html

The Rise of Mobile & The "Facebook Refugee"

The author explores the emerging trend of developers moving away from the Facebook platform, seeking new opportunities in the open mobile ecosystem, particularly on the iPhone. They call these developers "Facebook refugees".

Reasons for Developers Leaving Facebook

The author highlights several reasons why developers are moving away from the Facebook platform:

• Lack of Stability: Facebook can abruptly remove apps and replace them with their own.
• Limited Monetization: Facebook's ad network offers limited earning potential for developers.
• Decline in Investment: Angel investors are less keen on investing in Facebook apps due to established companies like Slide and Zynga.
• Lack of Market Excitement: Developers seek new platforms and challenges.

The iPhone Platform: A New Frontier for Developers

The author believes that the iPhone platform is becoming attractive to "Facebook refugees" due to features like geo-location and SMS, which allow developers to experiment with new app ideas.

Comparing Facebook and iPhone Platforms

The article compares the Facebook and iPhone platforms across various dimensions:

	Facebook platform	iPhone platform
Pricing	Free	Free or $0.99 to $999.99
Distribution	Primarily viral (invites, newsfeed, etc.)	Primarily app store
Audience	100M	8M
Coding language	PHP/Ruby/etc	Cocoa
Cost of service	$0	>$150
Payment service?	No	Yes

The iPhone Platform's Potential for Monetization

The author argues that despite a smaller audience, the iPhone platform's stronger monetization channels make it attractive to developers. They point to the success of free iPhone apps like Tap Tap Revenge, which have reached over 1 million users and demonstrate the potential for generating substantial revenue.

The Future of Mobile App Development: Beyond Facebook

The author concludes by suggesting that the open mobile ecosystem, particularly the iPhone platform, is poised for significant growth and will likely attract more developers seeking new opportunities and challenges. They believe that lessons learned on the Facebook platform, such as social gaming and viral distribution, will translate to the mobile space.

Investment Opportunities in the Open Mobile Ecosystem

The article highlights the interest of venture capitalists and entrepreneurs in the open mobile ecosystem, seeing it as a significant opportunity for investment. They are excited by the potential for growth and the emergence of new innovative apps.

Conclusion: The Shift from Facebook to iPhone

This article emphasizes the ongoing shift from Facebook to the iPhone platform, driven by factors like limited monetization, lack of stability, and a growing desire for new opportunities. The author argues that the iPhone's strong monetization potential and its focus on open mobile development make it an increasingly attractive platform for developers. As the mobile landscape continues to evolve, the iPhone platform is poised to play a significant role in shaping the future of mobile app development.