Printed from www.pcpro.co.uk
Posted on January 5th, 2010 by Mike Jennings
Why Android shouldn’t worry about the iPhone
Apple may have given the smartphone market a much-needed kick up the backside a couple of years ago, but it’s also given rise to an uncomfortable new term, “iPhone killer”, which seems to be attached to every new device – even though it’s a largely pointless and potentially harmful comparison.
That’s because, as much as it pains me to admit it, the only thing that’s likely to finish off the iPhone will be its successor. It won’t be the Palm Pre, it won’t be the Motorola DROID and it certainly won’t be Google’s own Nexus One. The iPhone is simply too good – or, at least, Apple’s advertising, brand and new-found market penetration is too good – for another phone or OS to ascend the summit of the smartphone market.
This doesn’t have to spell the end of Android, though. In fact, the increased demand for smartphones represents a huge opportunity if the internet hype machine can stop relentlessly comparing every new release to Apple’s behemoth and instead concentrate on the platform’s real strengths rather than a pithy soundbite.
The growth of the smartphone market shows that there’s certainly room for numerous platforms. The market grew massively last year – the 40.9m smartphones sold in the second quarter of 2009 was 27% up on the same period of 2008. And, even though growth slowed towards the end of 2009 as the recession took hold, numerous analysts predict that it will rally again: In-Stat reckon that the the market will grow 33% annually until 2012, and chip-maker ARM’s finance director, Tim Score, expects the smartphone market to boast half a billion phones in five years, compared to the mere 200 million today. It’s also worth noting that another survey suggested that 21% of potential buyers would prefer to have Android on their new smartphones.
In short, there’s plenty of market to go around. It’s hardly the “iPhone or nothing”-style scenario that’s often peddled when talking about the latest Android or Symbian handsets, and it’s hardly fair to declare a new phone a failure because it hasn’t toppled Apple within days of release.
Instead, this emerging market is a superb opportunity for Android. Instead of presenting every new device as an iPhone replacement – because that’s a plan doomed to failure even before the first models have left the factory – they should be seen as alternatives.
After all, Android has plenty going for it. In many ways, it’s a more versatile system than the iPhone OS – I can have screens full of desktop widgets, for instance, and run more than one application at once – and, with 20,000 apps in the Marketplace and more being added all the time, it’s possible to do almost anything that you could do on the iPhone on an Android machine.
There’s also the small matter of Android’s integration with Google’s range of services as well as its open source-status. And, since it doesn’t have to run on a particular device (which also comes with it’s own draconian set of rules, regulations and restrictions, as well as iTunes), the range of phones available is broad and accommodates virtually every budget – and is growing all the time.
This could have a knock-on effect, too: the bigger the Android user base grows, the more inclination here will be for developers to provide more applications for an already crammed marketplace. It’s a win-win situation if you’re willing to trade in some of the (imagined) kudos you get when whipping your iPhone out in public.
Apple may have a sizeable segment of the smartphone pie sewn up, but there’s still plenty of cash to be made – and, with the market gathering steam, the picture can only look rosier for Google’s mobile OS. Now it’s just up to Android to step out from the iPhone’s shadow and carve a reputation that doesn’t ride on Apple’s coat-tails.
You can skip to the end and leave a response. Pinging is currently not allowed.
