Paul Jacobson: Is history repeating itself with Nokia?
Jim Hughes
· 1 month ago
That's a rather confusing post, to the best of my knowledge Microsoft have never been a major player in the global mobile OS arena, Symbian's been the top dog for at least the last 6-7 years. So history repeating? How?
Devices cheaper on Android? I don't think so, look at the Nokia XpressMusic range or E63 phone, full featured smartphones and very cheap, with Symbian's single processor approach allowing a low BoM.
Finally, you're conflating Nokia and Symbian, Nokia make phones that don't use Symbian (N900 and the series 40 range for instance), and the Symbian OS is available in phones from more manufacturers than Nokia.
pauljacobson
· 1 month ago
Hi Jim
I should preface everything I write by saying I am not an expert on all things mobile but I do remember a time when Windows Mobile was the dominant smartphone OS. That dominance hasn't exactly endured and as you point out, Symbian is the dominant platform at the moment. That being said, it is slipping and both the iPhone and Android devices are gaining market share. They may be pretty small right now but strong, smaller contenders have a tendency to grow and become more dominant.
As for cheaper devices, comparing the current generation of Android smartphones to the XpressMusic and E-series ranges isn't fair. Android devices have far better UIs and possibly even improved functionality, and they really aren't priced too badly for what you are getting. A better comparison might be between something like the HTC Hero and my N97. I think the Hero is far better in some respects and is a lot cheaper.
You are right, I was being a little too cavalier by equating Nokia to Symbian. They are distinct although the Symbian platform has become almost synonymous with Nokia. We really don't hear much about other manufacturers sporting the Symbian platform.
All Comments
Devices cheaper on Android? I don't think so, look at the Nokia XpressMusic range or E63 phone, full featured smartphones and very cheap, with Symbian's single processor approach allowing a low BoM.
Finally, you're conflating Nokia and Symbian, Nokia make phones that don't use Symbian (N900 and the series 40 range for instance), and the Symbian OS is available in phones from more manufacturers than Nokia.
I should preface everything I write by saying I am not an expert on all things mobile but I do remember a time when Windows Mobile was the dominant smartphone OS. That dominance hasn't exactly endured and as you point out, Symbian is the dominant platform at the moment. That being said, it is slipping and both the iPhone and Android devices are gaining market share. They may be pretty small right now but strong, smaller contenders have a tendency to grow and become more dominant.
As for cheaper devices, comparing the current generation of Android smartphones to the XpressMusic and E-series ranges isn't fair. Android devices have far better UIs and possibly even improved functionality, and they really aren't priced too badly for what you are getting. A better comparison might be between something like the HTC Hero and my N97. I think the Hero is far better in some respects and is a lot cheaper.
You are right, I was being a little too cavalier by equating Nokia to Symbian. They are distinct although the Symbian platform has become almost synonymous with Nokia. We really don't hear much about other manufacturers sporting the Symbian platform.