Gaming: the new smartphone differentiator

Traditionally, phones have been differentiated by hardware features with software, primarily the user interface, coming into the mix more recently. When phones were limited to voice calls and texting, there was only so much manufacturers could do to stand out. 

In 2008, Apple introduced the App Store which spurred a new industry. They differentiated themselves and many jumped on board. The mobile race has had many interesting turns with the next one just ahead.

When PC makers were competing to capture the desktop market in the 80s and 90s, Apple stayed in the game by going after the education market. As a result, Macs were commonly used in primary education, universities and in research. Not unlike the tobacco industry’s “get ‘em while they’re young” philosophy, they attempt to win over customers as soon as possible. This still applies to today’s mobile devices.

While the desktop market battle seems to have cooled off, the mobile market has certainly heated up. Apple and Android are leading while Microsoft looks to be turning things around with a new OS that has an important tie in to the XBOX platform. If it weren’t for this critical piece, their chances of recovery in the market might be considerably less.

Thus far, games on Android have been somewhat scarce by comparison to the iPhone. There are some good Android games, but they are not plentiful nor is there a platform for online challenges. As announced recently, Google has hired a developer advocate for games and it will be interesting to what form the Android game platform takes.

With Google, Microsoft and Apple all announcing their intent to develop robust gaming platforms, it shows the seriousness of this race. While Apple and Microsoft have strategies in place, Google's plan for Android is still not clear. A partnership with Nintendo or Sony to incorporate the Wii or PlayStation platform might very well help catapult the platform. In any case, they will need to take a big step if they hope to capture any significant piece of the mobile gaming market.

How will iPhone 4 stack up against Android?

Android is seeing widespread adoption globally with reports indicating that the race is tightening. At CTIA several weeks ago, a couple handset makers announced exciting new hardware. HTC introduced the first 4G handset running Android while Samsung’s Galaxy will have a 4″ Super AMOLED display with high powered graphics processor. New android devices of various price points and form factors are being introduced at a record pace.

As exciting as it is, let’s not forget about the other successful smartphone maker. Apple just announced iPhone OS 4.0 highlights and it appears they are trying to silence critics by addressing multitasking. Having the ability to run location based services and streaming music in the background will give iphone users a much more enjoyable product. In addition, rumors are indicating a very high resolution display, possibly 960 x 640 which addresses the other achilles heel.

While writing this on my beloved Droid on a long flight (using Swype), it’s hard to ignore these improvements. Two significant weaknesses have been eliminated, assuming the resolution rumor holds up. Having spent the past day or so contemplating it all, here is a quick ‘Pros & Cons’ of switching from Android to iPhone as things stand today.

To be gained:
- Apple’s vast offering of apps
- Ultra high resolution display
- More mature OS
- iTunes integration
- More third party accessories

Given up:
- Swype keyboard
- Google Voice
- Free navigation
- Cash
- Mojo

Taking a closer look at the list of things that would be given up, the Swype keyboard hurts the most. I sit typing this with one hand/thumb and a coke in the other while my ipod touch remains in the laptop bag in the overhead compartment. Simply put, Swype is easier and faster with one hand than an iphone/ipod with two. So easy, in fact that pulling out my laptop is too much hassle.

Google Voice – of course there are web apps out there, but nothing can currently match Android integration. For anyone using GV as a primary number, this will be a big issue and potentially very costly. GV allows users to skip carrier SMS plans altogether. Apple just won’t have it… lessens the value of their agreement with ATT.

Free Navigation – it’s only money and Apple targets the luxury market, no surprise. This is more of an annoyance than an issue, but it’s things like this that push many people away.

Cash – Apple’s business philosophy is in stark contrast to Google’s. Apple is threatened by Google’s business model of providing free, quality services while earning high revenue through advertising from deep pockets of the corporate world. Just look at MobileMe… easy money from the uninformed Apple customer, their bread and butter.

Mojo – the intangible. The iphone has become such a mainstream product with absurd technical weaknesses that Android is viewed as the product for the more technically competent with a certain pride existing amongst Android users. We take for granted many freedoms that come without jailbreaking.

The next few months may shed more light. We have yet to see how Motorola will update the Droid. Likewise, we’ve yet to see other features Apple may bring with the iPhone 4. But, beyond hardware and software features, there is the underlying ecosystem. While the mainstream user is oblivious to most of it, there are those who understand what the long term effects might be of a closed system ruled with an iron fist. This alone makes it difficult to consider jumping ship.