We’ve talked consistently about how Apple has managed to turn iTunes into a successful user interface for mobile consumers. Generally speaking, almost all the relevant entertainment related media is available through the iTunes interface. It also serves as a means of updating OSs providing Apple with valuable marketing information to the total number iPhone and iPod Touch owners using their hardware and software. We believe it’s this first-mover advantage in creating iTunes as a software interface that has kept the iPhone squarely in the minds of consumers.
We believe it’s this first-mover advantage in creating iTunes as a software interface that has kept the iPhone squarely in the minds of consumers, and we’re not the only ones that believe this is the case, the industry analysts here also think so.
Other mobile platforms have attempted to address this issue by creating their own attempts of a unique app store concept. Living examples are, Android’s Marketplace, Nokia’s Ovi store, Palm’s App Catalog, Symbian Foundation, etc – however, although some players have established their stores prior to the iPhone revolution, Apple has used the iTunes interface to influencing customers that this is the only user interface that works. This dominance is what has ensured that the iPhone is the phone of choice for consumers.
Google’s Nexus One Released: Is it an iPhone killer?
Apple’s success with the iPhone has run for a long time, however, it seems like there’s a potential iPhone killer in town, namely the Google Nexus One. With Google employees almost immediately Tweeting about the release of the new phone, a hype has started building.
Recently I managed to get some one-on-one time the Nexus personally. Unfortunately, pictures were not allowed due to the impending release date of January 5, but the initial impressions were fantastic.
Feel
Starting with the overall feel of the phone, it just feels like a weighty and well-built phone. The Teflon coating on the back of the phone is absolutely fantastic. Smooth, sophisticated and polished – words that weren’t necessarily associated with the previous Android phones. The Nexus still maintains a link with its predecessors with its distinctive curves and buttons – remnants of the original G1. The smooth lines and slim profile helps portray the image of a durable yet oddly sophisticated and technical phone. Normally it’s hard to get all three areas correct but the Nexus just portrays this undue sense of nobility that’s hard to define. It’s got multiple personalities would probably be a better explanation – there’s the corporate image (utility grey, work productivity suites, etc), the sophistication (massive vibrant 3.7 inch screen, sleek lines) and the fun side (light, durable, easy to use aspect). Nonetheless, the most striking part of the phone has to be the screen.
Screen
The screen area is just impressive; it puts the iPhone’s screen to shame in comparison. The clarity and responsiveness is amazing, gentle finger movements are accurately recorded. The nice large screen definitely made the virtual keyboard easy to use. However, the vibrant 3.7 inch screen is absolutely stunning. The screen is clearer than the Droid’s and the 3GS which is great considering that in well-lit conditions most screens become very difficult to see. Rather difficult to use a screen without an OS, so how’d the user interface compare to the infallible iPhone?
All that is gold doesn’t necessarily have to glitter. Android has been touted as being one of the next big platforms that would knock iPhone of its throne. However, this doesn’t seem to be the situation for Android. The ultimate problem that the platform is currently facing is the number of versions of software on phones. With a whole slew of releases available for the Android platform, many apps are not necessarily backward or forward compatible with the operating system. Add to this the various vendors providing different phones with numerous variations of hardware components means that most developers have nightmares developing code for each individual phone rather than a universal app.
The problem inherently in this situation is that cross-platform independence regardless of hardware is an ideal utopia that developers want but can never get. Similar to the BlackBerry situation where porting apps from other platforms is a nightmare, it can happen but not without a significant fight.
From a smaller developer viewpoint, Android is a difficult platform to work on. The amount of resources and time needed to code for a single application is significant for a small business; the need to re-code for various hardware and software versions is not conducive to building a customer base. Not only do variations in hardware and software affect the overall compatibility of the app, it reflects poorly on the build quality of the app. As a result, customers are naturally wary of the platform when they experience poor app quality and interaction. Developers are then compelled to write quick-and-dirty patches to resolve problems, which is inherently dangerous and shoddy programming.
Almost as a foreboding of the problems to come; jail-broken iPhones are now vulnerable to a new virus that installs itself through a default password in the SSH and remotely sending all data stored on iPhones. Yet again this is another feather in the cap of Apple who has been stating that jail-broken iPhones are illegal and ultimately will not be responsible for damages incurred.
This recent exploit is frightening since the SSH client’s default password is known to the virus developers and many people are not excessively comfortable tweaking with their iPhones. By the time users are comfortable with tweaking their iPhones, a massive amount of sensitive data may be collected without users knowing. The irony of this situation is that many international customers who have jail-broken their iPhones are at risk as well; further driving home Apple’s point of not using jail-broken iPhones.
The fix to the virus is very straightforward, it requires a simple change of password of the SSH client to anything besides the default password. Although a very straight forward fix, it also raises an interesting junction for Apple. The massive popularity of the iPhone has driven up profit margins for Apple; a significant portion of this chunk is attributed to the international market.
Apple’s actions here can dictate loyalty to a potentially massive customer segment that would switch to legal iPhones rather than jail-broken devices. A software update to patch this problem would remind customers that they should always purchase legal devices with a friendly warning. This would be similar to a gentle slap on the hand to consumers, and may increase the loyalty and brand image of Apple amongst users.
Apple’s App Store has passed the 100,000 app mark within 16 months
Congratulations are in order for Apple; Apple’s App Store has passed the 100,000 app mark within 16 months. This is no small achievement considering that the concept of an app store along with the product life of the iPhone has been a few short years in comparison to some industry giants such as Nokia, Palm, Samsung, LG, and Sony Ericsson.
The number is milestone considering the tough review that most apps go through when submitted to Apple. With a wait time of weeks to months, Apple’s iPhone is a consumer success along with the App Store that created a massive storm of developers moving into to develop apps.
However, the competition is heating up with Google’s acquisition of specialist social media and web design companies. Clearly, the Android Marketplace seems like it will get a revamp to ensure that it can compete with the integration of iTunes-App Store. The social media will probably integrate with Google searches ensuring that the developers and Marketplace both receive webtraffic.
Secondly, Palm’s holding a conference soon in an effort to attract more customers to its webOS. Interestingly enough, Palm has a number of high-quality apps that have been developed by specialist firms already available. As mentioned previously in the blog, Fandango has its own version available for webOS, which helps build customer trust in the platform itself. The Palm Pre and Pixi will help spread the word of webOS, provided Palm markets them aggressively on Sprint’s network.
