The future of software is on your phone. Not your desktop. Not your laptop. Your phone.
So I was mildly disappointed this week when I went to Verizon's web site to learn how to write software for Verizon's iPhone clone called Voyager. And learned that I can't. You can't. Nobody outside Verizon's partner LG Electronics can. I'm confused. What? How does that work exactly?
I'm not confused from a technological standpoint. I'm confused from a business standpoint. Let's compare LG Electronics (Voyager) and Apple (iPhone):
LG Electronics pays perhaps a dozen developers a healthy salary to write software for Voyager.
Apple pays perhaps a dozen developers a healthy salary to write software for the iPhone, and has thousands of other developers who write software for free.
Is there any mystery as to who might win?
Apple releases legitimately cool new applications for the iPhone every week, and LG Electronics releases... nothing.
So the more I read about Voyager, the more excited I am about the iPhone.
What's got me excited is Apple will be releasing a new version of their iPhone in a few months. I haven't researched the rumors to see how it'll compare to the previous iPhone model, but I'd expect it to be a little bit better in most aspects. For comparison, the current iPhone model (3G) comes with a 600 MHz processor underclocked - for battery performance I'm guessing - to about 400 MHz. 400 MHz is pretty healthy, and I'll bet the next iPhone will beat it.
Now consider the iPhone 3G also has a television-out connector. So what the iPhone is becoming is a portable desktop computer. Imagine a time when you can connect your iPhone to a 24" LCD display and a Bluetooth keyboard. That time doesn't seem so far off.
Admittedly the G1 has less muscle than the iPhone but I'm surprised you don't mention it. Perhaps many companies and volunteer hackers can crank out even more cool things - Tom (paid shill)
ngan 2009-04-20 10:25:24 US/Pacific
Switch to AT&T. I would definitely consider getting an iPhone next yr when my current contract expires. Would be nice if I could use it in lieu of GPS with live traffic updates
steve 2009-04-20 21:00:19 US/Pacific
I agree, the iPhone is the clear leader in the smart phone market at this point. But, I have a hard time with paying $300 for something that I may lose, drop, or flush by accident. I don't think smart phones will be replacing laptops any time soon. Computers (PCs at least) have become cheap enough that they are almost a disposable commodity.
Louise 2009-04-21 23:55:41 US/Pacific
Speaking as an iphone owner, it's very convienient and cool and useful. . . but it's not really good for surfing the web in the traditional way you would use a computer. The Apps, like the one written for facebook, makes the interface very easy to use format-wise and useablity.
Unfortunatly I love the iphone, and hate that I love it so.
Eric, I find it amazing that these phones can be re-programmed. How long until y'all complete the programming of your cars, refrigerators, stoves and dishwashers to automatically purchase, store, cook, serve and clean up after meals?
Speaking of food, how did you do with the caramel corn? It takes a while to perfect the technique, but once you get it right it is easy. Don't get the syrup on your skin, it is so hot that it will burn you badly. Maybe you should have a disclaimer on your food link.
Remain Calm, think Zen thoughts. The last time the Swine Flu made its round, nearly everyone in our family became ill with it. As I recall, it was not a big deal, the latest miracle medication, Immodium, had just become available over the counter. We treated our influenza by taking Immodium, Tylenol, drinking allot of water and gatoraide, and by doing a lot of laundry, particularly undershorts! The Swine Flu was no big deal, we even had an asthma sufferer in our family, and that person is today living very well and prospering. (Asthma is no longer a problem). Don't wait for the Government to save you, go now to the store and buy some Immodium, the worst aspect of the Swine Flu that we suffered was the problematic uncontrollable intestinal expulsions and the endless laundry! One would believe that people actually will be turning into a Hog or a Sow, for goodness sake, it is only the flu, and nothing that most of you have never experienced before.
Stacey 2009-05-11 15:32:03 US/Pacific
I've always thought of my iPhone as a computer. You've just reinforced that idea for me.