Although there’s nobody claiming that Google has build a platform and an alliance of companies with the expectation that they’ll fail, more people are switching on to the fact that the search giant needn’t necessarily sweep the handset board with Android in order to come out near the top.  As they’ve done in the 700MHz spectrum auction - pushing the FCC to include contract clauses for open-access that will benefit Google no matter whether they win (or even bid) or not - the sheer threat of Android is likely to force rival manufacturers and OS designers to step up their game and, Frank Hayes of TechNewsWorld believes, mimic some of the third-party applications and polished web experience their new competitor is promising.

Hayes points to what he calls “The XO Factor”, referring to the much-publicised OLPC (One Laptop Per Child) project which initially suggested a $100 price-point and features such as mesh networking and low power demands making it particularly suitable for developing nations.  Despite scepticism from analysts, rival firms recognised a potential market - and, more importantly, one which they might not figure strongly in - and, by the time the XO laptop is ready to ship, there are alternative, low-price machines on the market.

“What does Android promise? Lots of third-party applications and better Web browsing, mainly. That’s what Nokia, Apple, Symbian, AT&T and the rest will be scrambling to match in the year before Android-based phones hit the market” Frank Hayes, TechNewsWorld

Of course, better web access means more opportunity for Google to provide advertising to users, no matter which platform they’re accessing it on, giving the company a win either way.