Samsung's Android monopoly

[fdbryant3]

I really wouldn't put to much stock into the idea that Samsung will abandon Android. Gotta remember it isn't just buying a phone - it is a buying into an ecosystem. That means apps which means that if a phone doesn't support the apps people want to use then it will fail. Developers on the other hand are not big on developing for platforms that are not growing. Look at Palm, Blackberry, Nokia, and Microsoft. All of them have very well reviewed OSes but poor ecosystems. Dead, dying, sold out and only making slow headway because they can afford a long term strategy that involves paying developers to develop for them.

I don't know what Samsung's plan for Tizen is (I suspect something for developing markets) but I doubt they are going to abandon their market leadership position to try and challenge the iOS/Android ecosystem.

 

[zipred]

The more smartphone manufacturers the better.

I remember in the pre-smartphone days, Samsung was only mediocre at best. Some of their feature phones were downright horrid. Within months after the first iPhone release, Samsung execs decided to shake up & reorganize their cellular business. Seeing how much money Apple was making and the quality of the product, Samsung decided to get serious about their entry into the smartphone category and do something that Asian manufacturers don't often do.

They took their time, studied the market, and created the "Galaxy" brand with the intension of using that name over the long haul. In addition they gave the smartphone division a huge budget and large staff of their best engineers to work with. Thus we have the Galaxy line of excellent models today. I'm not advocating for them or claiming they're superior, just sharing what I know about their operation.

Sony's problem is their organizational issues within the administration. If not for that long term ongoing hurdle we'd see some pretty impressive devices.

I'm not exactly sure just what happened to HTC, who as many remember built some very good "Droids" for Verizon years ago. I do know however that it's a multifaceted problem that isn't quite as simple as funding, the obvious shortcomings, or an issue that can be turned around quickly. Political infighting has been a sore spot for some time now.

At the end of the day, Samsung's obviously done the best with Android which everyone has equal access to. My hope is to see those who are struggling suddenly get their issues resolved so we can enjoy a broad vibrant selection of smartphones.

 

[Rush]

{Thread moved}

 

[tendoboy1984]

Why would Samsung still support Google (and vice versa) if Tizen is meant to be a direct competitor to Android?

 

[Rukbat]

Why would Samsung still support Google (and vice versa) if Tizen is meant to be a direct competitor to Android?

As fdbryant said, apps. Unless Tizen will run Android apps (a quick glance says maybe not), or Sammy is ready to pay app developers cash upfront, a phone running Tizen won't have many 3rd party apps. And both iPhone and Android users are used to finding "an app for that".

 

[EarlyMon]

As we all know, Samsung has the largest marketshare of all Android manufacturers. Should every other manufacturer (HTC, Sony, LG, etc.) just give up?

No, the others represent a sizeable portion of the competitive marketplace.

As this is your second thread in a day on this, I'm to call it on account of astroturfing.

Anyone have a problem with the lock, drop me a line.