Why Android will crush the iPhone

[SteveW]

This isn't news so much as opinion, but I thought it was worth reading.
Eric Knorr is the Editor-in-Chief of InfoWorld.


Why Android will crush the iPhone
Editor's Blog | Eric Knorr
InfoWorld
September 29, 2008

"The iPhone was a nice preview of next-gen mobile. But Android is the real thing, and will make iPhone and BlackBerry yesterday's news

I love the iPhone. But love isn't the same as getting along in a work environment. When it comes to business productivity, I predict Android will be the mobile business platform of choice, while the iPhone, even more than the Mac, will be relegated to a niche when it comes to business use.

In his preview, InfoWorld's Tom Yager gave high marks to the first Android device, the T-Mobile G1, which goes on sale Oct. 22. Manufactured by HTC, the G1 has a businesslike (and very usable) swivel-out keyboard, but also sports its own sexy consumer appeal, complete with iPhone-style gestures for navigation. And unlike the iPhone, the G1 lets you cut and paste among different applications -- plus you get Google Apps shrunk to fit.

Now lemme think. On which device am I going to get more work done faster, the G1 or the iPhone?

Then there's the obvious fact that HTC and T-Mobile are only the first lucky duo to ship an Android device (months before the pundits, including Tom Yager, predicted one would roll out). There will be many, many Android devices and carriers and pricing options.

You see, Android is an open platform. Like, really open, as in Google will publish the source code in full. And although developing on Android requires that you learn proprietary extensions to J2ME, the development environment of choice for Android is the ubiquitous open-source Eclipse IDE, which should provide a comfortable home for millions of Java developers.

There's no denying that Apple has been very effective in bringing developers on board. But as Contributing Editor Neil McAllister points out, developing for the iPhone requires developers to learn Objective-C -- fine if you're already an Apple developer, but quite a learning curve if you're not. Moreover, to use the SDK, you need an Intel-based Mac and membership in the Apple Developer Connection. This is an exclusive club.

The real question, I suppose, is how long it will take for Android devices to overtake the BlackBerry. For enterprises, RIM has that secure mobile server infrastructure going for it. But when a bunch of competing Android devices and options arrive, it's going to be tough for BlackBerry to withstand the wave, unless it takes a leap beyond its niche of a proprietary mobile e-mail appliance.

The next wave of computing is going to center around cloud-based applications, open platforms, and mobile devices. Android is a mobile portal to Google's ever-expanding cloud. Add a commitment to open standards, and Android's first steps may be the start of a computing juggernaut the likes of which we haven't seen since Microsoft's glory years."



SW

[Charlyee]

Originally Posted by SteveW

.....You see, Android is an open platform. Like, really open, ....SW

Ok, so we have a device with a "really open" platform for the developers, but locked to T-Mobile? Why is this device not available unbranded and unlocked from Google?

Just ranting.

[bobolito]

I agree with it for the most part, but this might take years to accomplish. RIM has its loyal crowd, the iPhone will have its loyal crowd as well. I don't see Apple trying to become a one-stop shop for everyone, so I don't think they will try to overtake the mobile business market. Apple is more concentrated in the mobile entertainment market and that's probably where they will remain. I would say Windows Mobile better watch out for Android, before I say Apple watch out.

[SteveW]

Originally Posted by SteveW

This isn't news so much as opinion, but I thought it was worth reading. Eric Knorr is the Editor-in-Chief of InfoWorld.

"You see, Android is an open platform. Like, really open..."

Originally Posted by Charlyee

Ok, so we have a device with a "really open" platform for the developers, but locked to T-Mobile? Why is this device not available unbranded and unlocked from Google?

I agree with you, Charlyee, but you seemed to imply that the quote was from me, when it was from the writer of the piece. Of course, the simple answer is that while the Android platform is open, any particular implementation (that includes a physical device and a contract) may or may not be open.

I believe that manufacturers will be able to produce unbranded, unlocked Android phones. I think the fact that the first one is locked to a carrier says more about the way phones are marketed and sold in the US than any restriction that Google places on Android. If Android phones become popular, there will probably be a market for unbranded, unlocked ones. Also, I don't think there will be much branding in the user interface, leaving only the outside of the phone. You can scrape this off, if it bothers you .


SW

[bobolito]

It is the Android platform that's open, not the HTC device. The OS platform is one thing, while the hardware you purchase is another. T-Mobile is only locking the hardware, not the OS.

Locking Android would be something like what Apple does, which restricts you from adding software from any vendors other than Apple. It has nothing to do with the carrier lock which is only for the hardware to keep you from using it on another carrier.

[Charlyee]

Point well taken. You are both taking my post way too seriously, it was basically a rant because I cannot use a device that is locked to T-Mobile, that is until someone comes up with the unlocking code. .

SteveW, The "really open" statement caught my attention, and no I was not implying that you made the statement.

