I was a big supporter of Android even well before the G1 was released. I still am. One thing I like about them is there are several choices. It's like picking your favorite LOST or Star Wars character. There is ALOT of them to choose from. Like a buffet. Android might seem fragmented because of the different specs, manufacturers, custom skins, etc, but each Android phone seems to have its own sense of identity too. With iPhone, there is only like 4 of them to be compared among each other.
Go to this site -
http://androidforums.com/
I remember when that site was still very empty back in Oct of 2008. Now look at the subforums and all the different models being listed. The Android army has invaded! Android has also basically resurrected Motorola (the grandfather of cell phones) from its grave.
Android went from this -
HTC G1 on T-Mobile, October 2008
To all of these current badass phones in multiple carriers, colors, and form factors, and Android hasn't even officially turned 2-years old yet! That is less than two years and Android has improved by leaps and bounds compared to iPhone from 2007 - 2009.
It is like a FAMILY of badass phones with different quirks pumping Android in their hearts. Ever watch a TV show, and you love it because of all the different characters on there? Like an amazing cast like LOST or Entourage? That is what Android is to me sometimes. We get choices on what to like and dislike.
I always believed in the potential of Android and lot of it is coming into fruition sooner than I expected it to be. I don't mind some of the fragmentation and differences because they each can have their own uniqueness. It is like having a dog and preferring to own certain breeds because of personality, color, or whatnot. With iPhone, it like the same thing over and over even if we get a white version. That's cool for some folks, but like my women, I want variety. I am not always going to go for the same car manufacturer with the same color from before. I am not about picking "sides" here. It is all about seeing technology improve. That's it. Who cares about picking teams? That's what real sports are for.
If Windows can succeed among desktop space, what makes me doubt that Android can't succeed? Windows can be an UGLY and complicated OS too, and people still use it after some familiarity and getting used to.
http://www.coated.com/gartnerandroid-mobile-os-number-2-before-2011-0912201004/
Gartner: Android Mobile OS Number 2 Before 2011
The open source Google Android OS regularly receives strong praise from industry insiders, and this time the accolades come by way of Gartner, with predictions indicating that the mobile operating system will be the second most adopted OS “by year-end 2010″.
Gartner’s prediction is actually a revision of a statement from last year when it was expected that the same success was to be achieved by Android, but by 2012. Obviously, things are going much better then expected, resulting in Gartner adjusting the prediction.
If this does hold true, it will mean that Android OS will only be behind Nokia’s Symbian OS, an operating system which has been around in one form or another since the late 80s and is found on a number of handheld devices that extend across the range from low to high end. It’s important to note that Gartner’s prediction does not refer to the sales market share which is released each quarter. Rather, this prediction refers to Google Android’s true install base.
If all things remain true, it’s expected that by the year 2014, Symbian and Android combined will hold roughly 60% of the global market share and before that year has ended, Google will actually surpass Symbian.
I predict my next phone will likely be an Android by 2011 or 2012. Perhaps Meego might be too young and in beta stages next year. Considering it took the 4th gen iPhone to get it right on most of the things I wanted back in 2007, I will wait next year for the 3rd gen or 4th gen of Androids as well. Still immature like a sophomore in high school, but by senior year, it starts to reach its potential and peak.
Nothing wrong with an Android phone + iPad/iPod touch combination by 2012. You will always get to experience the best of both worlds. Android + iOS will always be there for us to enjoy them both. There is no enemies here except fanboys who try to provoke that drama. We use Google services and Apple products/software all the time nowadays.
