Dec
11
Living in your pocket - update
Filed Under Innovation, Mobile | 2 Comments
Six months ago against most expectations Apple changed its iPhone development to an ‘open platform’. I said at the time that I couldn’t wait to see what ingenious ideas the developer community out there was going to cook up for us. So Where have we got to?
Well there are now over 10,000 applications to download ranging from Spore (a cut down version of the popular console game) to Shazam (identify and purchase any music by pointing your iPhone at the loudspeaker). There are business productivity tools e.g. OmniFocus, and helpful connection widgets to the likes of Facebook and the WordPress blogging platform, and of course a range of RSS newsreaders. This rapid success has left all other phone manufacturers gasping for breath.
Of course there is bucket loads of dross but the explosion of creativity is fast turning the iPhone into not only one of the most popular games consoles, but also into one of the most fun pieces of technology on the planet.
Even so this is very early days, and we are still primarily in a process of absorbing existing web innovations on to the platform. I am still waiting for a genuine break through mobile application to emerge - one that could only exist on a platform like the iPhone. Something that can harnesses the collective brainpower of teams and groups in a unique, personal and pocket-able way - and geo-location isnt it! I think it is only a matter of time.
(If you think there is something out there I have missed then please let me know.)