I’ve written about the iPhone on this blog before, but the thing just keeps getting better.
The new model released this week–a faster 3G model at about half the price of the original model–makes me even more clear that this device will transform real estate.
What has to happen for the iPhone to bring workable real estate onto a mobile device for the first time?
A smart developer just has to create the applications. KCPB is funding promising application developers, and all applications will be for sale or free in the “Ap(plication) Store” for instant download and installation.
Watch the Apple WWDC keynote video to see some examples of iPhone applications that were created in just a couple of weeks. Once you see the examples in the video–from companies like eBay, Loopt and Major League Baseball–I’m sure you’ll be blown away.
Despite Blackberry’s, Palm’s and Nokia’s best efforts, I don’t see them catching up any time soon. Just imagine a Blackberry product launch in which new features are greated not just with polite applause, but with outright surprise, laughter and joy. But, if they do catch up, all the better for the real estate industry.
6 Comments
snoop
Its all very interesting but the nett of it is Agents in the main are not technologicaly literate and half the industry relies on their franchisors to help them and the other half relies on small vendors.
I think these tools will help the younger GEN Y agents or the Mcgrath Types who seem to embrace tools to make them more efficient ,but unitl all the old boomers retire off its not going to be big.
Will it be good for consumers,it seems the big two portals both have embryonic mobile plays going but they dont seem to be crowing aobut the success of them.
Early days methinks.
Dave Platter
I hear you, snoop. Few agents–or consumers for that matter–are hi-tech. And, past real estate mobile initiatives have been terrible.
The reality is real estate will never go mobile until it’s easy and fun.
The iPhone will make it so. That’s why it’s so revolutionary. Consider these facts:
**Until the iPhone, only a few percentage points of mobile users ever browsed the web on their mobile. On the iPhone 98% are. That’s shocking.
**Until the iPhone you had to struggle to learn how to do two or three different things on your mobile. On the iPhone 80% of users are using 10 or more features. Yes, 10. That’s not a typo.
I addressed this issue in more detail in my first iPhone real estate post:
http://www.business2.com.au/2008/03/10/is-real-estates-mobile-tipping-point-about-to-arrive/
Thanks for the comment.
All best.
dave
adam
The new Iphone does not have Video Cam capabilities or MMS capabilities, so won’t be the phone of choice of a lot of Gen Y’s.
There is also debate on how the GPS mapping will work, if it relies on data downloads, you will find a lot of people will snub it.
Greg Vincent
Dave you are so right with this post. The adaption from eBay, Loopt & Major League Baseball are incredible.
Adam, I don’t know if you’ve watched the Apple WWDC keynote video but before you think Gen Y won’t use it, think again. Gen Y are into social networking & the Loopt development alone will be a massive hit with Gen Y.
Loopt have combined location & added to it a social network & they claim to be “connecting with people on the go.” As Sam Altman CEO of Loopt says “They make serendipity happen”.
The eBay function alone will make the iPhones popular with Gen X & Gen Y.
The tilt control for Sega games & the easy access to downloading games via iTunes will make it even more popular with the Gen Z’s (YounGens).
adam
There are much better options coming out from HTC, SAMSUNG in the near future. gsmarena has a heap of info.
Nat
Adam….. one year on mate… still nothing beats the iphone. Dave you should have put some money on it.