Samsung and Nokia: Tomorrow's Apple and BlackBerry?
Summary: Apple has shown that having
control over the hardware and software has its advantages, and
BlackBerry once demonstrated that same success. Can this same model be
applied to Android and Windows Phone?
Apple is the sole source of iOS devices and RIM is the only
maker of BlackBerry OS/10 smartphones. But the rest of the mobile world
also looks to be moving toward a dominant manufacturer for each mobile
operating system. Image credit: SamsungAs James Kendrick stated, Samsung is Android, and as we see in market share reports Nokia is Windows Phone. Can the likes of HTC, Huawei, LG, Asus, and Motorola contine to compete against these behomoths?
Samsung
Reports this week indicated that Google is worried about Samsung's dominance
because they fear Samsung might try to renegotiate their commercial
terms. While data shows Samsung ships the majority of Android
smartphones and has the one true device that consumers consider over the
iPhone, currently the Galaxy S III, there are other players that have
better designs and lower cost phones for the new smartphone owner.
Samsung is dominant with Android, but also has Tizen plans. They have
just dabbled in Windows Phone, but if this platform ever takes off they
could carpetbomb the market with phones potentially running on three
mobile platforms.
Nokia
Nokia is serious about getting Windows Phone devices into the hands of consumers at every price point and their announcement at MWC 2013
of the Lumia 520 and 720 continues to fill out their lineup. Nokia not
only offers compelling hardware, but distinguishes itself from the
others with value-added software and services.
There has been talk in the past of Microsoft purchasing Nokia and as
Nokia continues to dominate the Windows Phone market, this idea doesn't
seem that far-fetched.
Is either really likely?
Apple has shown
that having control over the hardware and software has its advantages
and in the past BlackBerry demonstrated the same success. Can this same
model be applied to Android and Windows Phone? Windows Phone seems more
likely to me since it is a very controlled platform, like iOS, and Nokia
is so dominant in this market. Android has many more players and is
marketed as a more open platform so even with Samsung's dominance I
don't see Android becoming a single manufacturer platform anytime soon. I
don't want to see that either as companies like HTC, LG, and Motorola
are making better hardware now and have compelling offerings.
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