12 Responses to “ Why Android shouldn’t worry about the iPhone ”
Leave a Reply
Authors
- Barry Collins
- Chris Brennan
- Christine Horton
- Darien Graham-Smith
- Dave Stevenson
- Davey Winder
- David Bayon
- David Fearon
- Ewen Rankin
- Ian Devlin
- Jon Honeyball
- Jonathan Bray
- Kevin Partner
- Mike Jennings
- Nicole Kobie
- Sasha Muller
- Steve Cassidy
- Stewart Mitchell
- Stuart Turton
- Tim Danton
- Tom Arah
Categories
- About the bloggers
- Android App of the Week
- cloud computing
- Green
- Hardware
- How To
- iPhone App of the Week
- Just in
- Microsoft Office 2010
- Newsdesk
- Online business
- Random
- Rant
- Real World Computing
- Software
- View from the Labs
- Windows 7
- Windows 8
Archives
- February 2012
- January 2012
- December 2011
- November 2011
- October 2011
- September 2011
- August 2011
- July 2011
- June 2011
- May 2011
- April 2011
- March 2011
- February 2011
- January 2011
- December 2010
- November 2010
- October 2010
- September 2010
- August 2010
- July 2010
- June 2010
- May 2010
- April 2010
- March 2010
- February 2010
- January 2010
- December 2009
- November 2009
- October 2009
- September 2009
- August 2009
- July 2009
- June 2009
- May 2009
- April 2009
- March 2009
- February 2009
- January 2009
- December 2008
- November 2008
- October 2008
- September 2008
- August 2008
- July 2008
- June 2008
- May 2008
- April 2008
advertisement
January 5th, 2010 at 3:04 pm
Mr. Jennings I salute you. By far the most sensible commentary on anything to do with smartphones I have seen in a very long time (probably since the Iphone hype took flight)
January 5th, 2010 at 3:38 pm
Personally, I think it is the handsets which are currently holding back Android. The Iphone isnt a boundary pushing up to the second industry leader, but what it does, it does very well.
Companies like HTC, with the Hero you have pictured there, have for example, a “better” camera. But, while the Hero boasts more pixels, the Iphone will still take a clearer photograph.
Android has the potential to be bigger than Iphone due to the open source material and endless customisability of the system, however, until as you say, the handset makers stop trading on the premise that their handset is better than the IPhone, Android will be held back.
Perhaps Android could do better if it was only available on a single platform like the Iphone, though how much growth that would have given it in such a small amount of time is debatable. But perhaps there might have been a more focussed handset, capable of showing its strengths more effectively in the way the Iphone does with it’s own OS.
Whatever the fate of Android, it really is nice to see something written from a perspective of neither bandwagon for a change.
January 5th, 2010 at 4:53 pm
The only problem with android, is the screen switching. When it switches from landscape to portrait, its not as smooth as the iphone (i have a htc hero). This is because hardware is holding it back.
I think for android to get the same hype as the iphone they should tailor make the phones, or have a phone manufacturer meet some minimum requirements.
android still has some work to do, eg. the alarm doesnt work when the phone is on silent. I cant get ringtones to be personalised. These are small things to be addressed
January 5th, 2010 at 6:03 pm
Apple certainly know how to innovate. We wouldn’t have the Android phones of today if the iPhone didn’t exist. I agree with the thrust of this post: Android smartphones will be adopted by a different category of consumers. Anyone already hooked on Apple gadgetry will likely have an iPhone by now. This leaves millions of people who have not made the jump from traditional mobile phone to smartphone. I was in that category until six weeks ago, when I got an HTC Hero. The biggest inhibiting factor is Android’s lack of visibility within the general public. HTC and other manufacturers, along with Google, must do more to raise its profile. Stores still seem to play down Android, certainly in the UK.
January 6th, 2010 at 3:31 am
One of android’s main problems as I see it is brand recognition. No one wandering around a store is going to think much of android, but they would think twice if the phone was branded with google. That’s why the nexus one is ( * or would be if sold in stores) so important. It’s the true “google phone” and the most recognisable android phone.
January 6th, 2010 at 9:25 am
we are bored with the iphone now…. everyone has one…
we want something new!!
the more new smartphones comeing to the market, the better…
I want different colours shapes & sizes.
I have had apple one and windows one and they are boring…
I may buy the new milestone one (but it looks a bit boring too)…
more new phones please!!!
January 6th, 2010 at 10:20 am
I am an avid fan of the iPhone and still am yet to see anyone that can challenge the phone in a serious way.
True there is plenty of market to go round as people start buying up more and more smartphones it is just like the early days of the actual mobile phone market, Nokia looked the clear winner but many were content with their own market share.
But what I do think is that at the moment Android and Google are building themselves a sustainable future, the versatility and integration with Google services is really going to make me consider if I want to stay with my iPhone or move to android once my contract expires.
