Can Android avoid the Linux Desktop failure?

Jürgen Coetsiers, CTOtcs digital world

@jcoetsie

The IT Pendulum

Innovation/Renovation

Adoption/User Experience

standardization

IT’S ALL ABOUT THE USER EXPERIENCE

Your average PC user

• He knows how to surf the web.• He knows how to watch videos with his computer.• He does his budgets in Excel.• Write letters to his family using Word.• Send and receive e-mail, using Outlook Express.• Watch videos/DVDs and play music/MP3s.• Play the games included in WinXP

• Never customized windows. Not even changed the default resolution.

• Never touched the control panel.• Never used the command line.

Wants freedom

• In choosing his pc• In choosing his supplier

But

• Does not like freedom when it comes to the apps he uses

CALCULATOR, CALCULATOR, CALCULATOR, MY KINGDOM FOR A CALCULATOR

• Windows users:– Start – Programs – Accessories – Calculator

• Linux users:– Multiple applications, different by distro– Confusion?

• Text edit– Windows users: textedit– Linux users: Kate, VIM, Emacs, Kjots, Knotes, Pico, Joe, …

An average user does not understand this

CHOICE IMPLIES COMPLEXITY

Conclusion?

• Users don’t want to have to consult the manual to use his mail program.

• He doesn’t want to feel stupid when he opens his mail client.

• He simply wants to be able to turn his computer on, log on to the Internet, write that mail, visit that website, write his letters, play his videos, listen to his music.

• He doesn’t care if his software is perfect - after all, he has been using Outlook Express, Internet Explorer, Word.

• He has also been infected by all sorts of spyware, trojans, worms and viruses.

• He has a less average pc buddy to assist

WHAT ABOUT THE HANDHELD PC WORLD = SMARTPHONES

Your average smartphone user

• Calls (99%)• SMS (83%)• Take pictures (47%)• Install Apps (39%)• Browse web (29%)• Store and play music (28%)• Email (22%)• Social Media (21%)

The firm's My Mobile Lifestyle 2010 survey

THE SIMPLE FACTOR

APPLE IOSIs this freedom?

iOS

WINDOWS PHONE 7Is this freedom?

Windows 7 Phone

GOOGLE ANDROIDIs this freedom?

Android

CONCLUSION