Android gaining traction

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#433733 1-Feb-2011 15:48

I think you might be talking about http://www.swiftkey.net/ the predictive keyboard.

I think if you use Google Navigation on a decent Android phone you will be very impressed, also the 3d maps are pretty awesome.

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kiwitrc

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#433735 1-Feb-2011 15:50

lokhor:
I think if you use Google Navigation on a decent Android phone you will be very impressed, .

Especially with the SVOX voice app :)

Linuxluver

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#433890 1-Feb-2011 20:01

heavenlywild: Be cautious with numbers though. Although I do agree, Android is gaining traction but by how much, no one really knows.

I think the table Mauricio posted makes it explicit. What do you mean by "gaining traction" if 615% growth and moving into the Number 1 position for sales in one year isn't a good fit?

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Cameltrain

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#434067 2-Feb-2011 08:26

Has anyone a comment on the issue I have seen raised in various quarters which is that the Android based phones are relatively insecure against malware etc because of its open source OS and the apps that come from anywhere whereas the IOS is rather closed and apps are obtainable only via Apple's App Store which vets them fairly rigorously.

kiwitrc

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#434073 2-Feb-2011 08:34

Cameltrain: Has anyone a comment on the issue I have seen raised in various quarters which is that the Android based phones are relatively insecure against malware etc because of its open source OS and the apps that come from anywhere whereas the IOS is rather closed and apps are obtainable only via Apple's App Store which vets them fairly rigorously.

Google does police the Android market but not as much as Apple as far as I am aware. Apps dont just come from anywhere, you have to choose to allow apps that are not on the Market to be downloaded. If you stick to the market the chances of getting malware are minimal.

kiwitrc

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#434085 2-Feb-2011 08:47

Nielsen have just released these numbers on Smartphone sales in the US.

http://www.androidguys.com/2011/02/01/nielsen-43-percent-smart-phone-purchases-android/

ArtooDetoo

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#434090 2-Feb-2011 08:56

Cameltrain: Has anyone a comment on the issue I have seen raised in various quarters which is that the Android based phones are relatively insecure against malware etc because of its open source OS and the apps that come from anywhere whereas the IOS is rather closed and apps are obtainable only via Apple's App Store which vets them fairly rigorously.

The phrase "apps are obtainable only via Apple's App Store which vets them fairly rigorously." is rather meaningless. Neither the source of apps nor the vetting process offer complete protection from malware so there's always a risk, no matter which platform. The AppStore gets touted as 'more' secure because Apple is visibly more restrictive in its acceptance of some apps, but there are motives there that have more to do preserving its 'walled garden' control over the ecosystem than ensuring security from malware.

As an example, an app that was accepted as a simple 'flashlight' for the iPhone was later discovered to allow tethering, something strictly forbidden by Apple. Yet Apple's 'fairly rigorous' vetting process failed to discover it. So it's doubtful that the AppStore is delivering any more security than the market, especially since there are so many more apps to 'vet' and most apps are being constantly updated. But perception is a powerful agent and it's unlikely that the believers will alter their opinions either way.

And of course, people who jailbreak their iPhones and root their Android devices can sideload apps that have never been accepted in either app market, so an increased malware risk will always be there for those users.

A rather long-winded response to a simple question I guess, but I hope that sheds some light.

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R2D2

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ArtooDetoo

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#434105 2-Feb-2011 09:27

kiwitrc: Nielsen have just released these numbers on Smartphone sales in the US.

http://www.androidguys.com/2011/02/01/nielsen-43-percent-smart-phone-purchases-android/

Jeepers. That's pretty significant - 43% is nearly double the iPhone share and the iPhone is widely recognised as a huge seller. Even with Verizon's version launching, it's hard to see how it could do much more than slow Android's growth slightly.

Remarkable US result...

