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Re: android beats iphone OS Q1 USA

Quote:

Originally Posted by theclueless (Post 652165)

i feel android is going down the same path as the outdated winmo: no standard hardware, no standard resolution, no standard physical input mechanism... these issues are gonna create a lot of problems on apps compatibilities on different devices

one of the few things i like about windows 7 is that it has minimum spec list manufactures have to adhere to. less market fragmentation that way. look at how man android phones are still running 1.6 with 2.1 being out now.

Re: android beats iphone OS Q1 USA

http://images.appleinsider.com/npd-100510.png wow . . android is coming for that number one spot!!!

Re: android beats iphone OS Q1 USA

@laughing man: it'd be interesting to see how apple's android vs android's marketplace plays out. Apple has advantage in 'conventional' strategic positions (multiple media contents under one roof, many licensees, proven business model, end to end control down to the devices, shared resources for all their content) while android has the 'freedom' (or rather 'less censor') tag/ideology going for them.

@quipped: it does seem that way from the outside, doesn't it?

@the clueless: except that they already have winmo to learn from and ensure that they don't make the same exact mistake.

Re: android beats iphone OS Q1 USA

Quote:

Many Android phone models do not get the latest operating system updates for months after the official update is completed, due to delays by the provider or hardware maker, either of which may want or need to address layers of customization they've made to the generic Android distribution.

Two weeks ago, Google published its own stats based on Android users visiting the Android Market software store, which reflected active users who download apps, and presumably would be more likely to be up to date.

Its figures indicate that only 27.3% of Android Market visitors are running the latest version of the Android OS, while nearly 70% are still using Android 1.1, 1.5 or 1.6. That prevents those users from being able to download the latest apps, including Twitter's new client for Android, which requires the 2.1 firmware version.

It's fantastic to say that Android devices outsold iPhone devices, but where is the benefit if most Android apps can only run on some of the devices? IMO as a developer, it totally defeats the objective of targeting a "single" platform. Android urgently need to address the fragmentation issue.

Re: android beats iphone OS Q1 USA

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hintry (Post 652784)

the benefit is with the manufacturers who would like to sell you a newer device rather than update software for your old device.

Re: android beats iphone OS Q1 USA

Quote:

Originally Posted by quipper8 (Post 653280)

the benefit is with the manufacturers who would like to sell you a newer device rather than update software for your old device.

In that case I'll budget for three.

Re: android beats iphone OS Q1 USA

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hintry (Post 652784)

I like competition, it keeps everybody on their toes and spurs innovation. It would be terrible if Nokia or RIM or Apple were the only game in town. However I have hesitated in purchasing Android phones because of uncertainty:

- uncertainty about which Android device to buy
- uncertainty regarding firmware upgradability - most devices seem stuck on old firmware
- uncertainty regarding app/device compatibility

http://www.appleinsider.com/articles...t_version.html

It's fantastic to say that Android devices outsold iPhone devices, but where is the benefit if most Android apps can only run on some of the devices? IMO as a developer, it totally defeats the objective of targeting a "single" platform. Android urgently need to address the fragmentation issue.

True, though I think that's going be a problem with any platform. Even Apple is going start having troubles with it as they continue to upgrade their hardware. Though they're in the best spot as of now due to their one hardware at a time approach.

And as for some alternative viewpoints.

http://www.pcworld.com/businesscente...les_stats.html

Of course it's just Q1 stats, and the iPhone 4G is coming out (so it might swing back in favor of Apple). But I think they missed the entire point of Android outselling the iPhone. It's that Android is finally significant enough to be a competitor to Apple's platform. Even if in Q2, Q3, or whatever Apple manages to outsell Android, I can't imagine it'll be long until we see Android re-gain its position and then start pulling it away as more and more people get on the Android platform.

Also for the specific budget for three problem, I agree that's a significant problem and obviously hardware makers have an interest in getting you to buy the next new model. Though one consumer unfriendly way you could mitigate it (which isn't a solution for everyone but at least for those in the tech know how). Is to choose an Android device like the Droid that has custom ROMs?

My friend who has a Droid can pretty much run whatever ROM he wants. He's always showing me something new from the latest ROM he's changed to.

If I was going buy an Android device I would wait to see which one has the ability to run custom ROMs. Same if I were to ever consider the iPhone (make sure it's easily jailbroken lol).

Re: android beats iphone OS Q1 USA

There's no question that Android's impressive recent growth is a sign of things to come.

But I wonder how many successful mobile platforms the markets can support.

IPhone, Android, Symbian, Windows, RIM, MeeGo, Palm. IMO that's too many and some will fall by the wayside. Which ones?

Re: android beats iphone OS Q1 USA

http://blogs.chron.com/techblog/arch...carrier_1.html

That post makes a lot of sense. Perhaps iPhone can still hang on to its spot above Android til the end of 2010 if all of that materialize:

$59 iPhone (3G)
Availability on Verizon (and other carriers)

All this spells out a harder battlefield for MeeGo the longer it delays the market entry.