iPhone versus Android

[BeVonk!]

From presentation:

"We hope to rewire the way people spread and consume information…We think a more open and connected world will help create a stronger economy with more authentic businesses that build better products and services."

-Mark Zuckerberg, Founder / CEO, Facebook Letter to Potential Shareholders, May 2012

That is what Google and Android is all about: Open + Connected.

 

[icyrus]

That is what Google and Android is all about: Open.

This is undoubtedly the most irritating line in tech currently. Google is about as interested in open as Microsoft and Apple.

 

[sjm]

The vast majority of the low-end Android phone users did not buy into any eco-system. They just bought the cheapest phone they could get.

That's like saying the majority of Windows users did not buy into any OS, they just used what came with their computer. Whilst true, it means nothing in the context of Windows user base (and Android user base) statistics. These users use the platform that they're on, they acquire applications and familiarise themselves with the platform and most will not switch away from it once comfortable.

 

[Velenoso]

Android is also on more phones than IOS, never get the reason for these surveys when Apple has the iphone and Android have ALL the others.
they comparing a single phone (iphone) to a multitude of big and small priced android models.

+1 Not really fair is it. What about S3 vs iPhone?

 

[Jola]

The vast majority of the low-end Android phone users did not buy into any eco-system. They just bought the cheapest phone they could get.

That is actually nonsense, Jannie, and you know it.

I bought a very nice little non-Android Samsung phone from Dischem the other day for about R80, and it can do everything that simple users require.

If people buy an Android phone it is because they want some smart functionality.

 

[SauRoNZA]

Hardly any surprise considering Apple have 1 Device in the market while Android has 100's.

 

[BeVonk!]

This is undoubtedly the most irritating line in tech currently. Google is about as interested in open as Microsoft and Apple.

What about Android is not OPEN icyrus? You can download it for free and change it if you are so inclined. The custom roms attests to this. You can side-load anything in Android from any source. You can write your own apps without going through a vetting/store process.

That not open?

 

[Jola]

Hardly any surprise considering Apple have 1 Device in the market while Android has 100's.

Yes, Sony Betamax failed for the same reason, even though it was better than VHS.

And in this case iOS is not even better than JB.

 

[cerebus]

From Apple's perspective I would think they are pretty happy with the state of the iPhone. It's an exceptionally profitable and still healthily growing business for them. They've created a loyal and satisfied customer base. They're getting a foothold into China which is an enormous market for them. They have a safe haven for app developers with tools which still makes them the first call for apps. And they broke over 50% smartphone penetration in the US.

From Google's perspective Android is a bit of a nightmare. They still can't make reliable profits from the thing despite having 6 phones on the market for every 1 iPhone (which strikes me as staggeringly inept; how exactly do you manage that feat??). All the profits that do exist are absorbed by their hardware partners, particularly Samsung. And those partners are increasingly willing to fork Android or break out on their own with Tizen and what have you. Motorola Mobility is a complete dog; draining resources, with a patent portfolio that's proven fairly useless in court so far. So it is 'winning', but it's a fairly Pyrrhic victory as far as real business is concerned.

The ones who are winning the Android story are Samsung. Their story is completely incredible, considering that they're selling what amounts to a commodity platform, but still managing to dominate everyone and actually equal Apple on a profit basis. and that has nothing to do with visions of 'openness' and 'connectedness'; and everything to do with ruthless business acumen, and yes, marketing.

 

[Jola]

Agreed, but companies like LG (Nexus 4) and Sony (Xperia Z) will also take a share of the cake.

 

[icyrus]

What about Android is not OPEN icyrus? You can download it for free and change it if you are so inclined. The custom roms attests to this. You can side-load anything in Android from any source. You can write your own apps without going through a vetting/store process.

That not open?

Android's base is open, despite some strange SDK licensing terms but Google's trademarks and applications that most people associate with Android are very much not. If Google doesn't like what a company is doing they can deny them their CDD compliance without reason or explanation.

Installing custom ROMs is technically possible but still violates the warranty of nearly every Android device available. Side loading is still possible but it is quite clear that the manufactures are pushing the controlled store environments much harder, and for good reason.

However your statement was broader than just Android the OS. My point was there is nothing open about Google. There isn't a single key technology of theirs that is open. Their only use of open is in small or irrelevant (to the bottom line) products or as a club to enter a market where they are far behind.

 

[Biscuit1018]

That graph says it all..

Really? What does it say?

That more handsets from low end to high end (across many brands) have Android installed vs high end Apple handsets that have iOS installed

It says that ... granted.

But what else does it say?
People buying a low end handset are not 'selecting' Android over iOS. Its what they can afford. Its what's available and many dont even know or care what OS is on board.

iOS still dominates App Store Sales which many of you will see as a minus.

THey are both damn good. There is place for both
Generally - If people have made their selection why spend time bashing the other one in order to justify the selection?
How does it improve the state of play?

