Android will kill the iPhone
Posted by Bob Balfe on November 3, 2009 under computers, eclipse | 
10 Comments to Read
I am sure many have seen the press on Android and all of the features it “does better” than the iPhone.
The one feature I think that will ultimately kill the iPhone is the Android SDK. You can download the Android SDK for Windows, Mac, and Linux and you can also just install it into your existing Eclipse IDE. Just having this available to all Eclipse developers is HUGE. This means you can start playing immediately without owning a specific OS/Computer – like a Mac.
This is a consistent mistake Apple makes over and over and it just shocks me, now Google is taking advantage of it. Don’t get me wrong I think Apple makes great products but the entire “we need control” mentality just exhausts everyone. If the Android devices end up being better hardware than the iPhone then I don’t see how iPhone will be able to compete. I know there is a lot of talk about the iPhone becoming more open and moving to other carriers but I think it just may be too little too late – maybe. Android is around the corner Apple – get moving!
agfitzp said,
The mobile computing space is certainly becoming more competitive. However cell phones are a mass consumer product and in that space branding and mindshare is essential. That is where Apple has (again) succeeded, if it ain’t an iPhone it ain’t cool.
The unanswered question is: Will openness and superior hardware/software overwhelm the Apple cool factor for the general public? Sadly I doubt it. *cough* Betamax *cough*
Paul Bastide said,
I totally agree. I’ve been very interested in the unique pairing for Android / Java / Eclipse
Jared said,
What happens when Apple allows(emulator, compatibility, etc) android apps to run on the iPhone?
Lars Vogel said,
I believe their is enough space in the market for the iPhone and Android. My observation is that Androids attracts much more the individual programmer and the iPhone attracts more the end consumer.
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Carlos said,
This reminded me of the “write once run anywhere” saying from years ago. With all the variations in operating systems, web browsers and now mobile devices we are worse off than ever. The only upside is all this variation and complexity keeps us IT folk forever busy trying to make it all work.
Bill DeVore said,
Apple doesn’t have to be the biggest, they just have to be the best. Someday Android will probably be bigger but they will never be better than iPhone.
mdmadph said,
I don’t see why either has to kill the other. They both need to play nice so that Windows Mobile doesn’t gain a foothold.
John Foldager said,
Having owned and used the HTC Hero (Android 1.5) since it was released here in Denmark in the beginning of August 2009, I must say that it is the most impressive phone I’ve ever had. The iPhone has a much more fast UI and it seems that it has a slightly better touchscreen. However, when the manufacturers releases newer Android phones with faster CPUs and the Android 2.0 and beyond, then I’m sure it’s the Android devices that will gain popularity.
A colleague of mine showed me how to download and install an application from Apple AppStore a couple of days ago. Impressive, but I didn’t like that the application was downloaded and installed just by the users touch of the “Install” button. On Android devices you can search for and download applications, but you will have to accept which parts of your phone that specific application will/can have access to. I like that I can download an application on the Android and know exactly what it has access to.
Now I’m just waiting for a Lotus Traveler and Sametime client on Android ;o)
Art said,
You’re high, drinking way too much eclipse Kool Aid
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