When the T-Mobile G1 debuted in October 2008, there were a number of features and services that were missing from the Android experience. People wanted to sync with their Exchange server, so Touchdown managed to fill a gap. Others wanted to sync their to-do lists, so Astrid added sync support for Remember the Milk. In the absence of official support, talented developers emerged to meet consumer needs.
However, many of the great apps that everyone loved have been challenged by official releases from HTC, Google, Remember the Milk, and others. How appealing can these apps be when the allure of an official release from the source is available? Will people pay $10 to use Touchdown if they can get native Exchange support built-in by device makers for free?
Here’s a look at some apps facing competition from the big boys.
Microsoft Exchange Support
Third-party app (3PA): Touchdown, RoadSync, ContactsCalendarSync
Outcome: Hanging on…for now. RoadSync recently went from a free app to a paid version, but it and similar apps may be on borrowed time. These were great, must have solutions for G1/Dream and Magic phones that lacked native Exchange support. However, more Android phones are beginning to include built-in Exchange support and Android 2.0 (Éclair) makes this a standard feature. It will take something exclusive and top-notch to warrant spending money on something that users can get for free.
Google Places (and Business/Location services in general)
3PA: Where, Better POI, Layar, Sherpa, etc.
Outcome: Mostly unaffected. This is the one instance I think “official” support means absolutely nothing. Of course, an app from Google is going to be more noticeable and popular than third-party apps, but people seem to embrace all of the GPS-based business/location apps. Where was one of the most downloaded apps in the Android Market before Google Places came along and it remains popular. Meanwhile, Sherpa, Layar, and several other location apps prosper because they offer something different that appeals to users. Plenty of people will say these apps are better than Places and vice versa.
3PA: Babbler, Bloo, Facebook Chat, etc.
Outcome: Hanging on. After fBook disappeared, Bloo and Babbler came out to meet the needs of Facebook junkies using Android. Then Facebook released its official app, which ironically had less features than the third-party apps. Facebook’s saving grace was being faster than the unofficial applications, which has led to more than 250,000 downloads. Babbler and Bloo still have some loyal users thanks to its features, but the numbers are relatively smaller and obviously affected by the official app.
Google Voice
3PA: GV
Outcome: Dead and gone. GV was a widely-used (10k-50k downloads) and well-respected (4.5 stars) listing in the Android Market. But after Google released an official client for Google Voice, the incentive to keep developing the app slowly disintegrated. Developer Evan Charlton has since abandoned GV with this statement:
This application is no longer supported. I highly recommend switching to the official Google Voice application. Patches are welcome, but I will no longer be devoting time to bug fixes. Thank you for all your support!
Remember the Milk
Third-party apps: Astrid, RTM ToDo Viewer, RTM Tasks, Milchkaffee
Outcome: Still going strong. Astrid is one of the most popular apps on Android and the other apps seem to be unaffected as well. While the official Remember the Milk is free, it requires an RTM Pro subscription that prevents many users from making the switch. This is one instance where you probably won’t see people abandon the third-party app.
October 27th, 2009 at 11:36 pm
We covered this at uni with the iPhone. Honestly, there's no point developing an app to fill a hole that will eventually be filled, you're better of making something that adds niche functionality that won't ever be addressed in an 'official' update.
October 28th, 2009 at 12:13 am
As I said last night on the podcast for AndroidGuys (sorry for plug, Andrew), I think this is a case by case basis when it comes to what is going to be used. Sometimes the native app sucks, sometimes the official app sucks, and sometimes a third-party replacement for any of these sucks. It also depends on whether or not the user wants to pay for an app in the market, or doesn't like using things that replace what native applications can already do. Some of the third-party apps neglect seamless integration like the native apps sometimes include.
October 28th, 2009 at 12:30 am
feel free to plug. I mention the podcast when it inspires story ideas.
I think it's case by case as well. I used Remember the Milk long before I knew anything about Astrid but I doubt RTM could do anything at this point to make me switch to their official app.
October 28th, 2009 at 4:11 am
Touchdown was a welcomed app to me on my g1. Even with the new exchange app I am sticking with Touchdown. It offers many more features and syncs with my exchange server better than the new "stock" app. But GV was great before the official app but now I have switched. If only someone would put out a working Flash 3rd party then they could make some money!!!
October 28th, 2009 at 9:33 am
I wonder how well Power Manager, Toggle Settings and their many peers will fair after the addition of the Power Control widget in Donut.
October 28th, 2009 at 10:14 am
I am not sure about the rest, but as a regular user of Toggle Settings I think it will last quite well, in fact I think they should probably put a nominal charge on it as it is really useful (I would definitely buy it) – reminds me of the profiles in nokia’s symbian except more powerful.
the Power Control widget just doesn’t really do it – I can see this widget replacing other widgets like individual switches for wireless etc, but it doesn’t do the one great thing that Toggle Settings does – which is to allow a user to set up profiles, and then set up rules on how and when those profiles start and stop. I love it – now I never get woken up by calls because I have forgotten to silence my phone – Toggle Settings does it for me – I don’t have to worry about calls disturbing my meetings – Toggle Settings has already switched from my home to work profile which I made to include switching ringer to vibrate – and i don’t miss calls on the way home anymore, cause Toggle Settings automatically switches back to Home from Work.
As c0z said – it provides a niche that the standard apps don’t cover, it looks good, has very few bugs (running CyanogenMod – which might explain the one bug I have found so far – not a deal breaker – not notifying me when it changes a profile, even though the option is ticked – used to work before changing from cupcake to donut with change from 4.04 to 4.2.1) and really does work.
October 30th, 2009 at 3:37 pm
I agree, this is a case by case basis. I predict Microsoft Exchange 3rd party apps will fall unless they can offer more value or niche services and price accordingly. Whereas, Facebook 3rd party apps are a tad bit better than the "official" version using this approach. However, if the "official" app creators use the same formula, then it could spell 3rd party demise.