TimmyH
Phonemakers fight for Apps
August 21st 2008 05:15
As the mobile industry slowly turn the "humble" mobile phone into a mini PC, Research in Motion and Google are locked in a battle for the allegiance of Application Developers.
Applications are where it's at in terms of Mobile technology at the moment. The hardware that runs iPhones and Blackberry's is only a vehicle for the latest and greatest in mobile applications, and the big Media/Technology players are taking notice. There is money to be made for anyone with the know-how to produce even the smallest of Mobile applications and as the Industry grows worldwide, they could be set to reap the rewards.
Earlier this year, Google started awarding prizes to software and application developers in the hopes that they can recruit the best and brightest in the industry to join "The GoogleEmpire". RIM is now on the bandwagon, starting a $150 million fund to reward developers who can design applications for its Blackberry format.
But neither has been able to compete with the phenomenon that is the Apple Resurgence.
Even the much heralded golfing innovation "GreenFinder" has been slow in the uptake, and RIM is confused. They thought they were sitting on a winner with the GPS innitiative, but sadly for them, it's been stagnant since release.
The applications on the iPhone aren't just easier to find, some are more advanced as the device's touchscreen and built-in motion sensor are prompting a slew of new services. "Mobile users haven't seen apps like this before," Gene Munster, an analyst at Piper Jaffray, wrote in a recent report. Munster estimates that as many as 91% of iPhone owners will download applications over the App Store, which he believes could balloon into a $1 billion market by 2009.
Even Microsoft, which has a competing mobile platform called Windows Mobile, admits that competition for developers is heating up.
"Obviously they're an audience that a lot of platforms are trying to woo," says Scott Rockfeld, group products manager for Microsoft's mobile communications business. "It's a great time to be a mobile developer."
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The iPhone Still Reigns Supreme
Applications are where it's at in terms of Mobile technology at the moment. The hardware that runs iPhones and Blackberry's is only a vehicle for the latest and greatest in mobile applications, and the big Media/Technology players are taking notice. There is money to be made for anyone with the know-how to produce even the smallest of Mobile applications and as the Industry grows worldwide, they could be set to reap the rewards.
Earlier this year, Google started awarding prizes to software and application developers in the hopes that they can recruit the best and brightest in the industry to join "The GoogleEmpire". RIM is now on the bandwagon, starting a $150 million fund to reward developers who can design applications for its Blackberry format.
But neither has been able to compete with the phenomenon that is the Apple Resurgence.
Even the much heralded golfing innovation "GreenFinder" has been slow in the uptake, and RIM is confused. They thought they were sitting on a winner with the GPS innitiative, but sadly for them, it's been stagnant since release.
The applications on the iPhone aren't just easier to find, some are more advanced as the device's touchscreen and built-in motion sensor are prompting a slew of new services. "Mobile users haven't seen apps like this before," Gene Munster, an analyst at Piper Jaffray, wrote in a recent report. Munster estimates that as many as 91% of iPhone owners will download applications over the App Store, which he believes could balloon into a $1 billion market by 2009.
Even Microsoft, which has a competing mobile platform called Windows Mobile, admits that competition for developers is heating up.
"Obviously they're an audience that a lot of platforms are trying to woo," says Scott Rockfeld, group products manager for Microsoft's mobile communications business. "It's a great time to be a mobile developer."
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