Windows, Mac, iPhone, Android Versions All Must-Haves Now

November 17, 2009 · 0 comments

in Gear,Technology

Apple’s “There’s An App For That” campaign is so good that I expect apps for all kinds of things, and have actually been disappointed.  I recently searched for these apps that don’t exist:

  • IMDB — to add insult to injury, there isn’t a mobile version of the website.
  • MSN/Bing Video — to watch The Guild.
  • Netflix — though there are approved 3rd party apps.
  • Google products like Gmail, Docs, and Reader — though their mobile browser versions are pretty good.
  • Kayako — a very popular helpdesk application I’m evaluating for Killer Aces.
  • Quantcast
  • Compete
  • ComScore

I’m not saying there aren’t plently of great apps on the iPhone. In fact, I recently contributed an article to Intel’s MyLifeScoop.com featuring the cool ways iPhone apps have made my life easier — 3 Ways Technology Makes Personal Finance Easier.

I’m saying that because Apple’s done such a good job with their app store (now with 100,000+ apps*), I now expect an app to exist for every web service or site I use.

* The link goes to a Wired article that says “But as the App Store continues to expand, an inevitable question arises: How many apps do you really need?” My answer is — more than what they have now!

This puts the pressure on developers. In addition to a Windows and Mac version, I now expect your service to have an iPhone version too.  (And I suspect Android users feel the same way. If not today, then soon now that a bunch of second gen Android devices have rolled out.)

Fred Wilson talked about this a few weeks ago when Droid came out.  He said the mobile web (meaning apps, not mobile versions of websites) was the next big thing in tech.  He said:

I believe that mobile devices are bringing web services into our pockets and purses, onto restaurant tables and bars, and into schools and stadiums…

The “mobile web” is where “it” is at right now. And it is also where it is all going…

The mobile web sector is developing quickly and innovation is happening all over the place. It is very exciting to see.

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