Great point and advice. I'm part of a team that has built an application, but we're starting to think we can become a platform, based on the content we're aggregating and the potential metadata around it.
Perhaps you can write another post or two about the tipping point (from application to platform - what signifies it? the first outside application built on your platform?) and how to get there (obviously publishing an API, but what are other best practices to encourage outside developers?).
aweissman
· 2 months ago
I really think the tipping is when you know you just know - cannot plan it b/c you dont know the use of your application until it is used. it just happens.
dremoran
· 2 months ago
So well said. Plus the word "platform" is drastically overused by startups describing themselves.
Would you consider the iphone to be one of those exceptions - a product that from inception was a platform?
aweissman
· 2 months ago
I think the iphone was an application - that app being a phone.
kortina
· 2 months ago
Or was it an ipod that also had calling capabilities ;)
aweissman
· 2 months ago
right!
howardlindzon
· 2 months ago
is sugar cereal a platform....thats what I am hooked on. Is lucky charms and fruity pebbles an app?
aweissman
· 2 months ago
fruity pebbles is NOT an app. Cocoa Puffs, however, are.
amolsarva
· 2 months ago
very true for gadgets too (as you guys discuss re: ipod and iphone in comments) -- for gadget startup people like us me (founder of peek) you can think of Tivo (now its successors are set top boxes? internet streaming platforms). but consider some works in progress like flip (still just the core thing - video camera) or peek (still a messaging handheld)
part of what drives this for gadgets and software is - it's hard to get users. once you have them, might as well extend the capabilities through new apps and/or ecosystem and/or accessories
David Semeria
· 2 months ago
Up to a point. You wouldn't market a Lego set without at least mentioning that the bricks can be used to build other things...
ADstruc
· 2 months ago
Really a great post here, Andrew. In the end, it might come down to a platform becoming a brand and that brand being able to extend...maybe into other product features or on a bigger scale, other industries.
I'd love to get our application/platform in your hands in the next few weeks - we are building the first online marketplace for outdoor advertising. We expect to go beta in the next 2 months.
All Comments
Perhaps you can write another post or two about the tipping point (from application to platform - what signifies it? the first outside application built on your platform?) and how to get there (obviously publishing an API, but what are other best practices to encourage outside developers?).
Would you consider the iphone to be one of those exceptions - a product that from inception was a platform?
part of what drives this for gadgets and software is - it's hard to get users. once you have them, might as well extend the capabilities through new apps and/or ecosystem and/or accessories
I'd love to get our application/platform in your hands in the next few weeks - we are building the first online marketplace for outdoor advertising. We expect to go beta in the next 2 months.
Thanks!
John
www.adstruc.com