Why I Think Android Will Prevail

Just today, there have been two big reports regarding the Android mobile platform. First, Sprint announced the arrival of a new Android handset, the Samsung Moment. It will feature a AMOLED touchscreen, slide out keyboard and 3.2 megapixel camera. Second, the Wall Street Journal just reported that Dell might be building an Android mobile phone for AT&T. This news comes right after Verizon strikes a deal with Google to bring Android handsets to its service.

So, you can see, Android is quickly become a hot topic. I think that in the long term, it could potentially dethrone the iPhone to become the most widespread mobile platform and I’ve got a couple reasons why.

Android runs on a variety of hardware. For a long time, the only phone that ran the Android operating system was the T-Mobile G1. During that time, many pundits predicted the demise of Android. It was understandable since the G1 was vastly inferior to the iPhone and many other smartphones. Now though, there are almost a dozen Android phones that will be available in the US by the end of the year. This is when Android will start to truly shine. The iPhone can only run on GSM and WCDMA networks. Since Android isn’t hardware specific, potentially every carrier in the world can carry Android phones.

Android is Open. Recently, Apple has been getting a lot of negative press about its App Store practices. The App Store is a closed system, and everyone who wants to develop for it has to wait for their applications to be approved by Apple. With some of the recent app rejections, some developers are moving away from iPhone platform. Also, with the sheer number apps on the app store, it is getting harder and harder to make money off of iPhone apps. I think we will soon see many developers start developing for Android as more people purchase Android phones.

Android is Dynamic. I think that the iPhone, Palm Pre and other devices that run proprietary operating systems could eventually become what the iPod is now. iPod sales are slumping and most of the original excitement about the iPod is now gone. The Android platform will be able to avoid that by having exciting new devices come out every year. Remember the Motorola RAZR? It was immensely popular 5 years ago and made record sales for 2 to 3 years. Now though, it has been all but forgotten.

Don’t get me wrong though. I love the iPhone. I think it is far superior to any device out there. I just think that Android has positioned itself for much more success in the long term. And for all we know, the iPhone might just stay king of the hill and topple Android.