Comments on: Poll: What’s the “App Lock In” Cost on Smartphones?

By: iOS, Android Loyalty Raises App Lock-In Hurdle for Others: Mobile Technology News «

Tue, 18 Jan 2011 18:01:12 +0000

[...] concern should be held by all of the other competing platforms. I’ve argued in the past that as consumers invest more in applications for a specific smartphone platform, the less likely they ar…. That’s a potential hurdle to Microsoft’s new Windows Phone 7 devices, although they [...]

By: Microsoft Opened its Wallet to Build WP7 App Success: Tech News «

Microsoft Opened its Wallet to Build WP7 App Success: Tech News « — Mon, 15 Nov 2010 21:47:07 +0000

[...] their purchase first on the hardware. But the various OS makers know that apps are what keep many consumers tied to a platform and they’re very intent on competing for developer support. The fact that Microsoft had a [...]

By: Android Market Clears 100,000 Apps Milestone: Tech News «

Android Market Clears 100,000 Apps Milestone: Tech News « — Mon, 25 Oct 2010 17:59:15 +0000

[...] of the laggard platforms will catch up. Or whether users will continue to buy apps knowing they are locked into a single platform. Or even if apps will continue to win out over the mobile [...]

By: RIM Beats Apple to the Punch With App Purchases on Web « Mobile Competitive Intelligence

Mon, 25 Oct 2010 15:38:10 +0000

[...] app store operator, for one thing. As consumers purchase a greater number of apps for their device, they’re really investing in a platform, which is another potential barrier to get customers switch… to BlackBerry from iOS or [...]

By: RIM Beats Apple to the Punch With App Purchases on Web: Tech News «

RIM Beats Apple to the Punch With App Purchases on Web: Tech News « — Fri, 22 Oct 2010 19:46:00 +0000

[...] store operator for one thing. And as consumers purchase a greater number of apps for their device, they’re really investing in a platform, which is another potential barrier to get customers sw… to BlackBerry from iOS or [...]

By: Fazal Majid

Fazal Majid — Tue, 19 Oct 2010 14:54:34 +0000

The apps’ cost, just like the phone’s, is immaterial compared to the pound of flesh the cellco charges every month in subscriptions and fees.

The real hindrance to switching is familiarity with a user interface. I tried switching from an iPhone 3GS to an Evo 4G a few months ago and gave up in disgust because Android felt so clunky and unrefined in comparison.

By: lorenz

lorenz — Tue, 19 Oct 2010 14:27:31 +0000

Usability of the handset and its connectivity to other devices(like a Bluetooth hands free in my car).As soon as device becomes faster and smarter i will change sooner than later.

By: xtophr

xtophr — Tue, 19 Oct 2010 10:06:46 +0000

Adding to Tom W’s comment on game consoles, it’s the must-have apps that drive a switch. I have an iPhone because it was first to market and offers (to me) a great experience for the 18 months or so that I’ll own it.

I’ve played around with Android phones, and I like them. But I don’t see anything compelling enough to make me switch. What it would take would be the equivalent of ‘Halo’ on the XBox: something so compelling that I couldn’t resist. Or at least so compelling that I would make a trip to the store to use it in person and seriously consider a purchase.

By: Kevin C. Tofel

Kevin C. Tofel — Mon, 18 Oct 2010 15:22:01 +0000

Interesting point, Aaron. I don’t quite look at the investment as “sunk costs” because one can purchase a newer handset on the same platform and reuse the apps. People do it all the time with iOS upgrades or moving from one Android device to another, for example. In a case like that, my investment is protected in the short term future.

By: Aaron

Aaron — Mon, 18 Oct 2010 14:53:35 +0000

I think you are looking at this wrong. The previously bought apps are “sunk costs” and shouldn’t be considered in the decision over a new phone. What is important is the opportunity cost: how much will is cost to get the new phone to the level of current phone (which has zero cost). If apps are cheaper on new platform or if many apps aren’t necessary (capabilities built into phone) or if many of the purchased apps turned out to be duds; these are all reasons that just looking at money spent does not directly relate to willingness to switch.

This is an interesting subject though. If Microsoft wants to attract users of iphones and androids, it needs to remember the cost of switching includes purchases of necessary apps (for that user).