Comments on: Are 500M Androids a success or no? Call me “maybe.”

By: SCool

SCool — Sat, 17 Nov 2012 18:32:03 +0000

Well, if the users could get cheap content (or even free), Google at the same time get some money from it (not a lot), then it’s a win-win, right? Google is not desperate to make money anyway, it will not be cool anymore if it tries to

By: grellanl

grellanl — Fri, 14 Sep 2012 08:55:16 +0000

Whether they’re making money out of the platform is somewhat academic to the average user, although profitable platforms are generally going to be well supported and thrive. The availability of non-app content is IMHO what matters at this stage (they’ve got the device and apps part down) — particularly in the tablet space. Google seems to be trying of to fix this, but the biggest question I expect from anybody I recommend a smartphone or tablet to is, “how do I get music/books/magazines/films/TV shows onto the device?” When Google Music isn’t even available outside the U.S., that’s a tough question to answer to a non-techie. And although Movies and Books have spread their wings, the books are more expensive than Kindle and the movies still don’t allow purchase, just (expensive) rental.

For my money, smartphones are small tablets, and they won’t continue to succeed in phones unless they crack tablets. And that means cutting those deals with the content industry, or buying existing players to get the licenses in place.

By: Tony Martin

Tony Martin — Wed, 12 Sep 2012 19:27:25 +0000

I read Microsoft makes $10 per Android device.

By: LBJ™

LBJ™ — Wed, 12 Sep 2012 16:11:29 +0000

I have to wonder, to the “regular” consumer if the 500 million really matters? I can’t point to anything but my own limited observation here in down Toronto, but the majority of non-geek friends and associates that have Android phones, use it as… a phone. Very limited in their “smartphone use”. I’ve purposefully check 20 android phone over the last year and all of them are on Gingerbread 2.3 or lower. That’s including two new less than $50 purchases from Rogers and Telus. When my friends talk about apps, they pull out an iPod Touch or tell me about their iPad at home. Again, I’m a slice of the 500 million snap shot but I don’t think I’m alone. Oh and all of my iPhone/iOS friends are updated to the most recent version of the OS and with a few of us owning AppleTV, Apple is just sucking money out of our pockets…and we aren’t complaining. Just my two cents, great article.

By: Kevin C. Tofel

Kevin C. Tofel — Wed, 12 Sep 2012 16:05:25 +0000

I understand that. If there’s better data out there, I have yet to see it.

By: Oletros

Oletros — Wed, 12 Sep 2012 15:59:52 +0000

You know that Asymco data relies on The Guardian data that is only an educated guess about two figures in a trial

By: Kevin C. Tofel

Kevin C. Tofel — Wed, 12 Sep 2012 15:45:12 +0000

I like that thought, Paul. And you’re right, “if they handle it well”. There’s seems to be some opportunity there…

By: Kevin C. Tofel

Kevin C. Tofel — Wed, 12 Sep 2012 15:44:26 +0000

That sounds about right then…. probably more than $1 per device, but not yet $2. Thanks!

By: Paul

Paul — Wed, 12 Sep 2012 15:41:28 +0000

Google Now will be the key to their success, both offensively and defensively. If they handle it well.

On offense it will provide the most logical, er, nexus for offers and advertising, and revenue-bearing Google services. On defense, it will siphon off some of the anxious updates addiction that now drives Facebook, and provide a choke point to drive better terms with a range of service providers. If they handle it well.

By: Jason

Jason — Wed, 12 Sep 2012 15:34:25 +0000

Oh wait you’re right, google’s goal is $10/year sorry. According to asymco it seems as if google earns roughly $1.70 per device.

http://www.asymco.com/2012/04/02/android-economics/