Following Apple’s gigantic success with the Application Store for the iPhone (20,000 applications available and 600 million downloads), Nokia, Samsung, Google and now Microsoft have launched their counterparts to Apple’s application store. In addition, Palm’s much hyped ’Pre’ handset will be launched in few months along with an application store.
What started out as a minor addition to Apple’s iTunes Store has now evolved into an enormous, and unexpectedly profitable market for the major players in the mobile league.
Apart from it being a battle between some of the worlds most well known IT brands, it is also a battle between different mobile operating systems: iPhone OS, Google Android, Palm’s webOS, Symbian and Windows mobile.We are yet to see the results of this encounter. If there is even going to be a battle that is. How will developers receive Palm’s webOS? Will developers do the same application in up to five different versions, or will they stick to one? Will Apple sue Palm for using ‘their’ multi touch technology? What other issues and questions will arise? And will Microsoft, Google, Palm, Nokia and Samsung even stand a chance against Apple’s current world dominance in the application market?
The future of web may not necessarily lie in the hands of Apple, but it seems to lie in the hands of mobility.
It’s a classic trick.
Most marketers use it regularly to communicate an evolving process in simple terms or to easily illustrate a model. It helps you remember the 4-5 steps and comes across to the viewer as a pretty collection of words. I’m referring to the tradition – especially found within marketing – of naming steps and model elements with words beginning with the same letter.
Apart from the most famous example originating from Michael Porter’s marketing mix and its 4 p’s, the more or less unfortunate examples are many. Here a few:
The problem about such compositions is that they take away attention from the primary message and leave the reader wondering what compromises in meaning were made in order to succeed with the aligned letters. From losing interest in the model, the reader also reconsiders the given organisation preaching such models and integrity decreases.
My advice: Instead of choosing words that decorate your models and dilute the message, pick words that are contextually meaningful and support your content.
So, you have been hearing a lot about these iPhone applications lately, but you are still not fully aware of what people are talking about? No reason to panic. The Spoiled Milk blog provides a quick introduction to a new era of user interaction.
Why all the hype about iPhone?
- All-in-one
Phone, mail, Internet, iPod, SMS, maps, apps, calendar, photos, camera, stocks, weather, notes, calculator, etc.
- Revolution of GPS
Telephone reacting to your immediate environment. Applications act on GPS and base their content on your location.
- Portability & usability
3-G technology allowing you to always be online and with the easy multitouch-screen users are provided with an experience of rich interaction.
What is an iPhone application?
An iPhone application is software customised for the Apple iPhone intended for commercial, information and entertainment purposes.
What is the value for me?
An iPhone application can benefit your company or organisation in a number of ways. Below the three most common approaches to developing an iPhone application.
- Sales item
Developing an amazing application that iPhone users are willing to pay an amount to acquire and use (e.g. a chess game application).
- Income generator
Hooking the application up to your existing online service and thus extending your current business model (e.g. the eBay application).
- Brand enhancer
Using the application as a brand-promoting commercial bringing your primary products top-of-mind for the users (e.g. the Obama application).
What do the numbers say?
- Available iPhone applications: + 20,000.
- Application downloads through iTunes: + 600 million (!)
- iPhone users’ age dispersion: Under 18: 0,5%, 18-21: 5%, 22-25: 15%, 26-30: 29%, 31-40: 26%, 41-50: 13%, 51-60: 6%, 61-70: 4%, above 70: 1,5%.
- iPhone users’ income level: iPhone users earn 15% more than the average.
- iPhone users’ occupation: 79% employed, 16% students, 4% retired.
(Subject to change. Demographics source: Rubicon Consulting)
How does pricing work?
- Price per application ranges from $0 – $69.99.
- 20% of all applications are available for free.
- iTunes App Store charges 30% of all sales.
What is the process from idea to app?
Phases – and things to consider:
- Strategy: What your iPhone application should achieve.
- Concept: How it should work and what it should do.
- Design: How layout and interface should look.
- Development: Which functionalities it should offer.
- Launch: How it should attract attention and what it should cost.
Our expertise
Spoiled Milk has already launched a number of iPhone applications – including CITYGUIDE and iYoga. In addition, we have some exciting projects being developed.
For a neat one-pager of the above-listed points, download our white paper here.
February 7, 2009 / Russell Quinn /
News
It’s been ready for a while, but today version 2.0 of the CITYGUIDE iPhone application is finally available from the iTunes App Store.
For full details about this new version, check out our original blog post about it.
Download from iTunes App Store
February 3, 2009 / Casper Hübertz Jørgensen /
Events
The Copenhagen version of Twestival will kick-off on Thursday 12th February at RUMMET (Republikken) at 19.00 – 23.00.
We were asked by @marks and @solberg, who are organising the event, to produce a poster – you can see the result below.
Twestival is a worldwide event taking place in 175+ countries where “twitterers” will gather to have some fun and raise awareness of charity:water.
It will definitely turn out to be a great event, so if you’re able to make it – even if you don’t really use your Twitter account – do come! Registration is necessary (including a Twitter handle), which you’re able to do here for free.
See you there!
