Apple and Google are both major players in the mobile Internet sphere. Both have their strengths, as well as weaknesses, and as the escalating tension carries over from 2010 - when they were battling it out to take the title of the mobile superpower - 2011 proves to be just as interesting. Apple has invaded Android territory with the introduction of the iOS… yet Android is about to release an abundance of tablets onto the market to go into direct competition to the iPad. Evaluation of the race between these two corporate competitors is INTENSE as it is an exciting, dynamic period in the smartphone/tablet market.
Raphael suggests that,
“Comparing Apple and Android is kind of like comparing apples and oranges: They’re two drastically different versions of the same family of product, and they’re both competing for a spot in your shopping cart. Also, the apples are only allowed to be eaten in the way the grocer specifies, while the oranges are free to be sliced, diced, or mixed up and way you want.” 2010
Apple is fantastic at making attractive products that are super easy to use! BUT they suck in terms of software flexibility, productivity and hardware choices. The software limitations within Apple products are a vital downfall for all consumers with a broad attraction to all things technological. Don’t get me wrong; the iPhone and iPad software is wonderful, as long as you want to stay within the clear, distinct boundaries Apple has set. However, if you want to venture further (and can’t find an app to support you to do so) then you’re out of luck. In terms of productivity limitations, Apple products allow one to consume information until the cows come home, but in terms of creating content, the fiddly little key pad on the iPad make writing a 3000 word essay a frustrating task. Some even say there is a limited selection of hardware choices available. If you’re a person who likes a big screen, then an IPad is for you, but if you like your devices ultra small and portable, then the situation is a little different. Albeit, it is hard to satisfy everyone, but if you want a phone with a high resolution camera with all the multimedia functions at your fingertips, but don’t want to be able to vigorously examine the stock market and see yourself 30kg heavier (courtesy of fat booth app) – or pay for these extra useless functions - then apple doesn’t leave you with many options. With both the iPhone and iPad there are really only two choices to make when buying the product: storage and connectivity (Hiner, 2010).
As for the Android…
The Android’s open handset alliance is one of its greatest assets. These partners include some of the biggest and best vendors in the world, making products in all different shapes and sizes to please just about every consumer and their particular demand. Some argue that this creates a problem in terms of consistency. The quality across all Android devices varies, the usability functions shift confusing consumers. What’s more, software updates are inconsistently spread across the Android ecosystem creating technical problems in terms of compatibility. Google needs to show stronger leadership in this regard and make suggestions for partners to follow to allow for a more consistent Android ecosystem (Hiner, 2011). Yet one can’t deny that Android is gaining market share in America at a faster pace than the iPhone… this is not saying Apple is doomed as Raphael suggests that “there’s certainly enough consumer demand to serve multiple mobile platforms, regardless of which is ahead of the other in positioning” (2010).
At the end of the day, both the Android and iOS are going to be extremely successful in 2011 and continue to dominate market share, despite other competitors predicted to enter the smartphone and tablet market in 2012 (Hiner, 2011).
Unfortunately the days of Microsoft, HP, BlackBerry and Nokia are over. Their poor marketing and slow product development will see them fade away into mere memories of the past. Both Microsoft and HP have some solid products on the smartphone market (such as Windows Phone 7 and Palm webOS), yet poor timing have left them in a bid to catch up to the superpower Android and Apple status. Blackberry and Nokia have a lot of loyal cliental to work with, yet covering there losses from 2011 will be difficult. They are far behind when it comes to product innovation and are expected to continue to decline by 2012.
Hiner, J 2011, “Android vs Apple: The 2011 cage match,” accessed 22.10.2011, http://www.zdnet.com/blog/btl/android-vs-apple-the-2011-cage-match/43682
Raphael, J 2010, “Apple vs Android: It’s all relative” accessed 22.10.2011, http://blogs.computerworld.com/16372/apple_vs_android
Nice analysis of the 2 key players! I found it super difficult to understand all the techy jargon when researching the differences between the two devices but you have set it out in normal person’s language. THANKYOU! And as for your statement that Nokia has pretty much become a nobody in the mobile phone market, I totally agree and think that this graph perfectly demonstrates the significant shift from Nokia market domination in the early 2000’s compared to the current apple dominated market in2011. Check it out here:
ReplyDeletehttp://ahyen.com/wp-content/gallery/mobile-phone-timeline/mobile-phone-timeline-pre-2000s-to-present.jpg
About two or three years ago,with the iPhone and Android system on the market, Blackberry became huge in Spain because of the instant messaging application, so everyone had one. It arrived a few years later than expected but it still had enormous impact on phone sells. But things have changed since then. The market, as in the rest of the world, is facing this "battle" between Android and ios and, specially since the last failure of the BBM system, there is no other option when buying a phone. Nokia has almost disappeared and you can only see HTC, Samsung, Huawei phones or iPhones.
ReplyDeleteWhat I'm trying to say is that I have the same question as you: what happens with the rest of the companies or systems? I don't know if they will ever recover from this but I'm sure they will have to work harder than ever if they don't wanna go bankrupt.
Loved your analysis here Gab!
ReplyDeleteI think it was pretty clear in our presentation this week that Apple definitely does suck in terms of software! It should be one cord for ALL macs, not just a certain version...
You're right in saying, 'days of Microsoft, HP, BlackBerry and Nokia are over.' Unfortunately I'm stuck with a Nokia and am counting down the days till I can upgrade... To an Apple.
The apple website claims the ipad2 has 'over 200 new features' (http://www.apple.com/au/ipad/features/), but I agree with you on your comments on these 'pointless features'. Are they really necessary? And how many of them do people actually use upon purchasing an ipad2?