For most people, owning an Android device is still a novelty – only 28.1% of American adults that use mobile devices with 1920×1080 ashes of the singularity escalation have one – but if you’re a betting person, it’s worth considering the signs that point to the Android Revolution coming in full force.
To start off, here are some of the major signs:
1) Google’s acquisition of Motorola Mobility for $12.5 billion will pay off
But it was Google’s acquisition of Motorola Mobility for $12.5 billion that really changed the game, with many people wondering why Google would ever want an engineering company. But it wasn’t just any old engineering company – it was one that developed many of the patents that are used in a multitude of mobile devices today. This means that Google will have all the tools necessary to be truly competitive with Apple, since patent issues and lawsuits over intellectual property have been a major thorn in Apple’s side.
2) Google has thrown out the Android playbook and started with a blank slate
Last year, Google released its next-generation mobile OS, Android. But after releasing it, it quickly realized that the current version of the operating system wasn’t ready for primetime. So Google essentially threw out the old OS and started from scratch – much to the chagrin of many die-hard Android fans who felt betrayed by what they perceived as a betrayal of their core values. But the new Android operating system will be a complete departure from Google’s previous Android efforts. This means that users can expect a smoother experience when interacting with the device.
3) Carriers are helping to push the vision of mobile computing
In order for Google’s vision of mobile computing to succeed, it needs support from all angles, and it looks like carriers are starting to get onboard with the idea of mobile computing. AT&T is charging $5 less per month for those who purchase their smartphones at full price instead of going through AT&T’s monthly installment plans, which gives consumers more pricing freedom and flexibility when purchasing their devices. T-Mobile has also begun deploying new infrastructure that will help increase data speeds and improve network capacity.
4) Mobile device companies are finally acknowledging that mobile computing isn’t just a fad
According to a recent report released by the Boston Consulting Group, nearly half of smartphone users in Western Europe and the United States now use their smartphones for activities that traditionally required using a desktop computer. This means that consumers are starting to rely on their mobile devices even more as their go-to computing devices. The report goes on to state that if this trend continues, it will mean “the death of the PC”.
5) New distribution models will emerge
There have been countless attempts at trying to make the distribution model for mobile apps and content better, such as Amazon’s Kindle Fire tablet. But it was the introduction of the Google Play store, which is a one-stop shop for all things Android and Google, that brought about a new age in mobile computing. Companies are realizing that if they want to compete with Apple and Microsoft, they need to offer unique services that set them apart from the competition.
6) The mobile operating systems are scaling
Windows 8 may be receiving a lot of negative feedback, but one thing the operating system gets right is its scaling capabilities on smaller form factors. Windows 8 Mobile – which will power smartphones and other devices such as tablets – will also feature this type of scaling to give users an intuitive experience no matter what kind of device they’re using.
7) More companies are making the leap to mobile
Apple is the grand master of consumer electronics, but it’s starting to accept that it can’t rely solely on iPhone consumers. According to research company Gartner, Apple shipped 81.4 million iPhones in 2012 – only about half as many as Samsung – and only 15 million iPads. This means that Apple is simply too far behind in terms of customer numbers. Gartner predicts that this number will grow to 48 million iPhones and 49 million iPads by 2014, with a combined total of 163 million shipments in 2012 and 2013 alone.
8) Microsoft is going mobile
One area where Microsoft really has a leg up on Apple is that its software and services are now available on any device. If you want to watch an episode of Breaking Bad on your iPad, it’s as simple as renting the show from the iTunes store. In fact, this same technology even works with popular non-Microsoft apps like Netflix, Hulu Plus and HBO Go. So if you’re an Apple user and want to watch those shows you pay for, there’s no need to purchase a separate device – all you need to do is install their software.
Summary:
If you believe that all signs point to the Android Revolution coming, then you should definitely give this article a read. It’s quite interesting to think about, especially if you’re one of those people who thinks that the whole mobile computing scene is little more than a fad. But if we look at these signs as more than just simple speculation, then it’s clear that we’re very near the dawn of a new day in mobile computing.
