RSSWhy does everyone think there should be only one brand of smartphone?
Aug 03
Following on the smartphone theme of my last post, Poor BlackBerry…, here’s something that’s always confused me: people claiming every new device needs to be the “iPhone killer” or comparing sales numbers between iPhone, Android and BlackBerry.
For example: Android Overtakes iOS in Sales, but That’s not the Whole Story:
“The truth is, it’s not all gloom and doom for the iPhone, despite what some may say. As we pointed out in a previous report, iOS is only available on one phone and one carrier, AT&T. Meanwhile, Android-powered phones are available across many more carriers and devices, something along the lines of 20 different phones throughout four carriers. We likened it to a new battle between Mac and PC, in which the Microsoft has a higher market share, but that’s mainly because of their availability, while Mac OS is built for Apple computers.”
Doom and Gloom? Why would anyone expect Android wouldn’t eventually overtake (and far exceed) the iPhone in sales given the number of devices and carriers? I’m an iPhone user who keeps a hopeful eye on Android, yet I don’t want either one to gain a monopoly on the space. Look at how much innovation we’re seeing thanks to the competition.
And lastly, I’d have to say RIMs announcement today of the Torch was underwhelming. The hardware looks nice (albeit with a slow processor) but RIM will lag until their OS jumps out of the early 90′s. But, were I in a company that forced me to use a BB, I’d be drooling over the Torch.
Aug 03, 2010 @ 13:39:53
Maybe it’s not so much a matter of what “should” be, but simply what experience tells us is likely. Consumers are stupid, nervous creatures. They’re all going to stampede to whatever device they think everyone else is stampeding to. They get scared and confused outside a monopoly. It is as though they create the conditions for their own exploitation. Oh well.
Aug 04, 2010 @ 08:05:59
It’s not about the phone itself anymore. It’s the marketplace of available apps. If we all standardized on one smartphone, there would be a ton of apps available to us. But most of the apps available today are iPhone apps. Users of Droid, WinMo and BB have a limited selection, while every business and website is jumping on the iPhone app bandwagon. I see it every day: “Download our smartphone app here! (only for iPhone)”
In time, the balance of apps will shift toward Droid, but the fact is that thirdparty app developers don’t want to have to develop 4 versions of the same app for different phones with different capabilities. They’ll just pick the top smartphone platform, and maybe the runner up.
Every time a user has this experience, wanting an app but finding it only available on another platform, it reinforces the belief that they made a mistake in choosing a smartphone. Remember, a smartphone is a 18-24 month commitment, and a lot can happen in that time.
Aug 04, 2010 @ 08:29:24
Agreed, it’s all about app availability, but I think each platform will have enough to satisfy their users. Unlike us, most people still think of a smartphone as a phone, and all the extra junk is a bonus.