Products are not platforms by default

In case you've missed great piece by Ben Thompson written after Apple's presentation.

Apps are the key to success of computing devices and they eventually gain control over the direction of development of the entire ecosystem. And that direction may not be the brightest.

Note carefully the apps that succeed on the iPhone in particular: either the apps are ad-supported (including the social networks that dominate usage) or they are a specific type of game that utilizes in-app purchasing to sell consumables to a relatively small number of digital whales.

Also, great summary of what developers need from the marketplace to make the platform shine with their apps:

  • Ability to charge fair price
  • Ability to generate recurring revenue
  • Ability to interact with users

Must read if you have anything to do with apps.