Apple opening up it's iPhone platform to developers ? Good Idea or Bad Idea ?

Apple announced a few days ago that it was going to open up it's iPhone platform to developers. Let's consider what's behind the change in Apple's stand and what promoted it to do so and whether or not this is a good or bad idea.

First, Apple faces intense competition from Nokia, Motorolla and other phone makers. Considering the market size of Nokia and Motorolla both in US and overseas, Apple is a tiny player. Apple has to rely on the service providers to distribute their phone to a very large extent in the US. Cell phone service operators carry a big influence on the cell phone manufacturing companies. Given the hefty price that Apple charged for iPhone in the beginning, I think it was clear that they would have a tough sell against the other players. Apple needs to further differentiate its products to win the competition. Hence, I think it was a smart move in moving forward to open up it's platform for developers to create new applications. This lets them focus on the core phone product and leverage the large loyal geeky followers to deliver cool applications.

It is also possible that Apple sees Google as a potential threat in this market. If going by the rumors Google is in the stealth mode development of a killer gPhone then Apple better be concerned because Google's approach to conquering the market is exactly opposite of what Apple is used to doing. They adopt open API approach and encourage other developers to build applications using those APIs. Take a look at how Google entered the "map" market. There were already big players like Mapquest and yahoo. Was there room for another player ? What value add could Google provide if they brought in a very similar service? Google opened up their mapping API's enabling the users to use their creativity in putting this together. Hence again, I think Apple made a smart move in opening up their APIs.

What's next for Apple ? Will they open up their iPod or iMac platforms?

Now back from India!!

My classes start today. argh.. It's tough to get back to the hectic schedule after about a 5-6 week break. I am glad I took the summer classes. Without that it would have been a 3 month break. Boy..imagine getting back to the schedule after that long a break.

Well, my India vacation (3 week) was a nice one. I had my two boys there as my wife couldn't accompany because of her projects.in a way she had the vacation because I had to manage our boys. The second one is just 22 months and although it was not very difficult to manage him, his sticky nature made my life a little difficult. The long plane journey was the most tiring of all. We tried to be cheap and didn't get a separate seat for him and hence he was on my lap all the time. Adding to that he was just being potty trained which means he used to send me running to the bathroom almost every half to one hour..Poor guys on the aisle seat.. I told them to exchange but they wouldn't..so they had to do the standup routine every time my son wanted to go to the bathroom.

Kushaal's school has started, the jet lag is over and now it's time for all of us to fall in the back-to-school mood. I am the last one and I promise I'll be a nice boy this fall.

Funny : How everything fell in place to scare the shit out of people

Bank of America promotional fax mistaken as bomb threat - International Herald Tribune

Bank of America promotional fax mistaken as bomb threat



This is a very funny story...Even the fax machine co-operated here to scare away people. IN this day and age think twice before you come up with creative ideas for marketing. My friends in the marketing core, be aware!

I am going to be at Tiecon tomorrow
I am all excited to be attending the Tiecon tomorrow at the SantaClara convention tomorrow. This is my first attendance at the Tiecon and I am looking forward to having a great day!!! Drop me a comment if you'll be attending too.

Network elections and voting dilemma!!

It's once again time to vote for Network presidents at SCU. You can see everyone's flooding your mail boxes with "Vote for ME" emails. Well, funny.. I have never casted my vote in any political election and that's primarily because I never lived in my constituency where I had the voting rights... I was moving around like a nomad. Now I am going to vote!!! I am going to vote just for the thrill of it but here's my dilemma. I have been approached by some candidates who I know but then there are others I know too who I don't know personally but have a better agenda. Should I vote for the one who I know personally or for the one who has a better agenda ? Hmm, What would you do in that case ?

When's the right time to do an MBA ?

Have you ever been told that this is not the right time to do your MBA, especially if you are married and having kids ? I have been posed with this question a number of times since I have two kids, a full time job and as you might have guessed doing an evening MBA. Well, I may not have the answer to this question but I have seen people from all walks of life and all age groups enrolled in an MBA programme. I have seen people who have recently completed their under graduation, people who have had a few years of experience in the industry, people who have been attending in 3-4 weeks after delivering a baby, single parents who have travel jobs and people who are in their 40's and 50's... So the answer I give to skeptics who ask , "Is this the right time for you? " , is walk with me if you will to my school and meet the diverse set of people and you'll realize that there is NO right time. The right time is when you think is the RIGHT time.

Venture Capital Investment Competition (VCIC)

I think this is a great opportunity for anyone even remotely thinking about stepping into an Entreprenuers role . This year SCU is hosting the Venture Capital Investment Competition (VCIC). I am new to this and don't have all the info but stay tuned while I gather more details and post them here.



PS : If you are thinking of partnering with someone, then I am looking for some one serious. I have a great idea that might work :- )