Comments on: Chris vs. “Five Reasons iPhone vs. Android isn’t Mac vs Windows”

By: Free Online Survey

Free Online Survey — Fri, 03 Jun 2011 13:17:24 +0000

Hi,

I read complete article, this article is very interesting and informative. but i don’t think iPhone and Android are on the same level like Win and Mac, possibly i am wrong but this is my view.

By: Keith C.

Keith C. — Tue, 15 Jun 2010 20:36:58 +0000

I agree with you 100%. And to your point regarding DevNetFx\’s comment I also agree. Why would Google enter the hardware battle to attempt to fight someone on both fronts, when they can take advantage of whoever is winning the hardware battle, and only fight them at the software level. Margins are too low in hardware, I highly doubt google will enter that battle, for the same reason IBM and other large companies are leaving it.

By: Chris Lynch

Chris Lynch — Thu, 20 May 2010 22:41:02 +0000

I think the Google TV announcement is proof that Google do not need to control a hardware platform when they have the option of licensing their software to multiple platforms.

It is the same strategy that Microsoft used in the early days of the PC market, and it certainly worked for them.

By: DevNetFx

DevNetFx — Tue, 18 May 2010 10:46:41 +0000

One point in favour of Apple is that iPhone is making them cash both from both hardware and appstore. And they will monetize it further by mobile advertising. I wonder how much money Android bring for Google. I guess google is happy with advertising and appstore using google checkout. But if they seriously want to challenge than they need their own hardware. Nexus one was good but their strategy flopped.

Do you think google might buy a company like htc and take head on with iphone? What strategies you think they are using to monetize android.

By: Chris Lynch

Chris Lynch — Fri, 07 May 2010 21:08:48 +0000

Hi Rob,

I’d be happy to look at your own counter point article, if you put one together. I think my analysis is reasonable and I made a point of addressing each of Mark’s specific arguments.

I do think the fundamental thing is openness. You say that Apple dominate the MP3 market, but you are wrong. They dominate the digital music market with their own proprietary format for music that is difficult, if not impossible, to move from the device unless you really know what you are doing. Amazon are the biggest player in the MP3 market, as it happens.

Tim O’Reilly hit the nail on the head with his Web 2.0 talk (http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/thereporters/maggieshiels/2010/05/tech_guru_on_apple_google_face.html). Apple want to rule the world. Whether you agree that they should or not is one thing, whether or not you think they can is yet another. Personally, I don’t think they should, I don’t think they can either.

Look forward to your article!

By: Rob

Rob — Fri, 07 May 2010 09:43:01 +0000

@ Mark Sigal, you are too generous. Chris\’s counter arguments are weak. He often misses your key points or side steps them. He has no coherent story for Android, except maybe openness.

Apple might have lost the PC wars (I say the struggle continues the war is not over yet) but they dominated and still dominate the MP3 market and with iTunes the music (esp. online) business. They know something about building platforms. The iPad is very promising out of the gate, despite and in spite of naysayers like Chris.

Chris, this is weak!

By: Mark Sigal

Mark Sigal — Mon, 26 Apr 2010 23:43:57 +0000

Chris,

Counter-perspective is a good thing so I appreciate the point-by-point pushback. Seem like we agree on a fair bit and only widely disagree in a couple of areas.

Cheers.

Mark