Recently there has been much debate over whether Groupon’s model is sustainable. Moreover, several writers including Michael Arrington of TechCrunch have suggested that Groupon has no network effects. While I can’t say whether the rumored valuation of $25 billion is justified or the seed of another tech bubble, I am here to challenge both the above arguments.
Many developers of mobile or web-based apps face this formidable challenge: How to jump- start an app that requires a network of users. If your app derives its utility from the network of people using it, it is critical that there be a simple way for your users to grow their network. By following a few of my guidelines, you can save some effort in creating functionality for network building. This effort can be better invested in the core functionality of the app.
We are surrounded by dense trees on both sides. It is late fall and the water in the creek has dried up, uncovering rocks in the basin and allowing us to cross it on foot. However, in the pitch-blackness, we cannot continue our hike. (more…)
At first glance, it seems that Amazon would struggle in this battle.
I started this series a year ago, and a number of things have changed since then. However, my last analysis on Microsoft sums up the series pretty well.
Microsoft is on a roll: Its newly launched Windows Phone 7 is gaining momentum, and Kinect, its motion controller response to the Wii, could very well sell out before the end of the year. If there was ever a time for Microsoft to get back on its feet and stand shoulder to shoulder with Apple and Google, this would be it.
Last year, I reviewed location-based networks, concluding: “Facebook, if it decides to turn on location-based capabilities, can be a formidable player because of its huge scale and user base.” My expectation was that Facebook could easily trump over any smaller competitors if it chose to do so.
Reality has thus far proven differently: location-based networks such as Foursquare and GoWalla have not just survived, but have continued to grow despite Facebook’s decision to turn on location a couple of months ago. Will these relatively small players continue to thrive, even in the face of recent enhancements to Facebook Places?
Steve Jobs and Mark Zuckerberg met a couple of weeks ago, and rumor has it that Apple is still trying to convince Facebook to allow iTunes Ping, its recently launched music-oriented social network, to work with Facebook Connect. If negotiations succeed, the partnership could be a stepping stone towards a solid partnership. Apple and Facebook could (and should) do a lot more together.
Tired of all the buzz surrounding iPad, iPhone, and iPod events? Relieved to hear that next week’s event takes a nostalgic leap “back to the Mac” from the rampantly discussed iOS, Apple’s mobile operating system? Well, prepare to be disappointed, because “Lion”, the new version of OS X, might actually take the OS X closer to the iOS — the operating system for iPad, iPhone, and iPod Touch.
Besides the obvious cost advantage of using the same resources, why would Apple want to merge the two OSes?
This is not just a book for designers, but for design thinkers. If you are involved in managing, designing, or launching a product of any type, I highly recommend this book.
After reading this book, I literally look at the world around me differently. Whether it's road signs, a parking structure, or a mobile application -- I think about how I would design this more effectively.
