A year ago, we were discussing about who will control the internet? At that time we looked at four companies: Apple, Google, Microsoft and Facebook! After a year while surfing around and discussing with visionaries–I came to a conclusion that the battle is between Apple and Google only. Others are fading away…
The recent acquisition of Quattro Wireless by Apple showed the intention they are having. It is an attempt to answer the move Google took with AdMob acquisition. On the other hand launching of Nexus One by Google created havoc in Apple’s board!! Even Eric, CEO of Google who was in Apple’s board had to leave. So the battle is fresh and both have the intention to become the number one in Mobile Computing!
Well the friendship was tight before Android launch by Google but after that the friendship turned into foe. And the success of AppStore triggered a wave of competition and Google followed it carefully.
The growth in mobile advertising will be coming and both want to have a leadership position there. It is a growing business…finding the right business model and usability is a challenge!!
125,000 mobile application on iPhone is an ocean to ride for Google. According to IDC, iPhone controls a 14% market share now while Android as 3.5% only. The same report says that Apple could employ its user data and geo-location technology to make ads more relevant–it is wait and see only now!!
On the search engine side Google has 65% of market share and in mobile search also a huge winner. But no one knows when Apple comes with its own search engine in iPhone replacing Google completely. I keep my fingers crossed!!
Another player in the market is Tablet from Apple. While looking at the software industry at least Microsoft never built PCs and I wonder why Google came to Nexus One? Any comments on this would be of great help!!
My bet is that Google might even make mobile phone free. If that happens then Apple would be in a difficult situation. But for that Advertisement Ecosystem in Nexus must be functioning and mCommerce might be a reality.
The loser in the game is Microsoft. Nokia is struggling with Ovi Store which has not been able to trigger any mass adoption unlike iTunes store or AppStore. Other tech giants are also fading away….as the game goes to Services not the design of mobile phone!!
Android is a threat to iPhone business (which controls 30% of Apple’s sales). Mobile search is going to boom with mobile advertising and there will be the battle coming. This collision of giants will accelerate Innovation and after a year we are going to revisit this blog and do the mapping again!!
Innovation as Competitive Advantage 