By WSJ Staff
When Mom whips out the iPhone, is it time to switch to Android?
A number of developers, trend spotters and young consumers say that Android, not Apple’s iOS, is the platform of choice, but for a variety of different reasons.
Young developers cite the relatively closed system of the iPhone app environment as their reason for programming apps exclusively for Google’s Android OS.
Trend spotters such as brand consultant Dean Crutchfield note that Android is seen among consumers as playing the underground, rebellious role against Apple–an irony given Apple’s role in creating the “technology as liberator” theme back with its “1984″ commercial for the original Mac.
Finally, younger consumers are increasingly backing Android phones. the variety of devices, the cheaper prices and the constant device upgrades — to satisfy youth’s “instant gratification” itch according to IDC Mobile Devices analyst Ramon Llamas–all contribute to Android’s popularity.
Between 2009 and 2011 the iPhone lost seven percent of market share in the 13 to 44 age group, but gained the same percentage of users 45 and older according to comScore. That’s a lot of Moms rocking the iPhone.
Another reason: the last iPhone was introduced 15 months ago. with a fifth generation iPhone hitting stores soon, Apple could regain a bit of its “cool factor.”