[Jay2TheRescue]

Windows Mobile watch out is right Bobolito. I love my Tilt, but have been disapointed that it really doesn't sync well with Windows Vista. I have to sync it to my old Win XP Pro system to back everything up.

-Jay

[bobolito]

Originally Posted by Jay2TheRescue

Windows Mobile watch out is right Bobolito. I love my Tilt, but have been disapointed that it really doesn't sync well with Windows Vista. I have to sync it to my old Win XP Pro system to back everything up.

-Jay

Don't get me started with ActiveSync. I gave up on it. I rather sync via WiFi.

[Jay2TheRescue]

That's the problem. I used to hate ActiveSync, but now I realize that its far better than whatever it is they use on Vista.

-Jay

[Charlyee]

I have learnt to accept the quirks of ActiveSync, having used it for more than 4 years in my PDAs and SmartPhones. All the synch software I have used such as Hot Sync, Nokia PC Suite, the SE and Motorola software seem to have some quirks of their own. The Nokia PC Suite seemed to be the easiest to work with.

I more have problem with the firewalls in my work laptop. I can only sync over BT, which uses up battery, slow, and defeats charging while synching. It was fine with Windows SE 2003 but WM5, WM 6, and Nokia PC Suite does not work with USB.

So, what is the sync software with Android?

[bobolito]

LOL! That's sad. I wish M$ just gave up making software and let the ones with knowledge make progress. Just look at the Palm Treo: far better user interface and a sync protocol that JUST WORKS! I've never had any issues syncing my old Treo. In fact, with a Treo you become used to the fact that in never fails and it just works. That was until I met Windows Mobile and ActiveSync. On the other hand, look at Firefox and now Chrome. Much faster and efficient browsers than IE and use less RAM. I'm ready to give up on Office 2007 (too bloated, slow and large) and move to Open Office's much faster and efficient interface. I still haven't embraced Vista yet and I may not, because everytime I use it on someone else's computer is like using an old 286 machine where every click requires a 5-second wait for a response. I'm considering either a Mac or Ubuntu. I've heard ex-Windows users say that once you switch to Ubuntu you never look back. The only thing that has kept me attached to Windows is Adobe Photoshop, Premiere and After Effects. But as emulation gets better and better, I may end up running them on Ubuntu some day unless I switch to a Mac.

[Jay2TheRescue]

I didn't want to switch to Vista, but it came preinstalled on my laptop. It runs faster than my desktops running Win XP professional, and all of my desktops have 2 gig RAM.

-Jay

[Gamer03]

Originally Posted by Jay2TheRescue

Windows Mobile watch out is right Bobolito. I love my Tilt, but have been disapointed that it really doesn't sync well with Windows Vista. I have to sync it to my old Win XP Pro system to back everything up.

-Jay

I have not had any major problems when syncing. Do you use Microsoft Windows Mobile Device Center 6 for Windows Vista Jay and not the regular Activesync? Because a new program replaced the old Activesync on Vista machines. I have the 64 bit version installed on my Asus laptop since 64 bit Vista Home Premium came pre-installed.

Here is the link (Microsoft Windows Mobile Device Center 6 for Windows Vista (32-bit):

Download details: Microsoft Windows Mobile Device Center 6 for Windows Vista (32-bit)

[Jay2TheRescue]

Yeah, I'm using WM device center on my laptop but was not happy with how it worked. I tried to install CraptiveSync on the laptop but it refused to install on Vista. Once in a while I'll just boot up my old XP Pro desktop and sync with that.

-Jay

[Gamer03]

Originally Posted by Jay2TheRescue

Yeah, I'm using WM device center on my laptop but was not happy with how it worked. I tried to install CraptiveSync on the laptop but it refused to install on Vista. Once in a while I'll just boot up my old XP Pro desktop and sync with that.

-Jay

Ok. I see. It is not that bad of a program. I used the program over bluetooth for the first time a few days ago. I have never heard of CraptiveSync.

[dmapr]

Originally Posted by Gamer03

Ok. I see. It is not that bad of a program. I used the program over bluetooth for the first time a few days ago. I have never heard of CraptiveSync.

It must be unofficial name for ActiveSync induced by it's normal behavior

[Jay2TheRescue]

CraptiveSync is my pet name for ActiveSync. What I hated about the Windows device center... I couldn't syncronize appointments, contacts, or emails - the most important things to sync. It wanted me to buy outlook to sync these items to. ActiveSync included Outlook Express so that there was something for these items to sync to. This is what pissed me off the most. They took away outlook express, then told me I had to buy the full version of outlook to sync. I'm not buying the full version of outlook. All I want it for is to make a backup of what's on the phone. Instead of buying even more software I just sync with my XP desktop once in a while.

-Jay

[cheddar]

What's the point of dominating one market if you can't abuse it to dominate other markets?

[spleck]

Quote: