There is no doubt that mobile applications are hot – CNET just recently reported that Apple’s app store has had over 3 billion downloads since July 2008 (when it started with just 500 apps, now there are over 100,000). And you have probably heard the famous tagline: “There is an app for that” – there really is almost an app for everything.
Recently my friend sent out a tweet: “Cool free app from BMW M Power that can record the performance data of your driving: http://bit.ly/7q5Tm6”. I own an M3 (E36 – old but well kept) and was immediately drawn to click on the link which opened iTunes / app location directly. While I do not own an iPhone (love my BB 9700) I was willing to risk “stealing” my wife’s phone to test the app. But something happened – as I started reading the customer reviews I quickly became disenchanted with the app.
“Not Good” “Great but useless” “BMW, you should be embarrassed” “Nice graphics, but utterly useless” “Potential, but comes up short” So – after reading these not-so-great reviews, I decided to not even try it out myself – why risk a domestic (I am exaggerating of course).
A few things are quite evident:
• We listen to our friends (Tweet got me to check out the app – I have a feeling that my friend did not really test it himself)
• We listen to people (and are influenced by them) that we do not know but who have had an experience with the product / service / destination / etc.
• Jumping onto trends just because does not work – we see too many brands trying to ride the wave, be it Twitter, a mobile app, or other without thinking it through and being strategic.
Ask yourself: what value will my creation / participation bring to you? I think BMW M Power Meter can improve and work on version 2.0 – listen to your drivers.
There is no doubt that mobile applications are hot – CNET just recently reported that Apple’s app store has had over 3 billion downloads since July 2008 (when it started with just 500 apps, now there are over 100,000). And you have probably heard the famous tagline: “There is an app for that” – there really is almost an app for everything.
Recently my friend sent out a tweet: “Cool free app from BMW M Power that can record the performance data of your driving: http://bit.ly/7q5Tm6”. I own an M3 (E36 – old but well kept) and was immediately drawn to click on the link which opened iTunes / app location directly. While I do not own an iPhone (love my BB 9700) I was willing to risk “stealing” my wife’s phone to test the app. But something happened – as I started reading the customer reviews I quickly became disenchanted with the app.
“Not Good” “Great but useless” “BMW, you should be embarrassed” “Nice graphics, but utterly useless” “Potential, but comes up short” So – after reading these not-so-great reviews, I decided to not even try it out myself – why risk a domestic (I am exaggerating of course).
A few things are quite evident:
• We listen to our friends (Tweet got me to check out the app – I have a feeling that my friend did not really test it himself)
• We listen to people (and are influenced by them) that we do not know but who have had an experience with the product / service / destination / etc.
• Jumping onto trends just because does not work – we see too many brands trying to ride the wave, be it Twitter, a mobile app, or other without thinking it through and being strategic.
Ask yourself: what value will my creation / participation bring to you? I think BMW M Power Meter can improve and work on version 2.0 – listen to your drivers.
January 6th, 2010 at 10:29 am
Felix, you are a victim of your listening too much to opinions and not checking it out for yourself. I drive a Porsche and just tested the app. It does what it promises to do. I think those comments on the app store site are from people that had no use for the info it provides, but it is good info for those of us that drive sportscars. Now borrow your wife’s Iphone, sit down in your M3 and try not to get a ticket. While I wait for Porsche to make an app like this.
Carlochs
January 6th, 2010 at 10:33 am
Hi Carlos – any chance we can meetup and you lend me your phone, app, and car
January 6th, 2010 at 2:59 pm
I was wondering about this exact thing today…how much attention we put to reviews, and how can we trust what people are saying? Are they truthful, are they working for the competition? We trust it when it comes from friends, but what do we do when it comes from strangers? How do you get over what you read and what motivates you to skip the bad ones and try it out?
I was reading some positive reviews for this terrible restaurant with terrible service on Yelp. Got me wondering if it wasn’t the owners or staff posting these things. It could also mean honest lucky people – but I’ve been there 5 times and 5 times terrible (lousy and ate food, not so nice waiters etc).
So what to make of online reviews? Skip or listen?
January 6th, 2010 at 3:16 pm
I think there is a point where you reach critical mass and in the end it is up to each individual to make their own decisions – but consistent reviews – either positive or negative – will have an influence on what you decide.
January 6th, 2010 at 6:14 pm
Deal, maybe @ Dolores tomorrow for Happy hr. K and I are planning to go !!!!
January 13th, 2010 at 10:31 pm
I was thinking that the impact of phone application for iphone through out the world are quite impactful. Based on the Iphone users in Asia, its just consists of 25% of the phone users. We have done a mobile ads on Blackberry and Iphone and the result for Iphone was quite high interms of the CTR. Im thinking to try mobile application that connect that connect all the social networking sites (facebook,tweeter & etc.) and at the sametime we could place our ad there.