Way back in June 2007, Apple launched the iPhone. Apple revolutionised the mobile phone world beyond recognition. The boys form Cupertino recognised that mobile phones did not need to be the same as every other phone but instead could become a multimedia centre full of music, video and additional applications to enhance the users enjoyment and ultimately make Apple billions in the process.
By doing this, Mobile phone companies had to stopped puffing on there big cigars in boardrooms all over the world and instead had to work for there Buck, Yen or Euro. In short, Apple had kicked started a Mobile phone revolution and customers liked what they offered. The game had changed and companies knew they had to adapt as customers now demanded more.
Apple continued to lead the field uninterrupted and without reply until Google decided to enter the mobile phone market in October 2008 when they launched the first of their Android platform in the form of the G1. With phones being built by Taiwanese company HTC, who have a big history of providing hardware running Window Mobile OS platform the history and strength was there to last within this competitive market.
The G1 got the foothold in the mobile phone market they required and Google have built on success and have got stronger with each new handset released. With a number of alternatives to the iPhone being rolled out with technology that is equivalent to and in some cases exceed what the iPhone can offer. With superior technology such as faster chipsets, greater handset with bigger and better spec’s than its rivals these are indeed good times for Google. However with all this enhanced technology and an improving reputation with the market, Apple continue to lead the pack and although the chasing pack are maintaining and in some cases gaining ground on them, why cant Google catch Apple?
The reason for this and where Google should hang it’s head in shame is in the area of downloadable application.
Apps, apps, apps. The world of mobile technology is now full of apps. There is an application that can help from the moment we awake to the time we sleep. In short apps are everywhere. As Apple subtly put “Theres an app for that”. There is potentially an app for almost anything and everything.
The notion of an app is amazing and we can all think back now to what life was like without Mobile Phone apps. You can download a game of your choice, check the next train times. Hey, they pretty much can do anything and everything for us to make our lives more productive.
Having seen the Google Marketplace grow, from its launch in October 2008 the Android Marketplace has provided over 10,000 applications to download. In comparison to the Apple App Store whereby since its July 2008 launch date has seen over 140,000 apps designed for it.
In the game of poker which is comparing the apps on the platforms, I’m afraid to say that the App store is holding a full house. Currently, Apple do have strict guidelines to follow, maybe too strict, but by doing so keeps the quality of the applications submitted and released of a high standard.
However, the impression from the Marketplace is one of un-thought, slapdash and quantity over quality with a purpose from Google of getting as many applications into the Marketplace regardless of what these are.
These are not split by region, for example an application created for the Asian market, is shown in the UK. I admit, there would be many takers of these apps in the UK, but if that was the case then they would have advertised this for sale in Pounds rather than the Yen advertised wouldn’t they? By not having these split by region applications written in foreign languages make it difficult to understand whether this app would be useful. By releasing and sorting app’s by region would allow developers to tailor there app’s to different markets.
Furthermore, there are applications being released which are asking people to pay for referrals to websites which are freely available by opening the browser. Why would Google allow this? More to the point, would Apple allow this. This is essentially making developers look to “get rich quick” solutions rather than make applications which are both innovative and ground breaking and push the Android platform to its limit.
Having looked further at the Marketplace, there is now a trend for applications showing pictures both of famous people and of semi and nude photos. Is this the direction that Google wish to take the Android Marketplace? Do these infringe copywrite or trademark? If so, by doing this Google are openly allowing this by allowing these application through.
Whilst there are many pluses and minuses for both stores, but taking the market assumption that Apple are the market leaders at the moment, Google must take a quick glance to see what they are offering and then take a look at their store to see where they can improve.
In conclusion, Google have the hardware in place, the operating software to a good standard but in order to become the definitive market leader, they will have to improve the quality in which they allow on to the platform otherwise Apple will be adding to both there billionth downloaded application and the millions earned through their app store.
Russell Knight is currently a Systems Analyst and is currently studying a BSC in Computers with Psychological Studies.
