undefined | Better HN

0 pointsMatthewPhillips15y ago0 comments

Being closed isn't relevant here. If Ubuntu built this feature into the OS the same thing would happen to 3rd parties.

The lesson is about hitching your wagon to one platform. Marco has been an outspoken "iOS only" developer and part of me wants to see him eat crow for taking that position. But that's not fair, at the end of the day he's a smart guy and he'll either adjust or come up with another killer idea. He made the smart play at the right time, but all good things come to an end.

0 comments

3 comments · 1 top-level

tptacek15y ago· 2 in thread

What does this have to do with him being iOS-only? If he build iP for Android, wouldn't the overwhelming majority of his revenue would still come from iOS, and be just as threatened?

MatthewPhillipsOP15y ago

They would still be threatened, but less so, because being multi-platform is a feature that differentiates from Apple's. I'm pretty sure Read it Later isn't sweating as much about this, because they have the single best Android app and the single best Web app of this category.

They also have a very good iPhone and iPad app that some iOS-only users will have a less of an interest in. But for others they can sell on larger availability than what Apple offers.

tptacek15y ago

I don't think that's how it works. At the end of the day, what matters is his revenue graph. If almost all his revenue comres from iOS, and Reading List muddies the water enough to cut into that, the "cross platform" checkbox isn't going to save him, because it's not relevant to the majority of people who pay him.

I don't think iP is doomed, for what it's worth; I just don't think this is the answer.

1 more reply

j / k navigate · click thread line to collapse