Pros for Android: App drawers, several desktops (home screens), multitasking, notification bar with easy pull down, live wallpapers, G-mail threading, widgets, native Flash support, ability to replace battery, easy customization, open source, vendor independent, no development fees, unrestricted market for developers.
Yes, I do have an Android based phone – the HTC EVO 4G, but I only bought the phone because of the greater functionality and bang for the buck I knew I would be getting. Widgets alone is a great feature of Android. Two to three desktops (home screens) filled with widgets streaming the latest tech news and stock updates are a must for me (I have 7 desktops on my phone). The music and YouTube widget are nice as well, but I suppose I could live without those. I could not possibly bare going from using widgets to having to click on an icon just to have it open up and take over my entire desktop so I can use it….uugggh it seems so 2007. I’m surprised that the iPhone has not adopted widgets as of yet. In October 2008, when I bought the first Android based phone on the market, the T-Mobile G1, it was really a disappointment; I would not hesitate saying at that time Apple and others were ahead of the game.
Since that time, I have seen a vast adoption of the Android OS by numerous companies including AT&T, HTC, LG, Motorolla, Samsung, Sony Ericsson, Sprint, T-Mobile, and Verizon just to name a few. And now after purchasing the first Android 4G phone, the Sprint HTC EVO, it is clear that that the Android OS has come a long way. A lot of this also has to do with the vast hardware improvements. At this point, after having used Android on the HTC EVO, it would be difficult for me to switch to anything other than an Android phone; I would feel like I am downgrading to a third world phone. Although, as most people in tech do, I will keep looking and comparing.
Android may be put in a bad light sometimes if the hardware it is installed on is sub-par or third party developers develop sub-par applications. Obviously, Apple doesn’t have this issue since they tightly control their hardware and carefully monitor what software is approved for the Apple App Store. Still, I rather have the choice of deciding what hardware manufacturer to buy from and what software to install rather than having it dictated it to me.
RIM still owns the smart phone market with Apple closing in quickly and Google’s Android further behind. Apple seems to be on the verge of becoming the OS leader for smart phones. Apple does have the ease-of-use that the masses love, but this has no doubt come at the cost of less functionality – which perhaps is all for the best for the average Joe. Additionally it should be mentioned, Apple did have the benefit of releasing its first iPhone about 2 years ahead of the first Android phone.
It’ll be interesting to see if Apple will be able to fend off the horde of Android devices that are flooding the market. It is possible that Apple will be unable to keep up with the innovation being pushed by the many manufacturers embracing the Android OS, or it is also possible the massive amount of Android devices on the market will give Apple a further point of distinction and appeal. Also, who knows where Windows and RIM will play into the picture when all is said and done. I think there will clearly be a market leader, but everyone will have at least a small share of the pie.
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