Will 2009 be the year of the Android?
Damian Koh | Dec 22, 2008
Though Apple had been making headlines with the iPhone 3G, the smart phone to beat in 2009 is the Android-based HTC G1. Powering the G1 is an open source operating system which has loads of potential. However it's not alone, as Windows Mobile and Symbian are already dominant in the smart phone market and RIM gaining ground with its consumer-led BlackBerrys. The G1 is already shipping in the US, but we'll only be able to see what the open source platform and community can really do next year.
What do you think? Will you wait for an Android smart phone?
Talkback
Jarga says...
If what they promoted in Youtube is true, I think it will blow WM, iPhone and Symbian in one blow.
Dec 22, 2008 13:00
If what they promoted in Youtube is true, I think it will blow WM, iPhone and Symbian in one blow.
Dec 22, 2008 13:00
davepda says...
how can a ugly phone become fashionable. i think that phone does not have a chance to become popular. its too thick nerdy looking keyboard (what happen to screen keyboard). and its not a fad
Dec 22, 2008 14:12
how can a ugly phone become fashionable. i think that phone does not have a chance to become popular. its too thick nerdy looking keyboard (what happen to screen keyboard). and its not a fad
Dec 22, 2008 14:12
Devlin says...
@ davepda:
I totally agree with your point. The HTC Dream/T-Mobile G1 does suffer from a deficient design, however what makes this phone special isn't so much the phone itself but rather the OS. I have only had the chance to try out mock-ups of the phone on T-Mobile stalls at malls so I can't really speak for the OS itself but I am quite optimistic about it. Don't worry about the phone itself, Kogan will have the Agora ready by January so you can try that out if the Dream isn't for you. I believe that'll be the first alternative model to be available with Android.
I'm really considering the Agora myself but now that I know Sony Ericsson will have something by the second quarter I might just wait for that instead. I just hope Android truly lives up to the hype and doesn't wind up like Windows Mobile or the iPhone's version of OSX. Ideally, Android should be as easy to use, if not more so, than OSX but not as locked down in terms of what can and cannot be done.
Dec 22, 2008 14:47
@ davepda:
I totally agree with your point. The HTC Dream/T-Mobile G1 does suffer from a deficient design, however what makes this phone special isn't so much the phone itself but rather the OS. I have only had the chance to try out mock-ups of the phone on T-Mobile stalls at malls so I can't really speak for the OS itself but I am quite optimistic about it. Don't worry about the phone itself, Kogan will have the Agora ready by January so you can try that out if the Dream isn't for you. I believe that'll be the first alternative model to be available with Android.
I'm really considering the Agora myself but now that I know Sony Ericsson will have something by the second quarter I might just wait for that instead. I just hope Android truly lives up to the hype and doesn't wind up like Windows Mobile or the iPhone's version of OSX. Ideally, Android should be as easy to use, if not more so, than OSX but not as locked down in terms of what can and cannot be done.
Dec 22, 2008 14:47
CIAO4now says...
Android is extremely easy to use and very intuitive. Some apps are not as intuitive as others, but like any OS, they can be figured out with marginal effort.
This OS stands a chance at being the first "real" multitouch software (not just two fingers) and has so much unreleased, untapped potential that it is almost insane to doubt it.
As for the ugly comments, it seems to be an obvious marketing ploy from HTC (they don't make too many ugly phones on purpose, check out their phones if you don't believe me) which leads me to think that they planned on making an insane new line of phones for this software from the moment they were asked to do this. Think about it, why would they give T-Mobile the best of their phones if they later (in a few months) wanted to go into the market for themselves (hence the ugliness yet functionality of the g1).
Next summer will probably be the best summer in cellular history. I GIVE YOU MY WORD THAT IT WILL BLOW YOUR MINDS!
Dec 22, 2008 20:41
Android is extremely easy to use and very intuitive. Some apps are not as intuitive as others, but like any OS, they can be figured out with marginal effort.
This OS stands a chance at being the first "real" multitouch software (not just two fingers) and has so much unreleased, untapped potential that it is almost insane to doubt it.
