The iPhone and Android Platforms as Validators
The iPhone and Android platforms have validated a number of things; below is a list with some of such things:
iPhone:
- Applications are at the center of next generation of handsets.
- That software, not hardware, is the main driver and differentiator.
- Touch-screens rock! Everyone knew it, but Apple showed the world how.
- The mobile web is important, that there is no One Web, and that handset-specific customized mobile websites will continue to be built.
- That influencing the network provider and changing their game-field is possible.
- While the mobile web is great, today richer and more integrated applications need to be native.
- That users will download native applications, if a better way to discover and download applications is provided (i.e. App Stores)
- That closed systems is a sucky idea.
Android:
- That mobile-handsets can be based on open source and Linux, and be successful.
- Integration with services on the web (i.e. application infrastructures) matters a whole lot and is huge; and that this is especially true if such is provided “out of box”.
- Keyboards rock, but a software keyboard should also be provided.
- It is going to be a hell of a challenge for handset manufacturers that use Android to differentiate themselves; how will they if the software is the same? UI? Hardware designs?
- That open systems is a great idea.
- It re-validated points already validated by the iPhone: applications (and developers) are key to success, that it is about the software, the mobile web is important, that richer and more integrated apps need to be native, that users will download native app if a better way to discover and download is provided (app stores)
- That 3G can be impractical as it sucks-up your battery dry.
Other:
- That developers will develop in whatever programming language is necessary, even if it is Objective-C.
- Fragmentation? Who cares!
Anything else?
ceo
“Fragmentation? Who cares!”
You’re right! As long as I can be sure that people actually download and use a device specific application in sufficient numbers I’m willing to build it. In Java ME we would end up spending days/weeks on a specific port and for what… 1000 users… sometimes even less.
“That software, not hardware, is the main driver and differentiator.”
For iphone the HW was very much a differentiator. There are no or few unique apps on iphone. I would say usability and design are the main differentiator, and they require differentiating HW in some cases.
“That closed systems is a sucky idea.”
Depends on what you mean. Is appstore/iphone a closed system or not? Most users don’t care anyhow.
The H/W design innovation is reaching its limits; the next generation hardware is one with few buttons, slim design, many sensors, and a large touch-screen; the rest will be software driven by the user interface.
App store is very much a closed system. Android store is very much a closed system as well. Both are silos. But I’m talking about closed from the perspective to how to build, how to distribute, and of course, the source code itself.
ceo
“The mobile web is important, that there is no One Web, and that handset-specific customized mobile websites will continue to be built.”
I believe this is a temporal issue. As mobile browser technology improves, the need for handset-specific customised mobile websites will decrease.
“It is going to be a hell of a challenge for handset manufacturers that use Android to differentiate themselves…”
Actually, I’m not certain that handset manufacturers using Android are seeking differentiation in the Nokia/SE sense. Rather, they’ll compete based upon price, faster product lifecycles and customisation for BRIC markets, among other factors.
“Anything else?”
I’ll add that in the US at least, Apple and Google have proven there is significant demand for smart phones at $150-200 price points.
[...] The iPhone and Android Platforms as Validators [...]
[...] The iPhone and Android Platforms as Validators, at C. Enrique Ortiz | Mobile Things, CEO provides lists of how both platforms are leading into the [...]