Recruitment Directory's Blog - Australia's #1 Recruitment Technology Blog!
I've been working on a few different Android Apps for clients over the past week and it's been quite interesting to learn how powerful the OS has become. You will be surprised to know that
Google's Android mobile operating system is now the most popular OS among those who bought a new smartphone in the United States.
Android has overtaken Apple's iPhone iOS in market share. Data from Gartner reports the stunning rise of smartphone market share of 1.8% in 2nd Qtr 2009, to 17.2% in 2nd Qtr 2010.
Basically, Android is a mobile operating system developed by Google and based on a modified version of the Linux kernel with apps built in Java. Many different phones and mobile devices use Android as their operating system including HCT, Motorola, Samsung, LG, Sony Ericsson, Acer, Dell, etc.
Like the Apple Appstore, Google has its own "Android Market" allowing developers to publish their apps without any restrictions. Earlier this month,
Google announced the Android Market will support selling of paid apps from Australia - great news for local developers wanting to sell their applications.
Apps are not restricted to the Market, you can freely distribure and download apps from any website, Bluetooth, MMS or via SD card. All you need is the installation file. It's no suprise that more users download free apps 64.3% compared with paids apps 35.7% so far.
But what does this mean for you as a Recruiter?
Yes, you could spend hundreds or even thousands creating a native app for the OS, but your energy should be focused on creating a mobile optimised website for all devices. From the mobile website you can then create app frames for these native devices.
Need help? Contact me.
Article URL: http://www.recruitmentdirectory.com.au/Blog/android-what-you-need-to-know-a404.html
Article Tags: mobile recruitment android google mobile operating systems android applications android job search app recruitment websites mobile websites iphone android market 
Hide Comments (2)
Back to Menu
Apple made a monumental blunder when it locked itself in to AT&T as the only carrier that would work with (unlocked) iPhones. (And I think they are contracted to AT&T for another two years or so.)
Quite simply: AT&T sucks. Their coverage is very poor, the call dropout rate is incredibly bad, and overall the user experience of iPhones is very bad because of this - and people bag them unmercifully.
I was at the Business of Software conference in Boston last week and was shocked at the magnitude of the problem. My trusty iPhone, which works magnificently everywhere else in the world, from Beijiing to Siberia to Milan, worked badly in Boston.
So Android has been allowed to catch up and overtake the iPhone. Crazy. This is at a time when the BlackBerry market is ripe for the plucking (I read recently that only 46% of US BB users intend to stay with BB).
Still, Apple do most things right . . .
Neil
Apple and Google are both more innovative than the mobile OS incumbents, but both inexperienced in mobile design. (eg: When did you ever see a Blackberry with reception issues? Never).
Every major player will be competing for share with a rapid iteration schedule for quite some time yet. The landscape will remain fragmented for the foreseeable future.
Bottom line: The more open your development to the most platforms, and the most able to change, the better.