The Android debate

When anyone talks about Android there is a lot to be said, be it “Android is the most popular Smartphone OS”, to comments that it’s “the stolen OS”.  Steve Jobs even stated he would “kill Android”. But there is no getting away from the fact that Android is a feature rich OS, that it has now almost 40% of the Smartphone market share (though Smartphone’s don’t even make up 30% of the overall mobile market) and that Google owns it, and now a mobile phone company…

Competition

There are so many Android devices out there now, and from a range of manufacturers, so much so, that getting your hardware noticed is tough. When you walk into a store and see so many phones all running the same OS, how do you set your hardware out to be different (especially to the average mobile punter). Price…Oh dear…

Poor mans iPhone

So many people who have Andoird have it because they couldn’t justify getting an iPhone. I know many people who have opted for Droids because of price, but they really wanted an iPhone. The same applies to the “kids” that have Androids. Essentially many have them because of price, and once they get a little older move over to the iPhone. That must be a worrying trend. However,
is it a surprise? Probably not since Android feels like a cheap clunky copy of iOS in so many ways…

 It’s free, it’s Google

One of the reason Android has been a success is that is been seen as the free OS, allowing many a manufacturer to ship it on their devices, enabling Android devices to be “cheap” and swamp the market. That is essentially how Android has got it’s market share, and there is nothing wrong with that.

But is it really free? In the past couple of months we have seen a number of patent deals being agreed with Microsoft for Manufacturers being allowed to use Android. In addition to that, we have seen Apple halting many Android devices due to patent infringement. These are problems manufacturers can well do without. Ask yourself, as HTC or Samsung, do you really want to spend a lot of time on R&D only to have your devices stopped from getting to market? Do you want to have to pay a third party company license to use software that essentially belongs to another company? No you don’t…

Throw into the mix that Google now owns Motorola and has effectively secured its own hardware for mobile devices. This must be a worry for HTC, Samsung and all those that sell Android devices. Do you really believe that Google will continue to provide updates to their OS to give away to competitors of their own devices? If they do, then that’s crazy business thinking from Google.

 

Nokia?

I have read many a comment in the past day or so that Nokia should have opted for Android, or they should be making Android devices as well as Windows Phone. But that makes no sense from a business point of view. The Android market is all ready crowded, and how does Nokia regain its Smartphone market share by entering a dog fight with pretty much every other manufacturer
out there? Especially when all they can compete on is price and some nerdy hardware specs (maybe some design too). That’s just too tough. Throw into the mix the hassles you can have with Android and the fact that Google now owns Motorola, and Android looks very risky…

Windows Phone makes perfect sense to me. In many ways it is the overlooked OS, and that’s because no one really knows about it (phone nerds do, but who else). Not many have actually seen it advertised or ever even noticed it in stores. So for Nokia, Windows Phone market is easier to enter, and they know they can sell aggressively against the other Windows Phone competition.

The Windows Phone OS is good, very good. Pretty much everyone I have seen play with it, likes it, they find it intuitive, they like the live tiles and they love it’s simply integration with social media.  It provides something very different to Android and iOS, and as such, that means making a Nokia device stand out on a shelf is made that much easier.

Finally, Microsoft want to get involved in the mobile world, and they know Nokia are the biggest mobile brand out there (still), and that Nokia can get Windows Phones into the hands of millions of people, and ensure Nokia and Windows Phone grab market share.  I wouldn’t be surprised to see Nokia grabbing Smartphone market share quite quickly, which I am sure will make other manufacturers look closely at Windows Phone and start investing more in that OS. It is already happening to some extent with HTC and Samsung…

To finish…

Android has shocked us all with how much market share it has grabbed, but should we have been surprised? In many respects it’s a free, clunky version of the iOS that DOES cost manufacturers in terms of licensing etc etc. Now that Google owns Motorola are companies confident that they will be given the same OS to compete with Motorola? How many other instances of Android devices being banned can we expect?