Cheers,
R2D2

Galaxy S has gone to its new owner. HTC Sensation has gone to its new
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nakedmolerat

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#434111 2-Feb-2011 09:33

ArtooDetoo:
kiwitrc: Nielsen have just released these numbers on Smartphone sales in the US.

http://www.androidguys.com/2011/02/01/nielsen-43-percent-smart-phone-purchases-android/

Jeepers. That's pretty significant - 43% is nearly double the iPhone share and the iPhone is widely recognised as a huge seller. Even with Verizon's version launching, it's hard to see how it could do much more than slow Android's growth slightly.

Remarkable US result...

Cheers,

R2D2

i suspect apple will reduce iphone price in order to be competitive.

ArtooDetoo

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#434116 2-Feb-2011 09:40

nakedmolerat:

i suspect apple will reduce iphone price in order to be competitive.

That's possible but since the iPhone is Apple's cash cow, and a reduced margin will inevitably cause aapl stock to tank, I don't see it actually happening. The carriers may be forced to increase their subsidies but even then, it would eat into their own profitability and let's face it, Android devices must be offering them some fairly healthy profits so it may not even be a consideration.

Interesting times...

Cheers,
R2D2

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lokhor

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#434121 2-Feb-2011 09:48

Competition is definitely a good thing. Sadly I think Apple are on the downhill now with Steve Jobs gone.

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oxnsox

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#434125 2-Feb-2011 10:03

I don't believe Apple don't need to compromise their pricing, because despite the stats they still have a very wide and loyal customer base. (They're more likely to 'add-value' to new products to hold up the price. It maintains the value of their devices across both new and used markets.)

The iphone market may have slowed but it's split between 1 manufacturer, the Android market has much diversity and competition, and for some that reads 'confusion'.

Apple also has the other 'i-market' devices in its barrel. Summing it all up that's both their strength and weakness... a rotten apple may spoil the barrel, but a bad android will only cause folk to shun a manufacturer.

Eventually there will be something virally bad in one of the OS's and that may change things.... But more likely it'll simply be a blip depending upon how the talking heads and spin doctors handle it. And how we users choose to see their story.....

ArtooDetoo

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#434126 2-Feb-2011 10:04

lokhor: Competition is definitely a good thing. Sadly I think Apple are on the downhill now with Steve Jobs gone.

I'm not so sure. Apple has a huge fan base, has developed the rep of being the 'cool' brand and makes some very nice kit, as well as having considerable growth momentum. To me, that means it'll be like stopping a supertanker - it'll happen eventually, but you're not going to notice the slowdown for some time to come.

I do agree that without Jobs's vision, it won't be the same Apple, and I can see parallels with Sony happening unless they replace Jobs with some genius*.

*Possible, but unlikely IMO.

Cheers,
R2D2

[Disclosure: I use Macs (as well as PCs) in my day job and we have 2 iPhones in the family and lord knows how many iPods, current and ancient. Plus the missus has confessed to 'loving' the iPad having used friends' devices over the holiday break. No, I don't get it either, but I tend to use my kit for content creation, so...]

:D

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lokhor

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#434139 2-Feb-2011 10:24

Yeah I don't think it will happen soon or quickly but without Jobs' innovation and creative vision they will keep rehashing the same ideas over and over and eventually that gap in the market for new ideas will be filled by another player.

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Linuxluver

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#434500 2-Feb-2011 21:12

Cameltrain: Has anyone a comment on the issue I have seen raised in various quarters which is that the Android based phones are relatively insecure against malware etc because of its open source OS and the apps that come from anywhere whereas the IOS is rather closed and apps are obtainable only via Apple's App Store which vets them fairly rigorously.

I've had no malware on my android phones in almost 2 years. It could happen...I suppose, but I only download apps that I know about and which come from reputable sources - whether in the Android Market or not.

If you're chasing dodgy porn apps from Chinese or Russian web sites.....yeah....You'll probably have some fun....just like on a PC.

The risks are obvious enough...and easily avoided. You also get the chance when you install an app to look at what it is asking for permission to access.....and say NO if you don't like it.

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