Can Google’s Android Improve Productivity?

Posted on November 8, 2007 by Bruce Keener

When I first wrote this article, back in November 2007, I had high expectations for Google’s Android operating system. At the time, Android was more of a vision than a reality. But, because of the Google’s success in helping people quickly find the right information, I viewed them as having a productivity focus. Hence, I figured a smartphone based on the Android OS would be a great productivity device.

Well, it took Google a while to do it (this update is being written on 2010 June 19), but the Android has become popular and much of that popularity is due to a growing number of useful apps. For example, here is a list of apps on Thomas R. Hall’s Nexus One:

trhall’s Apps on the Nexus One

Phone: Nexus One
83 total, 74 free (89%), 9 paid (10%), 80MB total size, $76.41 total price

View this app list on AppBrain

Lots of good productivity apps there, and thanks to an open development environment, there will be many more to come.

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  • Kelvin

    Another thought… yes, Open development is a plus, but I’m not about to buy another handset to support it. Let’s be real; applications come in three waves. The first wave are the “debut” apps, the one the maker provides with the OS and the few 3rd party apps that come along with it. The second wave are the budding developer apps, mostly characterized by “cool but garbage” apps that temporarily fill niche needs. The third wave, the “professional shake out survivors”, are the ones we really like. We make both first and second wave apps part our lives. Everything else tends to be a fond memory. At least that’s been my experience.

    Sooo… do I want an OS that will encourage garbage apps? Not really. I already have everything I need to develop for WM, Palm, and Blackberry platforms. I haven’t paid one cent for it, and it’s all legally licensed.

    Be gentle!

  • Kelvin

    Oops, meant to say first and third wave apps…

    Thanks.

  • http://www.keenerliving.com/ Bruce

    Hi Kelvin,

    I really appreciate you sharing your experience and insights here. The whole point of me setting up a blog to begin with was to get the kind of interaction you are giving here. Thank you.

    I, too, do not want something new that just invites new garbage apps. And, I am interested, as you are, in maybe using Gcal and gmail as my PIM. Simple but powerful interfaces, and it is so easy to stay connected to them all the time now (plus, Google Gears makes offline use possible).

    Anyway, I am really glad to see you take the time to share your thoughts and experiences.

    One “by the way:” regarding Palm, I experimented with using it again the past week and a half or so … it’s back in its box. Just doesn’t suit all of my PDA needs. So, I now use a BlackBerry and my x51v.

  • http://www.kristarella.com kristarella

    I found the Gizmodo review to be completely uninsightful. Sure, some of the complaints were perfectly valid (that Google should have come with a good feed reader app from the get-go, for one), but overall it completely missed the point of the responsibilities of the operating system, the handset manufacturer and the developers.

    Applications are not the responsibility of Google and the Android operating system, it’s up to application developers to review the needs of users and fill those needs. How many of people’s favourite iPhone applications are released by Apple? I’d suggest not too many, they’re from developers submitting to the iPhone app store. There is a market place for the Android system/G1 phone that works almost the same way. The “problem” with Android is that it’s had less hype than the iPhone, and it’s open source and so there’s less motivation (money and recognition) for developers to get involved. Since it’s an open source operating system, it’s up to the community to get behind it and vocalise their needs and encourage able developers to get involved. Now that OS is implemented on some hardware, now is the opportunity for people to build the app selection up and fulfil needs.

  • http://www.keenerliving.com/ Bruce Keener

    @kristarella, thank you for the very insightful comment. You are right, of course. I didn’t so much as mention how important I think having some more competition in the marketplace is, and how well-positioned Google is to give it, and the fact that they are doing so with an Open Source Platform (which I admire them for doing). Good points!

  • jay

    Bruce,

    I used the chapura software for palm phones. If you use Outlook as I do, Keysuite by Chapura is awesome as it looks like Outlook on your palm device. Since windows mobile os limits you to 4096 characters in a task, I could not use it as I need more than 4096 characters, the Palm OS does not limit you to 4096 characters, it goes up to 32,000 characters. Tech support is also great at Chapura as they are all from Mobile, Alabama. I highly recommend it. They also have software for windows mobile devices. I have tried many sync products and all of them have a deficiency except for chapura products.

    • http://www.keenerliving.com/ Bruce Keener

      Thanks Jay