An Apple Fan Boy picks Android over Apple! Why!
They say that people are exposed to about a 100 or more ads per day. But now, if you scrutinize carefully your surroundings, you and probably everyone else are exposed to countless smartphones from every corner. Smartphones is here and will be sticking around for a long time as an alternative to PCs and Desktops. Mobile computing is the trend, fad, culture of everyone.
The two well known big players from the Silicon Valley in terms of the IT world has got to be Google and Apple. Week 12's reading by Daniel Roth talks about Google's Open Source Android OS will free the wireless Web.
So we're talking about operating systems. Android follows the philosophy of being a free, open source of mobile platform. Which means any coder and handset maker could do their magic and would earn revenue by selling support for the system. Going absolute wireless globally and openly with "the spirit of Linux and the reach of Windows". This was where Larry Page of Google took up Andy Rubin's deal of the Android.
Apple came out with their new baby - the iPhone. But what was Android's comeback? Well, Open Handset Alliance would sum it all. It is a consortium (association of companies, governments, organizations etc) to build a wireless interface based open source Linux software.
Apple's mindset was the opposite of Google/Android. Google is the social butterfly that would continue to grow from a seed into something bigger and better; while Apple is more reserved, locked and protected. Some of the fruits of labor from Google:
A video demonstration by Android developers.
Top 10 cool free apps!
The best part is, because of their open source rule book, these apps will continue to grow and grow! They want to make browsing with a mobile a fun experience for users with Google search as the main anchor, of course. A rather smart tactic you would say as we see the rise of smartphones rocketing out of the buildings with 324 millions of units in 2011!
My two cents is that if I were to buy a smartphone, I think I will go Android. Why? Simple, it's not enclosed. And because it's practical. iPhone is a cool and admirable gadget but with Android, their golden philosophy of open source makes it easier for everyone. Bear in mind that Android today has about 190 million Android devices in use, 250% year on year revenue growth in mobiles and also with an estimation of 520,000 apps.
Now what does that mean to you?
Apple
- Closed devices
- Walled garden of apps - Apps Store
- Complete control over platform, content and user.
'iPhone: Apple reinvents the phone', no doubt this tagline does makes sense. Apple has brought mobile phones and innovations to a whole new level. It strives with a huge profit margin with one hardware manufacture (Apple) with one OS. With such stringent codes albeit it providing much comfort and fun, it does presents a certain restrictions and irritation. But, I have to admit, it's hands down tempting.
Google
- Open and free platform - Linux
- Open garden of apps - Android Market
- No control over platform, content and user
- 300,000 activations per day
- 861.5% yearly growth in Android Market
- 615% yearly growth in global market share
Whereas Google gives away Android for free for independent app markets. They don't reel in big profit margin like Apple but rather they rely on long tail concept. 'Don't be evil - Flow of information is key.' It's all about the network effect, connectivity. And we're are indeed living in the era of knowledge workers and material, information is still gold. And Google's moving into that direction. Also, there's not one day we don't use the Google search engine, so that as well pretty much solids my point!
There's no doubt that both Apple and Google are smart companies that will continue to grow (in different directions). It's merely up to your prerogative and preference on which is your cup of tea. For me, looking into the long run and the value of information, Google wins for me.
An Apple a day or Google-fying into the future?
What's your pick, guys?
Hi Michelle!
ReplyDeleteIf I am to choose, I would definitely choose Android as well. Personally, I think that one of the most important feature of a mobile device is the flexibility & ability to reach out to the features in it. If one mobile phone is to restrict the users from accessing to (almost) everything, it would never promise the users with the convenience features they say they promise.
Apple's case gave us a clear example of a company being too controlled over its products. Even after we purchased an iPhone, we are still restricted in a way which we are not able to access to everything we desire. By then, isn't that losing the purpose of a smart phone? Android, however, gives us the freedom to utilize the whole phone along with its functions. If we are to spend buckets of money on a mobile device, we would definitely want to possess it completely. Android gives us this function with its decentralized control.
Besides, as you mentioned in the post, there are more people shifting to Android these days. It actually tells a lot, indicating that individuals are demanding for more freedom & flexibility in the devices they chosen. No doubt Apple is a wonderful masterpiece, winning in both style & design, but what about the functions & adaptability? Would we want to buy a mobile phone which restricts us from doing all sorts of stuff? Definitely not me.
It was a good reading, Michelle. Enjoyed reading your post :)
Hi Michelle
ReplyDeleteI believe both Google and Apple has their own strategy to be the best in the market. As for Google, they use open source where everything is transparent and Google encourages people to a part of Google if they have any interesting ideas or skills to offer. This is what attracts people to chose Google instead of Apple products. Basically, the success of Google has many master minds behind it.
