Google set to win in China
APPLE may be taking the headlines in Europe with the launch of its iPhone 4, which despite well publicised antenna issues, continues to sell at a blistering pace.
But the California-based firm is losing the biggest battle in mobile technology to arch-rival Google – which is to conquer China.
Google’s Android software is muscling its way to the top of the pile at the expense of competitors including Microsoft’s Windows Mobile or Nokia’s Symbian, currently the market leader with a 30 per cent share.
The race to become the biggest mobile internet provider in the world’s most populated country has significance beyond unit sales. Just as Microsoft became the default operating system in personal computing – making founder Bill Gates the richest man in the world – Google has designs on controlling the fastest growing and most influential sphere of consumer technology.
And China is vital to achieve that aim. By 2014 the estimated number of Chinese mobile internet users is expected to hit 957m, according to Tech Crunch. The total population of the US and EU is roughly 800m.
A flood of cheap handsets using Android from manufacturers including Motorola have boosted the firm’s exposure, while Apple is struggling to shift its handsets at prices of around $1,285 (£844). Google’s rivals need to step up their game quickly if they are not to lose sight of the biggest prize in the mobile world.