As a follow on to yesterday’s post regarding mobile application compatibility issues among different Android-based phones, today I came across two more articles – one coming at the issue from the same direction, another from a different one.
This post titled, “Developers only now realizing Android is not a platform” expands on comments recently made around problems facing open source software used in customer facing applications (versus the back office, or closed environments closely monitored and managed by IT staff and developers). It’s a sobering point of view that if publicized further may discourage application developers and marketers from investing in Android mobile applications.
The other, titled “Microsoft: mobile apps aren’t important” cites claims just made by Microsoft Chief Software Architect Ray Ozzie (remember Lotus Notes?) that apps are not important unless developers are able to write a single application that runs across many devices. He implied that the operating system itself and its built in features would be the key to this future – a line parroted by Microsoft for years, but historically more around its desktop operating system.
Both of these points of view may drive an even deeper wedge between Apple’s consumer friendly, yet closed approach and more open or device/OS centric approaches to mobile applications. Unfortunately for anyone but Apple, the mobile customer experience is very personal and so the winner long term is likely the one who recognizes the large market opportunity is about ease of use and friendliness.
Comments such as those of frustrated Android developers and Microsoft (who has its own issues around mobile) make it more likely that iPhone app alternatives will be relegated to purely B2B applications, as in the case of sales force automation or field service support. Basically, tightly controlled, back office solutions.
