In Aneel’s blog about Android’s new upcoming OS, he states various reasons for why Android’s tactics are flawed and may confuse customers. I’d like to put across my views contrary to his opinions and conclusion.
Since the release of the iPhone in 2007, the smartphone market grew exponentially, inspiring the start-up of a plethora of tech companies. This brought in a range of new innovative ideas in to the market. A company could not survive in this particular market without introducing new versions of their OS every year. Therefore, Google needed to innovate its Android OS faster. Google successfully did this and increased its market share from 0.5% in 2008 to 84.7% in 2014. Google wasn’t a first mover into the market but it established Android as a market leader because Android is a customizable and reliable OS available on premium and regular smartphones.
Photo: sourcedigit.com
As for the ‘ridiculous’ code names, Google started a humorous trend to help customers remember the many Android versions released. Every Android OS is named after a sugary treat or dessert in alphabetical order (Jelly Bean, KitKat, Lollipop). In my opinion, Google uniquely positioned Android in the minds of consumers by creating this trend.
In reference to the value proposition canvas, it is important for a product offered to solve the customer’s problem. I believe Google’s Android has done this well by addressing the needs of the customer and satisfying them through regular innovative additions in every OS update.
Sources:
http://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2010/02/iphone-and-android-biggest-winners-in-mobile-market-in-2009/
http://www.idc.com/prodserv/smartphone-os-market-share.jsp