A couple of weeks ago, I mentioned to a few folks that the mobile applications startup I was working on was on track for a September 1 launch. I think that’s still the case; however, at the last moment, I thought we’d try adding the Android platform. Today, I was reminded about the merits of last minute decisions and the phase shift that happens when you add platforms.
If you’re a developer, you already know this: Platforms require decisions. Building on more than one platform requires decisions to the nth power.
Developing on a single platform requires mainly binary decisions - yes, no, and sometimes a maybe thrown in for good measure. The same single dimension triangle applies: Time/Resources/Features. Change one side of the triangle and the others change as well.
We were going to wait to build an Android version of our app but we’re already set for Admob and the Android SDK has what we need. The developer I mentioned in my earlier post is working out really well!
When you make the decision to go to a second platform, you add more dimensions to the triangle (one more per platform) but what you end up with is something like a diamond with multiple facets. You can fit what I know about diamonds on my little finger (bad, I know) but the parallels to platform considerations are rich:
- Each new facet (or platform) you add increases your risk that things won’t work out. If it does, you’ll be well-rewarded. The alternative is dust.
- Clarity becomes increasingly important. The factors that affect a decision become cloudier.
- Size is not a true indicator of price or return. The new platform might not be as easy as the last.
- Don’t let anything change the color of your original intent. Keep your core features and don’t let the new platform push (or force) changes on your other platform offerings.
- Sometimes the most simple things (stones) are the best.
We’re not doing rocket science so this all might be overstated; however, we are affected by different versions of Android and we’re muddling through it. It’s a new and changing platform but it is incredibly powerful and mostly straightforward (like the iPhone sdk).
Last note/update: Last night, we decided to add Microsoft’s most recent phone sdk to the mix as well; except we’re building a Silverlight version of our app and then porting it over. How hard can that be?
What are we building? Stay tuned. It’s basic. It’s niche and there is a well-defined market for it. All startups should be this straightforward.
