Android Won. Windows Lost. Now what? The Battle of the Century is Decided.

[Just17]

http://communities-dominate.blogs.com/brands/2012/12/android-won-windows-lost-now-what-the-battle-of-the-century-is-decided-microsoft-relegated-to-ever-s.html

Android Won. Windows Lost. Now what? We have passed the tipping point now, the balance has tipped and can't be flipped. The Platform of the Century will power cameras, credit cards, cellphones, computers, consoles, clocks - and collect consumer insights on our consumption.. Ok. The numbers for Q3 are in, inwhat I anticipated to be the "smartphone bloodbath" three years ago, that would last long into this new decade. That was then, when the battle was joined, and since have called and the battle of the century, the battle for the pocket, the battle for the platform to control the digital destiny of humanity.. that battle, the biggest race of all time - has been won. Already? But we barely got to know you? Yes.

[ruel24]

In order for Andriod to truly win, it has to clean house and beat iOS. In order for it to do that, it has to get rid of the lag between the release of an OS and the time it gets on a device, and stop devices that are newer from not getting updated at all. Second, as far as much of the hardware, the Android market is still ripe with lesser hardware trying to sell at a price similar to iOS devices. It just won't work. There are also some small features that stand out in iOS that are still lacking in Android.

The best thing for the consumer is that the OS and device become unlocked and the consumer is allowed to upgrade the OS and make changes at his/her will. The device makers are fighting it tooth and nail as they're afraid of commoditization.

The last thing needed is for Apple to trip up. I think that's on the way. They just named a new head of UI, and he's against the current path of having controls be drawn to look like the things they represent, such as Game Center's faux wood and green felt and prefers and more flatter, austere look. Much of the reason users have flocked to Apple is the beautifully rendered UI. If it goes to a flatter representation, it might as well take graphics backward 10 years and include jagged edges for more realism...

[chilly]

I must admit i don't really understand these tablets ect running android or anything else to be quite honest.
The other night while reading in bed i decided i want an eBook or kindle,can anyone tell me about the kindle fire
can it connect to the internet via a browser,i.e firefox,chrome?

[AussieBear]

In order for Andriod to truly win, it has to clean house and beat iOS. In order for it to do that, it has to get rid of the lag between the release of an OS and the time it gets on a device, and stop devices that are newer from not getting updated at all. Second, as far as much of the hardware, the Android market is still ripe with lesser hardware trying to sell at a price similar to iOS devices. It just won't work. There are also some small features that stand out in iOS that are still lacking in Android.

The best thing for the consumer is that the OS and device become unlocked and the consumer is allowed to upgrade the OS and make changes at his/her will. The device makers are fighting it tooth and nail as they're afraid of commoditization.

The last thing needed is for Apple to trip up. I think that's on the way. They just named a new head of UI, and he's against the current path of having controls be drawn to look like the things they represent, such as Game Center's faux wood and green felt and prefers and more flatter, austere look. Much of the reason users have flocked to Apple is the beautifully rendered UI. If it goes to a flatter representation, it might as well take graphics backward 10 years and include jagged edges for more realism...

Ruel24,

The issue of lag time between Android version release and seeing it on a handset is more an issue
with the individual carries and not so much with Google itself.  The carries  are the ones that provide
"enhancements" (and bloat) and have a vested interest in NOT seeing you hold on to your current phone.

Some are better than others.  Here in Australia with the dominant carrier Telstra, my Samsung
Galaxy GS2 has been upgraded at least three times in the year I have had it. It started with
Gingerbread, then an intermediate bug fix and finally Ice Cream Sandwich.  An upgrade to Jelly Bean
is scheduled in the beginning of next year. No hardware envy so much, just for an OS upgrade.

Tablets on the other hand are more complicated. Here it appears that Samsung fails a bit. At least
from second-hand chats.  Asus is superb.  I have a Transformer Prime. It has received firmware
upgrades at least 4-5 times. Started with Honeycomb, then to ICS, bug fixes with incremental feature
releases and finally a month ago got Jelly Bean 4.1.1.

As far as Apple. Well Apple does what Apple does. Personally, I read with mild amusement and interest
as I used to own a iPhone 3GS before getting my GS2.  Reading gripes about the incremental release of
hardware like the iPhone 4S and release of iOS6 do provide some entertainment.

People make their own choices and I do not begrudge them that. Just like choices of desktop OS.

Like debates and/or spirited discussions about religion, I choose to not get involved. As the saying
goes, they tend to generate more heat than light.

Kindest Regards,

AussieBear.

[ruel24]

Yes, it is a function of the carrier, which is the problem. Most iOS users will never switch because they would rather put their faith in Apple than their greedy carriers. We've seen a lot of shady stuff come from the carriers, but not so much Apple, on the consumer end, at least.

I'm not so sure about incremental hardware releases... iPhone 4s actually has hardware that enables Siri to perform like it does. It was not just a speed bump from the 4. And as far as hardware envy, many of my Android toting friends have newer phones than my iPhone 4, yet none of them can take as good a picture as I can, and every one of them were jealous when they saw the outcome. Also, most of them believe the iPhone is a better made phone after they've held it in their hands side by side with their Android phones. Most of my Android friends don't regret getting what they have, having cited that they only paid $99 out of pocket, and they also like the widgets and customizations they can make to the Android. But as far as hardware, I've met very few people that have felt they have better hardware than an iPhone.

I was just pointing out what Android would have to do to lure over iOS customers and unseat Apple as the market leader. It just simply isn't going to happen when the carriers and the OEMs create such a lag time with OS updates, if they offer them for a particular phone or not. The best thing to possibly happen to Android, IMO, is if the phones get commoditized and allow user upgradability, a la the PC model.

As an iPhone user, I've actually considered a Nexus tablet. I can't fathom getting an iPad because I just can't see what it does for me above and beyond my iPhone except be more readable. So, a Nexus tablet would be something quite neat to own, particularly if I can put Cyanogenmod on it and have fun trying to screw it up! lol