All in all, Android may have shot to popularity, but there are many question marks above it, and it seems many more are being raised as time moves on. Will these question marks deter manufacturers from using Android? I believe they will over time, and I believe that Windows Phone will be there to grab market share – and that at the front of that pack will be a company from Finland, a company we all used to love…A company called Nokia…

Nokia are back. Watch out Apple and all Droids…

Over the past few months there has been a lot said about Android taking market share and that Apple is the number 2 mobile phone OS. There has also been a lot said about the failing fortunes of Nokia and the lack of market share Windows Phone 7 has since its launch just over a year ago. However, so many aspects of the mobile market get missed on all of these reports, and by so many phone “fan boys”, be they Android, Apple or whatever…

 

Global market

We have to remember that the Smartphone doesn’t even make up 30% of the global market, and even in markets such as the UK, it only just breaks that. So, even though we talk of Android having 40% market share, that Androids rule, that Apple offer the best Smartphone etc and that these phones dominate the phone landscape, what never gets mentioned is that that this is true for a small segment of the market place.

Today at Nokia world, Nokia reminded people of that.  Nokia has reminded people that they are still the biggest mobile provider and that non Smartphone markets are still the majority. The first part of the opening keynote focused greatly on countries / areas such as Latin America, China, Africa and other areas where Smartphone’s aren’t really available. Nokia chose to focus on user experiences in these areas and launched a number of new phones (named Asha), designed to “blur” the lines between a Smartphone and what we now term as a dumb phone. Nokia is well aware of these markets, and the fact that these markets are still the main stay for Mobile companies (something Google, Apple and many have forgotten).

The new phones offer some Smartphone features, and will no doubt be a great hit, offering Angry birds, music and dual sim capabilities. These were impressive devices, aimed at ensuring Nokia is still the number 1 phone provider across the globe.

 

Windows Phone marriage for the Smartphone device

It was 8 months ago that Nokia announced that it would concentrate on the Windows Phone OS for its Smartphone’s. Now that isn’t that long ago, thinking that they have started from scratch and now release two brand new devices. There will no doubt be a full range of them coming soon too.

Though many have slated Nokia for the deal, for me it makes a lot of sense. Microsoft need a way of getting their OS displayed, getting it into the hands of sales reps, business users and the public, Nokia can provide this in abundance. In addition, Nokia needed an OS that was different to what we have seen (from Symbian, Android and iOS), an OS that they could work with and
not have to dev themselves. So the marriage makes sense…

The result is the launch of two very stunning phones, a massive marketing campaign and we are led to believe, for the first time, a focussed attempt to market the Windows Phone. Nokia know what they are doing here, they know how to get networks and reps to sell their phones and they will make this works, I’m sure. Microsoft should be there to provide the OS, the ecosystem and support to Nokia, which seems to be the way the relationship works.

 

Nokia and Windows Phone can compete

With a range of new windows phones, the Nokia brand, the Nokia relationship with carriers and retailers and some special features, Nokia has really announced that it is going to take the competition on in the Smartphone arena. Nokia is even giving the devices to those who sell them, ensuring they know the device, love it and promote it. Sensible…

There are also some key features only available to Nokia, and these revolve around Drive, Music and Sports. These are three areas which will appeal to many a Smartphone user, and for sure, sets them apart from the others, including iOS.

Drive is a turn by turn voice operated navigation system, that’s free with a Nokia windows phone device, impressive. You can also gain access to music for free, with Nokia Music (which to me looks like a Zune pass for free for certain things). Finally, ESPN hub, exclusive to windows phone and Nokia, allowing you to follow all your sports, teams etc and to pin just what you want to the start screen, again for free.  Throw in Office, Sharepoint and other business tools, and you soon see that Nokia Windows Phone makes sense for business users as well as the casual user. Oh and if you think there is a lacking ecosystem behind Windows Phone and not many apps, I might remind you that there are now over 30,000 apps available and the marketplace is growing rapidly…

Nokia (via Symbian) maybe number 2 (just) in the Smartphone arena, but with Windows Phone, their hardware and drive, I believe their aim is to have Nokia with Windows Phone leap frog Android, leaving Apple in a distant third…Is it possible, I believe it is. We also have to remember that Microsoft makes money from most Android sales, so as Windows Phone grows in
popularity (and I am sure it will), Samsung, HTC and alike will no doubt look more seriously at focusing more on Windows Phone than Android…

