Five evolution paths for the iPhone

4. Getting more deeply into services

Right now, Apple only publishes three iPhone applications: Remote, Keynote Remote, and Texas Hold'em. Other than that, it simply provides the platform for third-party developers' apps and services. As long as they don't compete directly with iTunes or flout the sometimes-hazy submission guidelines, they're fine.

What if this changes? For example, there's widespread speculation around Apple's intentions for iPhone games. The company recently poached Microsoft's Xbox strategy boss and also snapped up Graeme Devine, the lead designer of Halo Wars.

Apple may be evolving its Apple TV into a games console – another rumour that’s picked up steam recently - but these moves could also be focused on the iPhone. Launching an Xbox Live-style iPhone gaming community would benefit players and developers alike, for example. Making more games internally may be a concern for the latter.

But Apple may also launch its own social network for iPhone owners, take on YouTube with a more focused video site built out of its MobileMe service, or as we’ve suggested earlier, take iTunes down the streaming music path to give Spotify a pasting.

Would any of these be good ideas, though? Right now, Apple says its role is to provide the platform for developers to do all this stuff. Changing that policy will require careful thought beforehand.

« Previous

1, 2, 3, 4, 5