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Did Google actually arm its enemies with Android?

Interesting article over at HBR – it argues that since Android is open, manufactures might and indeed are sometimes replacing Google with other search providers in their handsets. As a result, “Google will not make a cent on this handset, despite having enabled its creation with Android. All the search revenue will flow to [other providers].”

Could be, but I think we have to consider the typical user approach to smartphone in general and Android in particular, which tends to be exploratory if not outright geeky. That’s very unlike Nokia use case (call & text) indeed.

So render me sceptical. In those markets where Google is the 500 pound gorilla, users WILL ask “Where is my Google?” and download / tweak their handset so that Google is back in play. Because in these markets, Google got there by delivering the best results, period. Users are not that “dumb” as when they simply used the defaults because going beyond defaults was going beyond pain.

Plus, there’s tons of other services (Mail, Maps…) which will continue to be present on these devices for as long as people use them, and through those channels Google will continue making advertising dollars.

I think Google’s main concern has been the oft-mentioned “fragmentation” caused by users having to wait for manufacturers to release OS updates. Once Google figures out how to deliver updates and upgrades with its own mechanism (Market or otherwise), they’re going to be just fine.

November 18, 2010 | Filed Under Mobile, Software 

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