Comments on: Will Killer Apps Affect Which Handsets Consumers Buy?

By: Stephanie Rieger

Stephanie Rieger — Sun, 13 Sep 2009 17:41:43 +0000

I think you hit the nail on the head when you said that “each device excels at different software functions” and this is what will complicate matters. Simply porting a popular iPhone app to the Pre or Blackberry will not guarantee that this app will do as well on other platforms or devices.

The handset’s chosen manipulation model, flexibility of the OS, level of handset integration (maps, compass, gestures etc.), overall platform fragmentation, even the ease of use of WIFI and the keyboard may all conspire to affect the success of an application.

And that is of course, if the developers can afford to properly port the application’s UE in the first place (i.e. optimize and adapt it to the device and its capabilities).

This is, I think where the platforms and OEMs who are able to offer the ‘whole package’ will, in the end, end up with the best selection of apps (read quality…not necessarily quantity…although in the end, this may amount to the same thing).

The really interesting bit will be to see how long it will take for consumers and developers to sort out where the value truly lies.

By: Michael Scharf

Michael Scharf — Fri, 11 Sep 2009 14:33:28 +0000

I believe that we have it reversed… Consumers will more likely choose against a phone that does not have an app rather than choosing a phone because it has a specific application. Google Voice is a good example. Apple/AT&T looses because they have (so far) blocked GV, while other platforms that don’t offer GV yet won’t be hurt as the promise that it is “coming soon,” should be enough.

By: Kevin C. Tofel

Kevin C. Tofel — Thu, 03 Sep 2009 13:40:29 +0000

Oh and I just remembered the “killer app” I *should* have mentioned for Windows Mobile: Exchange ActiveSync. Granted, that advantage has been licensed away but in the early stages of the smartphone game, but back in the day it was a huge reason folk would purchase a Windows Mobile phone.

By: Kevin C. Tofel

Kevin C. Tofel — Thu, 03 Sep 2009 13:37:56 +0000

I don’t disagree at all. Although I used Facebook for the iPhone as a key example, I also said that Google Voice is the “killer app” for Android handsets. At the moment, Palm doesn’t have an application of equal merit, although I’d consider the Synergy function of webOS to be very compelling. I do know people that purchased a Palm Pre partially because of Synergy.

This is actually one case where I hope I’m wrong and that I haven’t spotted an early, dangerous trend that’s bad for consumers.

By: texasyellowdog

texasyellowdog — Wed, 02 Sep 2009 23:18:23 +0000

While the iPhone is the obvious choice for an app debut, why wouldn’t Android or Palm be right behind the iPhone for any killer app? Apple gets the head start, which is valuable, but that shouldn’t lock out other platforms. Pray we don’t get into a era of “exclusive” apps which would make all phones less valuable.