My sense is that for many current and perhaps also potential WM device users, once Fennec becomes a 'finished' product, Internet use will get a whole lot more tempting via these devices. Firefox isn't just another browser of many; it's created something more like a 'movement' where many users get it to be part of something, then find that it's actually more capable while also being safer than IE. And being free to use, there's no risk, no hindrance to adoption. While the same may also be said of Android, there's still the hardware needing to be bought to get it and also the fact that it's still really wet behind the ears. If Fennec proves to be more than a poor cousin to Firefox, by guess is that it will generate a major shift in consumer attention and probably help make a lot more money for Microsoft incidentally.
Are you talking about a browser or something that will save all of the world's problems?
I think you greatly overestimate the power of a new flavor of a browser creating a movement among consumers.
I really don't see how Microsoft can compete against free in the long term. It's been reported that not only is Android license free but Google are offering free support to the likes of Motorola. If you're a manufacturer in a shrinking economy, it's almost a no-brainer to go with Android.
The same way they and every other capitalistic company does, by providing a quality product with good service. If MS fails against Android, it won't be because of the price. It will be because of the competitive process where Google bests MS at providing a superior product.
BTW, I understand you are the developer for this site as well. So my question is: How come website dedicated to Mobile devices and mobile internet experiences can not be used to full extend on a mobile browser, neither "inferior" PIE nor superior WebKit.
I am not a developer for this site, I am the Managing Editor for this site. By the time I joined Thoughts Media there was already an individual that handled design, development, and implementation of the different sites and forums.
To my understanding the problems with the mobile sites are being addressed but a lot of the individuals that are involved with Thoughts Media volunteer their time to the sites and are only able to do so much with the available amount of free time they have each day.
Quote:
Originally Posted by virain
And one more thing, If Android browser so great, how come Opera Mini is one of the most popular downloads at the Android Market, number 4, last time I've checked?
Because it was available for free. Downloaded and used are not the same thing. There are plenty of apps I downloaded because I was bored and they were there. After playing with 98% of these applications for a few minutes they eventually get deleted. Opera Mini was one of those apps that fell victim to that. So was Pac-Man which is the number one downloaded game.
Because it was available for free. Downloaded and used are not the same thing. There are plenty of apps I downloaded because I was bored and they were there. After playing with 98% of these applications for a few minutes they eventually get deleted. Opera Mini was one of those apps that fell victim to that. So was Pac-Man which is the number one downloaded game.
Very weak point. Most Apps for Android are free. Google just recently introduced payment services for developers. And I don't understand how's PacMan is a "victim"? It's actualy a winner. I love this game and quiet often enjoy it on a subway, to kill time . We can only guess what would happened if Android market was a paid service from the start. Maybe Opera was bestseller, maybe not, maybe Pacman was bestseller maybe not.....
__________________
You create your opportunities by asking for them
The same way they and every other capitalistic company does, by providing a quality product with good service. If MS fails against Android, it won't be because of the price. It will be because of the competitive process where Google bests MS at providing a superior product.
Excellent point!
__________________
You create your opportunities by asking for them
Very weak point. Most Apps for Android are free...
I don't understand how that is a weak point. Applications are free so users have nothing to use for downloading them and trying them out. Applications created by well known companies such as Opera are downloaded in large numbers. If as many people used Opera as the amount of people that downloaded it the percentage of "other" browsers would be considerably higher than 2.75%
BTW, I understand you are the developer for this site as well. So my question is: How come website dedicated to Mobile devices and mobile internet experiences can not be used to full extend on a mobile browser, neither "inferior" PIE nor superior WebKit.
I'm not actually sure what you're asking here, but the Thoughts Media sites are optimized for mobile browsers. If you've visited any of the sites in the past fortnight, you will have noticed a complete overhaul of our mobile templates. Readability has been enhanced, and we've enabled a way for users to view the full version of the sites on their mobile browser, if they wish to do so.
More changes are coming - they include improved compatibility with IE6 Mobile and other third-party browsers, a touch-friendly template for the iPhone and iPod touch, and a mobile posting interface.
As Rocco mentioned, the majority of those behind Thoughts Media volunteer their time to the sites, alongside what they put into their day jobs, families, and whatnot. But I assure you, progression is still occurring, even if it may seem a tad slow at times.
__________________ Want the latest news, views, rants and raves? Visit our portal. Wish to contact me? Send me a private message or e-mail.
Ballmer should spend less time ribbing the competition and look in his rear view mirror. Android only has one phone right now, but it won't be the last. Already there are almost as many people browsing on the web with Android with its small market share as there are with Windows Mobile, which sold over 20 million devices last year.
Of the 20M+ WM devices sold last year, how many were touchscreen and how many were non-touchscreen? (I've asked this at thoughtsmedia before, but so far no one has known the answer)
__________________
HP 48s, 200lx, USR Pilot 1k, Palm 3, V, M100, Handspring Visor, Sony N610c, T615c, T655c, HP iPAQ 1910, 2215, Palm T3, HP hx4705, Dell X50v, HP rx1955, Apple iPhone, 3G, 3GS, 4, Samsung Galaxy Nexus
I don't think so. Most free apps downloaded from the Apple app store are abandoned after 24 hrs. Many download just because they can. I suspect that holds true for most/all platforms, not just the iPhone.
I don't understand how that is a weak point. Applications are free so users have nothing to use for downloading them and trying them out. Applications created by well known companies such as Opera are downloaded in large numbers. If as many people used Opera as the amount of people that downloaded it the percentage of "other" browsers would be considerably higher than 2.75%
Itls quiet simple.really! What is the market share of Android compae to Other platforms in the smartphone market? Opera has established its dominant position with Simbian, Become browser of choice for high end WM device OEMs [HTC,Toshiba], So now it's claiming stake in a new platform that is still in its puberty, but with great potential. Other browsers are still in developmet, some stage of public testing, or just recently hit the market, and that's WM market. Remind me for how long WM have been around, and how many WM devices out there? It,s just not practical to develop a new browser for such a small market share while you still didn't finish your Major market version. Just business as usual. And I do agree with you that most apps. are deleted after few hours, maybe days, but do you have numbers on how many are left for use? Particulary Opera? I, personaly, prefer Opera Mini. It is faster, it has address box, and it is easier to use for me personaly. So there's no argument Android users have a choice now. If you like default browser it's your business, you prefer Opera, no argument there either. Both browsers have their own pluses and minuses.
__________________
You create your opportunities by asking for them
. We can only guess what would happened if Android market was a paid service from the start. Maybe Opera was bestseller, maybe not, maybe Pacman was bestseller maybe not.....
Linear Mode
LinkBacks (?)
