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Google Pushes Android in India and China, Competing with Apple and Nokia

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

Google Inc. plans to expand its Android mobile software presence in India and China, aiming to challenge Apple Inc. and Nokia Oyj. Android vice-president Andy Rubin said the company may offer tools to help developers earn more from applications, such as in-app purchases and subscriptions. Google is also exploring ways to make Android more appealing to developers, including making it easier to accept payments within apps.

Key Takeaways:

  • Google plans to expand Android's presence in India and China, where it will compete with Apple and Nokia.
  • The company may offer tools to help developers earn more from applications, including in-app purchases and subscriptions.
  • Google is working with handset makers like Huawei Technologies Co. and LG Electronics Inc. to offer cheaper Android-based smartphones.
  • The total mobile-ad market is expected to grow to $13.5 billion in 2013 from less than $1 billion in 2009, according to Gartner Inc.
  • Android users have about 65,000 apps available, less than a third of the over 200,000 Apple programs.
  • Google is increasing incentives for app developers and exploring ways to make it easier for programmers to earn more from their software.
  • The company is aiding handset makers to offer cheaper Android-based smartphones, which could boost the adoption of Android in emerging markets.
  • Android is expected to leapfrog Apple's iOS by 2012 to become the world's second-most-popular mobile operating system behind Nokia-supported Symbian, according to Gartner.

Statistics:

  • 160,000 Android devices are activated daily, up from 100,000 in May, according to Google.
  • 69% of Android-based phones sold in the first quarter were in the U.S. market.
  • The total mobile-ad market is expected to grow to $13.5 billion in 2013 from less than $1 billion in 2009, according to Gartner Inc.
  • App Store will receive at least 77% of the $4.4 billion consumers will spend on app downloads this year, according to Futuresource Consulting.
  • Android Market will collect 9% of the $4.4 billion consumers will spend on app downloads this year, according to Futuresource Consulting.
  • Cheaper Android-based smartphones may cost carriers as little as $70 each, according to Carolina Milanesi, an analyst at Gartner.
  • Today, the cheapest Android phones cost carriers $200, while low-cost Symbian devices run about $170.

Sources:

  • Bloomberg Businessweek
  • Google Inc.
  • Andy Rubin, Vice-president of engineering at Google
  • Gartner Inc.
  • ABI Research in Oyster Bay, N.Y.
  • Futuresource Consulting in Dunstable, England
  • Carolina Milanesi, an analyst at Gartner
  • 2010 Toronto Star

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