As for the ugly comments, it seems to be an obvious marketing ploy from HTC (they don't make too many ugly phones on purpose, check out their phones if you don't believe me) which leads me to think that they planned on making an insane new line of phones for this software from the moment they were asked to do this. Think about it, why would they give T-Mobile the best of their phones if they later (in a few months) wanted to go into the market for themselves (hence the ugliness yet functionality of the g1).
Next summer will probably be the best summer in cellular history. I GIVE YOU MY WORD THAT IT WILL BLOW YOUR MINDS!
Dec 22, 2008 20:41
mobilemondaysg says...
I agree that Android-enabled phones should be something to watch out for by all players of the mobile ecosystem, even consumers. One thing is for sure, the introduction of Android has caused many mobile companies to reconsider their mobile open source strategies and focus on delivering next-generation mobile services and mobile user-experiences.
Dec 23, 2008 13:44
I agree that Android-enabled phones should be something to watch out for by all players of the mobile ecosystem, even consumers. One thing is for sure, the introduction of Android has caused many mobile companies to reconsider their mobile open source strategies and focus on delivering next-generation mobile services and mobile user-experiences.
Dec 23, 2008 13:44
ferdiei says...
seems every device manufacturers now are jumping into the 'android' bandwagon. so what will differentiate a certain brand from one another? design? build quality? price per feature? customer service(hardware)? you guess..
Dec 27, 2008 22:12
seems every device manufacturers now are jumping into the 'android' bandwagon. so what will differentiate a certain brand from one another? design? build quality? price per feature? customer service(hardware)? you guess..
Dec 27, 2008 22:12
gsr5867 says...
I guess we'll have to wait and see if it will live up to all the hype... looks promising though.
Dec 30, 2008 20:04
I guess we'll have to wait and see if it will live up to all the hype... looks promising though.
Dec 30, 2008 20:04
CIAO4now says...
I think there are certain factors and reasons for the potential success of the Android software and for the manufactures.
One of the most likely reasons for success will be reputation just before the software hits the market as well as design. People are already looking for the next Iphone so factors such as multi-touch interface, built in memory, camera/ video quality, and customization will be huge factors in deciding which brand makes the next "great" cellphone. Price, quality and battery life will more than likely be attributed to whichever company has the best reputation just before the release.
One of the main marketing concerns for the new software will be ease of use. I have played around with the G1 and it is not as intuitive as people would like to think (a quality which I enjoy). After 2 hours of playing with a cellphone, many consumers would probably like to feel that they have mastered it, but may learn little things as time goes along. This is not something that will readily happen with the Android OS. The Android OS is hours of fun, but may not be for the people who want a "dumbed down" phone. Iphone managed to make a phone that is, in the opinion of majority of users, simple and user friendly. Android will not be as simple, but will be more user friendly to all of us that enjoy customization without the restrictions of the Iphone.
Dec 31, 2008 07:34
I think there are certain factors and reasons for the potential success of the Android software and for the manufactures.
One of the most likely reasons for success will be reputation just before the software hits the market as well as design. People are already looking for the next Iphone so factors such as multi-touch interface, built in memory, camera/ video quality, and customization will be huge factors in deciding which brand makes the next "great" cellphone. Price, quality and battery life will more than likely be attributed to whichever company has the best reputation just before the release.
One of the main marketing concerns for the new software will be ease of use. I have played around with the G1 and it is not as intuitive as people would like to think (a quality which I enjoy). After 2 hours of playing with a cellphone, many consumers would probably like to feel that they have mastered it, but may learn little things as time goes along. This is not something that will readily happen with the Android OS. The Android OS is hours of fun, but may not be for the people who want a "dumbed down" phone. Iphone managed to make a phone that is, in the opinion of majority of users, simple and user friendly. Android will not be as simple, but will be more user friendly to all of us that enjoy customization without the restrictions of the Iphone.
Dec 31, 2008 07:34
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nasasuke
i'll wait for Android Smartphone .. a few website name this gadget as device of the year . .
Dec 22, 2008 12:54