Is Maemo a Threat to Android?

Maemo Logo

Since its launch, Google’s Android has succeeded to attract most of the market leaders. So far HTC is most active in releasing the Android phones. Though HTC Dream, aka G1 was the first ever Android phone, it enjoyed e a big market acceptance. Though there were a few draw backs, also the physical shape of the phone was not ideal, still G1 was a big success. Why? Because Google knows how to deliver the performance.

Now the market is full of Android phones. HTC Dream G1, HTC Magic G2, HTC Hero and HTC Tatto are from one manufacturer. Samsung is also in the game with Samsung Galaxy and Sony Ericsson with XPERIA X3. There are a few more phones but the point to be noted is that Lenovo’s Android phone OPhone is also being rumored. What else? Even Dell is not behind the race. Dell Mini 3i Android Phone is on its way. I won’t talk technically, because the technical specifications are subject to improve any time. The real game is that how you grab the market. With all these Android gadgets, Google has already gained a big share in the market.

Though, Nokia’s Maemo 5 looks pretty with multiple desktops, and PC like functionalities, the problem is that Nokia  is the only Maemo player and we don’t expect others to get in. Nokia alone is enough? No! Nokia has the largest market share so far but we should not forget that Nokia is only good at phones not the computers. Latest phones are more of a computer than a cell phone. They subject to provide all the PC functionality.

Also, the Nokia’s ovi store is not mature yet. Nokia is planning a separate app store for Mamo at http://maemo.nokia.com/, making it more immature with just only a few apps available. Maemo’s SDK has yet to come. Who will go for Maemo’s development when people know that Nokia’s phones are usually used for at most a few months by most of the users. Nokia releases new phones so frequently that the handset-specific app development is nearly impossible.

If you have to decide between the Maemo 5, N900 and an Android Phone, my vote goes for Android HTC Hero.