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-savvy enthusiasts who relish 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 two-year contract with a carrier, regardless of rate plan. While there may be a sizeable number of people ready to remix their device, it likely represents a small fraction of the overall Android crowd.
Google Fanboys
Just like Apple has its fans and backers, Google brings a built-in audience of admirers. It’s hard not to get interested when a company keeps bringing out wonderful services for free. 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 already touched by something Google-related. Don’t be surprised if a small contingency of Google loyalists buys the device for that reason alone.
Everyday Joe
If the Open Handset Alliance has its 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. 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 on principle. Android represents a chance for these people to go the opposite direction, and by giving them something genuinely worthy to play with, they don’t have to go around with lesser devices anymore.
Cost-Conscious
Android-powered phones were expected to be less expensive out of the gate. What we’d likely see were cheaper smart phones offering a lot in both software and hardware. The consumer who had been sitting on the fence, waiting to upgrade, might find that Android gives them more than they thought they could afford.
Obviously, these aren’t the only types of people who would be buying Android handsets. These are just a few key demographics that would find something appealing in the platform, and they are not mutually exclusive segments. The closer we get to the release of the first handsets, the more the hype builds. It became more universally appealing with each passing day.
