In a very short time Google’s mobile operating system (OS) Android has become the number one choice for smartphones.
Google’s Android has overtaken Symbian and Windows mobile in terms of number of users. Research agencies across the world have confirmed this. But how did Android manage this in just a few years?
Android is free
Android, since the day it was launched, has been available free of cost and Google made it clear that it will be free in future as well. The OS caught the attention of manufacturers across the world and many initially adopted it for low cost smartphones.
Seeing the huge response of the buyers to the Android-based phones, many equipment manufacturers joined the league and more are joining every day. Therefore the free nature of this operating system help in reducing cost thereby helping buyers too.
Open source Android
Unlike other operating systems that are protected by lots of copyrights, Google chose to keep Android open for all. By doing this, the company got many programmers from around the globe to develop applications, while keeping its liabilities to a minimum. With many brains working on the system, newer and newer ideas were incorporated, which in turn helped in making Android a preferred choice.
Open for customisation
Unlike Windows or any other mobile operating system, device manufacturers are free to modify Android as per their needs. Users enjoy much needed flexibility and ease of use because manufacturers are now able to modify anything and everything they need to make the experience a pleasant one.
Large number of applications
Android Market created an opportunity for millions of application developers around the globe to show their skills and come up with newer applications for Android phones. Its users therefore have a wide variety of applications to choose from and can customise their phones for a personal experience.
Android opened numerous possibilities for both device manufacturers and application developers, while helping to reduce the cost of smartphones, thus making them accessible to the common man.
Today, Android smartphones such as Micromax Andro A60 are available at only Rs 6,500; and even high end phones, including Dell’s Venue, are available at about Rs 30,000.
Summing it up, Android has taken user experience to the next level while keeping the prices of smartphones well within the reach of the common man, and that is why Android has become the number one choice among smartphone users.