT&T pays Apple to get the new IPhones 6 months before any other carrier. Certainly that IPhone isn't available on every carrier helps the branding and aura, the "IPhone is so great I tolerate AT&T's lousy service to have it" sort of thing.

Would be an interesting approach. AT&T could pay a premium for the IPhone fanatics who have to have the latest while IPhone could still grow sales by offering the old model year on other carriers. A 4G IPhone available on Sprint and/or VZW could be catastrophic for AT&T mobile.