Introduction
I got my first iPhone in the fall of 2007 after a trip from Norway to New York. Back then I had to jailbreak the phone to be able to use the phone with a different operator than AT&T. I had done some PHP and mySQL development for a while, and wanted to see if I could do some success on the app store. I did some research and found a framework named phonegap and later on apache cordova where you could leverage HTML and javascript and call native functions like map, camera etc. The same principles applies today with for instance React native. By mid-2009, I had published my first app, convinced that I was on the path to riches. The app was designed to help users find grocery stores, pharmacies, cinemas, and other businesses, complete with their locations and opening hours – quite similar to what Google Maps offers today. However, things didn’t go exactly as planned. While I garnered a decent user base in the Oslo area, particularly those seeking a store open on Sundays, the financial success did not appear.
Later in 2009, I launched another app that estimated taxi fares based on distance, time, and other factors. This was particularly useful for deciding whether the taxi fare was acceptable after a night out drinking or if taking the bus was a better option. Usually, its calculations were very accurate, with the actual price being just a few dollars off. This app brought in about $600 and gained some publicity. Reflecting on these experiences, I've come to appreciate the critical role of timing in the success of a startup. Being too early or too late can significantly impact an app's adoption and profitability.
My Journey
The First App: Finding Open Stores
In mid-2009, with great excitement, I released an app that helped users find open stores, pharmacies, and other essential services. The app allowed users to input their location and discover nearby businesses, complete with opening hours. This was a time when few people had smartphones, and mobile internet access was still a novelty. Despite the challenges, the app found a niche audience in Oslo, especially among those searching for stores open on Sundays.
The Second App: Estimating Taxi Fares
At the end of 2009, I launched an app designed to estimate taxi fares. Users could input their current location and desired destination, and the app would calculate an estimated fare based on distance and time. This app earned around $600 and received a modest amount of publicity. While it was not a financial windfall, it was a valuable learning experience.
The Role of Timing
Too Early
One of the critical lessons I learned was the impact of being too early in the market. When I released my first app, smartphone penetration was still low, and mobile internet access was not as widespread. This limited the potential user base and hindered the app's growth. Additionally, my app required manual data entry and updates, which was resource-intensive.
Too Late
Conversely, being too late can also be detrimental. By the time my app for finding stores was gaining traction, Google was already developing similar functionalities for Google Maps. Their vast resources and ability to integrate such features seamlessly into an existing, widely-used platform made it difficult for a small independent developer to compete.
General Magic
An example of being too early is the story of General Magic, a mobile computing company that emerged from Apple in 1990. General Magic developed a precursor to modern iPhone with their Magic Cap operating system and devices like the Sony Magic Link. Despite their visionary ideas, including rich graphics and user-friendly interfaces, the world was not ready for mobile computing in the early 1990s. Cellular networks were limited, and the concept of mobile communication and computing was still foreign to most people. This led to the company's eventual failure, but the technologies and ideas they pioneered influenced future developments in mobile technology.
RazorSharp
Now, I am developing RazorSharp, a tool focused on .NET application performance monitoring and security. I started research and development part-time over two years ago, at a time when less were paying attention to observability. Throughout the development process .NET Aspire is added to the competitive landscape.
RazorSharp integrates advanced features such as AI-powered documentation and real-time performance data, providing developers with actionable insights to enhance their application's performance and security. This tool aims to simplify debugging, monitor resource usage, and provide comprehensive security monitoring through features like SQL injection detection.
So time will show if im too late on this journey.
Balancing Act
Timing is a delicate balance. Being an early mover can offer significant advantages, such as establishing a strong user base and brand recognition. However, it also comes with the risk of limited adoption if the market is not ready. On the other hand, entering the market too late means facing well-established competitors and possibly missing the initial excitement and novelty that can drive early adoption.
Conclusion
Reflecting on my journey, I've come to understand that timing is crucial in the world of startups. Both of my apps were innovative and solved real problems, but the timing of their release played a significant role in their ultimate success and failure. As technology continues to evolve, staying attuned to market readiness and competitive landscapes will remain essential for any aspiring entrepreneur.
While I may not have achieved the financial success I initially envisioned, the experiences and lessons learned have been invaluable. They have shaped my understanding of the startup ecosystem and the importance of timing. These are experiences I would not trade for anything. The same principles still apply to app development today, and they enable me to have insightful conversations with other app developers. For anyone looking to embark on a similar journey, remember that success often lies not just in the idea, but in the timing of its execution.
Have you had an idea where you were a bit too early or too late?
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