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Post written by:

Vincent Bonneau

IDATE Lab. Business Unit Director

Benefits and impact on mobile industry competition of Android and iOS

Have mobile OS helped create a mature and more open mobile ecosystem?

The study, commissioned by Google, illustrates the paradigm shift in the mobile industry introduced by iOS and Android, due to decreased fragmentation. It analyses the clear benefits that new OS bring to the digital economy, with more affordable and more powerful devices, and providing access to a host of applications and services. Lastly, it assesses the impact that new OS have on competition, arguing that they have not reduced consumer or developer options, and have actually enabled the rise of new players (Samsung) and even of major competitors such as Facebook.

Highlights:

  • iOS and Android have helped to reduce fragmentation in the mobile industry and so were quick to attract developers.
  • iOS and Android are the real driving force behind the rise of the smartphone and mobile Internet markets, where previous attempts with WAP and walled gardens failed.
  • This has led to a thriving mobile app economy in Europe, with close to 1.5 million jobs and 13 billion EUR in revenues (paid apps, advertising) in 2016.
  • We have seen a great many success stories independent from iOS and Android, especially in the mobile gaming industry (e.g. Rovio’s Angry Bird) or around Facebook.
  • Competition is stronger in the device market than before the launch of iOS and Android. Android has even opened the way for newcomers thanks to low prices.
  • Developers are using multiple platforms, especially by leveraging cross-platform tools.

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