iPhone owner ‘Shane’ bought an HTC Desire running Google’s Android. Less than a month later, he’s back to the iPhone:
Android just isn’t there yet, and the HTC Desire (or any Android handset) is no real competition for the iPhone ecosystem. Of course it’s not all about ecosystem (you need to compete vs iTunes etc) but it’s one area I don’t see anyone really focusing on and until they do I can’t see anyone really causing Apple concern.
Shane details a number of problems with Android, including the so-called multitasking feature:
Auto memory management is poor at best. The OS can start closing apps (like the actual Sense UI) that you need, whilst keeping apps (like Footprints) running. Adding a Task Management app (which any phone user really shouldn’t have to do, not to mention any iPhone converts) doesn’t make things much better. With so many processes running at any point in time it is impossible to work out what should or should not be open or closed.
Another problem is Android versions:
Ask older Android handset owners if they enjoy being stuck on Android 1.5 as their handset manufacturer releases new phones with 2.1 with no intention of upgrading their 6 month old handsets that are now out of date.
On the way to the summary:
Buy an iPhone, it’ll have a life of 1-2 years easily before the average consumer feels they are out of date. In the world of Android, you’re out of date almost weekly.
And, the summary:
The Android market is disjointed, confused and inconsistent, whilst Apple have created a stable, consistent platform that whilst limiting in some ways, allows users a level of comfort that Android does not.
I have no doubt that cell phone manufacturers pushing Android-based smart phones will soon surpass iPhone’s annual sales and market share. Android is free for manufacturer’s. iPhone is only made and sold by Apple.
Does that sound like Mac vs. Windows all over again?
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