Why delay of the Kogan Android phone is good news for Google

Alex Zaharov-Reutt
Monday, 19 January 2009 08:58

IT Industry - Strategy

Given the Agora’s delay and the stated reasons for the delay, it seems clear other phone manufacturers won’t make the same mistake.

Samsung and Motorola are but two companies said to actively be in Android development, with HTC itself said to be working on the G2 gPhone, naturally the successor to the G1, which only launched late last year.

The G2 is reported to arrive before the middle of the year - which if true would place it smack bang it the midst of competing against the Nokia N97, the new iPhone, Palm Pre and other devices, which is actually perfect timing.

But whether the G2 arrives soon or not, we'll quickly see lots of Android based competition, putting pressure on the iPhone, Windows Mobile phones, Nokia Symbian phones and any other models, including any others beyond Android being based on Linux.

The delay of the Kogan Agora is but a mere blip on Google’s radar, even though it may well be a major event for Kogan itself.

Once again, assuming we can believe the stated reasons for the Agora’s cancellation, then it turns out to be wonderful news for Google who now avoids a much wider swathe of bad press and bad feeling over the Android platform.

I’m sure it’s something Google was determined to avoid once it realised the ramifications and the fact users can make or break the perception of an operating system, as happened to Microsoft with Vista.

There’s no way Google wants Android to be seen like Vista, so the Kogan Agora being scrapped is great news for Google.

Sorry eWeek!