 

Lumia 800 Device

This is a stunning device, quite simply the best looking Smartphone on the market. I know a bunch of fanboys will disagree, but once you see this and feel it, I’m sure you would agree. Nokia knows how to build hardware and they still lead the way here, the Lumia 800 is a reminder of that. It’s basically a smaller N900, which everybody loves (hardware wise).  It may have a smaller screen (3.7”) but it’s
quite an impressive bit of kit. Spec sheet here Oh and the price is very competitive, coming in at under 420 euros…

Nokia Lumia 800. Taking on Droids and iOS

I am hoping that Nokia offer other Windows Phones, devices with screens similar to that of the Titan (especially for us business users), but also because larger screens really make a big difference to high end users. Visit here for Nokia Lumia 800

 

Lumia 710 Device

Not quite as high end as the 800, but none the less, still stunning and at a price of 270 euros, Nokia has made the powerful Smartphone available to many more people. (And this is the start).

Nokia Lumia 710 offers a cheaper entry point. Smartphones for everyone?

 

Quick Conclusion…

Nokia is very much still alive, and are focusing not just on Smartphone’s, but emerging markets. Nokia aims to be a global leader and as such, is not just focused on Smartphone’s. That being said, Smartphone’s are the future, and Nokia know this. Their marriage with Windows Phone is one they must make work, and by the looks of things so far, will make work. A lot is riding for them in the next few months, but I think we will see them, and Windows Phone starting to make some rapid progress…

I used to love Nokia phones, they offer the best build quality and now, finally, offer me an OS I am willing to use. I think the future looks good for Nokia and Windows Phone, and I think my love affair with Nokia may be starting a fresh…

What’s going on Microsoft? Silverlight, HTML 5?

It’s amazing how the press get hold of something, twist it a little and come up with something that simply isn’t true. Is it because they simply latch onto sound bites, or because they don’t actually understand the technology (or technologies) they talk about? They don’t understand the development community and how development works? Or could it be a case of all of the above? (I am thinking all of the above for many of them)

I have now read numerous blogs, press releases etc that claim Microsoft is abandoning Silverlight. That Silverlight will no longer be used on the PC or MAC, over the web etc, just on mobile phones…This simply isn’t true, and to be frank is somewhat of an annoyance.

Yes it is true that Microsoft’s server and tools capo Bob Muglia stated that HTML 5 will become the company’s main focus for online web applications now. (Though he didn’t help the cause in the way he made his statement). But what does that actually mean. It doesn’t mean Silverlight is to be abandoned at all, it was never meant to replace HTML 5, and it wasn’t meant just to plug the gaps that HTML and HTML 5 have left. It isn’t just Microsoft’s response to Flash either, that is seeing Silverlight in a very simplistic view, almost narrow minded, and indicates you don’t know what Silverlight is…

Silverlight is a different presentation layer for .NET applications. It allows developers to deliver highly interactive, rich and powerful applications, not just stream some video, present some pretty animation etc. You should think of Silverlight as a different front end for .NET. Of which you have already so many choices, such as HTML via ASP.NET, typical forms through .NET, Windows Presentation Foundation (WPF) etc etc.

So what about the statement regarding HTML 5 for web applications? Well, Microsoft are concentrating on getting HTML 5 right, this includes IE (by the way IE9 has been shown to be the most compliant HTML 5 browser out there, ahead of FireFox, Chrome and Safari), and within its development studios (visual studio, web studio etc). To do this, resource no doubt will have to be more focused on this area for the time being…So resource will move away from Silverlight, but Silverlight doesn’t need such a large investment or resource now, since it has matured and become a full fledge part of the .NET family.

