By now we've all probably seen how amazingly Google Maps Street View works on the T-Mobile G1 handset. And if not, take a gander. It's something that stands out as an impressive feature unique to the Android phone -- or at least, it was unique. A beta version of iPhone firmware 2.2 recently sent to developers adds several new features, including support for emoji, a popular set of Japanese emoticons; the ability to turn off auto-correction when typing (it's about time); and Street View functionality built into the Google Maps app, similar to that found on the G1.
This raises an interesting question about how the iPhone and G1 will compete. Should Google support iPhone apps, or should it make apps exclusively for smartphones that use the Android OS? And with Google setting a non-exclusive precedent with its own applications, what motivation would Android developers have to keep other apps exclusive? Should there even be exclusivity for apps between the iPhone and Android?
Personally, I say forget about exclusivity. Making an app exclusive to either format limits a developer's audience, which in turn limits a developer's profits (and resources for future development). So from a developer's side it doesn't make sense. And as an iPhone user, I want to be able to have access to any awesome apps released for the Android, and I'm sure there are some iPhone apps that have Android users jealous. So as a customer, exclusive apps don't help me at all. There are bound to be apps that can only be done on one phone or the other, but if one can be written for both, I see no reason why it shouldn't be produced for both.
