The iPhone is the lowest common denominator

Has the iPhone become so pervasive in the market as to be the lowest common denominator of smartphones? According to a post on IT World that was Slashdotted this weekend, it would seem that way. For the world outside America, Symbian still rules supreme but there is no denying the way that the iPhone has changed the common expectation of what a mobile can and should do.

Most Slashdot comments focused on the whys and wherefores of those on US$25,000 pa buying US$200 mobiles on US$70 pcm contracts. I’d argue that this focus detracts from a more interesting point: post iPhone everyone (and I really do mean everyone) expects more from their new mobile phone.

We expect our mobiles to be smart enough to cope with email, WiFi powered web-browsing, IM and a bunch of clever applications. Perhaps a significant segment is prepared to over-extend their budget to get what they want? Perhaps these people are switching off their fixed line to do so?

When we founded Morodo, a little under three years ago, some people thought we were mad to base our business on downloadable mobile apps. “Applications? Bah humbug! Ringtones, Games and Enterprise applications are all that’ll ever amount to.” They said. Now, Apple, Microsoft and Research In Motion are serving mobile download stores for the masses and the masses are coming.

The plug: Our flagship application, MO-Call, can save you money on every international call you make and can be used anytime, anywhere, without the need for an Internet connection. We planned ahead so that you could use MO-Call on practically any mobile you choose, over 1,100 at last count. Sign-up and download it for free. You’ll be very glad you did.