There's a lot of discussion going on today about whether Apple should open up the iPhone so that customers can "sideload" apps-- meaning, install them no matter whether they come from the app store, the web, or the customer's own computer. There are questions from both sides of the issue about how such a move would affect Apple.
Some of the reasons that Steve Jobs brings up for keeping the iPhone platform closed are porn, malicious apps and their affect on the platform's reputation, and control over the application development environment. Well, despite Jobs' best efforts there is already porn on the iPhone; and while only Android users can get malicious apps right now, it hasn't affected the reputation of the platform as evidenced by Android phones outselling iPhones in Q1 of this year. Lastly, I think developers would agree that having a choice of development environments suits them just fine.
I think there's one easy answer to the question of how opening the platform would affect Apple: look at Android. It's an "open" platform that has an app store and allows sideloading. So instead of just conjecturing about what would happen to Apple if it opened the iPhone platform, let's look at how the Android platform has fared. Given that sales of Android devices continues to grow, and that entries into the Android app market are surging (do customers really care whether there are 50,000 or 100,000 apps available to their device?), I think it's safe to say that an open platform has served Android quite well-- and it would Apple, too.
Comments (7)
June 4, 2010
11:44AM | #
I'm not sure. I have been of the opinion you stated here, but one thing to think about is market-differentiation.
If you want the bazaar, Android offers that. A lot of people (myself included) want that freedom.
If you want the cathedral, iPhone offers that. A lot of people want that safety.
It might be that if iPhone became more like Android then it would lose some of its market appeal ("We'll hold your hand and make sure everything works fine.").
June 4, 2010
12:09PM | #
@Steve: If customers really perceive the difference between the cathedral and the bazaar, then I'd have to agree with you that Android and the iPhone each have different markets-- and therefore have to operate according to different needs. But I don't believe that customers care about whether the phone is open.
I think that customers care about the features of the phone; the presence of an app store on the device; and the number of apps available. But I've never seen Apple or AT&T advertise that its phones are safe from malicious software, and I've personally never thought about it while considering which cellphone to buy.
In the end, I think that Apple's closed platform is more for their own sake than for customers.
June 4, 2010
12:18PM | #
Both of you bring up some valid points that address, what I feel are, opposite ends of the spectrum. I personally feel that both approaches are terribly flawed.
As a developer it really upsets me that Apple can get away with removing applications from the store once they've been approved. Granted, some really serve no purpose and should be taken down. But for ones like the recently denied wireless syncing app... that would have been tremendously helpful to have an app like that! And I feel for the developer that sunk probably hundreds of hours into building the application only to have it rejected. And probably with little to no explanation.
On the other end, the part that I hate, hate, hate about the Android market is that it's over half full with porn applications. Seriously guys? I can appreciate everyone's 'right' to have applications like that on their phone, but THOUSANDS of applications like that? C'mon... I really think that Google NEEDS to implement a rating system - one where I can filter out all apps with a 'mature' rating. Don't reject an app just because it contains explicit content. Just don't make me page through thousands of items like that when I'm browsing the store. I was really hoping this would be a feature in Froyo, but it looks like I'm out of luck there.
The part that really gets me about the porn apps is that nowadays, smart phones are in the hands of children not even old enough for highschool yet... I'll save that rant for when I've had a few... ;)
The point is that it's a balancing act. It's not always a black-and-white market here. And I just think that both companies are taking it to the extreme which hurts them overall.
June 4, 2010
2:00PM | #
I think Apple should do what they want :)
We keep hearing people say, "I think Apple should do {this}" or, "I think Apple should do {that}". The fact of the matter is that Apple's been pretty darn successful doing exactly what they're doing.
If people don't like it, they have other options. I know some colleagues who have recently switched to some of those other options. That's their choice. If enough people follow suit, I'd imagine that Apple will take note and adjust accordingly. Or they won't, and they'll risk failure.
Bottom line is that I don't think Apple is operating in a vacuum. They know what the situation is, they know what people think, and they've chosen to move forward with a particular strategy. So far, it's been working out pretty well for them.
I've had an iphone for about a year and a half now myself, and I'm pretty happy with it. I've not yet found the lack of Flash to be a hindrance (but I guess I don't personally surf many flash-based web sites), I've purchased a ton of apps that I've enjoyed (and never felt like I needed any additional options that might be available if Apple were to open the phone up).
I'm sure if I had an Android phone I'd be pretty happy too. I don't necessarily think one is better than the other. They've both got their pros and they've both got their cons. Google will be successful with Android and Apple will be successful with the iPhone... and in the end, we all have a choice :)
June 4, 2010
3:51PM | #
@Charlie: I definitely agree with you that Android and iPhone are both great platforms, each with their own strengths and better features. And I definitely agree that it's better for consumers to have a choice among providers. Having Apple and Google compete with each other will bring all of us better products than we'd get if only one of them were in the market. But as for whether Apple "should do" one thing or another, I think that everyone's entitled to speak their opinion and enjoy the discourse! (Plus, while Apple has been amazingly successful doing what they're doing, there's no guarantee that they'll continue being successful if they don't adapt-- just look at Microsoft.)
June 4, 2010
11:14PM | #
Tom,
I agree that most people aren't explicitly aware of the difference between bazaar/cathedral or open/closed. I would wager, however, that the way that they use a device yields a preference for one approach or another.
For example, people that even think about wanting to "sideload" an application are probably pretty oriented to an "open" approach. They want freedom, even if it is a little messy.
Many other people, just want to know that everything about their device will "just work" - it will be easy, safe, bug free. They want safety, not necessarily from malicious code as from any unpleasantness at all.
National Geographic recently had an article about Singapore and a citizen commented that they had limited freedoms, but felt safe to walk the streets at night and they don't have to worry about getting gum on their shows. So, Apple is providing a Singapore-like experience with no gum on your shoes. That is just what some people want.
From that perspective, I think people do (on some level) prefer the cathedral or the bazaar.
Of course, as you say, Apple does what Apple does because they believe it to be in their best interests. Then again, that is probably true of most (if not all) successful companies.
June 4, 2010
11:35PM | #
If people don't like what Apple's doing they need to vote with their wallets. Apple will *never* open up the iPhone. Shoulda woulda coulda discussions are irrelevant--it simply will never happen.
If people care about openness and transparency they shouldn't be on the Apple platform at all. If they don't, then Apple's happy to take their money. Simple as that.
As for Android's market being half-full of porn, I have a Droid and I've never once seen a porn app in the marketplace. Either I'm doing the wrong kinds of searches ;-), or that's nothing but Apple FUD.