Google Playing Catch-up with Apple
Email
Print
Beyond that, the software is responsive when
users tap the touch-screens. And for the most part, Android phones boast a
design and feel that compares nicely to anything Apple releases. Simply put,
Android phones have the looks, design and software to make them a compelling
product for end users.
The App Store
But it doesn't end there. Users are still looking for an app store. Although
the Android Marketplace doesn't have the more than 65,000 applications offered
in Apple's App Store, Google has done a good job of bringing apps to its
platform. Right now, the store has over 3,000 applications. Although that
number pales in comparison to Apple's store, Google's marketplace has many more
applications than RIM's BlackBerry World (about 2,000 applications) and Palm's
Pre (approximately 30 applications).
There might be more variety in Apple's App Store, but many of the applications that
users find in Apple's market can be downloaded onto Android phones from the
Android Marketplace. Porting applications designed for the iPhone to
Android-based phones isn't difficult for developers. That's a key feature as
Google tries to bring more apps to its store.
Ubiquity
But perhaps the most important reason why Google has a good chance to
become a leader in the mobile phone market is its strategy. Instead of offering
a single phone, like Apple does, Google has partnered with several vendors to
provide the software and let them do all the hard work of selling the devices.
And since it's an open-source platform, those vendors can tweak the operating
system to make it unique to their vision.
It's doubtful that any single Android-based phone will sell better than the
iPhone. Apple's product commands too much attention in the marketplace for that
to happen. But it's not beyond the realm of possibility for Android itself to
capture more market share than Apple's venerable device. With more available
products, a compelling selection of apps and some nice software, many users
might find that it's a solid alternative to the iPhone.
And in the process, they might just find that, at least so far, Android's
experience is second only to the iPhone's.
So maybe it's time Android gets a little more respect.
