Why the Google Android Phone Isn't Taking Off

Hugh Pickens writes "Farhad Manjoo writes in Slate that while the iPhone commands nearly 14 percent of smartphone sales and BlackBerry about 21 percent, Android has only 3 percent. And even though Android is far friendlier to developers, it has failed to attract anywhere near the number of apps now clogging the iPhone. Manjoo writes that Google went wrong by giving handset manufacturers and carriers too much control over the design and marketing of Android phones so there is no idealized 'Google phone' — instead, Android devices get names like the T-Mobile G1 or the myTouch 3G, and each is marketed separately and comes with its own distinct capabilities and shortcomings. 'Outside handset manufacturers lack ambition — -none of them even seems to be trying to match the capabilities of the iPhone, let alone to knock us down with features that far surpass those of Apple's device,' writes Manjoo. 'A smart handset manufacturer could build a top-of-the-line Android device that outshines Apple's phone in at least a few areas — better battery life, a much better Web browser, a brighter or bigger screen, faster or more functional controls... something that might help Android inspire gadget lust. But so far, that's not happening.' John Gruber echoes this advice and adds this advice to Android manufacturers: 'If Apple is BMW, you can be Porsche.'"

Comments

Re:It's the phones

[AndersBrownworth]

"... right after Linux is ready for the desktop."

Here here.

Re:Because they let the carriers screw with it.

[ciaohound]

let's laso make it

I think you meant "lasso." Honestly, I think Apple out-lassoes Google, the way they corral all apps through their app store, the way users get roped into a consistent look-and-feel at the expense of choice. Google, on the other hand, gives developers just enough rope...

Re:re Lack of apps, developers?

[w0mprat]

Part of the lack of good apps is the lack of solid documentation and examples. I spent weeks learning the API, but anytime I wanted to do something more meaningful that display stuff on the screen, I would get bogged down trying to figure out how to do it.

I'm not a newbie, I started programming computers back in the eighties (Z80 and 6502 assembler) so I know my way around, but the documentation is horrible, sometimes you think you got it all figured out and it turns out is an earlier / later version of the API, which doesn't quite work that way anyway.

Well what did you expect, Android is open source.

Re:Marketing trumps Quality

[Locutus]

"The power of marketing influence is great! But these Jedi mind tricks only work on the weak minded."

but there are just SOOOOooooooo....... many of them. ;-)

Ever notice who many emails from iPhone users still say "sent from my iPhone"? They've no clue that the default signature is set to that and they just keep going on with it.

LoB

Re:"It's the Network"

[agentofchange]

Futhermore, T-Mobile will unlock one phone every 90 days at no charge.

Unfortunately there are millions of people who would like their phone unlocked.

Re:"It's the Network"

[taucross]

Apple has burned me and I am waiting to switch.

Apple burned a few people, actually.