ROFL of the day: Microsoft should fear Android One...
This article seems to think that Android One is in some way more of a threat to Windows Phone than Android already is today. But I would disagree on 2 points, firstly, in N.A. the focus is on mid range phones (Lumia 830). In developing countries they are targeting the same groups already. This really does nothing about that. And the same is true in N.A. for value phones.
First, as mentioned, in North America Microsoft is really hoping to attract buyers by offering a flagship phone that is really more of an "almost flagship phone" and undercutting the competition. Android One does nothing here. It isn't an initiative aimed at this market at all. These phones don't compete for the same buyers. To be transparent, the article isn't trying to insinuate this, nor is Google, or anyone else for that matter.
But it is relevant because the article indicates that THIS is Microsoft's strategy. Period. That is a half truth and the wrong half at that. That IS Microsoft's strategy FOR NORTH AMERICA, and furthermore, only for the higher end of their product line. They actually unveiled 2 budget phones as well, proving that not only is this not their only strategy, it isn't even their only strategy on this continent.
The markets where Android One is launching are unlikely to ever see a Lumia 830, making mentioning the strategy entirely moot. In emerging markets Microsoft, and Nokia as well, historically have focused on the budget phones. In other words, putting them in direct contention with Android One. But... it isn't like Google is solving a problem that hasn't been solved already. Budget Android phones already exist in these markets. These markets where Microsoft is winning share... it is already winning that share against Android phones in the same cost brackets.
The problem is that at that price point Android handset vendors are producing total crap. Both from a hardware and a software perspective. I fail to see how Android One addresses that.
Nokia put better looking hardware in at better prices running an OS that actually ran well despite the fact that it was actually budget hardware under the hoods. This is something that can only be achieved with the stricter control over the hardware that Microsoft and Apple enforce along with a closed OS.
Theoretically, Android One could address the software side of the issue by restricting it to certain reference hardware. But, they can't make the handset manufacturers stop producing shitty looking phones on top of that. Which they always seem to do in the low cost segment.
Also, there was never anything forcing them to use shitty Android forks in the first place! They CHOSE to customize Android to differentiate themselves. How does Android One address that while still ensuring that the OS isn't SHIT? It can't.
Android One is a lost cause. It might get some steam out of the gate. But EVERYONE is making Android phones. And the second sales aren't through the roof with this new approach, they'll revert back to hacking out custom Android OS's in attempt to win sales with differentiation which brings them back to an OS that runs like shit on hardware that is shit.
Android can't keep being Android AND stop OEM's from producing crap that makes Android look like shit at the low end of the spectrum. It isn't Google's fault... but the open OS was their choice. And this is a repercussion of that decision. And let's not cry over this reality... they have 80% of the market. If this initiative fails, no one will whine. Not the Android devout, the Google execs, or even the OEMs (well, maybe the OEMs).
First, as mentioned, in North America Microsoft is really hoping to attract buyers by offering a flagship phone that is really more of an "almost flagship phone" and undercutting the competition. Android One does nothing here. It isn't an initiative aimed at this market at all. These phones don't compete for the same buyers. To be transparent, the article isn't trying to insinuate this, nor is Google, or anyone else for that matter.
But it is relevant because the article indicates that THIS is Microsoft's strategy. Period. That is a half truth and the wrong half at that. That IS Microsoft's strategy FOR NORTH AMERICA, and furthermore, only for the higher end of their product line. They actually unveiled 2 budget phones as well, proving that not only is this not their only strategy, it isn't even their only strategy on this continent.
The markets where Android One is launching are unlikely to ever see a Lumia 830, making mentioning the strategy entirely moot. In emerging markets Microsoft, and Nokia as well, historically have focused on the budget phones. In other words, putting them in direct contention with Android One. But... it isn't like Google is solving a problem that hasn't been solved already. Budget Android phones already exist in these markets. These markets where Microsoft is winning share... it is already winning that share against Android phones in the same cost brackets.
The problem is that at that price point Android handset vendors are producing total crap. Both from a hardware and a software perspective. I fail to see how Android One addresses that.
Nokia put better looking hardware in at better prices running an OS that actually ran well despite the fact that it was actually budget hardware under the hoods. This is something that can only be achieved with the stricter control over the hardware that Microsoft and Apple enforce along with a closed OS.
Theoretically, Android One could address the software side of the issue by restricting it to certain reference hardware. But, they can't make the handset manufacturers stop producing shitty looking phones on top of that. Which they always seem to do in the low cost segment.
Also, there was never anything forcing them to use shitty Android forks in the first place! They CHOSE to customize Android to differentiate themselves. How does Android One address that while still ensuring that the OS isn't SHIT? It can't.
Android One is a lost cause. It might get some steam out of the gate. But EVERYONE is making Android phones. And the second sales aren't through the roof with this new approach, they'll revert back to hacking out custom Android OS's in attempt to win sales with differentiation which brings them back to an OS that runs like shit on hardware that is shit.
Android can't keep being Android AND stop OEM's from producing crap that makes Android look like shit at the low end of the spectrum. It isn't Google's fault... but the open OS was their choice. And this is a repercussion of that decision. And let's not cry over this reality... they have 80% of the market. If this initiative fails, no one will whine. Not the Android devout, the Google execs, or even the OEMs (well, maybe the OEMs).
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