How Apple Could Kill Android
People love customization. People love simple products that “just work”. That is the dilemma. That is the question. Will you tolerate a product that crashes, and has bugs, and tons of crappy products mixed with a few good ones for some extra customization. This is why Android is tied with Apple in the mobile world. By many counts there are over 200 devices running Android OS. This means there is a device that fits nearly anyones’ needs, and by supply and demand they are much cheaper than ios devices with often better specs. So how does Apple compete? Right now they have a very solid, enjoyable, and Stable platform built onto a few fantastic devices.
They shouldn’t build more products. They shouldn’t lower their prices. What they need to do to compete with Android is add customizability to their products. So how do they implement it? Apple doesn’t like to relinquish control of the look and feel of their devices. Here is my three step plan that would meet the needs of consumers, and Apple, and effectively kill Android.
- The i-look Store. Apple releases a tool for developers to create slightly revised and customized interfaces that still retain the Apple ease of use. These new looks are submitted for approval by Apple and then added to a store run by Apple for new looks. They can be downloaded with the ease of downloading an app and take seconds to change. Apple should also create a program similar to the new ibooks editor on the Mac App store that allows users to slightly customize their interface in a simple and controlled environment that syncs to their device. Apple retains control, and users can make their device their own.
- Online customization options at time of purchase. Apple currently offers around five different changeable variables on their Macbook Pros which allow the user to upgrade their experience based on their needs for a small premium. On computers these are Size, Processor, RAM, Screen, and Storage. On i-devices these variables could be Screen Resolution, Camera Quality, Storage (Which they already offer), and Size (one other option would be nice).
- Remove the $99 developer fee. This one is less important but some new great developers may circumvent ios for Android because they would have to pay $99 a year and then hope their app is approved after working long and hard to make it work. This would make it more attractive to develop on ios and we would see tons of Fantastic new apps.
I honestly believe that if Apple follows the steps outlined above they could beat Droid in the future and dominate the market. How do you think Apple could woo the droid customers? Leave a comment below and subscribe to our Daily News Brief which gives you new content daily delivered to your inbox.
