Thursday, October 18, 2007

The iPhone Tsunami

It seems odd to me that Apple's announcement that it will open the iPhone to outside applications isn't on the front page of every online news source in the country. Sure, some publications like the New York Times and AFP have released short stories about Steve Jobs recent announcement. And, of course, Techie publications like Wired have covered it in a little more detail.

For those who missed it, Jobs says "Let me just say it. We want native third party applications on the iPhone." That seemingly innocuous statement will, in my opinion, open up whole new avenues for software developers and iPhone / iPod users alike. It's HUGE -- yeah, I know it doesn't seem huge, but it is.

Why? Because the iPhone and its cousin, the iPod Touch are more than just simple hand held devices. With their WiFi, e-mail, file storage and keyboard capabilities the devices are, in fact, mini-computers, and have the potential to operate as such -- especially if fitted out with some of the third party applications envisioned by developers. Imagine having all the functionality of your current laptop available in your iPod.

In opening up the possibility for developers to work WITH Apple (not against them), Jobs is part of a continuing positive trend in the Web 2.0 world. Larger players, such as MySpace, Facebook and Google recognize that in order to thrive they need to accept and embrace third party applications as opposed to control against them.

Sure, it seems like a new way of doing business. I mean, can you imagine Ford Motor Company unlocking the secrets of its production process so that outsiders could create new, better components for Ford vehicles?

But to me, what Apple and others are doing is building a new component into their brand image. That new component is called "flexibility" and its what successful companies must incorporate into their products and services to have any success in the future.

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