Update on Android's Progress

T-Mobile USA (DT) has sold 1 million G1 by HTC phones since its introduction last October. That’s small compared to the iPhone (AAPL) (which has sold 8 million in 80+ countries during that period). It’s also not as fast as Nokia (NOK), which thanks to its strong global distribution, was able to achieve the same milestone for their 5800 phone in half the time.

Still, it’s a strong start for a brand-new platform and a phone that was rushed to market with serious performance compromises.

The key to more share for the Android platform is more handsets and the handsets are being held up until performance is acceptable. That suggests that when they do come, there should be a flood of adoption. HTC’s second phone (Magic) is long-rumored to be due Real Soon Now in Europe, and the latest prediction is that Vodafone (VOD) will ship it next week.

It also looks as though that Android (via Leonovo) will beat the iPhone to the Chinese market, and the low licensing cost will fit well with the Chinese market. (No word as to how China Mobile (CHL) feels about the Android Market, given it plans its own app store.)

China Mobile, like Vodafone, is a dominant carrier that likes commodity handsets. I wonder who’s next — DoCoMo (DCM)? Its rival Softbank (SFTBF.PK) carries the iPhone, but it already has both Symbian and Linux smartphones under its own brand.

Now Phandroid (a great Android rumor site) claims the HTC Hero will debut on Sprint (S) in October (which would make it 5 months after the Palm (PALM) Pre). Given AT&T’s (T) strong ties to the iPhone, I speculated that either Verizon (VZ) or Sprint would be next in the US to ship an Android phone.

Sprint CEO Dan Hesse has admitted Sprint is working with Google (GOOG) on an Android phone. It’s still possible that Verizon will beat Sprint to market, but no rumors yet.

Comments

[jmmx:]

I would be interested to know who are buying the G1. What is it they like about it. Why they chose it over other phones.

Any ideas?

Apr 26 12:31 AM

[Paul Harper:]

CHL have made a huge commitment to Android, very much linked to the Open Mobile System, as I wrote last week, DELL might just crack the market : mystockvoice.wordpress.../

Apr 26 02:22 AM

[Tracey:]

I bought the G1 over the iPhone and Blackberry because the keyboard was more comfortable to use and the screen was easier on the eyes. The G1 Internet/Data plans from T-Mobile were also cheaper. The G1 also feels more like a mini-laptop than the iPhone which felt like a toy and looks like something that would attract recreational users or students. I also figured Google software would be outstanding and Android Market would blossom someday.

The G1 hardware looks and feels cheap, but it can be replaced when something better comes along.

Apr 26 11:11 AM

[winindthedust:]

The G1 looks and feels cheap... like a mini laptop... (which would be huge for a phone).... FIGURED Google software would be outstanding.... Android market would blossom... SOMEDAY...

That says it all. I'm sticking with my iPhone, serious business tool, that looks and feels like a serious "toy" with 35,000 real apps and counting at my disposal. The iPhone IS a mini-computer.

Tracey, you bought vaporware sold on salesmanship... I hope it all comes to reality for you! :-)

On Apr 26 11:11 AM Tracey wrote:

> I bought the G1 over the iPhone and Blackberry because the keyboard
> was more comfortable to use and the screen was easier on the eyes.
> The G1 Internet/Data plans from T-Mobile were also cheaper. The
> G1 also feels more like a mini-laptop than the iPhone which felt
> like a toy and looks like something that would attract recreational
> users or students. I also figured Google software would be outstanding
> and Android Market would blossom someday.
>
> The G1 hardware looks and feels cheap, but it can be replaced when
> something better comes along.

Apr 27 02:32 PM

[RLLH:]

There is a reason that cheap and good enough Windows computers have the lions share of the computer market. I suspect the same dynamics are about to come about in this market. A small percentage is willing to pay top dollar for Tiffany quality, most prefer (or have to buy) Walmart.

Apr 27 05:59 PM