Apple Trumpeting iPhone App Store a Gut Punch to Microsoft and Verizon?
Was Apple’s just released App Store announcement — and Steve Jobs’ remark about how difficult it will be for others to catch up — conveniently timed to preempt Microsoft’s Worldwide Partner Conference where, according to our sibling site WMExperts, details of Windows Marketplace for Mobiles are emerging?
1.5 billion downloads, 100,000 developers, and 65,000 apps is a good old Jobsian gut punch to knock the wind of out any Microsoft news about WinMo 6.0 support, Windows Marketplace Business Center, and whatever else comes out from the folks up in Redmond.
It also combines in a very tidy roshambo to Verizon’s recent revelation that, according to Engadget Mobile, BlackBerry App World or Windows Marketplace won’t be built into devices on that carrier(?!)… and we won’t go much further on that bone-headed, short-sighted, anti-openness news since our cursing would get Parental Control level 17+ slapped on this post…
July 14th, 2009 at 10:23 am
No matter how much I despise the app store sometimes, it is an impressive number. I wouldn’t say it’s low blow to either companies. Maybe they are flaunting it a bit but really, look at the numbers, they are quiet staggering compared to others.
July 14th, 2009 at 10:29 am
TiPb needs an internet connection, it has to be 17+ now.
July 14th, 2009 at 10:32 am
That’s all great and all, but the difference between a MS/Blackberry app store and a Apple one is they have their OS on EVERY SINGLE carrier in the world just about.
I have a 3G and a 3GS, and I’m pretty sure there isn’t over 100 apps that are useful on any of these app stores. COMING SOON 20K different twitter apps!
July 14th, 2009 at 10:59 am
ummmm… most of them are games… and the games are actually awesome…
July 14th, 2009 at 12:10 pm
This begs a question – would people still leave AT&T for Verizon if they block the App Store?
July 14th, 2009 at 12:12 pm
I don’t think that a windows marketplace can catch up at all. 1.5 billion is a heck of a headstart, but I do think that if MS were to include as many **** apps and as much useless **** as the App Store has, it might do just as well. I do wonder how much better app retention rate will be on WinMo versus iPhone
July 14th, 2009 at 12:12 pm
why the heck does it bleep out ‘F a r t’?
July 14th, 2009 at 12:27 pm
It will only take one or two killer apps on the wm marketplace that apple won’t allow. Apple’s big brother mentality has the potential to kill the app store. When I think of the great apps that have been banned or crippled by the app store…
Besides… Divide the number of apps by 2 to account for the trial versions and “lite” versions then divide the result by 20 to eliminate the useless and frivolous apps (I am being generous ) to get the real number.
July 14th, 2009 at 12:34 pm
I have to agree. About 1% of the apps (roughly 650 total) I would say are actually well written and useful apps so the sheer numbers argument doesn’t necessarily hold much weight. However, the number of downloads by users is unprecedented. Having OTA downloads for apps in an easy to use system is incredible. The apps make the phone so much better and Apple has created an incredible environment for those apps. That’s where the genius is, developers have the tools to make great apps and they have come up with some great ones.
July 14th, 2009 at 12:49 pm
Lol. Um. If u dont like the app store. Dont use it. I dont see u comn up with an alternative. As far as useless apps. U people would be complaining if apple blocked all of the useless apps. So they dont and u still complain. Come on guys. Take it for what it is. I dont like bed bath and beyond. So i dont shop there. Wow. Revelations. Lol
July 14th, 2009 at 1:53 pm
More importantly than rumors of an iPhone going to Verizons not-yet-deployed LTE network, how will this afflect the Pre?
This is the exact reason that I will never use Verizon. This kind of mentality is exactly what cripples phones. AT&T took a chance by surrendering a lot of control to Apple and it certainly paid off. What does V not understand? People might like you if you make things fair for consumers, and manufacturers too!
July 14th, 2009 at 2:57 pm
Clearly Apple store is ruling the roost in application arena… There is no one even near to it to compete.Nokia, RIM, Palm and Android all wanted to replicate App Store. Verizon is also toying with the idea by announcing its own APP store… But getting large number of developers and building the software is not bread and butter.. Catch App Store if you can!!
July 14th, 2009 at 4:21 pm
@Krishna
The others are far more open and Apple has had plenty of time to develop its App store. The others have followed suit and will develop their own idea of an App Store. Perhaps they will work with developers on quality and not quantity. 99% of the app store is garbage and yes I said it g-a-r-b-a-g-e.
I’m looking ahead of the Iphone. If ATT gets the Pre or the Hero my Iphone is heading to Ebay Heaven.
July 14th, 2009 at 7:38 pm
Truth you are right I’m looking beyond as well. If ATT gets the HERO or something equivalent it’s a wrap. iPhone is definitely beyond any other attempt of an app store and the way they are trying to go with PNS Browsing xperience. But it’s time for a change.
July 14th, 2009 at 9:41 pm
I love it when the haters come out to play – sure there are some **** apps out there, and yeah some that seem to duplicate functionality but beyond that Apple has done an innovative thing here with the iPhones and the app store that all of the others are scrambling to catch up with. Especially with Verizon saying they are going to cripple the BB app store…
July 14th, 2009 at 11:45 pm
@ Athynz
nobody is denying apple’s innovation. It revolutionized touchscreens and brought an app store and it’s tighly integrated iTunes suite to the iPhone but beyond that they haven’t done much. I look at them as what have they dine fir me lately. My answer: not a damn thing.
July 15th, 2009 at 12:58 am
Damn iPhone keypad…
July 15th, 2009 at 3:42 am
@truth, stop being an arse and stop complaining and trolling like a whiny *****, I’m also using the iPhone”s keyboard and it’s perfect, also, the app store is filled with garbage AND useful, creative, and entertaining apps/games. You have to dig deep to find something absolutely useful or any of what I listed, otherwise, u shouldn’t say **** about the app store, don’t like it, don’t use it. Sure, go ahead and get a pre with its abundance of issues or a hero which will be outdated by the time it releases.
July 15th, 2009 at 6:23 am
What a bunch of whiners. The fact that some of you can’t find useful or well written apps out of the 60,000 available says more about you than it does the app store. I too have problems with certain aspects of the app store. But unread of focusing on the 1% Apple got wrong I’ll continue to be amazed by the miracle that is the app store.
July 15th, 2009 at 9:31 am
@Falkirk
Maybe it just means we have higher standards.
Keep playing with your ****, beer, and restaurant-finder shaking apps.