Back in 2008, Google had a dilemma that had to be dealt with. The question was, how to ensure that their products would never be delegated to the back seat on somebody else’s platform.
The obvious answer, was to build out their own platform(s), ensuring that their products received the premium shelf space. This strategy culminated with the creation of the Android platform, which is the software that now powers a large number of today’s smartphones and tablets.
The idea with Android, was to have the products that Google already offered, built directly into the Android platform, versus anything that a competitor may offer. Before I can say more, watch the below video.
Launched back in 2012, “Google Now” is now one of the flashiest features of the Android platform, but if you don’t use Google’s other products, it lacks any real sustenance. Here is why:
- The restaurant reviews require the use of Google’s social network.
- Directions are provided by Google maps
- The ability to provide a reminder in regards to a flight, requires that you are a Gmail user.
Marketers call the strategy of luring customers with one item, and then tying them into other products, as Trojan Horse Marketing. With Android, Google has engineered a one way stop to the Google ecosystem.
