Android or iOS?
Darcy Carroll | Account Manager at Ward Technology Talent | Twitter | LinkedIn
Android or iOS?
Microsoft’s platform, Windows, was the dominant technology platform starting in the 80’s, all the way through the 90’s and into the 2000’s. If you could program/code using Microsoft technologies (.NET and C#) you had a job. Nearly every business on the face of the Earth is integrated with Windows in some way. But ever since Steve Jobs went on the stage at the Macworld Expo in 2007 and showed the world the very first iPhone, it paved the way for two new platforms to take over and, in my opinion, spell an end to the dominance Microsoft had clutched to for so long. Of course, I’m speaking about iOS and Android.
Now, let’s look to the future. Which platform, if any, will win? If you look specifically at global smartphone market share, the answer is clear. It’s Android. Android is nearing 80% market share whereas iOS sits at 14%. But when you look in the future, you have to think bigger. In 10 years, will smartphones still be around? The platform that will ultimately win will be the platform that is everywhere. The kitchen. The washroom. The TV. The Car. Everywhere. So who will it be?
It’s Android
Here’s Why:
- Open Is the Way of the Future: Androids’ open source strategy leads to more innovation simply because more people can work on making it better. Where would Android (Google) be without Samsung? With iOS, basically all innovation has to come from within Cupertino. In such a fast moving world, advantages in numbers mean everything. A perfect example is Facebook. Once they opened up their API stream to developers, it took them to the next level because developers created popular games like Farmville which made Facebook stickier for consumers. Companies like Zynga were able to attain billion dollar valuations (only to subsequently lose it) because of Facebook’s decision. Remember, open is better.
- Android is farther along in moving their platform beyond the smartphone: Whether it’s Google Glass, Samsung’s impending smart-watch, or Google’s self-driving cars, it’s clear that Android is ahead of iOS in having their platform fully integrated into our daily lives. The TV is the big question mark at this point, all indications point to Apple moving full steam-ahead and that could really be a good springboard for Apple. Time will tell.
What do you think? Will it be iOS, Android or neither?
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