Would you be okay...

20.7.11 The Reporter 0 Comments

...If Google decided to SELL the Android as a platform instead of offering it for free?

At the moment, the Android is offered as a completely free, fully-customizable, purely awesome mobile OS platform. However, given the fact that Google Music Beta hasn't really taken off yet, would Google soon be offering the platform for a fee?

If Google starts charging the OEM phone companies for using the Android OS, here is how it would look like for the end-users:

1. The cost of Android devices would go high. Since there would already be a fee for the use and modification of the OS, it would only be logical that the prices for the devices themselves would increase.

2. Since there would be a license fee to use and adapt the Android, either the OEMs would have greater freedom in how to implement the Android, or Google would exert greater control over quality, because it's now a premium platform.

3. The Android Market and the whole Android ecosystem might become a closed system, much like the Apple universe.

But before we scare ourselves into believing another good-company-gone-bad story, let's face a few facts:

• Google revenue from searches increased to the level that Android users have been increasing. Since 550,000 new users have adopted the Android every day starting June 2011, think about the number of searches there have been from the total number of Android devices daily. And that's just search. Google also earns from contextual advertising via the Android.
• It is projected that by 2013, the Android niche alone will be a $4 billion-a-year business for Google.
• If Google Music will take off by a miracle, that's another revenue stream for Google.

That being said, there's actually no need to worry, nor no reason to even think that Google may charge OEM phone companies for the Android anytime soon or even in the future. If the trends continue, Android may well be free for eternity -- or at least until someone thinks up a better, brighter idea.