Comments on: Google's Android falling behind the iPhone

By: mark, boston, ma

mark, boston, ma — Tue, 02 Jun 2009 17:10:07 +0000

In addition, the growth for iPhone 3G (in 2008) was much greater than for the original iPhone (in 2007). The 2007 iPhone took 6 months to get to .09%, while iPhone 3G increased from .19% to .46%, or .27% in 6 months in 2008. So Android should've done better since the market in 2008 was better established in the minds of consumers (as some commenters have said).

Over the same 6-month period (Oct 2008 to Mar 2009), iPhone 3G went from .33% to .50%, with its curve shaped like the Android curve (very slow in Feb-Mar, possibly due to recession as others have said). The iPhone 3G grew at twice the rate though, however, one must discount it some because iPhone 3G was an update and not a totally new product like the G1.

By: mark, boston, ma

mark, boston, ma — Tue, 02 Jun 2009 16:56:54 +0000

@Jason in Olathe, KS: iPod touch is not included in these figures.

@PED: There is seasonality in cell-phone sales. Android covers Oct (launch month) to Mar, while iPhone covers July to Dec. Seasonality should be taken into account excepting the launch month which is heavily biased by pent-up demand.

The sixth month (Mar) lag for Android could be due to Feb-Mar generally being a slow new sales period when compared to Dec (sixth month for iPhone). OTOH, the fourth month (Jan) surge for Android covers Christmas activations, which is not a part of the iPhone data.

By: Tony - Boston, MA

Tony - Boston, MA — Tue, 02 Jun 2009 14:52:26 +0000

Until you can actually use these phones on plans that don't cost more than $40 a month, it really doesn't matter which mobile OS has more browser hits since they're minuscule compared to their actual potential. Once these phones actually become mainstream, that's when their browser share will really matter.

By: Simon, Sydney, Australia

Simon, Sydney, Australia — Tue, 02 Jun 2009 14:31:20 +0000

Lame article! and extremely bias…

The android is a platform and not just a phone. it's as great as the phone manufacturer makes it to be. give it decent hardware, and multi-touch (which it already supports as proved by many hacks) and it will blow the iPhone away.

the G1 is a developers phone, it's a phone for those who appreciate open source…

By: NuShrike, Los Angeles, CA

NuShrike, Los Angeles, CA — Tue, 02 Jun 2009 11:50:43 +0000

As long as Google sticks with the inferior HTC and Qualcomm hardware (just search for HTC class action), and 3rd-class Linux OS (which has never broken the desktop market in at least 15 years of trying), the summation is too weak to compete against the strongly, very strategically vertically integrated Apple product.

Just being another mee-too device with capacitive touch doesn't make it superior, nor being able to every single app available at the same time (Windows Mobile).

It's about the eco-system (which Android still lacks), strongly integrated and predictable hardware base (which Windows Mobile lacks), an making the common idea easier to use.

By: Daguz, Chicago, IL

Daguz, Chicago, IL — Tue, 02 Jun 2009 11:47:32 +0000

Douglas….Thank you.

Apple has only up to go. They started this craze and with the following they have, it will not slow down anytime soon.

The Music alone give Apple fans a reason to stay, now add the Apps and I just dont see how any phone can convince a customer to ditch all that money invested (and time with social apps).

Heck, Nintendo is scared of the games offered for .99 cents to 9.99.

By: Douglas, LA---CA

Douglas, LA---CA — Mon, 01 Jun 2009 21:33:06 +0000

I wanted a Google phone before they came out. Now I am beginning to think that I am not going to wait.

Although there is much talk about this Android—Dell creates one and not one single carrier buys it—not one.

I don't doubt we are going to see a few models Q4—but it seems like the carriers themselves aren't very excited. You would think they would all put together and 10 man team and $10M to make this happen 2 years ago. But they didn't.

So I am guessing it will be just another line of cell phones you can choose from if the spirit moves you. Take over the marketplace? The ship sailed.

90% of ATT sign-up's——iPhone. They can't ditch them in 2 years for the next big idea. They have invested to much money in APPS and songs—so like it or not Apple won the game.

dugles

By: Bob, Irvine, California

Bob, Irvine, California — Mon, 01 Jun 2009 20:51:58 +0000

Oh please! Android will never pass up the iPhone because it's not just about the operating system. They need the cool hardware to operate on also! Until Android has a cool piece of hardware comparable to the iPhone to run on, it will always be behind and so will everyone else.

By: Jason Olathe, KS

Jason Olathe, KS — Mon, 01 Jun 2009 20:51:36 +0000

It is unclear from their site whether the iPod Touch is lumped into the data for this particular comparision, and I am guessing that might not be a fair inclusion?

By: Steve, West Sacramento, CA

Steve, West Sacramento, CA — Mon, 01 Jun 2009 19:45:47 +0000

And what did the economy look like when the iPhone was released? Isn't it just possible that part of the reason for a slightly slower adoption rate is either

1) The economy

2) The fact that there are lots of other Android options coming soon

The conclusion that Android can't get past early adopters isn't particularly well supported here.