mblapps

Google Android engineer Stephen Horowitz is leaving to become chief technology officer of Coupons, Inc.

Horowitz’s move means an integrated system for coupons on many mobile phones may happen more quickly. It also sets Google back as its application store has yet to take off.

Venture Beat speculates that this could create an integrated coupon system from ads to fridges to Android-based smartphones. That same article says that “the market for Android phones—and other Android devices—is likely to grow fast” because several phone manufacturers are jumping on the Android bandwagon.

The Wall Street Journal blog called Digits writes about Horowitz’s move, including his saying that Android is “at the beginning of transforming the mobile industry.”

Here’s why this is the most important time for development of Android:

1. Google must increase the quantity of applications.

As an Information Week article presents, Google plans to have a system in place for charging customers for applications in this first quarter. That Information Week article says that Google might attract big name developers such as Electronic Arts and lure those developers away from the iPhone. What the article fails to mention is that EA has already been developing for the iPhone since October, so the company being lured away to Google seems unlikely.

Also, luring developers away from the iPhone system could prove to be tough as recent analyst estimates tell AppleInsider that Apple sold 5.9 times more iPhones than Google sold of the G1 in the last quarter.

The third, and biggest challenge, in recruiting mobile developers will be the upcoming launch of other app stores as BlackBerry’s app store is expected to launch in March and rumors speculate on a looming Windows Mobile app store.

2. Google must increase the quality of applications.

The best thing about Google’s application system is that it is “open” and the restrictions places on developers are much less than those imposed by Apple. But that could also prove to be a challenge.

Silicon Alley Insider writes about the downfall of a free-for-all app store from Google: “While everything on Apple app store has the Steve Jobs seal of approval, Google’s shop is going to be a caveat emptor proposition. Which means that a bunch of Android users are likely to get some bum apps.”

Another potential problem is that people who download sub-par applications might be less likely to download more apps if they’ve incurred problems with previous purchases.

3. Google must maintain the quality of its operating system.

While Google works on its application offerings, it must maintain a quality operating system – which could prove increasingly difficult as more handsets come on the market running Android.

Google will have to answer to customer demands for various functions needed for various phone types. Into Mobile recently wrote about a survey showing how 85 percent of mobile phone users are stumped by badly-designed mobile phones, proving the importance of a well-designed phone system – which includes hardware functions along with the operating system.

At the same time, Google must meet the demands of cell phone manufacturers – as just this week the second planned Android phone launch was delayed because of Android’s application offerings.

No related posts.