On the recent article I read from eWeek about “Android Overtakes Symbian as Top Smartphone OS“, I figured it would be interesting to raise a discussion on the competition of the two OS Android and Symbian. The article itself brings up a pretty unsettling conclusion.
First, the fact on Android overtaking Symbian in one quarter of sales does not take in account of the current phones using Symbian out there. Since Symbian had held a title of been the top OS in the market for a good 10 years, the population of this OS is immense and cannot be “dethroned” from the result of single quarter’s sales.
Second, I realized this article focuses a lot on the competition between phone companies rather than the functionality of the OS, especially the competition with iPhone. It is true that the phone industry has definitely leaned more towards touch-screen functions rathers than key-pad functions, but it does not eliminate the convenience of key-pad phones. So for Android which has functions of both will contradict itself when used. The user who uses the touch-screen all the time will find the key-pad useless, and vice versa.
Third, continue from the second point, this ambiguity will actually support Apple’s iPhone in expanding their market because for those who experiences the appreciation in touch-screen, there will be a high chance for them to get the 100% touch-screen phone, iPhone. So being so focus on one functionality does have it’s pros.
Though I have to state that I may be a bit biased since I am an iphone owner, but considering the coming of the Tween generation, the most innovative design will definitely win the market. Since the iPhone only has 2 or possibly 3(if we consider the coming iPhone 5) phones, the Tweens will get bored of them soon enough. But Apple by far does have the most innovative brand, so they will have the higher chance to invite those that new generation to try their gadgets.