HTML 5 support

HTML is the interface to websites and web applications, and it seems to me that the press and many blog writers don’t understand this. Do they realise that ASP.NET v4 delivers HTML to a web browser? So Microsoft concentrating on HTML 5 is expected. ASP.NET (no matter your flavour of it) will need to have the capabilities to deliver HTML 5 web applications, so Microsoft needs to concentrate on this. But does this mean they are ditching Silverlight, no of course not. Did the creation of Silverlight mean Microsoft walked away from HTML presented content with ASP? Did it mean we no longer have win forms of WPF? No, of course not….Yet Microsoft were not exactly moving these along rapidly were they…

No Silverlight 5 for the moment

Some are pointing that they haven’t seen any indication of when Silverlight 5 will be available. All I can say to that is, “How many versions do you expect?” The complete .NET platform is only at v4.0. Silverlight has gone through a rapid development and period of evolution, moving quickly from v1.0, through to v4.0 now (in just over 2 years!). The latest version of Silverlight brings it in line with the .NET family, so Silverlight needed to go through a rapid development phase to catch up, it was a long way behind…

Silverlight as Windows Mobile 7 development platform

Yes, Silverlight is the development platform for Windows 7, and that’s great news to the development community. The fact that Silverlight development focus at the moment is being switched to the mobile platform is again, not surprising. After all, Silverlight has gone through rapid development on the computer. Microsoft has worked hard on tools, templates etc for developers to be able to create powerful desktop (OOB) and RIAs using Silverlight. So, it now needs to do the same for the mobile platform. Microsoft need to make it as easy as possible for mobile developers to quickly deliver powerful mobile applications, so concentrating on Silverlight tools for mobile is obvious…

Yet again I feel the press, and bloggers, don’t understand the importance of this. Silverlight is Silverlight, on the mobile and or on the web, it is still the Silverlight technology, the only difference is on the mobile, we have to follow some stricter rules about our UI and we get different tools and templates to use. Why? Well we have restricted UI space, and we need to be able to allow the user to bring up the keyboard etc etc. It isn’t an alien world, Silverlight on the mobile to developers. It is Silverlight. Just like the managed code behind in Silverlight is not alien .NET, rather it is .NET. This means developers can develop applications for multiple platforms, PC, Mac, Phone, without leaving visual studio, without learning new techniques, without learning new syntax etc. This is great, and because of this Microsoft maximises the number of developers who potentially can develop for the desktop, web and mobile…..

Withering Silverlight? Don’t be stupid…

Well obviously no…Silverlight simply won’t be going through so many quick iterations as it is now in-line with the .NET family. Microsoft are now concentrating on Silverlight mobile templates and tools and ensuring the mobile world for Silverlight developers is just as rich as it can be on your PC.

Concentrating on HTML 5 is a good thing, Microsoft has always been committed to HTML 5 and as HTML 5 slowly gets closer, Microsoft needs and wants to be at the forefront. Web applications will be delivered in HTML 5, that has always been the case. Just like ASP.NET web applications deliver HTML 4 at the moment. Silverlight will still be used on the web to plug gaps HTML 5 cannot fill, it will still be used (and will be more and more so) in an OOB (out of browser) state, effectively providing desktop powerful applications over the web and no doubt will continue to grow.

Silverlight is now a full part of the .NET family, it has caught up, and the .NET family will continue to be the core Microsoft technology for all devices…

10 points workFile ECM has over SharePoint

This is a post really looking at our own workFile ECM platform and comparing it with Microsofts SharePoint.

Microsoft have been getting into the ECM marketplace for some time now, and with SharePoint 2007, many potential customers of ours (workFile ECM) have asked why should they purchase an ECM platform when they have access to SharePoint for next to nothing purchase price (though many do then look at their licensing terms).

Well here are 10 key fundamentals that separate workFile as a true ECM platform compared to SharePoint.