However, as for Apple, the reason that it is a closed device is because there's only one man behind all the ideas and creations of Apple products and the man is the late Steve Jobs. He patented and copyright his ideology to make sure that his effort and creation will be protected. When it comes to production, Steve Jobs come up with ideas for his products and then he will find people who have the skill and ability to bring his idea to life.
Hey hey! Very interesting post you have there Michelle!
ReplyDeleteIf to decide between the Google (Android) OS & Apple's IOS, my choice would definitely go with the Google (Android) OS due to the fact as you mention earlier that Google is a social butterfly which the Google is not just looking in a single idea instead Google takes it into a long view perspective which I really loved about it. Thus giving people much freedom in having to contribute or consume the sources provided by the Google Android OS at an open source based. Apple also recently with the passing away of the former CEO Steve Jobs has lead me to lose my trust in Apple upcoming products thus making me feel insecure to have trust the products & services by the Apple corporation.
Hey there Su Wern! All for Android and freedom too huh! It is true that being restricting in its OS for Apple sort of defeats the whole title of being called a smartphone. How is it smart when it keeps us locked up in a cell with procedures to carry out which takes time? Doesn't sound that intelligent. But we definitely have to give credits to the iPhone as they are one of the best inventions of time! No doubt it has its uniqueness and capabilities but maybe targeted to different kind of people. At the end of the day it is each and our own preference on which philosophy we agree on between Google and Apple.
ReplyDeleteI know a lot of complains come in on Apple being really inconvenient and incompatible unless you have Apple softwares. This might be a tactic of Apple but certainly this does not attract me that much. It's hard to have a smartphone where it's closed only to its own world. As a consumer, of course I would like to have my own control over my own phone. If not why would I buy the phone in the first place?
Again, hands down both phones are good but it's just the matter on which really attracts you at the end of the day! Thanks for the feedback and the pointers! Like!
Hello Ali! Thanks for sharing your thoughts, especially your point of view on Steve Jobs having the goal to patent and copyright his creation of the iPhone.
ReplyDeleteOf course, both phones I have to say are at its peak and will continue to grow in different direction but still maintaining as rivals. I believe Google made a smart move by opening up the usage of Android to everyone.
It keeps more people in the loop and this sort of things do excite people now don't they? People like the attention, people like to be apart of something, people like to participate. Hence Google provides a very fun and engaging approach with its consumers.
Both parties are masterminds in their creations with different philosophies and visions. Different people will have different judgments, whether you're a Phandroid or an Apple Fan Boy. But no doubt both Android and Apple have contributed and triggered a shift and change to mobile computing today.
Thanks for the highlights Ali!
Ahoy there Kok Han! I'm beginning to see that among our classmates, many are going for the choice of Android including myself. And the main reason is because it's open to public! With such flexibility and freedom Android gives us, it's no wonder why many would pick Android instead of the mighty Apple iPhone.
ReplyDeleteThe truth is both phones are really great, it's just how we consumers see them as. For me I always go with practicality so Android would be better so I wouldn't be restricted or have to go through so many procedures to get something. The iPhone is really tempting because of its features but then again in the long run, it will be rather troublesome and this will only disappoint me as a user.
Practicality for me wins. This includes compatibility and no restrictions. We are the owners of our phones, we should have the control over them. Android allows this with the participation of more users using different mobile platforms OS to engage with one another in the long run!
Thank you Kok Han for your opinions and for dropping by! Appreciate!
HOla Michelle,
ReplyDeleteThis lecture really got me thinking.I would say 3/4 of my friends are using apple phone. But i'm Android fan because Android apps were cheaper compared to Apple apps and there are so many more Android app which is affordable.We can see the big fight between Apple vs Google in today’s market. With this new technology both trying to compete with each other to stay ahead in the market with coming out with new technologies and devices to gain their customer and increase their companies revenue. i would say it be advantage for users like us because we have a wide range of choices for better value.
Halo, talking about choosing between these two, its really a headache as both have their own advantages.It depends on what kind of usage a user wants actually.IF a user is more towards independent personalities,they might be choosing iphone as it is more protective and the games is better.As for android,it is more common and out for everyone.FOr me, i would prefer android as it is more common and easy to use. However,no matter what we choose we could not easily escaping from typing "google" to search things i believe.
ReplyDeleteHi Michelle!!!, from your article i could see that you Love to have a I-Phone but prefer to be on earth and choose Android which is more better from the properties point of view. I feel that its good for Google to play safe and target their long term goal rather than the way Apple is doing now which may ending up spoiling their reputation.
ReplyDeleteSuper war between these two smart phones! Well, in my opinions, I think both company had done a great job in designing their smart phone. In the Apple point of view, they are more focus on the privilege that their customer had while Android was more pay attention on the sharing platform which had more sharing between two different phone but in the same operating system. At the end of the day, I think that smartphone will be leading the world and I agree that Android would be the most highest numbers of users in the future but things might change because there are a lot of possibilities at the future, who knows?
ReplyDelete