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iphone – it’s not about the hardware silly

by Phil Barrett

iphone app store

For those who have been following my blog for a while will recognize this phrase “user experience will trump superior technology – every time.”

Apple has proven this again and again… and this past week as the world rushed to get their second generation or 3G iphone (and crashing Apple’s itunes server in the process!) it will again be the user experience not the technology that will give this device staying power.

Don’t get me wrong – a thinner version with better reception and real GPS is super awesome – but it’s what comes with the new software OS that really makes this device a consumer’s (and potentially a marketer’s) dream.

The 2.0 OS software on the iphone is backwards compatible with your first generation iphone – so the 200,000 or so first generation iphones in Canada will be able to upgrade and enjoy many of the benefits of the second generation device.

Specifically as a marketer, I’m most excited about the App store – think of it as itunes for software designed specifically for your iphone. No longer will you have to jailbreak your iphone to customize and personalize it to meet your needs. Like itunes, you’ll be able to select what apps (games, productivity software etc…) you want and let the app store do the rest.

iphone apps are like widgets for your blackberry – but far easier to download

Smart marketers will also leverage the localization capabilities of the device to bring you a mashup of something truly useful.

Marketers who think mobile marketing is all about text to win campaigns are missing out on the r/evolution of interactivity.  If you’ve hired one such company to work with your brand or agency, you need to rethink your strategy before submitting those 2009 budgets which are due shortly…

 

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  • UPDATE: Since posting this earlier today, Apple has indicated that over the first three days, 1 million iphones were sold... but more significantly, over 10 million apps were downloaded through the app store.

    Let the r/evolution of mobile as communication device begin!
  • I completely agree Phil. Nokia just bought Symbian and created the Symbian foundation for much the same reason!
    No longer is hardware the biggest draw, it's now about leveraging these platforms to create a full set of new tools.

    Some of the numbers I've seen suggest mobile advertising/payments/content consumption is going to top $5 billion by 2013. That represents a significant opportunity for any company that gets ahead of the curve now.
  • lolly
    OMG there have been a lot of problems here with the new launch - consumers not being to download certain softwares, issues surrounding huge price drops in a short period of time have led to a lot of bad PR
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