NEW DELHI: At a time when Apple is ramping up its India operations, the company's main competitor in smartphone and tablet industry, Google, is missing for action. During the last 2 yrs, Google has launched six Nexus smartphones and tablets which consists of hardware partners but merely one such device has created its strategy to India.
Nexus devices, which run unmodified version of Google's mobile operating software, are believed best in their class and so are primary competitors for iPhones and iPads. "Easily ought to buy an Android smartphone now, Let me buy Nexus 4. At your buck ($299 for basic model) it is deemed an incredible affordability. But even 50 days after it had been provided in the usa, it truly is yet to succeed in India," says Gaurav Shukla, the editor of an blog called androidOS.in.
"It is just a serious problem for smartphone enthusiasts here because only Nexus devices provide 'pure' Android experience," he adds.
Only 1 Nexus in India
India is definitely an Android country. "In Q3, 2012 around 3.8 million smartphones were shipped near you. Of these, 3.01 million, that is over 70% of the heart.} market, were powered by Android," says Manasi Yadav, a niche analyst with IDC.
But Android's success near your vicinity seems despite Google and not on account of it. Even Nexus S, the sole Nexus device to launch in India, debuted here eight months after its global launch. Recently Motorola, after being acquired by Google, banned its business in India.
Nexus devices, which run unmodified version of Google's mobile operating software, are believed best in their class and so are primary competitors for iPhones and iPads. "Easily ought to buy an Android smartphone now, Let me buy Nexus 4. At your buck ($299 for basic model) it is deemed an incredible affordability. But even 50 days after it had been provided in the usa, it truly is yet to succeed in India," says Gaurav Shukla, the editor of an blog called androidOS.in.
"It is just a serious problem for smartphone enthusiasts here because only Nexus devices provide 'pure' Android experience," he adds.
Only 1 Nexus in India
India is definitely an Android country. "In Q3, 2012 around 3.8 million smartphones were shipped near you. Of these, 3.01 million, that is over 70% of the heart.} market, were powered by Android," says Manasi Yadav, a niche analyst with IDC.
But Android's success near your vicinity seems despite Google and not on account of it. Even Nexus S, the sole Nexus device to launch in India, debuted here eight months after its global launch. Recently Motorola, after being acquired by Google, banned its business in India.
Google or its hardware partners evade the questions about the provision of Nexus devices in India. "We're enthusiastic about making our products available as widely as you possibly can, but we have now nothing to announce right now," a Google spokesperson told TOI.
Sources in the marketplace say the non-option of Nexus devices in India concerns the synergy, or perhaps the deficiency of it, between Google as well as hardware partners. One other reason is the fact that manufacturers like Asus and Samsung have their unique devices available in the market and they are usually cautious with Nexus devices while they partner with Google to the programme.
Consider for example Galaxy Nexus. In a bid to create amends for late Nexus S launch, Samsung wished to bring this piece of equipment to India as soon as possible. "The plans were afoot to launch Galaxy Nexus in Indian in December 2011, within weeks in the heart.} global launch," a market insider told TOI. But the launch was delayed. It became January. A few months later the launch was scrapped for the reason that company needed to center on its upcoming phones like Galaxy Note.
The situation of Nexus 7 continues to be all the more curios. When Nexus 7 launched in July in the usa, Asus officials in India said the goods would arrive throughout early October. Sources the statement would not decline well with Google executives caring for Android in Asia Pacific region.
Nexus 7 launch ended up being delayed. On November 7, Nexus 7 magically appeared about the websites of the retail company that runs several electronics stores in India. Asus executives confirmed the tablet have been launched but Google officials looked surprised at this news.
But after a few days, Nexus 7 disappeared through the market. Sources within Asus said the limited availability during their visit happened as a result of mistake. "The tablet seriously isn't launched yet. We are speaking with Google over it all of which will jointly see it on the market soon," said a senior Asus executive.
Nearly two months later, there is certainly still no sign of Nexus 7 in India.
Nexus 4, the most up-to-date 'pure' Android phone from Google, is very much going the same way. During the early November when it turned out launched globally, a senior LG executive in India said the device should come here prior to end on the heart.} month. The organization later clarified anyone was misquoted.
While Android remains popular, the non accessibility to Nexus devices does damage the brand. "It is a lot of need for Nexus devices, especially among technology-savvy consumers and smartphone enthusiasts. When devices get delayed, it forces website visitors to select other high-end smartphones which are easily accessible out there," says Manasi.
Apple ramps up
Much of this demand will go Apple's way. In July, Apple CEO Tim Cook said India wasn't a priority market. But despite his statement Apple seems to have realized that India is important.
In 2012, Apple changed its distribution method in India and moved away from carriers like Airtel and Vodafone. It is now using Redington and Ingram Micro to distribute its iPhone. The most recent iPhone and iPads became easily obtainable in India within weeks in their global launch. Incidentally, Apple is additionally very prompt in launching its laptops here while Google's Chromebooks, despite targeted towards budget-conscious users, are yet to be available in India.
"Apple has taken the many right procedures in India within the last several months. With a revamped channel distribution structure strategy, more iPhones are reaching the patron markets now. This provides Apple leverage in the market because it has the competition," says Kiran Kumar, a senior marketing research analyst with IDC.
The main sign that shows Apple now treats India being a serious market is the launch of iTunes store. On December 4, the business announced that iTunes store was available in India, giving consumers here chance to directly buy and consume music, videos and books etc directly from their iPhones and iPads. It is in stark contrast to Google Play store that is yet to launch in India despite an increased amount of Android users that can utilize it.
Apple's renewed center on India reflects inside the sale it really is notching up. Its iPhones are now not just provided with big electronics stores but in addition with local shops. A neighborhood dealer inside a south Delhi market says, "For the last few months i am selling 50-60 iPhones every month.
Given their price, look for the numbers fantastic."
Kumar believes Apple does the retail game for a longer period and therefore is a bit more adapt at it. "I believe Nexus programme continues to be in the nascent stage specifically in India. Bing is slowly rolling it to more countries and testing how consumers have the devices," according to him.
But the delay does not help Google's cause in India. "Since the companies are extremely dynamic with compelling choices, the consumers rarely love to wait for an device to be launched for too long," says Manasi.
