The competition's hotting up in the race to dominate the mobile market. BlackBerry has the numbers, Apple the cache, and Microsoft has Windows - with all the familiarity that entails.
The odd one out is Google's Android operating system. More open than the rest, it can be whatever phone manufacturers want it to be. For consumers and app developers alike, inexpensive Android makes up for a lack of polish with features and adaptability. If you want a smartphone that can do more for less, Android is it.
According to ComScore, Apple's US number one status owes a lot to a massive market base of iPods. Impressive, but no more relevant to the future of mobile than, say, satnav sales. All the while Android snatches up a greater smartphone market share every month.
In the tablet world, Apple is in front, but an army of Android tablets is forming. Samsung's new line ofsuperthin Galaxy Tabs is on the way, and the
Motorola Xoom is here. High-end options are arriving each month. The iPad isn't going to struggle, but over the next couple of years it's going to have some serious, widespread competition. From Android.
Regardless of what platform you prefer, this competition is great news. Android's success forces Apple to step up its game and push out new features. Apple's success forces Google and the Android manufacturers to come up with innovative ways to differentiate their devices and offer value for consumers.
Who will win the race for mobile dominance? If you're in the market for a new mobile phone, you will.
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