A Message To Eric Schmidt And Android: Put Up Proof Of Profits Or Shut Up

There will be one billion Android devices—smartphones and tablets—in use within a year, Google chairman Eric Schmidt said. Schmidt made the prediction during an interview with AllThingsD’s Kara Swisher and Walt Mossberg at the 92nd Street Y in New York Wednesday night. Google is activating 1.3 million Android devices a day. “Do the math,” Schmidt … Continue reading A Message To Eric Schmidt And Android: Put Up Proof Of Profits Or Shut Up

Office for iOS and Android Embodies Microsoft’s Strategic Failings [Updated]

Microsoft product manager Petr Bobek has confirmed that (Microsoft) is planning to release native iOS and Android versions of Office 2013 next year. Speaking at a press event in the Czech Republic earlier today, Bobek told Czech site IHNED that native apps will be made available from March 2013. ~ via The Verge — Office … Continue reading Office for iOS and Android Embodies Microsoft’s Strategic Failings [Updated]

How Google Should Fix Android

It’s time for Google to step up and take charge of the Android platform it has created. I know this sounds odd. By at least one standard, Android is a runaway success. It is by far the world’s most popular smartphone software standard and is likely to remain so for the foreseeable future. But in … Continue reading How Google Should Fix Android

Google Android Tablet Optimized Apps — Two Years Too Late

On Monday, (Google) published a “tablet app quality checklist” on its Android Developer website that urges developers to build tablet-optimized apps… ~ Wired I’d like to applaud Google for this move, I really would. But let’s put this in context: — Google should have done this when Samsung introduced the Samsung Tab some two years … Continue reading Google Android Tablet Optimized Apps — Two Years Too Late

Apple’s 4-Inch iPhone 5 vs. Android 4-Inch Plus Devices

Since June I have been using the Galaxy Nexus 4.65 inch screen smart phone. Upon switching to that device from the iPhone 4S, I was instantly taken by the screen size. It was clear that gaining just over an inch or so in display size yielded a compelling experience. In fact, the screen size was … Continue reading Apple’s 4-Inch iPhone 5 vs. Android 4-Inch Plus Devices

The New OS Wars: The Variety of Android Boosters

The verdict in Apple v. Samsung unleashed a flood of commentary on the relative merits of Apple and Android, and the one thing that has struck me as I read through the posts and comments is the passion of Android supporters. I’ve been following OS wars for 25 years or so since the heyday of … Continue reading The New OS Wars: The Variety of Android Boosters

Android v. iOS Part 6: The Future

RECAP Last week, we took a deep dive into the Android and iOS operating systems, looking at market share, profits, developers and platforms. Today we wrap up the series and attempt to peer into the probable futures of these two great mobile operating systems. The truth is, seeing the futures of Android and iOS isn’t … Continue reading Android v. iOS Part 6: The Future

Android v. iOS Part 5: Android Is A Two-Legged Stool

RECAP This week we’ve been looking at the Android and iOS mobile operating systems. In part 1, we looked at how Android was dominating market share. In part 2, we looked at how iOS was dominating profit share. In part 3, we tried to reconcile that seeming paradox. Turns out that, with regard to platform, … Continue reading Android v. iOS Part 5: Android Is A Two-Legged Stool

Android v. iOS Part 4: Developers

RECAP We’ve learned that Android dominates market share, but that it doesn’t seem to matter much. iOS has most of the profit share. And it turns out that developer share, not market share, is what makes a platform strong. DEVELOPERS DEVELOP FOR IOS FIRST AND ANDROID SECOND, IF EVER — Developers develop for iOS first. … Continue reading Android v. iOS Part 4: Developers

Android v. iOS Part 3: Network Effect

RECAP We’ve looked at Android and iOS market share and profit share. Android is winning in market share and iOS is winning in profit share. In any other industry, the analysis would probably be over at this point. Profit is literally the bottom line in business and iOS has it in spades. FIXATED ON MARKET … Continue reading Android v. iOS Part 3: Network Effect

Android v. iOS Part 2: Profits

RECAP Yesterday we looked at Android and iOS mobile operating system market share. Today we look at mobile operating system profit and profit share. ANDROID HAS WON THE MARKET SHARE BATTLE BUT… On the strength of market share alone, TechCrunch has (and many others have) declared Android the inevitable victor of the mobile operating system … Continue reading Android v. iOS Part 2: Profits