January 6th, 2010 at 12:57 pm
@ r1sh12
If you set your alarm up when your phone is on silent profile then I think you should be able to alter the alarm volume when choosing the sound however you will need to do this every time you switch back to silent
Niggly but solves your problem.
As for the debate, I like the iphone but i brought the hero and my conclusion is I don’t like touchscreens for typing.
Now id they could put android on a similar device to the Nokia e72 with touchscreen for the apps
Then I’d be in heaven
January 6th, 2010 at 7:51 pm
I think that Google needs a good kick in the pants. They’re learning to market by overhyping instead of by addressing customer needs. Just as Google Wave is certainly not the replacement for email, IM, or anything else, they shouldn’t be using the term “superphone” to market what is really just another smartphone. It’s hype more than substance and in the end they will lose by playing that game.
January 7th, 2010 at 12:59 pm
@r1sh12: Heard of Android Market? That could solve your problems.
June 2nd, 2010 at 2:08 pm
I agree with the author of this article. The point is that there`s no need for Apple`s rivals to “kill the iPhone”. They should just become worthy competitors for it. The best feature of a healthy market is free competence.
August 27th, 2010 at 2:21 am
On iOS, you can’t move a picture from a friend’s computer onto your phone.
On iOS, you can’t shoot a movie with a video camera, move the SD card onto your phone, and copy the movie onto your phone.
On iOS, if you’re in a hurry and need to move a song from your computer to your phone quickly, you still have to launch iTunes and sync, because iOS doesn’t allow drag and drop from a computer folder.
On iOS, you can’t move your Word/Excel/Powerpoint document from your computer, work on it on your phone/device, save it, and move the updated document back onto your computer.
On iOS, you can’t use your phone as a storage device.
On iOS, you can’t sync and backup your data online if you wanted to. You have to sync to your computer.
On iOS, you can’t say “Dial Blockbuster near [your zip code]” and have your phone go to the web, find the number, and dial it, all without typing anything.
On iOS, you can’t make your own song, or use your own remix, as a ringtone.
On iOS, you CAN have a browser that’s slower at showing a web page.
On iOS, you can’t use Flash for your internet. Therefore, you can’t see content on BILLIONS of web pages, from videos, to animation, to games.
On iOS, you can’t use SWYPE, the Guiness world-record holder for fastest way to text.
On iOS, if you don’t like your touchscreen keyboard, you can’t download an app to replace your touchscreen keyboard.
On iOS, you can’t have your touchscreen keyboard vibrate everytime you type a letter to give you better feedback.
On iOS, you can’t receive notifications about your apps, your texts, and other usage items unless that app is on.
On iOS, you can’t check the weather without launching an app, because widgets are not allowed.
On iOS, you can’t turn on Wi-Fi or Bluetooth, by clicking on a customized screen button, or widget. You have to go into settings.
On iOS, you can’t see updates to your social networking websites, like Facebook, unless you launch an app, because iOS doesn’t allow widgets.
On iOS, you can’t create a customized touchscreen button that allows you to call your friend with a single click or text a family member with a single click. The iOS doesn’t support quick contact widgets.
On iOS, you can’t pick a different size screen.
On iOS, you can’t have a device other than 2 colors.
On iOS, if you want a real keyboard, you can’t get one.
On iOS, you can’t have a second battery in case you want or need one.
On iOS, you can’t get a phone with a faster processor.
On iOS, you can’t get a phone with more RAM memory.
On iOS, you can’t get a phone with an HDMI port so that you can connect your phone to your TV and watch a movie you downloaded from Netflix/Blockbuster in HD.
On iOS, you can’t have more buttons in case you’re faster with buttons.
On iOS, you can’t use your device as a wireless internet router so your laptop can get online. Hot-Spot capability is unavailable.
On iOS, if all your family and friends are on wireless carrier [X], you can’t use that carrier, because your
phone/device is available on limited carriers.
On iOS, you can’t get unlimited data if you don’t already have an unlimited data plan.
On iOS, you can’t have 4G.
On iOS, there is no App Inventor app based on education research at MIT which allows anyone to use a drag-and-drop system to create their own apps for free.
What iOS can’t, Android does.