Over the weekend Twitter exploded with tweets about the new Google smartphone, rumored to be launched in January 2010 and named the Nexus One. With the iPhone still dominating the market, what does Google need to deliver to meet and exceed the market giant?
Yesterday, a blog post on mashable.com outlined four issues that Google and Apple will face. Below are my thoughts on those comments and a couple other considerations.
The Google Name – “Much like Apple, Google has its own huge pool of impassioned fans who could be easily converted into buyers…All signs are pointing to the Nexus One being released by Google with their branding, so we can count this as an advantage in Google’s favor.”
I agree that Google has an edge here based simply on the sheer number of people that are exposed to Google on a daily basis from any platform. While Apple has developed a large following, and claims over 17 million iPhone users, if Google can convert most of its Google Apps users, estimated at 20 million, Apple is in for a battle. That battle could be difficult given the millions of other Google search users that could be open to adopt a Google device .
GSM Unlocked – “..users could insert a SIM card from their preferred wireless service provider…buyers wouldn’t have to lock themselves into a contract with one carrier over another simply to get the new Google phone.”
I agree that this has potential to be a substantial factor in Google phone sales. Given that Apple’s contract with AT&T is set to expire in 2010, Apple does have the opportunity to open up to more carriers, however this would require many carriers to switch to GSM networks or for Apple to add a chip to the iPhone to access CDMA networks (currently used by carriers like Verizon and Sprint). I wonder who is more apt to change? The carriers or Apple?
Price Point – “The iPhone continues to sell exceptionally well because AT&T subsidizes about half of the actual price tag, making it a cost-friendly device.”
There is still no information about what the price will be for the Nexus One, however based on what we know about the technology and what the phone offers, it will be difficult to compete with the iPhone on price. Would enough Google users be willing to pay a premium in this economic climate? I don’t think so. Google could look to partners to help defray costs, but Apple definitely has a leg up in that department.
App Advantage – “..now that they (Apple) have well over 100,000 apps, their slogan “there’s an app for that” rings true”
Google definitely has a ton of ground to make up here. The iPhone has grown a large and loyal developer base, focused on making new, exciting and useful apps for the iPhone. “Apple has clearly mastered the application experience.” I could not have said it better myself!
The other primary issue that Google will need to combat is Apple’s brilliant development of not only the iPhone as a product but the iPhone as a business platform. The iPhone is not just a smartphone it is a platform that Apple has leveraged to develop and launch other new products, improve it’s own existing products, as well as create entirely new markets and communities. As my colleague Nick Vitalari discussed, “Apple’s platform was so successful that competitors were forced to launch competitive products.” If imitation is the sincerest form of flattery then Apple has been taking that praise all the way to the bank. iPhone sales grew 245% in 2008.
While Google’s Nexus One sounds like it has some very promising attributes it still has some significant hurdles to clear to give Apple a run for its money. What do you think? Should Apple be concerned? Will the Nexus One be a game changer? Either way, it’ll be fun to watch!