Android v. iOS Part 1: Market Share

INTRODUCTION This is the first article in a multi-part look at the Android and iOS operating Systems. An operating system (OS) is the software that manages computer hardware resources and provides common services for computer programs. Applications (or Apps) require an operating system in order to function. The most famous and prevalent operating system in … Continue reading Android v. iOS Part 1: Market Share

How Android Raises the Experience Bar with Nexus 7

As a technology insider who has actually planned, developed, and launched products, I have always believed it was important to spend inordinate amount of time living with new and emerging technology products.  Only this way, can you get the “feel” of a product; where it is and where the category is headed.  With regards to … Continue reading How Android Raises the Experience Bar with Nexus 7

Android’s 7-Inch Tablet Future

It wasn’t a secret that Google was going to announce a 7-inch Nexus tablet made by Asus and running Nvidia’s Tegra 3 chipset. And announce it Google did yesterday to much applause and fan fare. As we and a great many anticipated the tablet is designed as pure media tablet rather than a general purpose … Continue reading Android’s 7-Inch Tablet Future

Google Created the Mess and Now Must Fix Android Tablets

Android for phones by any measure has been a success, while Android for “premium” tablets by every measure has been a disaster.  According to IDC, the iPad held 55% market share of all tablets in Q4 2011.  When you remove lower end tablets like the Fire and Nook and leave "premium" tablets at $399+, best … Continue reading Google Created the Mess and Now Must Fix Android Tablets

Android is Losing Momentum

  I wrote a column earlier this year titled “2012: The Year Google Fixes Android or Loses the War.” In that column I laid out a number of issues facing Android as well as the business reasons why many problems existed. When we think about Android we need to remember that Google is an advertising … Continue reading Android is Losing Momentum

MWC 2012: Clear Android Differentiation and Other Trends

I suspect that each MWC will be better than the last. This show, I believe, is quickly becoming the leading industry conference for mobile smart device technologies. Therefore, Mobile World Congress will be one of the shows were we can expect to dig into the trends of our mobile computing tomorrow. On that point, this … Continue reading MWC 2012: Clear Android Differentiation and Other Trends

2012: The Year Google Fixes Android or Loses the War

The end of 2011 brought about some interesting market developments. Both Nielsen and NPD shared data that the once so dominant Android actually declined in market share over the holiday quarter of 2011. Both Nielsen and NPD also shared that during the same quarter iOS, mostly due to the iPhone, closed the gap on overall … Continue reading 2012: The Year Google Fixes Android or Loses the War

Why The Android Update Alliance Was Doomed From the Start

When Google announced the Android Update Alliance, an initiative to bring each new Android OS release to all devices in a timely manner, it was well-intentioned but doomed from the start. Jamie Lendino over at PC Magazine had a great column called “Google’s Android Update Alliance is Already Dead.” I recommend a read of this … Continue reading Why The Android Update Alliance Was Doomed From the Start

Marrying Android and Windows

Earlier this year I discovered an interesting company by the name of Bluestacks who said they had a virtual engine that would allow a person to run Android apps on a Windows PC. When I say I discovered them, this is an understatement. They moved into the office next to mine so it was pretty … Continue reading Marrying Android and Windows

The iOS and Android Mobile Web Disparity

There are two interesting data points released that I think is worth asking some questions. The first comes from Net Applications and it plots out mobile web browsing OS share by platform. The full chart is below. What strikes me in this chart is the clearly dominant iOS platform when it comes to mobile web … Continue reading The iOS and Android Mobile Web Disparity

Android and iOS: Two Very Different Philosophies

In this column, I in no way intend to say one of these platforms is superior to the other. I simply want to explore how they both represent completely different approaches to software and user experiences. We have to start with a fundamental agreement that we live in a free world and support a free … Continue reading Android and iOS: Two Very Different Philosophies

Does Google Need a New Strategy with Android?

  I believe Google is coming to a cross roads with Android. The reality is that we live in a software world. Hardware design is nice but software is what makes our devices useful. Steve Wildstrom wrote an article asking the question about whether Android was a mistake for Google. I don’t believe Android is … Continue reading Does Google Need a New Strategy with Android?