*Please note: There is no way this post will come across as anything other than Android fanboyism. So I won't even attempt to hide it.
Take a look at these Android Powered Ski Goggles by
Recon Instruments. Just. So. Awesome. Makes me want to plotz. If I had a bissel more gelt... But, I digress.
Here's the thing. I think we're in for a few more meshugena Steve Jobs
rants. He sure has enough reasons to get defensive. Sure, it's noteworthy that Android is now more popular than iPhone in the
US and Android has been trouncing iPhone in growth rate for quarters. That Android phones can be used without a giant rubber band around them and that your Android phone's alarm can be counted on to wake you up in the morning. But none of these points are really the point.
The point is that Android's openness (or Fragmentation as Steve likes to call it) is essentially unlimited. To begin with, Android is appearing on smart phones in all shapes, sizes, form factors and price ranges. There is basically an Android phone out there for any customer. Compare that to the one-size-fits-all we-know-best approach that you find with iOS. Same thing with tablets. You want
10.1 inches of awesomeness? Sure. Too big? How about a fits-in-your-pocket
7 inch wonder? Too expensive? how about
this? More of an e-reader kind of person?
Here. TV too. Apple TV vs. Android in your TV, in your blu-ray player, or as a set-top-box.
BUT that's only a fraction of my point. My major point is that Android is going to be E-V-E-R-Y-W-H-E-R-E. These insanely cool but expensive goggles are just the beginning. It's not hard to imagine manufacturers using Android in everything and we consumers will love it. Imagine that HUD from the ski goggles in your car or while jogging or biking. Imagine your appliances sending push notifications to your TV, tab, or phone to tell you that your laundry is done, your toast is ready, the ambient temperature in your house is 72 degrees, and that you should leave the house early pick up eggs.
Yes, I know that us geeks have been giving the smart home spiel forever. The difference is that, this time, Android makes is so much easier. Now, these manufacturers have a free, open-source, well developed platform that they can augment to suit their needs. They don't have to start from scratch. Instead they can stand upon the shoulders of giants.
iOS can't do this. Steve Jobs would never give away that much control. iOS will be relegated to Apple devices and that's it. Android will be everywhere. I think we are going to see a very desperate Steve Jobs. We're already seeing it with the Verizon iPhone, the way that Apple is slashing the prices of older iOS models, and the raving madness of earnings calls.
Of course, currently, the iPhone is still selling very strongly and the iPad is doing amazing well. The next iPad will likely be a huge hit too. The Verizon iPhone will likely cannibalize a lot of Droid sales and Apple isn't going away any time soon. Apple fanboys have many reasons to continue wearing their rose-colored glasses. I, on the other hand, prefer to wear Android powered goggles instead.
