10 Critical Android Issues Google Needs to Address

Although it got off to a bit of a slow start, Google's Android mobile operating system has caught its stride.

In 2010, it was the most desired operating system in the world, and according to most analysts, the platform will dominate the mobile market for the foreseeable future. All other competitors, including Apple, Research In Motion and Microsoft, will have no other choice but to pick up the scraps.

Considering that, there isn't much that Google should be upset about in the mobile market right now. When it's all said and done, the more market share a company has, the better. And considering that Google is so heavily invested in advertising, the search giant could make boatloads of cash off its platform.

But that doesn't mean there aren't issues related to Android that Google won't eventually need to address. The mobile operating system is an outstanding choice for many consumers, but there are. glaring problems with Android that are simply impossible to ignore

Read on to learn more:

1. The fragmentation is real

Google likes to downplay the Android "fragmentation" issue in which mobile device manufacturers are releasing new products for the multiple concurrent versions of the Android OS. It's a major issue for software developers who have to support all these versions, and it's time that Google acknowledged it. In a recent study, Baird Research found that developers are especially concerned with Android fragmentation. In fact, 24 percent of respondents said it is a "huge problem," while 33 percent of developers said it is a "meaningful problem." Only 14 percent of respondents said it isn't a problem at all. If that's not a good enough reason for Google to start reducing Android fragmentation, what is?

2. The update process is a pain

As Android owners know all too well, getting an update to their smartphone is a pain. A user of a particular Android device may have to wait (and wait) for her turn to get the software, while her friend with a different device might already be running the latest version of the operating system. When Apple releases an update to its operating system, it's available to all customers that day. Granted, Apple's process is simpler, since it doesn't need to worry about multiple device manufacturers and the modifications those companies might be making to the operating system. But for Apple customers, it's a much easier process. The time has come for Google to work with vendor partners to streamline the update process.

3. There must be better consumer education

Android is undoubtedly a fine operating system that consumers around the world are happy to use. But Google just hasn't done a good enough job of informing the public on the differences between the versions of its operating system. Sure, Android 2.3 might seem like a better option than Android 2.2 by virtue of the fact that it's newer, but what are the relative advantages of each version that's currently on the market? Those who follow Android closely know, but the average, mainstream user who simply buys a phone and wants a good operating system needs to be better informed.

4. Solving the iPhone problem

If sales figures are one's guide, it's clear that Android is more desirable than iOS. But that's not the full story. It's important to keep in mind that Android is running on devices from many major vendors. Apple's iOS platform is running on the iPhone and the iPad. Despite its wide use, it's hard to find a single Android-based smartphone that can match the iPhone in terms of overall popularity. The Motorola Droid X is a fine device, but it's not an iPhone. The same can be said for HTC's line of Android smartphones. It's about time Google finds a way to offer a smartphone that can finally supplant the iPhone as the top mobile device in the marketplace.

5. The tablets aren't cutting it

Although the tablet market is still in its early stages, the Android-based tablets that are already available to customers just aren't cutting it. The Motorola Droid X has been totally unable to compete with the iPad 2. And the same can be said for the Samsung Galaxy Tab and the Dell Streak. Granted, many more Android-based tablets are on the way, but considering more than 50 million tablets will ship this year and analysts believe the iPad 2 will account for the lion's share of those devices, it might be time for Google to figure out how it can make Android-based tablets more relevant in that marketplace.

6. Making 'Honeycomb' live up to the hype

When Google unveiled Android 3.0 "Honeycomb," just about everyone was excited. The platform offers full tabbed browsing, improved multitasking and a slate of features that, on paper, makes iOS look obsolete. The only issue is, "Honeycomb" is a bit "buggy," according to some users. Global Equities analyst Trip Chowdry went so far as to say in March that the operating system is "extremely complicated and confusing." He noted freezing problems, battery issues and other quirks that will need to be addressed. If "Honeycomb" is going to lead Google's tablet charge, the company better get to work on fixing it.

7. It's still not iOS

Google and Android fans might not want to hear it, but Android is still not on the same level as iOS. The operating system is undoubtedly getting closer by the minute, and with a fully improved "Honeycomb," it might be able to overcome iOS, but for now, it lacks the polish that Apple's operating system offers. Moreover, it doesn't deliver the same level of usability that customers are after. If Google can overcome that issue, it could finally put the threat Apple poses to rest.

8. Security considerations

Last month, Google was forced to remove several applications from the Android Market after they were found to contain malware. Worst of all, they were believed to be downloaded over 250,000 times. Google remotely removed the malicious apps from users' devices, but it did little to help the platform's standing in the security space. Several developers, including Lookout and others, have developed Android security apps to help users confront Android security issues. So far, no major problems related to those tainted applications have come to light. But if Google should do anything,. The last thing it needs is to turn out like Microsoft Windows in the desktop market. it's start addressing security concerns now

9. The Android Market

Android application developers have criticized Google's Android Market over the past several months for failing to give them the same ability to generate revenue from their programs as in Apple's App Store. Angry Birds maker Rovio has been the most outspoken. The company's CEO said back in December that "everyone would agree the payment and purchase experience [on Android] has been less than excellent." Google recently launched an in-app billing service to help quell some of the unrest, but it's still a problem. The Android Market needs to be as developer-friendly as possible. Right now, developers aren't giving Google high marks in this area.

10. Getting the enterprise to care

The corporate world is a difficult market to break into for any company. It's notoriously averse to change, and even when it does opt for a new technology, it takes forever to make that jump. That's part of the reason Android has had some trouble appealing to the enterprise. But some of the blame can also be placed on Google, which simply hasn't done enough to deliver all the features enterprise users care about. The company's mobile operating system is decidedly consumer-focused. If Google wants Android to be a long-term, dominant success, it will have no choice but to work with vendors and deliver a far more enterprise-friendly option.

I would like to thank Don Reisinger for writing this article.  It can be found at http://www.eweek.com/c/a/Mobile-and-Wireless/10-Critical-Android-Issues-Google-Needs-to-Address-Soon-847119/