Android: Five Things That Need To Be Fixed ASAP

With yet another report stating that Android is actually outselling other smartphone platforms, it’s clear that Google’s smartphone OS is here to stay.

And thank goodness. Android has been a boon to the tech world, driving competition in the smartphone market while introducing the benefits of those devices to way more people.

Yet, despite it’s massive success, it’s also clear Android as a platform could be better. Compared to – yes, you knew it was coming – Apple’s iOS, Android is still lacking in some areas. Now, it’s not that Android should necessarily try to emulate Apple’s OS. Instead of trying to copy their competition, Google should try and take what’s best from them or learn from their mistakes.

What does that mean? It means trying to keep some things standard. It means improving the whole user experience from beginning to end. And ultimately, it means giving people as few reasons as possible to use another platform.

So what does Google have to do?

Smartly Embrace Fragmentation

One of the most common gripes about Android is fragmentation: the existence of a number of different versions of Android in the marketplace at the same time. Some people can use certain apps and features, but others with older versions cannot. The reason for this is that Android, as an open, modifiable operating system, allows phone makers to make their own versions of the OS. When Google releases a new version of the OS, phone makes have to then update their own modifications.

The tech press has suggested Google try to end fragmentation as much as possible. But instead, they should embrace it.

A good example of why is the iPhone 3G. In their attempts to keep everything the same across the board, Apple nearly crippled the iPhone 3G when they released iOS4. Even after tweaks, the phone is unacceptably slow – but is still missing all the best features of iOS4.What Google must learn is that fragmentation can be could if done right – and, most importantly, in a way that’s clear for people to understand.

Going forward, what Google need is the following: Android 2.2 for all low- to mid-range phones; and Android 3.0 and higher for high-end phones and tablets, where a higher default resolution and changed Android market will allow Android to keep up with Apple.

Keeping these distinctions intact – perhaps even going so far as to name them different OS’es – would allow handset makers to create basic phones for the mass market and high-end phones/tablets for the early adopter crowd. Instead of trying to end fragmentation, by embracing it Google could embrace a larger market share by hitting a variety of different demographics.

Touch Screen “Feel”

Even on the very best HTC and Samsung Android phones, the ‘feel’ of the touch screen – how well and how intuitively it seems to respond, scroll etc. –  just isn’t up to the bar set by Apple.

This needs to change, in part because first impressions like this are crucial – but also because it’s the default interface. It’s the thing people use to interact with the OS. It has to be not simply as good as an iPhone, but better. Whether Google can ‘mandate’ this from above is unclear. But they need to build it into the stock version of Android so that any maker who wants to can take advantage of increased responsiveness.

Google iTunes?

While it’s true that Android does not need the bloated monster that is iTunes, some form of desktop software for managing media is key.

Why is it important? Because every part of the user experience should be good. There’s no reason that some Android users should use Windows Media Player to transfer music while others use another less-than-stellar piece of bloatware to transfer music, movies, podcasts etc. – especially because Google’s expertise is, ya’ know, software. It’s inexcusable.

Sure, there are options like Double Twist. But by providing a piece of media software to smoothly manage media on any Android phone, Google will improve the total experience of anyone who buys an Android phone. What’s more, they could also choose to integrate it with Picasa, or their upcoming Google Music store.

Apple have shown that you should never underestimate the importance of simplicity and consistency when it comes to user experience. Google needs to step this up.

Market

This is now obvious and oft-repeated, but it bears saying again:

• It needs to be easier to find things in the Android Market. There’s just too much junk. If only Google had some sort of experience creating search algorithms…
• It needs to be easier to filter out the dreck, like the endless wallpaper apps or the copycat apps that try and piggyback on another company’s name. The sheer ratio of crap-to-usable stuff reduces the usability of the Market.

This much is clear. It has been said so many times, however, that it would be shocking if this weren’t included in Android 3.0

Standard Backup and Restore

Each Android manufacturer has its own solution for backing up and restoring your phone. It’s not good enough.

Again, what’s missing here is a simple, intuitive set of rules: plug your phone it, and it will back up. Sure, it can be time-consuming. But it also saves so much hassle; phone crashes or accidentally erased photos are no big thing when things are backed up regularly.

But when each manufacturer has its own solution, it means the quality of that solution will vary wildly. If Google were build backup and restore into desktop software, users could at least have the option of going with a standard.

Not *Like* an iPhone; Better Than One

To be crystal clear, I am not saying Android needs to more like the iPhone. The numerous advantages Android has – openness, widgets, Wi-Fi hotspots, and many others – are great. But the iPhone can still often trump most Android phones in one simple metric: how easy and enjoyable it is to own one.

What Google needs to do is focus on a consistent and easy user experience from the moment a customer unpacks their phone. If they do, they will not only continue what looks to increasingly be a leadership position in the market; they will also make Android more appealing to everyone.