MP3 Player, Tablet, Smart Phone

Q: What do these technologies have in common?

A: The iPod, iPad, and iPhone weren’t the first to market, but simplicity was the tipping point of mainstream adoption. 

In September 2008 I left Verizon after 8 years and specifically joined ATT in order to own an iPhone. 28 days later, and still within a 30-day no penalty cancellation period, I returned to Verizon, thankfully less any early termination fees. I couldn’t tolerate the dropped calls and spotty service. I had no intention of suing Apple, like TC Disrupt startup WorstPhoneEver, but I swore I would not get a “real” smartphone until one came to the Big Red. 

I recently became the owner of an HTC Incredible, which is everything I’ve ever wanted in a phone — I was waiting for the Nexus One but Verizon’s decision to more forward with the Incredible was a wise decision. Google’s recent announcement at I/O, its largest developer conference of the year, brings even more excitement of a faster operating system, Android 2.2 or “Froyo.” 

Check out any reviews on the HTC Incredible and typically the cons are: screen wash out under direct sunlight and short battery life (from my experience you’ll be fine if you charge your battery completely before turning it on for the first time). But in my opinion, the biggest drawback is the Android operating system is extremely difficult to use. 

So Easy, even a Caveman Grandma/Baby can do it.

Steve Jobs is a visionary CEO because he realizes that the masses, or “normals,” are simple people. They are the “i just want it to work” crowd, who schedule appointments at the Genius Bar because they can’t figure out how to set ringtones or upload pictures of their grandchildren. “But it doesn’t support Flash” isn’t even an argument because the normals don’t even know what Flash is! As long as their music, photos, calendar, contacts, and emails sync easily between their mobile phone and their computer, they will continue to use a closed OS because it’s easy for them.

The software is literally so simple a toddler or great grandmother can use it:

• 2.5 year old first encounter with an iPad (link)
• How the iPad Has Changed One 99-Year-Old Woman’s Life (link)

The cost of Android’s open platform: Complexity

I was never one much for manuals or instructions. And techies resorting to using instructions for electronic devices is like an Alpha Male asking for driving directions — there’s no way in hell anyone is asking for help. But I’ve recently hurt my techie pride by resorting to searching for instructions in the HTC Forums (heck, the phone doesn’t even come with a hard copy owners manual) on more occasions than I have spent reading up on all my other electronic devices combined.

Google should take a page out of Apple’s Book

Even though Android devices are FLYING off the shelves at 100,000 devices a day, I think Google can significantly improve the easy of use on its Android devices by taking a few pages out of Apple’s book.

We’re seeing the convergence of  web-apps and mobile-app — so I’d love to see a combined Android (mobile phone) / Chrome (Browser)  App Store. The first step is an online App Manager, similar to how iTunes serves as a place to download, purchase, and view all of my applications.

Second, the Android online market should have an easy way to download the application, like using QR Codes (e.g. from SCVNGR webpage). 

I also expect to be able to download the app by clicking “download” in the App Store in my browser and have the Android Market on my phone (via a push notification update in Android 2.2) open up and begin downloading the application.

Google is not Apple. They’re not going to make their software so easy to use that a baby could do it. They’re going to leave their software open, highly customizable, and that’s exactly what most techies want. But with respect to the operating system itself, I see much more mainstream adoption if the software becomes easier to use.

And if Google really wants to reinvent the software wheel, then here’s my idea: Levels of Android personal customization just like video game levels of difficulty. Let me work my way up and unlock certain capabilities. Once I figure out how to personalize my ringtones and sync my photos, then let me add email and social media accounts. Once I figure out how to manage my applications, push links to my phone via my Chrome extension (coming in Froyo), then let me move on to “advanced” stuff like blue tooth file sync and tethering. I’d love to see learning how to use my mobile phone (digital camera even car stereo) into a game — making me both a more informed user and a much happier customer.