Why History is Repeating Itself in Mobile
When it comes to the desktop operating system there are two major players: Microsoft and Apple. Both have very different strategies and are going after different target markets. History is repeating itself in the mobile space except Microsoft is out of the game. At least, for the time being.
Apple stayed in the game with their iPhone. They still make the hardware and the operating system (iOS) and manage the distribution via online and their stores. Google, on the other hand, creates the operating system (Android) and distributes it through smartphone manufactures such as Samsung, HTC, and Motorola. The New York Times reports that Motorola and Dell are completely moving to the Android operating system. This is very similar to what Microsoft does with its Windows operating system by distributing it through Dell, Sony, and HP. Microsoft's initiatives in the mobile space have been a miserable failure so far. It'll be interesting to see what they do with Windows Phone 7, although I wonder if they're too late to the game.
What does this all mean? It means that in time, the Android platform will control a larger portion of the mobile market. Yes, it's important to point out that the Android-based phone and iPhone will have two different types of users. Google makes a majority of its revenue through search ads while Apple makes its revenue through the iTunes store. This plays a role in their strategies to bring smartphones to market. Google is looking for volume and Apple is looking for people to buy apps in the iTunes store.
