Android success as the most used
operating system currently in phones has been a major boost for phone companies
and Google. Being a free OS, that comes with multiple advantages such as free
apps different versions with features; Microsoft’s African market share will
soon be replaced by android PC version. Even though this might take some time, Android
PC software has a 101% competitive edge of replacing Microsoft windows XP and
Windows 7 as Africa’s most used PC software.
Microsoft still has a market share in
Africa because of the extensible adoption of windows XP and windows 7. Technology
advancement encourages most organizations to improve on their current versions,
which has also been witnessed in Microsoft when they stopped further
development and upgrade of windows XP Service pack one and two, and any other
lower versions with a Windows 8 as new version. This has left people with an
option to cling on their current versions of XPs and Windows 7 with a few
upgrading to Windows 8.
From my interaction with people who have
upgraded their versions to windows 8, they don’t like the interface. Its
features and user interface is challenging to most people who were used to
windows 7 and windows XP. With some users claiming that, if at all they could
have touch screen PCs, then windows 8 could have been the best operating
system. This being said, future advancement in windows will continue
experiencing challenges in its adoptions. It seems they have a challenge in integrating
new user interfaces and features while at the same time maintaining important
features that encourages its usability. They need to do research on most
important user interface features one being the startup menu common in windows
XP and Windows 7 and was not included in the first version of windows 8.
The reason why Android will soon replace
Microsoft’s windows OS as the most used operating system in PCs in the near
future in the African market may be discussed in the following context.
Operating platform
For those who understand computing,
developing a platform that interacts directly with the hardware as a resource
makes the PC perform faster. The kernel is the lowest level of interaction
software can interact with the hardware. Android as a platform has been
developed and operates on this platform; this makes its interaction faster. Who
else does not like an operating system that executes commands faster and
achieves results?
Availability and
Affordability (Free)
By availability I mean ease of access.
By mere access to the internet android operating system can be downloaded and
installed in a PC. It is categorized under the open source software policy.
It’s readily available in the internet for download and customization. This is
contrary to Microsoft products that are proprietary software that are bought
not forgetting being expensive. With the fluctuation of the dollar in the
international market, African market is judged by the value of the dollar. This
has made Microsoft PC software more expensive and the ones available are
counterfeited in the African market. This gives android a competitive edge over
Microsoft in the near future. To be sincere Microsoft largely benefits from
large private and government institutions that are in a position to procure
Microsoft operating systems and products. One thing for sure, Africans love
free things, and Google is busy manipulating this advantage with open source
free products.
Multiple Apps and
customization
Open source community offers multiple
apps that are readily available for downloads on android platforms. Android and
Google as large community of developers designing and developing apps that
serve different user needs in the community. These apps have influenced the
extent to which android PC users can customize the operation platform to
achieve different tasks. Google has partnered with companies like yahoo to
enhance user experience. This has majorly influenced android adoption which has
enhanced communication as an essential factor in business operations via email.
Integration
Android integrates easily with
other applications. The compatibility of Android and apps developed on android platforms
is appealing. Some of android apps can be installed on windows platform.
Encouragingly, android development environment can also be installed on windows
operating system.
Rapid advancement
Android has a rapid development process
with versions of android being developed. This is because of the large
community of developers who keep on developing advanced operating systems and
applications. Not even Microsoft has ever experienced such a rapid development.
I guess they have adopted agile process of development with problems associated
with applications such as bugs are rectified. This information is solicited
from user feedback based on their experience.
Internet
The internet is what has revolutionized the
technological world. Android has not been left behind either. As compared to
other technologies such as modem use to access the internet, android platform
has an accelerated internet speed. Even the use of 2G+ internet connections,
android platform still has faster connection as compared to other platforms. The
experienced has although been accelerated with the 3.75G+ internet connection
technology. I don’t even mind using my phone as an access point to experience
the fast internet connection. Windows operating system and the use of modems to
access the internet is still slow. I this this is because of the operating
platform to execute different commands.
Google with right strategic plan and
execution strategy will soon overtake the African market with its free market
policy. Android offers a better chance to do this.