1. Persistent objects – This is something all ECM platforms have, it is simply a unique pointer to an object within the repository that is there forever, it doesn’t and cannot change. It means that unique ID is that, it is unique and always will be in the case of workFile at pointing to that one object. In SharePoint 2007 often a links are broken when you rename or move a file. In addition, links cannot be sent out in eMails, rather copies of the actual object has to be sent. With workFile, the persistent id (a GUID) can be sent as a link to the object in eMails, saving vast amounts of space and bandwidth.
2. Store once, use many – With workFile ECM you get a pointer to a particular object. This means if the object is filed in a number of folders and locations, it is at the end of the day, still only a single file with the different locations pointing to that file. SharePoint in contrast has a nasty habit of copying the content object and effectively duplicating it throughout the system. This is a big no no especially when taking into consideration the impact on real version control of an object (or what is believed to be a single object in the repository).
3. Records Management – I am not sure SharePoint supports records management? It doesn’t allow you to manage physical objects in an out of the box environment. workFile ECM provides simple records management facilities, allowing records to link to other records and in essence build up a highly structured repository of structured content. In many instances, workFile records management is used to deliver line of business functionality, such as management of customer details, transactions, interactions etc.
4. Flexible indexing capabilities – This can be termed as metadata management, but basically it is using structured fields (index fields or metadata tags) to identify objects within the repository. ShaprePoint does this, but it is a little restrictive, there are no capabilities for inheritance from parent objects or for linking objects to other objects. In contrast, workFile ECM allows inheritance from parent objects and allows content to be linked directly to other content objects. This delivers greater storage, security and most importantly retrieval flexibility
5. Reusable search templates and stored results – workFile ECM delivers the ability for administrators to deliver system wide search templates. In addition, individual users can also create their own search templates and store them against their user credentials. This means that the system quickly provides all the stored search capabilities without the need for any additional configuration. It is also worth noting, that with the workFile Vision application (the out of the box application for workFile ECM) users can very quickly build up any number of simple and advanced stored searches. workFile ECM also allows search results to be stored, again at a system level and at a user level. These results form their own objects within workFile, and as such also inherit security access rights the same as any object within the repository
6. Granular security – Security in SharePoint is good, though a little cumbersome. workFile ECM permits security to be assigned for any object type and its “security level”. There are a number of different security levels within workFile which can be used in conjunction with other security groups and users to explicitly set security across the board or down to an object by object basis. This type of security ensures all content is secured at all times, but makes the life on an administrator far easier.
7. Object history – SharePoint does track major audit events, however the events tracked are not extensive and are not easily accessible through the content object. In contrast, workFile provides capabilities to track all interactions with a given object, including basic interactions such as “viewed object properties” and “object displayed”. Because of this, workFile delivers true accountability for all objects. The object history is also easily accessible to users with the correct security rights to view an objects properties. The complete object history is displayed in a separate properties tab.
8. Storage and migration rules – This is to do with the actual physical storage of a particular file. With workFile ECM you can set up at “class level” where objects are to be physically stored. You can also set up rules to have these objects migrated to other locations after a given period of time. This is especially powerful when using WORM (write once read many) technologies.
9. Retention periods – In SharePoint you cannot set a retention period for a particular type of content, with workFile ECM, you can. At a “class level” retention periods can be set up, with different actions occurring after different retention periods are met. Typically this is a move to a deep archive or an actual deletion of the object from the repository.
10. Out of the box user interface – SharePoint provides a number of facilities out of the box, however workFile ECM with its Vision application delivers a single application to administrators and users alike. It provides a single desktop experience (delivered through the web) that houses all aspects of workFile ECM, including BPM and Case Management module interfaces. It is also a single point of management for online content, such as that within your website or delivered through social networking websites, such as Twitter and Facebook 

 

Queuing for Windows 7

It’s amazing that with all the press hype about Google Chrome OS, I have seen only a few posts in blog world and within Twitter that actually mentions Windows 7 is now on pre-sale within the UK. Reportedly the BBC states more copies of Windows 7 were sold than those of Windows Vista in its entire 17 week pre-ordering period! http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/technology/8151342.stm That’s an impressive start for Windows 7.

Vista hasn’t been that popular a version of Windows, it received lots of bad press initially some of which was just. However, I have been running Vista on a number of machines (including development platforms) since Vista was released, and well, surprise surprise, I haven’t had a single issue with it! It does show that the press really do have a say when it comes to influencing our spending habits and those of corporations even….Well, when it comes to Microsoft products for some reason.

