iLounge

1

I find 34% to be extremely high. Even the newest users of smartphones who posses technological skills of a squashed ant have downloaded something within the first week whether if be a game or a news feed.
Then again maybe smartphones come with the programs target specifically to their audience and downloaded additional programs are not necessary ot their IT departments are putting the necessary tools on their devices so the user doesn’t have too.
Either way I still find 34% high.

Scott

Posted by Scott Carroll on November 23, 2008 at 7:42 AM (PDT)

2

The reason the percentage is so high with the iPhone is because there are so functions and applications that should be “built in” but are not.  Such as, instant messaging applications, better notes, and simple functions like MMS.

I don’t want to demean the Apps Store, because it is, currently, the best way to get applications for your phone, but I believe the above reason is why.

Posted by Michael Collado on November 23, 2008 at 9:10 AM (PDT)

3

@ Michael Collado

I could not disagree more. As an example, I’ve installed tons of applications, none of which I would expect to come on most smartphones. (For the record, I think MMS is a dying medium and will be obsolete in 2-3 years. I think that’s why it’s not a priority for Apple). I haven’t added a single app that adds IM, MMS, notes, or other functions like that. (of course, that would change if a video recording app ever appeared on the store.) But even those who do install such apps, I would bet almost all of them have installed apps that you wouldn’t normally find preinstalled on a smartphone (i.e. Apple’s remote app? various games? twitter clients? box.net?).

On the other side, my wife, who has a Blackberry Curve, has never installed anything on her device. I’m convinced it’s because she doesn’t care to go through the hassle of figuring out how to do it.

The fact is that Apple has made the installation of 3rd party apps WAY easier than any other smartphone manufacturer. While your reasons might account for a small percentage, the trands are definitely because of the iTunes/iPhone ease of use.

Posted by jasonact on November 23, 2008 at 9:37 AM (PDT)

4

===The fact is that Apple has made the installation of 3rd party apps WAY easier than any other smartphone manufacturer. While your reasons might account for a small percentage, the trands are definitely because of the iTunes/iPhone ease of use. ===

Not just the initial installation is easier, but so has maintenence and patching. I used to have about 20 apps on a Pocket PC, and maintaining patches and latest versions was a pain. Twenty apps, twenty different sites to visit, all with different licensing methods. But with the App store, one place, one scheme, one button and all your apps are installed and kept up to date.

Posted by Dale Reeck on November 23, 2008 at 10:36 AM (PDT)

5

My last two work phones have been Windows Mobile Devices. While I am a bit of a tech head and like adding functionality to portable devices, There wasn’t a single app on the market which could add useful functionality to the device that didn’t cost an exorbitant amount.
My iPhone is chock-full of useful applications. From games which are fun to play (as opposed to most phone games) to online resource portals with up-to-date information, the quality of iPhone Apps blow away the competition from other vendors.

Posted by Dan Woods on November 23, 2008 at 1:07 PM (PDT)