3 ms·

I'm curious (and this is not a rant), what is the logic behind releasing a mac-only client right at the start?

by avner 18y ago

sachinag 18y ago
No real inside knowledge, but... If I was building an app, I'd do Mac-only first if I had to choose one. Every major blogger is a Mac user, so you get your initial coverage. Then, when you release a Windows version, it's a legitimate process story (since most people are on Windows), and you can get another round of free media. There may or may not be technical reasons for it, but purely from a free media standpoint, it strikes me as the right strategy.
- gommm 18y ago
  Yes but will techcrunch and the other blogger really cover your startup again just for the new windows version? I wonder if they shouldn't have had a soft launch on HN first and then a bit later once the webplayer is available launch on techcrunch... On this subject I found http://startuplessonslearned.blogspot.com/2009/03/dont-launch.html http://startuplessonslearned.blogspot.com/2009/03/dont-launc... very interesting... It's from this article that I decided that maybe a soft launch on HN before a real launch on techcrunch and the like is better
uuilly 18y ago
I think the reality is that most early adopters are now mac users. When releasing something new you need to convert what Seth Godin calls "sneezers," what he calls "laggards" can come later.
- patio11 18y ago
  I think the reality is that most early adopters are now mac users. I am generally fairly skeptical of the notion "Reality is a social construct" but this particular usage of the word "reality" is very, very much a social construct. Early adopters in our little echo chamber are perceived as mostly using Macs. Its funny how much we think we know about early adopters, or any other demographic, for that much. Do we know whether the user is a man or a woman? Do we know which way they voted in the last election? What do they think about gay marriage? What model phone do they own? Have they ever played World of Warcraft? Have they ever been to a NASCAR race? Does the typical early adopter happen to share all the above with your answers?

I'm curious (and this is not a rant), what is the logic behind releasing a mac-only client right at the start?

by avner 18y ago

I'm curious (and this is not a rant), what is the logic behind releasing a mac-only client right at the start?

No real inside knowledge, but... If I was building an app, I'd do Mac-only first if I had to choose one. Every major blogger is a Mac user, so you get your initial coverage. Then, when you release a Windows version, it's a legitimate process story (since most people are on Windows), and you can get another round of free media. There may or may not be technical reasons for it, but purely from a free media standpoint, it strikes me as the right strategy.

gommm 18y ago
Yes but will techcrunch and the other blogger really cover your startup again just for the new windows version? I wonder if they shouldn't have had a soft launch on HN first and then a bit later once the webplayer is available launch on techcrunch... On this subject I found http://startuplessonslearned.blogspot.com/2009/03/dont-launch.html http://startuplessonslearned.blogspot.com/2009/03/dont-launc... very interesting... It's from this article that I decided that maybe a soft launch on HN before a real launch on techcrunch and the like is better

uuilly 18y ago

I think the reality is that most early adopters are now mac users. When releasing something new you need to convert what Seth Godin calls "sneezers," what he calls "laggards" can come later.

patio11 18y ago
I think the reality is that most early adopters are now mac users. I am generally fairly skeptical of the notion "Reality is a social construct" but this particular usage of the word "reality" is very, very much a social construct. Early adopters in our little echo chamber are perceived as mostly using Macs. Its funny how much we think we know about early adopters, or any other demographic, for that much. Do we know whether the user is a man or a woman? Do we know which way they voted in the last election? What do they think about gay marriage? What model phone do they own? Have they ever played World of Warcraft? Have they ever been to a NASCAR race? Does the typical early adopter happen to share all the above with your answers?