Posts Tagged ‘Android vs. Apple’
Author: nadine Published: September 15th, 2011
When the search giant Google acquired Motorola for $12.5 billion, it armed itself with more than 17,000 patents. If you thought this was more than enough, think again. Google has purchased 1,023 IBM patents, according to US Patent and Trademark Office records. The transfer of patents took place on the 17th of August. Sadly, the amount paid for these patents is a mystery.
Google has purchased patents from IBM in the past. Two months back, it purchased 1,030 patents form the PC manufacturer. With these patents from IBM coupled with the patents from the Motorola acquisition, Google has armed itself with an additional 20,000+ patents.
Why is Google arming itself with patents? It is preparing for the impending legal onslaught from Apple. Top Android manufacturers such as HTC and Samsung are facing lawsuits filed by Apple in different areas around the world. Apple claims that Samsung has copied its iPhone and iPad design. The Cupertino firm is also claiming that HTC has infringed on two of its patents, which are the core features of the Android OS.
Motorola Mobility is also being sued by Apple for patent infringement. An Apple rep said, “Motorola is infringing our patents and we are confident that the ITC will rule in our favor.”
With every major Android manufacturer falling victim to Apple’s legal attacks, it makes sense for Google to arm itself with more and more patents. This will allow the search giant to strike back when needed.
Tags: Android, Android patents, Android vs. Apple, Google, Google buys iBM patents, Google patents, Google vs Apple, IBM patents
Category OS News |
Author: Sethe Published: April 30th, 2011
According to Distimo, a Netherlands-based company that deals in apps statistics, Google’s Android Market has close to 150,000 free apps. The search giant now boasts more free apps compared to the prestigious Apple App Store. 
This all started in March of this year. In that month, Google had a 12,500 app-lead over Apple. This supports Google’s claim last year that it would have more free apps in its app store. This is one of the many reasons why people are not overly excited about getting an iPhone 4.
Another prediction made by Distimo states that the Android Market will be the world’s top app supplier in the next 5 months. We may not have believed this last year, but the way things are going; this is most likely to happen. The growth of apps provided for Google’s Android platform is just too hard to deny.
Here are more figures from Distimo. Apple has a sizable amount of apps specifically designed for its tablets the iPad and iPad 2. However, more than half of the top 50 app developers for Apple’s tablets have gone ahead and created tablet apps for various platforms.
If you think about it closely, free apps are one of the most effective ways to attract more customers to a platform. Google plans to make these free apps an attraction to convert iOS users to the Android OS. This will also potentially generate more income from paid apps. We see this in trials and demos, with an integrated option to buy the full version if desired.
On the flipside, purely free apps is said to degrade quality. It is said that the better apps are made by developers who charge money. Not all think this way, but there are some who do. Regardless, the Apple App Store is still the race leader when it comes to apps. The question is, “For how long will they keep this lead?”
Tags: Android Market, Android Market vs. Apple Apps Store, Android Market with more free apps, Android vs. Apple, Apple apps store, More free Apps
Category App News |
Author: Sethe Published: April 20th, 2011
Did you ever think that smartphone users share a high level of hatred over their platform’s competition? This is exactly the case with Android smartphone users. It’s officially out in the open. Android users hate everything about Apple handsets such as the iPhone 4. 
According to Business Insider’s latest survey, more than 50% of Android phone owners refuse to purchase iPhones, due to their pure hatred over the platform. It never crossed their minds to replace their beloved Android handsets with phones offered by Apple.
When the poll asked them what may be the reason for switching to iOS handsets, 55% of these people voted “Nothing: I hate Apple.” 32% of the people polled gave the reason that the reclusive and exclusive nature of the iPhone was unattractive to them. They added that they would only consider a switch if Apple opened its doors to apps and other products outside of Apple.
A total of 2000 participated in the poll. Most of the people polled currently own a smartphone. Furthermore, switching platforms of any kind has never crossed their minds even if an upgrade was due. Apparently, people are more loyal to their chosen platforms than we have ever imagined.
Although this information is not an indication of a sudden market share switch, it does point out that Apple will have an extremely difficult time trying to convince Android users to switch to their platform. Android users are just as loyal to the Android OS just like iOS users. It seems that there is no room for compromise.
Despite the survey’s results, when it comes to opening the door to apps and products outside of the iOS, Apple is as unmovable as rock. This is only likely to happen when there is a significant drop in sales like if the Samsung Galaxy S beats the iPhone 4 in the total of units sold (like that will ever happen).
On the initial quarter of 2011, sales figures have revealed that the most popular platform in countries such as the UK, Germany, France, and the US is Android. This spells trouble for the iOS, since these countries hold significant numbers in the global smartphone market share. This confirms reports by various analysts that Android will be the dominant force in the smartphone market by 2015.
Tags: Android, Android handsets, Android vs. Apple, apple, Apple iOS, Apple Vs. Android, iOS handsets
Category Phone News |
