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10 Reasons Android Can Beat Blackberry In The Smartphone Race

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News Analysis: The Google Androidmobile OS is making its way to the enterprise. Research In Motion is stillleading the pack. But Google is bringing a lot of potential advantages to thetable that may allow it to gradually erode RIM's lead. Google is sure to pressthese advantages, giving Android a shot at beating RIM in the corporatesmartphone space.

Recent reports have suggested that future Android-based mobile devices will soon target the enterprise. Google plans to have more enterprise-friendly applications available tousers and to integrate Google Docs more effectively into its phones. It's aworthwhile vision and if done properly, I think Android can beat BlackBerrysmartphones in the corporate space.

At this point, such a prediction will probably cause some to seriously questionhow that result would be possible. Right now, BlackBerry maker Research In Motion is the leader in the smartphonemarket by a wide margin. Of its competitors, only Apple has been able to significantlyattract corporate customers. And although Windows Mobile smartphones once helda place of prominence in the enterprise, poorsoftware and awful hardware has made Windows Mobile an also-ran. Meanwhile, Android has yet to make a mark in the enterprise. For themost part, Android has tried to appeal to consumers.

But if we are to believe Google's mobile director, Andy Rubin, it won't staythat way much longer.

Speaking to Reuters, Rubin said he believes that the "enterprise will be a goodfocus" for Google in thefuture.

He's right. And although his company is far behind the leader in that space, Ithink it has what it takes to beat RIM in the business world. Here's why:

1. Android Market

Applications can literally transform the enterprise. A variety of appsdesigned specifically for business users could lead to a serious improvementfor Android in the corporate world. Granted, RIM has an app store as well, butso far, Android has more than twice as many apps that are, at least right now,far more appealing. It's one of Android's major advantages. And it can't be overlooked.

2. Android is open source

We can't discount the fact that Android is open source. RIM is the onlycompany that controls the BlackBerry, which means only its decision makersdecide what companies will get. Android allows any vendor to create its ownAndroid experience. If Motorola listens to corporate customers who wanttethering, push e-mail and several other features, it can build those featuresinto a phone designed specifically for those users. Vendors can do what theywant, how they want. That's powerful. And it's awfully appealing to businesscustomers.

3. Remember Chrome OS

Google's Chrome OS might first start out as an operating system fornetbooks, but I don't think it will take too much time before the companyexpands its offering. Android would seem like a natural mobile partner forChrome OS. Imagine doing work using Chrome OS, transferring it to Android andgoing about the day. That should appeal to several companies.

4. Google Docs

Google Docs is an extremely importantcomponent of Google's strategy for Android. The company is trying to push it oncustomers in a new advertising campaign, highlighting the fact that, for manycompanies, Google Docs might just be enough. Microsoft Office is a powerfulprogram, but as Google Docs continues to be improved and Google pushes forbetter integration with Android, it could be the company's Trojan horse forentrance into the enterprise.

5. Ubiquity

Although users can buy a BlackBerry that works on any major carrier, Googleexpects to have 20 Android-based phones on store shelves by the end of 2009.That number could more than double by the end of 2010 if vendors see profitablereturns on Android phones. In under a year, that would mean more types ofAndroid-based devices would be on store shelves than BlackBerry smartphones.More choices could lead to better software, and thus a better chance of Androidcompeting against the BlackBerry.

6. RIM's advantages aren't unique

One of the biggest problems facing the BlackBerry today is that itsadvantages don't differentiate RIM's products. Sure, BlackBerrys are currentlythe best when it comes to push e-mail, and BlackBerry Enterprise Server isfantastic. But it's not beyond the realm of possibility to see Android-baseddevices featuring the same technology. If RIM can do it, why can't Google?

7. Android looks to the future

Say what you will about the iPhone,but it has appealed to enterprise customers. When it's sitting next to theBlackBerry Bold at AT&T stores, it looks futuristic. It looks like the nextgeneration. And it appeals to what people want—a touch-screen with engagingfeatures. Android-based devices have followed Apple down that path. They looklike they're the future. They appeal to users. That could be important in thefuture.

8. More updates to come

Google's Rubin told Reuters recently that his company plans to releasebiannual updates to Android software from now on. Those updates should bringmajor upgrades and new features. That could be a boon for the enterprise.Customers would be able to have the features they want. And if Google isserious about attracting business customers, it could only be a matter of timebefore it releases an update that would really attract the corporate world.

9. The outdated BlackBerry

Following that logic, I'd contend that BlackBerry software is a littleoutdated. It's slow to be updated, it features the same basic experience ofearlier BlackBerry smartphones, and it fails to provide an easy input style ofthe kind that's found on the iPhone and Android-based phones. The BlackBerryBold and Curve compare more effectively with Windows Mobile devices, ratherthan the iPhone. That's a problem. RIM's phone software is in serious need ofan update. And soon.

10. It's Google

Google is, well, Google. It has billions of dollars of cash on hand. It hasset its sights on the enterprise. It has online tools that can be easilyintegrated into its mobile platform. Simply put, it has the money and thevision it needs to revolutionize the space. I wouldn't count it out. Andneither should RIM.

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Android nabs 7% mobile market share in first year

1 in 14 mobiles now runs Google's OS worldwide

Google's Android OS has its first birthday today, and it has come on leaps and bounds since its unveiling in 2008.

Starting with the T-Mobile G1 (known globally as the HTC Dream), Android is now used on seven different devices, including four from HTC.

In little over a year Google has managed to nab a significant section of the market, with seven per cent of all mobiles using the OS according to AdMob.

Smart money on smartphones

Additionally, one in ten UK smartphones runs using Android, which is impressive when you consider the proliferation of Symbian (predominantly on Nokia phones) and the popularity of the iPhone.

It's expected Google will perform well in the mobile OS war going forward too, with Gartner predicting that by 2012 Android will be the number two OS worldwide with 18 per cent market share.

Symbian will still be top dog with well over 30 per cent, but the iPhone will have slipped back with just 13.8 per cent, mostly due to being used on one range of handsets.

From mobiles to e-books

Google is taking the opposite approach - in addition to the seven mobiles mentioned (with many more coming in the next few months) it has expanded into netbooks and even e-book readers, as its open source nature brings developer ease of use.

"Android's openness has helped to speed up the mobile industry's evolution from tightly controlled data services to increasingly open access. This has resulted in a number of very popular devices coming on the market and has driven data and mobile internet usage."said Thomas Schulz, MD EMEA, AdMob.

"It's no surprise that Android-powered handsets are now driving the mobile industry forward, as consumers opt for more user-friendly and powerful handsets that are better equipped for surfing the mobile web."

Google will no doubt be toasting a good opening year for Android, especially as the likes of the Hero and Magic are seen by many as de facto iPhone alternatives, and we'll see how much closer it can get to that 18 per cent mark by this time next year.

Source

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I have G1 Magic HTC Saphire and all are Rockings

OS is Fast and Way Better then Windows which always Lags Lags Lags

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^

awaiting good android choices on cdma... because gsm s**ks... simple rocks...

Edited by dkaile

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^^^ good..

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