Shopping Product Reviews

What’s next after Google Android and Apple iPhone?

Which cordless phone will rule? Five years ago, if we asked this question, we would have been circling network names like AT&T Mobility, Verizon Wireless, Sprint, or T-Mobile. We never really think much of phone manufacturers. If we did, we would be talking about strong brands like Nokia, Rim, or a variety of other phone makers. Today, however, the wireless market looks completely different. We are going to explore.

Today the leaders are companies like Google with its Android or Apple with its iPhone. These are not even wireless companies. Today it is about smartphones instead of normal phones. Who will win this new race that we suddenly find ourselves in?

As an industry analyst for the past 25 years, I have learned that the wireless and telecommunications industry changes completely every few years. Let me give you an example. Long distance. Ten years ago, AT&T, MCI, and Sprint interrupted our dinner with telemarketing sales calls. Do you remember those? Today there is no more booth in the long distance industry. A few years ago, Verizon acquired MCI and SBC acquired AT&T and took their name. Poof, the industry changed.

Five years ago, even the wireless industry looked different. At that time, the word iPhone didn’t even exist. Today, iPhone and Android rule the rapidly growing and changing industry.

Will they continue to lead this changing industry? Too early to say, but I can tell you won’t be alone. When Apple jumped in, customers loved it and thought it was all they needed. However, when Google intervened, they were also successful. In fact, today they are outselling Apple. Smartphone customers love one or the other. If that’s the case, there is plenty of room for more operating systems.

The smartphone market is growing rapidly, but it is still young and there are still many opportunities and devices to sell. Different customers have different needs and like different operating systems. That said, there is plenty of room.

Palm, for example, thrilled everyone with its new operating system, but it hasn’t really moved the meter. RIM Blackberry recently presented its new version. It was much better than the previous version. You’ll attract or keep many existing users, and as long as you keep improving, you can continue to be successful.

Nokia has its own software for smartphones called Symbian. Yes, even a normal phone manufacturer has a smartphone operating system. You did not know? That’s because its brand says normal phone, not smartphone. In fact, they have been in the smartphone business before Apple and Google. They have to update both their brand and their technology. Keeping the brand up to date is essential.

Motorola was presumed dead years ago. His brand was about to disappear. However, it has done a great job revitalizing itself by working with Google and developing its new Droid phones sold on the Verizon Wireless network. They are doing well and now they are going to expand to other networks.

Microsoft is launching their new operating system called Windows Phone 7. In fact, they have been in the smartphone industry for ten years, believe it or not. Yes, they have been struggling to gain a foothold. They grew to about 10% market share, then when Google and Apple did their thing a few years ago, Microsoft fell to 5% market share.

How is this new Microsoft operating system? That is the question. Will it be as good as Apple and Google? Will it be close like RIM? Or will he fight like Palm? The first reviews say that it is a leap year ahead of the latest version. That is the good news. However, it may not be better than other popular operating systems on the market.

If not, Microsoft can play with it and improve it and try to capture the number three space in the market and grow from there.

You have to find the best operating system for your needs. Get all the features you need and use. Not all operating systems are the same. Some have characteristics that others do not. It’s not just about putting music on the phone.

Sometimes it comes to other valuable features like the Notepad feature so that you can carry the same information on your phone as in your Microsoft Outlook email program. Most do not offer this. Some do, but not well. Some do it well. If that’s what you need, your decision is easier than you think. Just consider the devices that use that operating system. Look, it’s really simple.

There are more operating systems on the market today, all trying to become the next star. Who will lead in five years? Really matters? If you are an investor, the answer is yes. However, if you are a consumer, the answer is no.

Don’t follow everyone else because everyone has different needs or wants. Learn what you need and want and find the right operating system for you. It takes time from the beginning, but you’ll be glad you did. And remember that each one is continually updated, so what you wear next year may be different than what you wear this year. Wireless technology is changing fast and you just have to keep up to date.

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