So is Windows 7 just a quick fix for Vista. Well no, it’s more than just that, offering lots of improvements, including file management and performance, not to mention delivering new functions such as support for touch screen technology. Windows 7 has also had rave reviews (well as much support as you will find on the web for Microsoft products), so it isn’t that surprising that end users are queuing up to purchase their pre-ordered version, which they will receive on October 22^nd when the software goes on general release in stores. (By the way, that’s my brothers birthday date.)

EU regulations

Well the EU has to be involved if it’s a Microsoft product, and this time the powers that be have ruled that Windows 7 cannot be shipped with a web browser (great…who made that decision?). This is to do with an anti-trust ruling but also to do with competition. One of the big issues I have with this is that it only seems to effect Microsoft, I don’t see Apple having to sell their machines and OS without Safari? I am also sure Google Chrome OS will be shipped with the Chrome browser pre-installed too? So not sure how decisions are being made behind closed doors at the EU. Needless to say, us the end users and general public are the ones who suffer for this plain stupidity.

Windows 7 Prices

Well for home users you are looking at around £50, professional setting you back £99.99, which for such a class operating system is not bad value for money. I think many people have forgotten just how hard it is to write an operating system, it’s not a simple task. If it were, I am sure Google would have written one instead of using Linux, adding their browser and putting their own name to it…

Business take up?

This could be the first time we see businesses actually jumping to the latest version of Windows sooner rather than later. Often businesses like to wait until at least one service pack has been released before they entertain upgrading their machines. However, with Windows 7 I get a real feel from in house IT systems that they are looking forward to getting their hands on the OS and getting it rolled out.

I also think that SMEs will be looking to upgrade as soon as they can, though their route is usually via purchasing new machines as and when they need them, as opposed to upgrading machine operating systems across the board.

Some figures on Windows 7 take up (predictions)

Predictions are that some 7 million units of Windows 7 will be sold by the end of this year, with this figure increasing to some 177 million units by the end of 2010. In contrast, Vista is expected to sell only 18 million units. This isn’t surprising really, is it…

Competition?

Well read the press and there is expected to be lots of competition from Google, however, I don’t really see this to be the case. Google have come very late to the OS market, one which is dominated by Windows, and one where the majority of average joes, prefer the idea of having only a single operating system. No matter what the hype is that surrounds Google Chrome OS, the fact of the matter is that Windows 7 will no doubt be a better operating system. Also, Chrome appears to be geared (at first at least) to the Netbooks marketplace, one which is rather small.

The usual comparisons will be made though, no doubt in October we will see lots of comparisons between Apple Mac OS X and Windows 7….

Conclusion…

For once the hype is right, Windows 7 is a great OS and I cannot see any argument for choosing any alternative, be it for business or home use…It’s just a shame the EU have to get involved…

Google hype and blog distortion

Since the announcement of Google Chrome OS, it seems to me that online communities have gone nuts, either with over hyped stories of how great the Google OS will be, or completely the other way, stating just how poor Google is as a company, how unfocussed they are.

What is striking is that no matter what, Google does attract lots of hype, sometimes correctly so, but recently, maybe not. It also illustrates to me that, mention the name “Google”, and you get either one of two reactions, love or hate. This kind of reaction used to be reserved just for Microsoft…By the way, that doesn’t mean I think that is a good sign or a bad sign, just an observation.

Google hype

So just why does Google manage to be surrounded by such hype in everything it does, well announces at least? The only answer I can really point to is that many people, including bloggers and the press, still regard Google as a nice company, run by two guys out of a shed or something. A company with great morals, that stands for freedom of information etc. However, this vision just simply isn’t true. Remember Google was sold and is now a big old corporation, now more than a little in the Microsoft mould funny enough. I also find it funny that people forget just how many court cases Google has been involved with, many of which regarding people’s basic rights, such as privacy.

The company does provide the worlds foremost search engine, one that has a massive market share and one which many claim to be the best and most accurate. The search engine does deserve all its hype, as to put it simply; it’s a great search engine. The company also has to be applauded in the way it has monetised its search engine with online advertisements, targeted based on peoples search key words. (Though this has been the subject of some court cases and accusations of Google misleading web users and misidentifying sponsored links).

