Without a doubt, we are living in a mobile universe. Not only are we constantly on the go and being asked to do more in less time, but we are also experiencing new technologies that seem to be emerging daily. With these emerging technologies also comes increased competition among mobile providers. They want to bring the best and latest technology to consumers first.
Healthy competition is a must in the free marketplace economic environment in which we live, but there can actually be too much competition. When you really start to think about it, how many innovative can we really get? Once new applications are developed, will they be enhanced, or will they simply be duplicated for other providers?
While we may not know the answer to these questions, since we are not in the trenches developing these technologies, what we do know is that instead of increased competition we are now seeing increased collaboration, which allows more providers to compete on an ever grander scale.
One resounding example is the announcement this week that Verizon will be partnering with internet search engine giant Google. Learn more here. This collaboration means that Google’s Android operating system will be available on devices from Verizon. This will allow for quicker Web navigation from a mobile device. A collaboration like this will continue to provide new innovations that consumers can embrace. In fact, this collaboration was a way, many believe, for these two companies to compete with Apple and AT&T.
I do believe new technologies will emerge in this mobile day and age. We will continue to see new applications to help people lose weight, chart personal finances and help make life a bit easier, but with these, I also believe we will see more collaboration among industry giants. This way they will be able to stay ahead in a very competitive environment.
Healthy competition is a must in the free marketplace economic environment in which we live, but there can actually be too much competition. When you really start to think about it, how many innovative can we really get? Once new applications are developed, will they be enhanced, or will they simply be duplicated for other providers?
While we may not know the answer to these questions, since we are not in the trenches developing these technologies, what we do know is that instead of increased competition we are now seeing increased collaboration, which allows more providers to compete on an ever grander scale.
One resounding example is the announcement this week that Verizon will be partnering with internet search engine giant Google. Learn more here. This collaboration means that Google’s Android operating system will be available on devices from Verizon. This will allow for quicker Web navigation from a mobile device. A collaboration like this will continue to provide new innovations that consumers can embrace. In fact, this collaboration was a way, many believe, for these two companies to compete with Apple and AT&T.
I do believe new technologies will emerge in this mobile day and age. We will continue to see new applications to help people lose weight, chart personal finances and help make life a bit easier, but with these, I also believe we will see more collaboration among industry giants. This way they will be able to stay ahead in a very competitive environment.
Mobile technology is definitely changing marketing strategies for many businesses. Every day, new resources/applications are being invented and housed online to provide consumers with everything from the weather and directions to recipes and weightloss.
ReplyDeleteAnd, while some feel the Google/Verizon partnership is a big deal, I still think Apple has a stronghold on mobile technology/smartphones. In an article today that appeared in The Wall Street Journal -- -- the author notes that many developers of mobile applications remain focused on the iPhone.
And, it’s easy to see why. Apple currently has more than 85,000 applications, compared to Google’s 10,000. This is where I see the big difference between these two companies. Apple always seems to be ahead of the trend or at least they seem to be amazing mind readers. Knowing what people want and what they will use is one of their strengths. In less than one week after launching their on-line application store, more than 10 million applications were downloaded (PR Newswire, 2008). Apple is so far ahead of the game, it’s going to be hard to catch up.
Morrison, S. (2009, Oct. 12). Google’s Android phone system makes buzz, but hurdles remain. Dow Jones Newswire. Retrieved from The Wall Street Journal, October 12, 2009, from http://online.wsj.com/article/BT-CO-20091012-707333.html
PR Newswire-First Call (2008, July 14). iPhone app store downloads top 10 million in first weekend. Retrieved October 11, 2009, from http://www.lexisnexis.com.www.libproxy.wvu.edu/us/lnacademic/results/docview/docview.do?docLinkInd=true&risb=21_T7571962122&format=GNBFI&sort=RELEVANCE&startDocNo=1&resultsUrlKey=29_T7571962128&cisb=22_T7571962127&treeMax=true&treeWidth=0&csi=8054&docNo=3