We’ve talked consistently about how Apple has managed to turn iTunes into a successful user interface for mobile consumers. Generally speaking, almost all the relevant entertainment related media is available through the iTunes interface. It also serves as a means of updating OSs providing Apple with valuable marketing information to the total number iPhone and iPod Touch owners using their hardware and software. We believe it’s this first-mover advantage in creating iTunes as a software interface that has kept the iPhone squarely in the minds of consumers.
We believe it’s this first-mover advantage in creating iTunes as a software interface that has kept the iPhone squarely in the minds of consumers, and we’re not the only ones that believe this is the case, the industry analysts here also think so.
Other mobile platforms have attempted to address this issue by creating their own attempts of a unique app store concept. Living examples are, Android’s Marketplace, Nokia’s Ovi store, Palm’s App Catalog, Symbian Foundation, etc – however, although some players have established their stores prior to the iPhone revolution, Apple has used the iTunes interface to influencing customers that this is the only user interface that works. This dominance is what has ensured that the iPhone is the phone of choice for consumers.
All that is gold doesn’t necessarily have to glitter. Android has been touted as being one of the next big platforms that would knock iPhone of its throne. However, this doesn’t seem to be the situation for Android. The ultimate problem that the platform is currently facing is the number of versions of software on phones. With a whole slew of releases available for the Android platform, many apps are not necessarily backward or forward compatible with the operating system. Add to this the various vendors providing different phones with numerous variations of hardware components means that most developers have nightmares developing code for each individual phone rather than a universal app.
The problem inherently in this situation is that cross-platform independence regardless of hardware is an ideal utopia that developers want but can never get. Similar to the BlackBerry situation where porting apps from other platforms is a nightmare, it can happen but not without a significant fight.
From a smaller developer viewpoint, Android is a difficult platform to work on. The amount of resources and time needed to code for a single application is significant for a small business; the need to re-code for various hardware and software versions is not conducive to building a customer base. Not only do variations in hardware and software affect the overall compatibility of the app, it reflects poorly on the build quality of the app. As a result, customers are naturally wary of the platform when they experience poor app quality and interaction. Developers are then compelled to write quick-and-dirty patches to resolve problems, which is inherently dangerous and shoddy programming.
Android 2.0 released; more features and improvements for developers
Google launched the newest version of the Android 2.0 SDK today to the public for development purposes. The new release offers a significant amount of tools for developers to help with app development along with increased support for the various phones that are being released in anticipation of the holiday season.
For users there are plenty of new features that will be used in their new high-end phones from HTC, Samsung, and Motorola. As a result, the attraction for Android phones will most likely sky-rocket and developers can create more sophisticated and detailed apps.
Below is a list of new features for users:
Contacts and accounts
· Multiple accounts can be added to a device for email and contact synchronization, including Exchange accounts. (Handset manufacturers can choose whether to include Exchange support in their devices.)
· Developers can create sync adapters that provide synchronization with additional data sources.
· Quick Contact for Android provides instant access to a contact’s information and communication modes. For example, a user can tap a contact photo and select to call, SMS, or email the person. Other applications such as Email, Messaging, and Calendar can also reveal the Quick Contact widget when you touch a contact photo or status icon.
Email
· Exchange support.
· Combined inbox to browse email from multiple accounts in one page.
Messaging
· Search functionality for all saved SMS and MMS messages.
· Auto-delete the oldest messages in a conversation when a defined limit is reached.
All of these new features are important considering that many of the phones are now the equivalent of personal media devices that plays multimedia files, surfs the Internet, doubles as Personal Digital Assistants and function as phones as well.
The Exchange support is vital for business users who often need to sync with secure company email servers to access their email. In addition, the improved support will help developers with business productivity apps to increase their customer base since companies will most likely require apps that secure connections and provide customized email support. The improved synchronization support helps cement the concept of phones being personal digital assistants and small netbooks that are capable of handling the demands of business professionals.
Improved phone contacts are necessary when most individuals have close to more than a hundred or so detailed contacts in their phones. Especially those that are in the business world often have detailed business cards dedicated to their contacts.
Camera
· Built-in flash support
· Digital zoom
· Scene mode
· White balance
· Color effect
· Macro focus
Camera support is important considering that many of the new Android phones have powerful cameras which require improved support as the phone cameras are slowly becoming acceptable means of capturing photos. Considering that the iPhone received camera support very late, it is good to note that Android has strongly started committing support to the camera features on its phones.
Android platform gets new phone; start of many new phones?
Building on the impetus of the upcoming holiday sales, the Android platform received a new phone to help boost its image amongst customers. The yet-unconfirmed phone is from HTC and has strong links to the new HTC Dream 2 hardware and design, aptly codenamed Dragon. The emphasis again lies on the impressive touch screen that plans on utilizing the new Android 1.6 update with improved support for touch screen phones. The design elements of the phone are also reminiscent of simplistic yet sleek trends in current phones.
The spy shots of this phone will help boost the appeal of the Android platform along with sales figures for service providers who are competing against the ever-strong iPhone on AT&T’s network. However, hardware release alone is not going be a sufficient enough basis for attracting customers. There is massive potential for Android applications; however, the boom seems to be lagging in comparison to the phenomenal growth that the Apple App Store receives.
Regardless of the hardware capabilities of the current phones being released – faster processors, increased RAM, larger storage space – will be underperforming media devices without the necessary software to create an interest in the platform itself.
A quick read of the Engadget comments section shows the number of customers that are not satisfied with the performance of their iPhones’ on AT&T’s network. Although AT&T provides reliable Internet connectivity for their phones, the problem is that the voice service itself is extremely unreliable. Customers have frequently complained about the poor service and AT&T has not been able to resolve said issues. AT&T needs to realize that the iPhone is still primarily a cellphone and a secondary multimedia device for users. With the focus on the new iPhone 3GS touting Wi-Fi capabilities, AT&T has forgotten that customers still make calls on their cell phones. This lesson is not just applicable to AT&T but rather all service providers who are upgrading their networks to cope with the new trends of smartphones and Internet usage.
Android phones have been in development for a very long time by major manufacturers such as Samsung, Nokia, HTC and Motorola. With the growing anticipation of the high-end features such as touch screens and improved operating system stability, phone manufacturers and the Android team expects to see a boom in sales during the holiday season. An additional benefit for Google will be increased interest in its smartphone OS; a key element when growth is lagging behind the still-strong iPhone.
The situation is overall in favor of Android since the phones launched are significantly more powerful than the iPhone and support Adobe’s new Flash update. Considering that a majority of the web content available online is in Flash. This is a major incentive for developers as well who can view and develop their content so that it continues to span the Internet and their smartphones, and acts as a bridge between the two technologies.
The recent upgrades to the Android market will also be tested as users start purchasing phones in anticipation of uploading new apps to their phones. After following a similar structure to the App Store as created by Apple, Google hopes to bring a sense of familiarity to the storefront to ensure customer retention and interest in their Android platform.
Below is a list of phones that are expected to be released on T-Mobile’s network that will have the Android OS on them:
“T-Mobile Tap
No keyboard here, the T-Mobile Tap is a touchscreen phone with a focus on Web browsing and socializing. It support email, SMS, MMS and IM, and comes with GPS, Bluetooth and a 2-megapixel camera. Users can choose between berry and midnight blue finishes.
Nokia 3711
The Nokia 3711, which will arrive late-October-ish on the T-Mobile network in a shade called sable, is an economy-friendly feature phone with 3G Web browsing, built-in GPS, support for email and IM, a 2-megapixel camera with video and Bluetooth.
