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When Android is the only real alternative "just don't buy iPhones" isn't a very compelling argument. Android has tons of problems and likewise, the only alterna

When Android is the only real alternative "just don't buy iPhones" isn't a very compelling argument. Android has tons of problems and likewise, the only alternative users really have is the iPhone. Consumers need more than two options if the free market is going to be effective.

HatchedLake721 3y ago
There will not be more than two options anytime soon, and what a lot of people miss here, it’s developer’s fault too. Microsoft in their last few years tried very hard to incentivise developers to build apps for Windows Phone. But many didn’t bother. Some even only targeted iOS because of the reach and how amazing the development experience was, including less devices to test and support compared to Android and Windows Phone. And this made the choice for consumers easier, when (I don’t remember the names) some very popular and big apps at the time were not natively available on Windows Phone at all. Even Tim Sweeney never brought Unreal Engine to Windows Phone despite their promises and I’d say played part to build the current status quo. Developers voted with their time to build apps for a 30% fee marketplace that suddenly was a gateway to distribute their work to millions of users worldwide that was not heard of before in the era of Windows Mobile. (pre iPhone) And now they cry wolf about the system they’ve voluntarily helped to build.
- CivBase 3y ago
  It doesn't really matter how it came to be or who was involved. The point is there are two options now and there is no sign of that changing any time soon. And this affects almost everyone, not just developers. Smartphones are ubiquitous in North America and Europe, and just about everyone uses them to access the web via a browser.
spacebacon 3y ago
There will always only be two options in all things. Bifurcation is universal. The illusion of more than two options is short lived.
- CivBase 3y ago
  What makes you say this? There are plenty of examples to the contrary. Airlines, cars, gas stations, shoes, beer, bikes, browsers, power tools, pizzas, etc. Sure, there are plenty of duopolies out there, but there are also plenty of monopolies. That doesn't mean they're inevitable.
  - spacebacon 3y ago
    This may be the illusion of choice provided by disruption... Eventually all would settle to just two if no further disruption (periods of chaos) challenged the natural order of dominance. Not feasible in reality as change is constant. Just in theory. Occasionally we see a clear bifurcation the more order we nuance out in large complex systems like politics where the stakes are high and attention is great. We settle on left or right. The sage walks two roads in this case.

HatchedLake721 3y ago

There will not be more than two options anytime soon, and what a lot of people miss here, it’s developer’s fault too. Microsoft in their last few years tried very hard to incentivise developers to build apps for Windows Phone. But many didn’t bother. Some even only targeted iOS because of the reach and how amazing the development experience was, including less devices to test and support compared to Android and Windows Phone. And this made the choice for consumers easier, when (I don’t remember the names) some very popular and big apps at the time were not natively available on Windows Phone at all. Even Tim Sweeney never brought Unreal Engine to Windows Phone despite their promises and I’d say played part to build the current status quo. Developers voted with their time to build apps for a 30% fee marketplace that suddenly was a gateway to distribute their work to millions of users worldwide that was not heard of before in the era of Windows Mobile. (pre iPhone) And now they cry wolf about the system they’ve voluntarily helped to build.

CivBase 3y ago
It doesn't really matter how it came to be or who was involved. The point is there are two options now and there is no sign of that changing any time soon. And this affects almost everyone, not just developers. Smartphones are ubiquitous in North America and Europe, and just about everyone uses them to access the web via a browser.

spacebacon 3y ago

There will always only be two options in all things. Bifurcation is universal. The illusion of more than two options is short lived.

CivBase 3y ago
What makes you say this? There are plenty of examples to the contrary. Airlines, cars, gas stations, shoes, beer, bikes, browsers, power tools, pizzas, etc. Sure, there are plenty of duopolies out there, but there are also plenty of monopolies. That doesn't mean they're inevitable.
- spacebacon 3y ago
  This may be the illusion of choice provided by disruption... Eventually all would settle to just two if no further disruption (periods of chaos) challenged the natural order of dominance. Not feasible in reality as change is constant. Just in theory. Occasionally we see a clear bifurcation the more order we nuance out in large complex systems like politics where the stakes are high and attention is great. We settle on left or right. The sage walks two roads in this case.