Why Google's Android Platform Needs to Build an iTunes-Like User Interface

We've talked consistently about how Apple has managed to turn iTunes into a successful user interface for mobile consumers. Generally speaking, almost all the relevant entertainment related media is available through the iTunes interface. It also serves as a means of updating OSs providing Apple with valuable marketing information to the total number iPhone and iPod Touch owners using their hardware and software. We believe it's this first-mover advantage in creating iTunes as a software interface that has kept the iPhone squarely in the minds of consumers.

We believe it's this first-mover advantage in creating iTunes as a software interface that has kept the iPhone squarely in the minds of consumers, and we're not the only ones that believe this is the case, the industry analysts here also think so.

Other mobile platforms have attempted to address this issue by creating their own attempts of a unique app store concept. Living examples are, Android's Marketplace, Nokia's Ovi store, Palm's App Catalog, Symbian Foundation, etc - however, although some players have established their stores prior to the iPhone revolution, Apple has used the iTunes interface to influencing customers that this is the only user interface that works. This dominance is what has ensured that the iPhone is the phone of choice for consumers.

Although Android has received numerous phones from HTC that are specification-wise much more powerful and user friendly than the iPhone, the downfall has come at the expense of a proper interface. Even though Android's Marketplace attempts to mimic the more popular features of the App Store, it still lacks the functionality of the iTunes interface. Apple maintained its first mover advantage in this market which is ultimately been the success factor for the iPhone and ultimately the platform. Users have grown so accustomed to the iTunes interface; it's what they expect from other competitors.

Talking specifically about Google - the Android developers need to design a user interface that mimics iTunes. The ability to download a variety of media ranging from songs, TV shows, movies and apps means that users use it as a one-stop solution for their media concerns. The interface is convenient with one account managing five to six different functions while Marketplace continues to cater only for apps. Most smartphones now are capable of handling media apps and users are moving significant amounts of their media onto mobile platforms. If they have to keep logging into multiple accounts, it defeats the purpose of having a device that can play the media they want - users then turn to their PCs as central point. Apple has already capitalized on this market by creating the iTunes interface and hooking users to it.

An additional addiction of the iTunes interface is its ability to get lots of media giants on board with it's platform. It's what ultimately drives users to purchase devices that support the iTunes interface. If iPhone and iPod users want to watch NBC or ABC shows, they know that it's all available at a single location managed by one account. Users nowadays expect that their media be centralized and immediately accessible. A number of platforms have come up that address this very issue, for example Sling or Hulu. The concept alone is what justifies people to stay hooked to these services. There's no compelling argument for people to move to a platform that doesn't provide them with ease.

This inability to derive any real usefulness besides the brand equity of Google is what is holding back the Android platform. As developers we know that it's significantly better in terms of power and scalability in comparison to the iPhone platform, and it's difficult to develop when customers won't come to such a potentially powerful platform. There's a need to work on the platform and bring some form of convergence to it. Although Google has known to update Over The Air and through traditional means, the need for a unified user interface is becoming more and more important.

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