Android Rising, and Rising
Five years ago, Android was just a gleam in Andy Rubin's eye… there wasn't a single phone in deployment on a major network. Back in those hoary days, Windows Mobile 6 still dominated, with its desktop-like interface and stylus-driven interaction.
It's odd to say that, because the idea of "domination" is typically driven by strong user preference, and WM6 never drove much consumer passion, other than for the "idea" of data in your hands, and for the geeks who liked to VPN in to their computer. Sure, that was cool for a sys admin at 2 in the morning.
But for your average mortal who just wanted to check email? DOA.
Back then, I helped start the Aro Mobile team at Kiha Software to address precisely this problem. We had a choice of platforms to choose from back then. Nokia was still dominant worldwide; Microsoft was promising Windows Mobile 7 any day now; and wacky open-source Linux phones had great ideas, but no delivery model.
Furthermore, Apple had circumvented the usual carrier restrictions with a great new device that had a clear lead in usability and passion — but the iPhone had not yet achieved any sort of dominance, and no enterprise penetration. It was unclear if they'd ever get there. After all, it was a closed platform. Defiantly closed (a la classic Steve Jobs).
But there was a little upstart idea from Google, and its only claim to fame at that time was that it was "open" — the APIs would be exposed, the interfaces well documented to the public, and you could customize to your heart's content (at least, this was the messaging from Rubin and company).
For a variety of reasons (most of which I can't share publicly), the Kiha Software team chose Android.
If you look at the market for phones now, it's rather amazing to see the sea-change that has happened in just the last few years.
Nokia and Microsoft may be getting in bed together, to save both of their fading markets. iPhone has massive penetration across the board, and the iOS is moving to other devices.
And for our Aro Mobile productivity toolset, Kiha made an excellent choice — Android is now the platform to use for all the cool tools, and Apple is locking down their platform evey further, restricting access to all kinds of content (I believe these decisions will ultimately backfire on the iPhone as developers and content owners move in droves over to open platforms).
Today, Google is activating nearly 300,000 Android phones a week. Those partners and content providers who bet on Android are also seeing their fortunes rise with this incoming tide.
Android is rising, and rising!
Check out this chart from BusinessInsider to see exactly how much HTC won when they chose to go with Android and deliver the NexusOne, the EVO and the Incredible:
