When it comes to hot stories in tech for 2010, Android is near the top. Along with the Apple iPad, it has garnered the most headlines and the lion’s share of excitement. But is the party over for Google’s darling mobile operating system?
I say not by a long shot. An article on The Street (5 Reasons Google Android Has Peaked) argues that its “heydey” is over, and offers five reasons why.
Thanks to loyal reader Graham (Z!) up in Canada, we were alerted to the syndicated version of the article which ran in the Globe & Mail.
The provocative headline immediately grabbed my attention–no doubt, the author’s intent.
However, the argument that followed was highly suspect, and weak. Expect that Google Android will continue to grow, at least in my opinion, and challenge RIM in the North America market, eventually taking over the number one spot.
First, my response to his 5 reasons why Android has peaked:
5. Hewlett-Packard’s Palm OS – Really? Because the first go round of WebOS was so devastating to the smartphone competition.
4. Nokia – A player in Europe, but all but dead in North America. A comeback is always possible, but it needs to offer something compelling for consumers to chose something other than RIM, Apple or Google.
3. Microsoft Windows Phone 7 – Look, Microsoft has been in the smartphone market for about a century now. Results? Anemic. Phone 7 will take share, but is a long way from slowing the Android juggernaut.
2. RIM BlackBerry 6 – This is an example why the competition is in trouble.
1. Verizon iPhone – Yes, this will hurt Google, but Android has shown it can take share even in a market with stellar Apple devices.
Now, here’s 5 why Android will continue to grow:
5. Open source – Low cost, and easy for developers.
4. Wide ecosystem thanks to licensing strategy – Power in numbers. Google Android has critical mass. HTC, Samsung, Motorola, and others manufacture handsets.
3. Power of the cloud – Gmail, Docs, Search… Google owns the cloud. When it comes to smartphone integration it’s tops.
2. Multiple channels of distribution – Choose a carrier, choose a plan… there’s an Android Phone for you. AT&T. Verizon. Sprint.
1. Because it’s Google – While not perfect (Wave, Buzz, Nexus One), Google is executing extremely well with Android. Cash, market muscle and engineering talent ensure plenty of runway.