Apple's iPhone SDK: This is Brand New Big Sh*t, But
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Jason Fried ended his enthusiastic post on the iPhone SDK with those words (I added the ",But"). And so it is. Very big shit. But there are a few things that I just don't understand about Apple's iPhone strategy.
Why put all these great hooks in for enterprise IT when the iPhone still only operates on one network here in the US? Do you think Morgan Stanley is going to get locked in to AT&T just to outfit all of their investment bankers with iPhones? I don't think so.
And where are the social hooks? Can you establish social networks and build a social graph via the iPhone SDK? If not, why? If so, where is that outlined? I read over a dozen posts on the iPhone SDK and I didn't see the world social in any of them. The phone is the most personal (and therefore social) device in the world. There's got to be social hooks in something like this.
And what's with "all apps must be sold and distributed via the app store"? I understand that it's most convenient for users to have a single place (like iTunes) where they can search for, find, buy, and install apps. But to lock developers into that as the single and only way to get apps on the iPhone is not the right thinking in my book.
On the plus side, the gaming opportunities are mind blowing. As Daring Fireball says in his post (the best of the ones I read):
The unique control options — no traditional buttons but a 3D accelerometer and multi-touch screen — make the iPhone analogous to the Wii, in that it opens up new concepts in game UI design.
Apple is revolutionizing the mobile device market in the same way they flipped the music business on it's head. But like they did in the music market, they aren't going all the way. And I just wish they would.
Disclosure: I am long APPL and getting longer.
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This article has 13 comments:
Facebook, myspace and other social networking sites are applications (developed with an SDK of some sorts) that are running on a server. If you want to build a social network and build graphs on your iPhone, wait till someone develops that application or better yet, do it yourself.
Be more concerned with the costs and revenues of the App store, developer reaction to the SDK, and competitors comments. Don't worry to much about building social networks on your iPhone: I prefer friends.
Blah Dah
I still use Verizon landlines at home and office, however, AT&T is now my mobile network.. In some areas its mobile network is BETTER than Verizon's. I should know, I was with Verizon mobile for five years, until one month ago. And, AT&T is better as a GLOBAL network. THAT Morgan Stanley WOULD like.
Oh, for your information, Morgan Stanley in Europe would sign with O2 in U.K., Orange in France, T-Mobile in Germany etc. In other words, Morgan Stanley would sign with MANY carriers around the world, but with single carrier within each country.
Think of it this way: If Morgan Stanley was buying corporate vehicles for its U.S. executives, should it buy a few vehicles from each of the many auto dealers in the U.S.? That would be an administrative and maintenance nightmare.
So Apple can stuff it.
Elliott
Don't you think AT&T users might be interested? Is this your 5th grade class where you had to have enough for everyone before you were allowed to enjoy your lollipop? We don't want to upset little Morgan Stanley, do we?
And what the hell is a social graph? If you want to talk to somebody, use the phone!
Naina
Social graphs? Yeah, I'm really sure Apple is worried about that. They probably can't sleep at night...
When is Apple going to wake up and get a barbie dream date application? Until then, Apple is DOOMED in the enterprise!
Plunkett
skypejournal.com/blog/...