You may have heard, but the latest retread reason that analysts and “experts” are bashing on Android is the concept of fragmentation. Essentially every manufacturer makes a few different handsets a year with different specs – screen size, processor, and most importantly the Android version. Each of these versions treat apps slightly differently which makes life difficult for developers.
What fragmentation really means though is choice and competition. There are low cost versions, cutting edge versions, versions bought by people who rooted it and are doing whatever the hell they want. You name it, you can find it. On the other side of this argument is the iPhone which only comes in a handful of flavors. As a developer you know exactly what you need to do and as a user you get a consistent and known experience. No variety, consistent delivery.
Fragmentation is the business model that Android was bound to go down. It’s the road they chose. I find it amazing that the nerds rule the world but everyone still love the hot celebrities. Nerds spend more aggregate money but America’s sweethearts influence the “popular” trends. Same is true with Android vs. iPhone. The only way they are the same is on the surface – smartphones. In every other way they couldn’t be more different and to try to force them into the same box is crazy. Makes for a great headline but most great headlines have some degree of misdirection.
What does this mean for real estate? Don’t feel like you need to be like the other guys. A different direction fundamentally even when doing the same thing can be powerful. Imitate, duplicate but never be the same.