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Consumers avoid Android smartphones
BEANCOUNTERS at IDC say that uptake of Google Android-based phones by manufacturers is growing but consumers are still not quite sure what to make of them and aren't buying in droves.
Motorola and Sony Ericsson have been choosing Android for their new smartphones. IDC says that use of the OS rose to 5.4 per cent from 4.2 per cent from July to September in Western Europe.
However consumers are steering clear of Google's OS and takeup is below everyone's expectations, IDC analyst Francisco Jeronimo said in a statement.
Punters apparently recognise the Google brand, but they still don't get what Android is doing in smartphones, he said.
He expects that with more gear coming out on the market, consumers will become more aware about Android.
In Western Europe the Symbian OS is still the king, controlling 48 per cent of the market.
Samsung's share of the total market increased to 30.5 per cent in the quarter, boosted by strong sales of mid-range phones, while market leader Nokia saw its share dipping to 35.3 per cent.
IDC warned that Nokia faces the threat of being overtaken by Samsung in Western Europe in 2010.
Sales of smartphones rose by two per cent from the previous quarter, boosted by growing sales of Apple's Iphones and RIM's Blackberrys, IDC said. µ
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It's because of Nokia.
Most people who by the Nseries phones here in Europe buy them because they are Nokia's flagship models. Europeans like to buy "truly european" goods, instead of something that may come out of Korea or China.
So, in case you are of one of those people who buy only from Nokia, your choices are either Nokia's "classic" models (which are stuck in 2003), Nokia's uber-expensive touchscreen models, or -you guessed it- Nseries.
So, they buy Nseries. And as a result, they are buying Symbian OS. Not because of the OS, like a windows mobile buyer does, but because they want the phone.
So the numbers of Symbian in Western Europe don't refect the true trends of people who really buy mobile OSes
I would be glad to buy a Droid, except that I just last year bought an iPhone and I have a 2 year agreement. I think a lot of people in the market for a smart phone either have an iPhone or a Blackberry already, and are on a service agreement so they cannot switch right now. I know once my iPhone contract is up, I will probably switch to a Droid. I tried Blackberry once but that OS is so horrid, I couldn't stand it. Complete junk, so I expect many of those users will also be eager to switch.
HTC is the problem here. They're the biggest company for Android phones, but sadly, their history is much like that of GM or Chrysler (they build expensive crap that don't last).
Just read up on how HTC screwed its customers over before, and it makes you wonder... Why would I pay so much for piece of crap from a company that doesn't care?
... they watched the TV interview and are finally understanding what scum Eric the CEO is and had rather not fund him.
I used to be a big fan of Motorola till the cliq it really bug me to death that I can not transfer any file via blue-toot I mean I used to transfer pictures on and off with my wife's phone and now I cant. whats is all that bs for?
In Canada many of us would like to look at and strongly consider these phones but in reality the big carriers only carry 1 MAYBE 2 models. Android was my first choice but my company did not carry an Android phone with the specs I wanted in a phone.. they are apparently coming but are still a few months away.
Well, I can tell you that my son is so in love with my G1 that I've been forced to buy him one, so your experience is not necessarily typical.
As for the supposed analysts, what were they expecting, complete marked domination in a year? According to almost everywhere* else I read they're doing quite well, thanks!
*skipping apple fanbois
The main Android push is coming next year, with HTC, Sony Ericcsssson and others releasing their phones.
This article is saying that in a market that was a small handful of Android v1 phones (up to September this year, before Droid, before HTC Hero was available on many providers, etc), they got nearly 5%. Android v2, and the associated phones, will be the main push. I can see that growth continuing into the future at a steady pace.
My HTC Hero works lovely. Hopefully the 2.1 firmware will emerge soon and not regress performance! Does the job nicely though already. Lots to like about this phone.
Seriously... just some days ago the INQ released that article:
http://www.theinquirer.net/inquirer/news/1051300/android-overtake-iphone
"Anal listers from Informa Telecoms and Media reckon that devices using Google's Open Source Android operating system will outstrip those using Apple's OSX for Iphone around the same time as the planet finally gives up the ghost and goes boom (2012)."
Now they come with that piece of crap?...
What's going on?
Consumers 'steer clear' of Android? They 'aren't buying in droves'? Evocative, if vague, sentiments. But did you even bother to read the one, meager statistic provided as evidence of these claims?
The report says Android's share of the Western Europe smartphone market grew from 4.2% to 5.4%, during 3Q09, alone. Maybe your math skills are slipping, but that's 28% growth...in three short months. And, by a quck & dirty calculation, that's over 100%, annually.
So, from this we deduce slow adoption? You must be joking. If 28% growth, quarter over quarter, were shown for any mobile platform other than Android, then I bet your headline would be diametrically different. 'Window Mobile Shows Sharp Uptick in Europe'. 'Maemo Adoption Spikes', etc.
Please, guys - when posting wire-service filler, try to avoid parroting the source's bias. If you intend to abandon all thoughts of journalistic integrity for the sake of spreading FUD, then at least do us the favor of providing unique FUD, rather than somebody else's.
This article is blog nonsense, and so is the commentary from IDC. In their own report, they stated that Android is gaining market share at a 28% growth rate, and in 1 year has gone from 0 to over 5% of the marketplace. I'm sorry, but in what universe does that conclude to "consumers avoiding android?" Is IDC and this blog owned by Apple or Blackberry? It's Nokia and WinMo that are losing marketshare. Palm has stalled. Android, the iPhone, and Blackberry are ALL growing at a phenomenal pace.
How many articles have you seen on proeminent internet sites with a mobile phone OS comparison? Who knows what is the performance, features and killer features (if any) of Android, other than the people who worked on it and the direct competitors (Symbian guys)?
My kids often try my myTouch... And they hate it... Just as luck would always have it - when they use it - it's jittery and stutters... They think it's slow and doesn't work.
i dont believe that the average consumer even knows the differences in the OS of a phone, there just purchasing phones due to commercials and name brands, myself personally would never buy the droid phone (as with many of my friends and family members) since all of us have many problems with motorola phones, tough i would have no problem buying an HTC or Samsung with android OS. But in all honesty i cant imagine leaving my blackberry for any other phone....