For the first semester of 2011, Android seems to dominate the mobile device market. Indeed, Google became the main competitor of Apple, developing its own operating system – Android – which now owns 24% of smartphones, against 25% for Apple (according to Le Figaro). Available on new tablets and some smartphones, Android, is lacking on rugged terminals, which are mostly running on Windows (Embedded Handheld or Mobile 6.5). Manufacturers such as HTC, Samsung, or Motorola have benefited with Android’s success on mobile devices. According to Gartner, mobile operators also prefer the Google platform, which creates a decrease in RIM’s market share (OS installed on BlackBerry’s devices), and Symbian. According to IDC’s analysts, Android will reach a market share of 45.4% in 2015.
But Android’s progress is linked to the smartphones market. Those devices meet the needs of white-collar users, and can respond to the main uses of a sales manager in a company. However, the fragility of that kind of device is not suitable for jobs such as technicians, transporters or logistic activities. The first sign of Android development on these devices called “rugged devices” recently appeared with the first resistant tablet: the Panasonic Toughbook. Scheduled for the last quarter of 2011, the future “Toughbook” will be secured, and will become the first player in the rugged terminal market, developing a tablet using Android. The market is still waiting for future news from manufacturers, regarding the coming of the green robot on rugged devices.
By the end of 2011, MediaContact mobility solution, developed by Telelogos will support Android platform. “In order to meet this new challenge, our R&D team has been strengthened” said Yves Clisson, CEO, Telelogos.