IDC: Android to be Second Most Popular Mobile OS by 2013
IDC: Android to be Second Most Popular Mobile OS by 2013
Posted 01/26/2010 at 9:15am
| by Paul Lilly
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Just a couple of years ago, few would have believed that Google would soon become a major force in the mobile OS market. But that's exactly what has happened since the launch of the Android platform in late 2008, and there's been no sign of the mobile OS slowing down. On the contrary, IDC says Android is on track to become the No. 2 mobile OS by 2013.
"Mobile operating systems have become the key ingredient in the highly competitive mobile device market. Although the overall look and feel of the device will still play an important role in the buying process, the wrong choice of operating system coupled with an awkward user interface can mean the difference between success and failure," says Stephen D. Drake, vice president, Mobility and Telecom.
We're still waiting for that must-have Android device, but even though there doesn't yet exist an Android-powered handset we can't live without, there are several we could live with. And by 2013, there will be some 68 million Android-powered units in the wild, representing a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of over 150 percent, IDC says.
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DeveloperDavid
January 26, 2010 at 8:38pm
I agree with TechJunkie
Palm devices with WebOs may not have sold all that well because of bad marketing, but they do have a much nicer user interface. I agree that Android has an old feel. Most Android devices don't even have multi touch enabled even though Google says it is supported.
athlon11
January 26, 2010 at 10:21pm
The reason is they are seeing how the Nokia-Apple suits turn out. They aren't sure yet whether Apple technically has teh rights to that multi-touch style. If an app wants to use multi-touch though there is nothing stopping them from doing so, I have many multitouch apps on my Droid.
athlon11
January 26, 2010 at 3:39pm
What would make an Android device a must have? I can't really think of anything more you could want than the Droid or Nexus One, both of which are better than the iPhone already.
TechJunkie
January 26, 2010 at 2:09pm
I'm sorry but I just don't like google. They rub me the wrong way at so many levels that it's not even funny. Android, the mobile OS looks and feels outdated to me. And of coarse they are tied to thier own....google. I have played with a few android phones and the feel is no better than a touch symbian OS with crap tied together for what some would say a better experience. I think not but that's my opinion. I will stick with my Palm Pre and it's webOS. WebOS is the future and smokes the google gaga's out of the room.
athlon11
January 26, 2010 at 3:37pm
Yup, Palm is doing so well that they are on the verge of death. The Pre was a huge bust, barely sold and the apps for it are a joke. Sorry, but by this time next year there is a good chance that Palm will be no more.
kiaghi7
January 26, 2010 at 2:53pm
Well... who are we to judge the anatomical correctness of an android? Maybe they do have six fingers!?!?! :D
Seriously though, can the graphics design department spend more than two minutes in photoshop? We're not asking for Piccaso or Da Vinci level product, but if you're going to duplicate a layer, rotate it a few degrees, and just erase the extra wrist material, you're pretty much phoning in the editing job...
Tekzel
January 26, 2010 at 5:54pm
How much time and effort do you expect them to expend on a one use throwaway graphic?
I think the fact that the extra finger appears to be an afterthought matches the #1 scratched out idea. Plus, if you think about it, no doubt they intend to move to the #1 place at some point (whether that is a reasonable idea or not, thats another thing) so eventually they are going to want to pull that extra finger off and return the hand to a number one position. I imagine the little Android just taped that finger on there as a temporary measure.
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