Big cellphone makers leave Windows, embrace Android

By siliconindia   |    5 Comments
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Big cellphone makers leave Windows, embrace Android
Bangalore: After writing operating system (OS) for almost two decades for little computers, Microsoft's OS, Windows Mobile has started foundering and cell phone makers are shifting towards Android OS. Since 1996, it has been a lonely business for Microsoft, until the company's perennial rival, Apple, introduced the web-browsing, music-playing iPhone. Andrew Lees, Vice President for Mobile Communications, Microsoft says, "The company has altered its cellphone software strategy." Motorola is one of the cellphone giants which is switching to the free Android software. More cellphone makers are turning to the free Android OS made by Microsoft's latest nemesis, Google. Cellphone makers that have used Windows Mobile to run their top-of-the-line smartphones - including Samsung, LG, Kyocera, and Sony Ericsson, who are now also making Android devices. Twelve Android handsets have been announced this year, with dozens more expected next year. Motorola has dropped Windows Mobile from its line entirely in a switch to Android. HTC, a major cellphone maker, expects half its phones sold this year to run Android. Dell is also using Android for its entry into the cellphone market. Now, all four of the largest carriers in the U.S. have agreed to offer Android Phones. When the first Android handset, the G1 from HTC was introduced last fall, only T-Mobile offered it. Now, Verizon, the largest carrier, is putting a huge promotional push behind the Droid from Motorola, set to be introduced this week. Even AT&T, the home of the iPhone, recently said that it would join the Android party next year. Google is rapidly introducing updates to Android, each named after a bakery sweet. Version 1.5 (cupcake) came out in April, version 1.6 (donut) appeared in September. Version 2.0 is expected to appear on the Droid. "A lot of manufacturers are walking into our office and talking about how important Android is becoming to them. Android is ramping with more manufacturers and more price points. It is going to have a pretty significant impact," said Cole Brodman, Chief Development Officer of T-Mobile, the first carrier to sell phones with Google's software. According to Gartner, currently, Android is on only 1.8 percent of smartphone worldwide and Windows Mobile software still dwarfs Android. But Microsoft is slipping. The percentage of smartphones using the Windows Mobile system has plummeted to 9.3 percent, from 12 percent in the second quarter of 2008. Microsoft fell behind Apple, which shot up to 13.3 percent, from 2.8 percent. (Nokia's Symbian OS is the world leader, followed by Research In Motion's OS for its BlackBerry). Android does have its share of doubters. "The industry has decided that Android is going to be a huge hit, but I'm skeptical. To have legs, you have to be a hit. The first three Android devices didn't connect with the mass market," said Tero Kuittinen, an Analyst with MKM Partners. Nevertheless, Android is free, while Windows Mobile costs manufacturers $15 to $25 a phone. Google's software is intended for modern screens you tap with a finger, while Windows Mobile was built for use with a stylus. Android has attracted far more applications for consumers in the first year than Windows Mobile has in a decade. As a result, Android is winning over the world's largest cellphone makers. One part of the appeal is that, unlike other OS, Android is open source software, so anyone can use or change it. "We have access to the source code. To do that on any other platform would be very difficult," said Sanjay Jha, Co-chief Executive of Motorola. HTC, the Taiwanese cellphone company that has grown quickly in recent years making only Windows Mobile phones, also finds the customization attractive because Android phones allow users to add apps. "Customers are really embracing personalization, and Android brings that to the forefront," said Jason Mackenzie, Vice President for North America, HTC. Windows Mobile, by contrast, appeals more to corporate computing managers who like how it connects to Microsoft's e-mail and office software.

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