 

[Obronie]

I do not think that the S3 is still the Android flagship ito specs, but still this can silence any Apple argument:
Samsung's quarterly sales soared past Apple's earnings in spite of considerable push back from the iPhone 5 in the last few months of 2012, but experts suggest that the Korea-based company's latest surge may also be a 'risk factor,' according to a Bloomberg report.
From: http://www.latinospost.com/articles...-s3-vs-iphone-5-sales.htm#Q6ya3yu4iyKWi4db.99

 

[Biscuit1018]

From Apple's perspective I would think they are pretty happy with the state of the iPhone. It's an exceptionally profitable and still healthily growing business for them. They've created a loyal and satisfied customer base. They're getting a foothold into China which is an enormous market for them. They have a safe haven for app developers with tools which still makes them the first call for apps. And they broke over 50% smartphone penetration in the US.

From Google's perspective Android is a bit of a nightmare. They still can't make reliable profits from the thing despite having 6 phones on the market for every 1 iPhone (which strikes me as staggeringly inept; how exactly do you manage that feat??). All the profits that do exist are absorbed by their hardware partners, particularly Samsung. And those partners are increasingly willing to fork Android or break out on their own with Tizen and what have you. Motorola Mobility is a complete dog; draining resources, with a patent portfolio that's proven fairly useless in court so far. So it is 'winning', but it's a fairly Pyrrhic victory as far as real business is concerned.

The ones who are winning the Android story are Samsung. Their story is completely incredible, considering that they're selling what amounts to a commodity platform, but still managing to dominate everyone and actually equal Apple on a profit basis. and that has nothing to do with visions of 'openness' and 'connectedness'; and everything to do with ruthless business acumen, and yes, marketing.

Samsung are doing magnificently well for the reasons you allude to.
Its too early to say that they equal Apple on a profit base since their projected margins are substantially lower

But no argument - they are the only Android manufacturer thats making good profits.
And yes they dont give a monkey about openness etc. In fact much of their marketing style and manufacturing techniques are similar to Apple's

 

[icyrus]

The ones who are winning the Android story are Samsung. Their story is completely incredible, considering that they're selling what amounts to a commodity platform, but still managing to dominate everyone and actually equal Apple on a profit basis. and that has nothing to do with visions of 'openness' and 'connectedness'; and everything to do with ruthless business acumen, and yes, marketing.

This was quite an interesting article on Samsung:

http://www.asymco.com/2012/11/29/the-cost-of-selling-galaxies/

 

[Biscuit1018]

+1 Not really fair is it. What about S3 vs iPhone?

True but you dont know the figures yet because iPhone 5 only recently out.
The most recent figures were the dying
When the Oct-Dec and Jan-Mar Quarters come out it will be interesting but if the result is not what the Samsungnites want they will diss them because Apple has a newer device out than Samsung.
Then when the S4 comes out the Apple guys will diss the numbers because of the reverse

 

[surfs-up]

I see the term "Android eco system" mentioned frequently in this thread. Tell me if I am wrong, but I don't see a true eco system with Android.

With Apple, iOS integrates seamlessly with Mac OSX. iTunes on Mac OSX handles most of the sharing of data between mobile devices on iOS and your devices on Mac OSX. So iPad, iPad mini, iPhone, iPod on iOS can share data with iMac, MacBook Pro, MacMini, Mac Pro etc etc.

Yes, with Android you can use a program like Kies to put music, video and pictures on your Android mobile device from your PC. But would that correctly be called an "eco system" ???

I'm not trying to provoke anything. I have Android devices myself, but I wouldn't say that the so called Android eco system, is an eco system per se

Nothing like an Android vs Apple topic to get everyone commenting on the thread

 

[Jola]

You can use the Google Playstore in exactly the same way as iTunes (outside SA), and GMail, etc is integrated into Android.

It is just as much an ecosystem as the Apple system.

If you choose not to use that functionality, then that is your problem.

At least you have the choice.

PS : And with Android you do not need any software to put media onto your device - that is the beauty of it !

 

[Nether]

I see the term "Android eco system" mentioned frequently in this thread. Tell me if I am wrong, but I don't see a true eco system with Android.

With Apple, iOS integrates seamlessly with Mac OSX. iTunes on Mac OSX handles most of the sharing of data between mobile devices on iOS and your devices on Mac OSX. So iPad, iPad mini, iPhone, iPod on iOS can share data with iMac, MacBook Pro, MacMini, Mac Pro etc etc.

Yes, with Android you can use a program like Kies to put music, video and pictures on your Android mobile device from your PC. But would that correctly be called an "eco system" ???

I'm not trying to provoke anything. I have Android devices myself, but I wouldn't say that the so called Android eco system, is an eco system per se

Nothing like an Android vs Apple topic to get everyone commenting on the thread

You don't need any of that, just plug your phone into your pc and copy files directly from the phone and PC vice versa.

I have a SGS3 and I don't use kies.

 

[cerebus]

You don't need any of that, just plug your phone into your pc and copy files directly from the phone and PC vice versa.

I have a SGS3 and I don't use kies.

Exactly his point. What ecosystem is there? It's a phone, Play Store, and a file browser.