Breaking Through with Android and the G1
I have to hand it to Google, they have shown considerably more momentum as of late in regards to their Android platform. Maybe their strategy is to lull you a bit before striking, as release in to the market was panned by many writers as being uninspiring. I myself have been a bit lukewarm in previous blog entries in regards to the Android initiative as well, but I am starting to reconsider my position. While I am not completely sold on the idea that T-Mobile will get the boost from G1 that ATT is getting in terms of new customer adds in the recent quarter from their iPhone (2.4M third quarter iPhone activations http://www.att.com/gen/press-room?pid=4800&cdvn=news&newsarticleid=26227). I am sold on some recent moves by the handset manufacturers and the Android model for the operators.
The rumor mill had Motorola developing a new social networking phone especially for Android. I am not sure of the full benefit here in regards to social networking (does it find me a new BFFL? Ha!), but it is an interesting concept into the youth market. Then Motorola more recently announced that they would use Android instead of Symbian going forward in an effort to reduce costs (http://www.rcrwireless.com/article/20081030/WIRELESS/810309993/-1/rss01). While they are not a the dominant providers of Symbian phones, this is still a significant move since Motorola still has brand cache. It would also make sense that they could further consolidate their Linux initiatives with Android unless that would create an issue with Verizon’s LiMo announcement (http://www.informationweek.com/blog/main/archives/2008/05/verizon_limo_li.html).
In regards to the mobile operators, Google has set up a beneficial revenue share model for value added services to entice adoption. Remember, Google does not care about a revenue stream from Android (it’s free) or Android services, they want the associated search and advertising serving on each of those handsets. They seem to be willing to pursue some creative paths to achieve that goal. However, at some point they do need to care that some of their applications that they have opened up to the wider development community are completely killing their phones, user experience anyone? (http://www.networkworld.com/news/2008/103008-new-android-apps-a-mixed.html?page=1)
As always, I would like to hear your thoughts on Google’s next steps.