Google company direction

From the outside looking in, I can see many arguments for why people claim Google may be losing it’s way, and is reacting to things in the IT industry, rather than taking the lead. I have read lots about how Google is simply providing new software and services to plug a gap in the market, but that simply isn’t true is it. We have a number of browsers and a number of operating systems already, do we need more?

What we are seeing is Google doing what any sensible business should do and that is diversifying. Any business should not rely on one sole area, in Googles’ case advertisement revenue from its search engine. So diversifying makes sense.

A web browser is the obvious choice, though very few people have chosen to use the Chrome browser provided by Google. However, gmail and google docs are direct responses to Microsoft’s hotmail, and office offerings, which does take them into new waters so too speak. With regards to the Chrome OS, I can see a small argument or idea why it would be nice to tie an OS to the web more, however, I just don’t feel Google is the company to do this well, especially since they are using an open source operating system as its core, Linux.

On that point, it is also weird that Microsoft isn’t allowed to ship IE with Windows 7 in the EU, yet both Apple and Google can ship their operating systems with their own web browsers pre-installed….Curious isn’t it?

Google and Apple?

I have also read so much about Schmidt (Google Chief Executive) sitting on the board of Apple, and that many comparisons can now be made between Google offerings and Apples. Many claim that Google cannot think for itself and is simply stealing ideas from Apple…Maybe….I can see the logic there…

What is for sure is that Apple and Google now share some similar markets. Take Android (Googles mobile phone operating system), this has received a lot of “air time” from on-line bloggers and phone reviewers, however as a mobile OS, it really doesn’t compete with established offerings. This must annoy Apple with their iPhone? Both companies now offer web browsers for the windows platform (Safari from Apple and Chrome from Google) and now (though both hold a very very small market share), Google plans an operating system, which you could argue will compete against Apples OS X.

I must admit, I don’t see how one man can sit on both boards if they are effectively competing in any way shape or form, which they now are. I would say Google and Apple are more at war than Google and Microsoft…But that doesn’t have such an impact on story headlines…When you look at their market share for web browsers, they are for sure competing. Look at mobile phone market, they are competing, though Apple is light years ahead in market share. Next year, will we be seeing Google Chrome OS on netbooks competing with Apple entry level notebooks? Well they will be, but again I think Apple will be a long way ahead with regards to market share and sales.

 

Blog post distortion

Hmmmm One thing that has come from all of this Google OS hype, is that many blog posts are simply wrong and are written by people with limited knowledge (especially technical) on how things work. I have read many articles that hail Google OS as a revolution, something new that will compete with Windows 7, however these same articles don’t understand what Linux is, and its history. For me this is quite worrying, it seems that while reporting via TV or even news papers has some form of “checking”, the internet fails to have any, even the big bloggers…

Such incorrect posts do get around, and in todays social media environment, millions of people may have read that wrong information, believed it to be correct and actually made a purchase based on it. This isn’t good at all, not only for companies but more so for individuals.

I have also read a number of blogs that really do “lay into” other blogging sites, especially the larger ones for their lack of technical understanding. Which is probably just, but it’s the way such posts are written that almost makes you not want to read the post…For me, they lose all form of credibility themselves.

It is also very rare now to find blogging articles that don’t seem to have an agenda, especially so called review / news websites. Many either love Microsoft and hate everything else, or they love Google (this seems to be the larger amount of bloggers) and hate everything else, or finally, they love Apple, and hate everything else…It is very hard to find actual knowledgeable people writing independent unbiased posts, which is a shame…

 

Blog responses

The whole Google hype thing has also brought me much laughter when reading peoples responses to articles. I have also read a new term this week, “Googasms” which I am sure you can work out what that means…

For me, I read most responses with a little pinch of salt.

 

So Chrome OS, should it be getting the hype?

If that’s a question on what it will be like, probably not. After all it is built on an open source operating system which has no end of issues with driver support etc and has failed to make any sort of dent on the operating system market (even just for netbooks). But since Google has it’s badge on it, I can see why it has gained so much press time.

Will it be any good? Without seeing it I don’t know, no one does at this stage. My guess is that it will look and present well, but once you get into actually using it, it will have all the same problems that Linux has right now.