Why Google Android Will Surpass Apple AppStore, Zune Marketplace
Feature - Android’s application store will not be just Google’s take on the App Store after all. Instead, the search giant has been developing a comprehensive content marketplace dubbed Android Market where actual applications will be a tiny, although important, variable of the equation.
It will be unique in its openness as any content developer could sign up and upload content for an immediate availability on Android Market, which is a significant change from premium-only content exclusively provided by media conglomerates. Content developers will receive tools to track user and sales data in real-time. Despite big hurdles, Android Market has the opportunity to become the only content marketplace that bridges premium and user generated content and make both available on your handset.
There is no doubt anymore that a content delivery platform is a key strategic component of any aspiring mobile phone idea. Microsoft is teaming up with Nokia to expand Zune Marketplace to Nokia and Windows Mobile smartphones. Analysts suggest that Symbian could merge with Android to create an uber-mobile platform, but Google is already making its own bets with the Android Market (AM). Even T-Mobile said it will bring its own App Store rival next month, featuring applications for all major mobile phone platforms. Apple’s App Store has seen impressive success in its first weeks of operation, but it may be in its most vulnerable position: Launched a month and a half ago, it made $30 million in just one month, demonstrating software is the next gold mine in the mobile phone space. But Apple kept the App Store limited to approved applications only, shutting out other content such as ringtones, TV shows, movies, etc.
Just like Apple, which is hosting Apple’s App Store, the content available on AM will be hosted on Google’s servers. The company will also take care of payments and marketing. But here is what we believe will make AM special.
Android Market is a marketplace, AppStore is just an application store
According to the Android Mobile Platform’s Eric Chu, Android Market is "an open content distribution system that will help end users find, purchase, download and install various types of content on their Android-powered devices." Think Zune Marketplace and iTunes Store on steroids. Unlike Microsoft’s or Apple’s marketplace, AM could feature content from both big media companies and hobby developers, bridging the gap between premium and user-generated content. Google has enough engineering power to pull off such ambitious service. Its expertise in server infrastructure and search and relevance algorithms will certainly bring an edge to AM over anything out there.
Web 2.0 community features
AM enables Web 2.0 community features by default. Google has built the business around giving people tools to build and enable communities. The company said AM brings features that enable a feedback and rating system similar to what is available on YouTube. Of course, the App Store has these two features as well, but the execution is what matters. Google’s transparent integration could attract much more users than Apple’s tightly controlled experience.
Easy content publishing as 1-2-3
Publishing an iPhone application on the App Store isn’t trivial. Apple reviews and approves every iPhone application, forcing many developers to wait for days, even weeks. Some have even created an updated version of the application but are still waiting for Apple to approve the first version. Google says that content can debut in the AM similarly to YouTube: You need to register as a merchant, upload and describe your content and publish it.
Analytic tools
iPhone developers receive daily sales statistics from Apple but the break-out is pretty basic. There is not much useful information provided beyond the user ID, purchased application ID, payment method and the amount paid. Developers have been complaining about the high-level information from the start and it is an obvious opportunity for Google to shine. It has the experience and the software to offer a much more comprehensive analytics solution than Apple does.
Multi-billion dollar marketplace
The App Store managed to rake in $30 million in one month. At this rate, the App Store is $360 million a year business; Apple even believes the AppStore may grow into a billion dollar business soon. However, its reach is limited to 6 million iPhone users only. And even if iPhone users have a reputation to be deep-pocketed and more willing to part with their money than the average cellphone user, a marketplace that is open to many more cellphone models and many types of content could surpass the AppStore volume.
Challenges
AM’s success isn’t set in stone and Google has several problems to solve before AM will become a serious player. For example, not all AM features will be available from day one. According to Google, the first batch of Android handsets will have beta version of AM that will deliver at least support for free applications. An updated AM version will be rolled "soon," with paid content and more features such as versioning, multiple device profile support, analytics, etc. To confront users who are paying for a handset with beta software isn’t necessarily a good idea.
Additionally, content will not be monitored as the goal of AM is to provide as much content as possible. The absence of filtering mechanism could lead to all kind of junk on AM that would certainly spoil the experience for users.
And, of course, there is Google’s decision to exclude the Bluetooth API from the first version of the Android platform. This may not affect every user, but at least those who like to use a wireless headset. And if you do more with Bluetooth than just using a headset, then this omission is simply not acceptable.
Despite these hurdles, we think that five distinct advantages should give AM a solid start. The service appears to be different and refreshing enough to be able to compete on a feature-by-feature basis with the App Store and Zune Marketplace.
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This seems like saying the Sunglass Hut will be even bigger than Target's eyewear department, because they will also sell other fashion accessories.
OK, so the AM will not filter content, and provides more information about the customer to the sellers. Maybe they should call it the Trojan Horse Marketplace?
"And, of course, there is Google’s decision to exclude the Bluetooth API from the first version of the Android platform. This may not affect every user, but at least those who like to use a wireless headset. And if you do more with Bluetooth than just using a headset, then this omission is simply not acceptable."
This only means that people won't be able to develop BT apps, it doesn't have anything to do with handsets having full BT features.
i hope its worth it... i want one..
This is just stupid but I love the idea. My point is remember the 999 dollar app in the istore or whatever its called and all it did is blink colors. This could be horrible because so many people could ripped off with no filters of any kind. they charge hundereds of dollars for nothng. What happens if a person makes a virus for the phone and spreads to whoever downloads the app. I just don't think it will work. thers no way of knowing if a application will work or not if there are no filters.
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The absence of filtering mechanism could lead to all kind of junk on AM that would certainly spoil the experience for users.
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I think junk is the least of the problems.
Security issues are much worse.
The application is able to somehow make calls? Can be real fun with the phone making its own calls to various paid sex phone numbers (I can see fancy dialer apps already... there will be aps out there that need permissions to make calls)
There has already been made application sample for iphone that compromises company security in was earlier not possible. Since the phone is world wide accessiable on the 3G network, you can for instance make it into a WIFI sniffer device on the corp network that sends you data over 3G bypassing corporate firewalls and other traditional network defenses.
leak phone numbers? Pictures from phones? Videos?
Sure all of that can occur with a virus on a PC but I think the phone makes a more predictable environment where you can target easier what you want.
I am actually all for the open market vs. apples appstore and there is no guarantee that the appstore can screen such security issues as well, but there is without doubt a bigger security, and financial (once the app starts causing data traffic and making calls), risk in googles marketplace than in apples appstore.
With apple, you might at least have some chance suing apple for a few million bucks if an application does something it should not be allowed to do
Filters? Just use common sense. It's like downloading shareware software. If some particular program has not been reviewed by editors, other websites or end users, don't download it.