For the past decade, Google has been busy with its all-powerful search engine but has also made strategic acquisitions, such as buying out Android, Inc., which is the basis for the Android operating system. Google, entering markets filled with mega-corporations like Microsoft, Apple, and Nokia, has to climb steep mountains to stake its position in the communications and operating systems war. However, crashing the party late has its advantages too. For one thing, Google can learn from the mistakes and successes of rivals.

Why does Google need to follow Apple? Simple, the Cupertino operation is the most profitable phone manufacturer in 2009, despite owning a paltry 2.5% of the worldwide cell phone market. Clearly, the smart money is in smartphones.

- What Google Has Already Learned -
Single Carrier Tyranny: rather than being weighed down by a lowly esteemed carrier (AT&T), Google’s Nexus One is currently supplied by T-Mobile and can be purchased unlocked, thereby opening up many options for consumers. In Canada, the iPhone is available through all major carriers and does not carry the stigma of being an AT&T phone.

Multitasking: the iPhone still does not permit users to multitask. In an age of duo/quad processors, not being able to run more than one application at a time is ridiculous. Thankfully, Android complies with 21st century needs.

Open Source: the Open Handset Alliance is brilliant. Being free broadens Google’s partners list. Having the most affluent and potent companies like Intel as supporters cannot hurt either. Open source also means an open app market, unlike Apple’s highly profitable but much maligned Apps Store.

Camera: the original iPhone and the 3G had a meager 2 megapixels for their cameras, which could not even shoot video without hacking. Even the 3GS is a lowly 3MP but at least has advanced picture settings and video capture. Most available and upcoming HTC smartphones feature better cameras than the iPhone.

Easily Replaceable Battery: much outcry arose when Apple unveiled a smartphone that had a battery that was not easily user-replaceable. The Nexus One’s battery can be changed simply by removing a few screws a back cover.

- What Google Still Needs to Learn -
Advertising and Marketing: believe it or not, but clever marketing is as responsible for a product’s success as the actual quality of the commodity. With terrible first week sales, the Nexus One, although heavily covered by the tech industry, has not broken through to the general public. Apple’s Macs and iPhone have become social icons that transcend technology. With multitudes of billboards and television advertisements, HTC is attempting to spread its recognition. What does Google have to do? Nothing, because Android will be promoted by all the manufacturers. Google does not appear motivated to unload Nexus One phones. More than anything else, the device is a tech demo to showcase Android 2.1.

Multi-touch: I do not think that any reasonable person will deny that the iPhone’s multi-touch screen is far more responsive, usable, and better than every other smartphone. Apple has the best multi-touch trackpad and mouse too, so matching its technology is not going to be easy. However, Google is improving as OS designers, and with so much manufacturer support (HTC, LG, Sony, Samsung, Motorola, etc.), the hardware side is in capable hands.

Slick Apple Design (OS and hardware): design is subjective, and I venture to guess that a sizable percentage of the population prefers other phones over the iPhone, but I also bet that it would win in a beauty pageant. OS 3.0 is exceptionally clean and really attests to Apple’s expertise in programming operating systems. Android 2.1’s 3D visuals are a nice treat, and the main UI has made steady, albeit minor improvements since 1.0.