TomOfSJ

Each Time I See Google's Android Pitch I Like It Less and Less

Google is behaving precisely like a software company. Google (and Symbian) makes the software as a set of libraries, customers (handset builders) take the software and use them on their handsets. Just like we would buy Windows and install it on our box at home.

Can this work out great in the future? Definitely, if Google continues to innovate and improve just like Apple, Microsoft, IBM, HP all improve and ship new operating systems over time. OF course, the handset makers must continue to improve their offering as well.

Google then is doing what Microsoft did on OS by being the handset OS supplier. Google tries to use the "cheaper" model Microsoft utilizes and also tries the "platform-independent" approach so that ANdroid is cheap and can theoretically go on any handset. All the problems and rewards associated with shipping an OS on a computer will occur similarly on shipping an OS dedicated to a handset.

Does it mean that Andriod is the next DOS? A Mac OS "market killer"? No, not this time. Does it mean that Android handsets will be the next cheap "PC"? A Mac "market killer"? No, not this time; not with the iPhone.

This time, Apple has the AppStore so that developers by the thousands can easily and quickly develop software for the iPhone. It is still unclear how I can develop an application for Andriod and sell my effort easily.

This time, the Apple touch technology is being patented heavily so, unlike Gates' Microsoft, Google cannot just "lift" or "steal" the interface. There is no complete repeat of the "Windows" fiasco that resulted in an Apple law suit against MSFT and eventually settled when MSFT paid Apple.

This time, there is no hordes of first-time PC business users buying cheap boxes rushing to Android, they are already heavily seduced by the dominant RIMM before iPhone arrived. This time, iPhone and Android-based sets are relatively new kids on the block. This time, Apple is rapidly setting up to support business environment by supporting Exchange. Business users, except for their dislike for ATT, have fewer reasons to resist iPhone except for their IT's inability to adapt quickly. IT tends to value stability over innovative improvements.

The scenario this time around is very different for AAPL. We are witnessing the beginning of the mobile computing revolution started by the iPhone. Nokia has yet to respond, RIMM just now responding, Android is a new player and Palm is cutting head-counts. It is still early to pronounce winners or dominant players. If anything, RIMM and Nokia are still dominant until their numbers drop.

I just want to toss this out there for those who may not know AAPL history and have not been involved in developing, shipping and marketing and supporting OS and its associated products.