Ask HN: Do you think there is room for mobile startups that neglect the Iphone?

Ask HN: Do you think there is room for mobile startups that neglect the Iphone?

Considering that the mobile space was a billion dollar industry before the iPhone ever existed, I'm going to say yes.

I work with many companies that make a killing in mobile and haven't touched the iPhone yet.

The iPhone is a test platform to prove to yourself/investors that your products have merit and can sell. You can do without it but the iPhone means press which means users which means money. Android would be a good platform because of the App Market and so will Windows Mobile and Blackberry but it will be a lot easier on those platforms once a store comes to the OS.

There is a lot of room in the mobile space but my biggest fear is that instead of developing substantive companies, businesses pander on the spam/one-hit-wonder line. Don't be one of those companies, spend the time to develop an idea that has value and meaning.

Yes, especially because "iPhone" the platform is only partially about "mobile." How many iPhone apps are really "mobile" apps? How many are really PDA apps? Or tablet apps?

a "mobile" startup is a company concentrating on "mobility." There's a lot of opportunity there. And also, the fact that most phones suck is an opportunity. Apple is cashing in on that by making a better phone. You can cash in on that by making the existing phones suck less with your app.

By definition, making an existing phone suck less is a mobile startup opportunity that involves neglecting the iphone.