The Google Ecosystem: Contending Apple
Catching up on the curve
Google is now setting to make shockwaves through the tech community. So, I've spent a lot of time elaborating on the direction of Apple and the main parts of their ecosystem in times past. In this post, we're going to cross the pond and take a look at what Google has been cooking up. Apple has definitely not been the only people in the market to lock people down to a brand type.
While Google has long since been a supporter of Android and one of their major contenders, recent moves are being made to consolidate and carve out their own territory in the market.
The Pixel 2 has been hailed as one of the best Android phones, and for good reason. It rocks a very clean and sophisticated version of Android, guaranteed for updates in the next coming years. The camera on the Pixel, combined with unique machine learning technology, makes for the best camera on the smartphone market. Numerous devices and accessories are made to work with the Pixel 2 - Google VR, Google Home, WiFi, Pixelbuds. and the Chromebook to name a few.
What makes this special you ask? After all, this is comparable to Apple's own ecosystem lineup - iPhone, iPad, iMac, Apple Watch, Beats, et cetera. It is Google's massive software hold that takes advantage over Apple. Sure, there is the iCloud suite - some of the primary features being things like Mail, Pages, Numbers, Photos, and the iCloud Drive. But it doesn't nearly compare to what Google is offering.
A brief look at their software monopoly lists households apps like Google Maps, Youtube, Gmail, Google Docs, Chromecast, and Translate. Plenty of these things are supported on other Android and even Apple devices, but the native support built for the Pixel 2 trumps them in many cases.
Not only is Google locking down a solid suite for hardware, their hold on the software market has been nothing short of admirable in the recent years. There is a reason a lot of people are leaving Apple's walled garden - sometimes, the grass really is greener on the other side. Apple is commonly criticized for price, being rigid in nature, and being slightly behind the cutting edge.
Looking mighty tempting...
When Android and android related companies such as Google begin to catch up in terms of quality and product design whilst remaining lower in price, more and more consumers are going to be compelled to drift over. This isn't to sell Apple short, though the argument for staying in the mac ecosystem is becoming less and less feasible.
Personally, if I wasn't so entrenched in the Apple ecosystem, I'd switch over in a heartbeat. Google has a lot to offer and I believe it to expand even further as the years roll on. I'm very excited to see what the industry has in store for us and what player will end up on top. What do you think?
If you took anything away from this post, please drop a comment below. Would love to see what you guys think. All images used in this post are from Pixabay and Google Images (search setting set to Reuse for Commercial). Thanks for reading!
I've always been a Google fan right from the onset.
I love the freedom Google and Android gives over their products, unlike Apple.
I have very much enjoyed using Google's suite of products over the years that I've been an Android user. They seamlessly integrated with my life, as both of the universities I've attended have used Google Apps. The only part of the ecosystem I haven't taken advantage of is Google Home, mainly because my music subscription is with Amazon.
I think they will continue to change and improve. They've also shown a propensity over the years to try out new services and pull the plug quickly if they don't work. I suppose the only exception is Google+. haha
The latest thing is combining all of their payment services into "Google Pay" to brand it with Google instead of Android Pay or Google Wallet. I use Android Pay pretty frequently, so that's one change that will affect me. I anticipate that it will improve the features, though.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts. Maybe someday you'll break free of Apple's influence. haha
Interesting points CT. Although I have never been an Apple user as it costs an arm and a leg in my country people swear by it even if a lot of services are paid and its hard to integrate to other devices.
I have always been an Android user under the Samsung Brand before I moved out of the Blackberrys and found it relative easy to use, integrate with other services and phones and packs a lot of features.
I swapped over to android after my iPhone 4 and I've never looked back! I think Google will really shine when Augmented Reality products come to light. The adaptability and access to tech that Google has is a true powerhouse.
It will be great to see how they both grow over the years to come.
I slightly regret not picking up the Pixel 2, it looks like a brilliant phone. That being said, my OnePlus 5 is a dream in itself.
Great post dude! Love a good insightful post about tech.
Google suite of products is central to my lifestyle, and Android makes it nicely integrated. I remember I used an iPhone once before and while you can still use Google it's not as cleanly integrated. It was usable though. Curious to know if that's what you have as a setup now or if you are wholly on Apple's suite of products.