The Google Android platform will be officially unveiled today, and critics drastically disagree on the future of the platform. Some call the "Google phone" a revolutionary product while others declare it massive mistake by Google.
HTC claims that the Android-based Dream should sell between 600,000 to 700,000 units this year. That's going to be a tough number to hit for a phone that won't be available until sometime next month, but U.S. News & World Report feels the phone will take off, citing a Strategy Analytics figure that estimates Android market share to hit 4%.
eWeek readers, however, feel that HTC is overestimating the phone's selling power, stating that "Google's lack of experience in the mobile space and lack of marketing chops, as well as a sole reliance on T-mobile" will negatively impact sales. Their final judgement: "the Dream will be a nonentity for nongeeks."
InternetNews feels also feels that "Android is No Enterprise Mobile Threat," but Rob Enderle of The Enderle Group disagrees and tells PC World that Google will move into the enterprise space with Android simply because no other company has established a monopoly yet.
Whether the Dream beats the iPhone at its own game is a question that won't be answered until customers get their hands on the product and sales figures start rolling in. But at least Google knows that with expectations ranging from wild success to dismal failure, it should meet at least half of the pundits' expectations.
More news, commentary, and predictions from The Industry Standard:
Comments
Is it just me, or is the phone a tad ugly in the product shots? Sexy it is not. Sort of the "IBM Thinkpad" version of the iPhone. That being said, it does have a QWERTY keyboard. Then again, T-Mobile. Ack!
Form factor has never been HTC's forte. Functionality and slightly above parity is all HTC is aiming for. Most HTC devices are thick (and brick-like). But I have to give HTC credit for having been so aggressive in their foray into the mobile devices arena.T-Mobile is still in the midst of their 3G roll out plan so HSDPA coverage will not be ubiquitous yet (http://www.fiercebroadbandwireless.com/story/t-mobile-will-have-3g-27-ma...). So, to some HTC G1 subscribers, they will have to settle for EDGE for a little while.
Yes, Eric, and I think that's going to be a huge problem. The general public wants pretty, not open source. They don't care what open source is or means, and just want a cool looking phone.
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