Android Invasion
Sales of phones running Google’s Android OS platform finally overtook sales of Apple’s iPhone, it was reported today in the FT. This is of course big news, as the Android OS until now has been [portrayed, either self-perpetuated or by the media] as the underdog. However it was an inveitability as the Android operating system is now available on many different handsets from multiple manufacturers, who target a wide breadth of consumer demographics. Conversely, the iPhone OS runs on a single handset, the iPhone, built for a robust yet niche audience.
Zeitgeist paid Google UK HQ a visit recently to listen to the latest Android innovations, and can imagine the ensuing party that will take place in celebration of these results. The partying will be dampened however by related news that Oracle is to sue Google over Android over patent infringement.
davidllewelynjones
jordiconnor
Interested in the substance of the Oracle suit; hadn’t heard about it. That said, in my house we have Droid powered phones (wife, son) and I-phones (me). Purely qualitatively, my loved ones are far happier with their system than I am with mine. They seem to suffer none of the frustrations having to do with processing time (I know, I know, ATT’s overburdened Quasimodo-network), or reception. As I contemplate an I-phone 4 purchase, I must admit I’m having serious doubts. The family has the hotrod Samsung 3G Slide handset. It just seems way cooler in form and function. Thoughts?
Belated thoughts: The Zeitgeist in it’s corporeal form is divided between ownership of a certain RIM product and a certain Apple product, so you should expect a biased response.
After listening to those at Google evangelise about the Android OS, Zeitgeist was intrigued and impressed, but not fully won over. None of the functionality on display could be described as a killer app, certainly nothing that will remain in the realm of Android sui generis.