Not just for the techies and nerds, Android has mass appeal. Take a look at some various types of people who should see benefits from the new platform.
Google’s Android platform is in the unique position of satisfying completely different groups of end users. Never before has a platform been so appealing to so many kinds of people. Let’s take a look at some of the various types of end users who will end up appreciating Android’s offerings and the reasons why.
Geeks and their Tweaks
At the top of the list, you have the tech savy enthusiasts who lick their chops at the idea of having an open handset. Just the mere idea of being able to break the phone down and rebuild it the way they want to might be enough to convince them to sign a 2-year contract with a provider, regardless of rate plan. While there may be a sizeable amount of people out their ready to remix the device, it likely represents a small fraction of the Android crowd.
Google Fanboys
Just like Apple has their fans and backers, Google brings a built-in audience of admirers. It’s hard to not get interested when the company keeps bringing out these wonderful services for free. Yeah, we know all about the ad supported stuff, but a lot of what they offer is among the best in industry. Imagine having a portable device that ties many of their partner applications together in one neat little package! Gmail, YouTube, Blogger, Picasa, and more. There’s a decent chance that much of your online and daily life is affected by something Google related. Don’t be surprised to find a small contingency of Google lovers buying the device if only for their name.
Everyday Joe
If the Open Handset Alliance has their way, this will make up the lion’s share of buyers. The people wowed by a simple user interface sitting on top of very powerful devices is what Google is counting on to come through. Because it should make handsets less expensive, the adoption rate should be high. Being able to pick from many handsets will be a plus too. Coming in all shapes and sizes, look for Android in clamshell, trackball, and touch versions.
Anti-iPhone
As hard as it might be to believe, there are people who do not like Apple. At all. There are folks out there who will stay away from anything Apple does out of principal. Android represents a chance for these people to “stick it to them” and go the opposite direction. By giving these haters something worthy to play with, they don’t have to go around with lesser devices anymore. Heck, they might end up with bragging rights if this pans out like planned.
Cost Concious
As touched on earlier, the Android powered phones ought to be less expensive out of the gate. Will we see more “free phones” as a result? Perhaps, but not that soon. What we’re likely going to see are cheaper “smart” phones that offer a lot in the way of both software and hardware. The consumer who has been sitting on the fence, waiting to upgrade, might find Android gives them more than they thought they could afford.
Obviously, these aren’t the only types of people who will be buying Android handsets. I only touched on a few key demographics that will find something appealing in the platform. It should be noted that they are not mutually exclusive segments. At different times, I find myself sliding in and out of each of these. The closer we get to the release of the first handsets, the more hype builds. I get excited seeing the various types of customers come in to my store and asking about Android. It’s becoming more universally appealing with each passing day.
You Tell Me
So which segment are you and why does Android appeal to you?
