Comments on: The iPhone and Android Platforms as Validators

By: Golden Swamp » Carnival of the Mobilists #151

Golden Swamp » Carnival of the Mobilists #151 — Mon, 24 Nov 2008 11:21:40 +0000

[...] The iPhone and Android Platforms as Validators, at C. Enrique Ortiz | Mobile Things, CEO provides lists of how both platforms are leading into the [...]

By: McGuire’s Law » Blog Archive » Business Observations: November 21, 2008 Edition

Fri, 21 Nov 2008 12:24:07 +0000

[...] The iPhone and Android Platforms as Validators [...]

By: ASG

ASG — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 18:57:41 +0000

“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.

By: ceo

ceo — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 16:13:23 +0000

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

By: Håkan Jonsson

Håkan Jonsson — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 15:28:41 +0000

“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.

By: Jason

Jason — Tue, 18 Nov 2008 16:47:38 +0000

“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.