Apple: Sneaking from the backdoor.
On March 6th Apple broadcasted the iPhone software roadmap, in doing so Apple unveils its strategy for years to come. In fact this presentation is a warning to the industry and can be considered as a milestone in computer electronics history. Here is why ! (I swear, I’m sober.)
Not only Apple has done a huge hit with Ipod products, converting millions of non-Apple users into Apple addicts all over the planet, but now Ipods are Iphones and Iphones are mobile devices, mobile devices able of doing what every other personal computer does (in fact, Iphones are computers, simply because OS 10 is embedded).
Iphone is a computer and Steve thinks it could also be everything you need because it comes with: webmail, videos, widgets, programs, music, etc. Starting in June, through the new labeled: “App Store”, Apple will offer the possibility to download video games, not cheap stuff you can already download through your regular mobile, this time Apple makes a huge bet on supporting the video game developers.
Iphone has natively a multi-touch screen and accelerometer and is then set to offer game players at least equivalent sensations to what a DS does (Nintendo Ds : 68.04M worldwide) IPhone SDK (Software Development Kit) is the cheapest on the market 99$ and this means Apple is willing to become an actor in the video game industry.
What about games?! So far we have Sega, I know it’s not much but Sega is a Japanese company, and like you probably know, video games and Japan are twins. Historically Nokia crashed nicely with its N-gage Phone/video system because they had no solid support from Japanese game companies and so did many other companies trying to hit the market : Atari, 3Do , etc.
Before you had one tool for each specific thing. A CD player for CD’s, a DVD player for DVD’s, a computer to browse, etc. Today Steve Jobs offers a way to have everything in one single device.
Nintendo and Apple have the exact same commercials tone in terms of “Simple & Easy to use” targeting new customers.
The biggest question is about Nintendo. The giant has to make a move and cannot afford to stay suited only as a video game “creator”. We are noticing every entertainment activities are merging together, soon it will be hard to divide music from movies from gaming and browsing, entertainment becomes a whole thing in itself. Nintendo doesn’t have yet any phone, doesn’t supply movies and is unable to sell music. Nintendo knows how to make games and does it wonderfully, but what will be next?! Will you make room in you pocket for an extra device only dedicated to games?
There’s also another reason Nintendo should be worried about Apple reaching game industry. Nintendo marketed Wii and DS systems almost the same way Apple does with computers and devices. Ipod was white; Ds’s and Wii’s are white. Nintendo and Apple have the exact same commercials tone in terms of “simple & easy to use” targeting new customers.
If Nintendo should be worried, it is in fact Sony who should be anxious, not only Sony enjoys the same good looking stuff, but it also targets the same idea of a unique tool with the PSP system. Rumors of a PSP phone are popping every 6 months on the web, and if it is no true it shows at least it could be real and plausible.
Even though, Apple has never been really careful about “players” many people think, if Apple’s Iphone becomes a gaming platform it will be despite of Apple itself, which is not totally true simply because in this case Apple has made huge efforts to give access to all API’s (application programming interface) and really supports developments.
Like always Steve Jobs does an awesome work in promoting his products and that’s the point of this article, Steve Jobs is to me the best SEO, that’s the reason why I’m writing this article, for free.
Great job Steve ! Here is one more good link for you.
Apple: Sneaking from the backdoor, when business expected you at the front door.
Iphone roadmap presentation (March 6Th).
Last keynote presentation by Steve Jobs: Iphone 3G (June 9Th)
Comments (3)
Good site I “Stumbledupon” it today and gave it a stumble for you.. looking forward to seeing what else you have..later
I searched for \’Apple Iphone Presentations\’ at google and found this your post (\’Sneaking from the backdoor.\’) in search results. Not very relevant result, but still interesting to read.
Lots of of bloggers not too pleased with the new iPad.There was just 2 much hype over it and alot people got turned off.You see, I actually see great deal of the awesome potential of this gizmo. Third-party applications for playing music, games, newspapers and magazine and FFS books, all kinds of neat stuff, but they failed to sell it very well (excluding the books). It looks kinda unfinished