I can recall when I first picked up a Palm Vx how excited I was to start writing code for it. I had one of the early versions of Java on it (from JavaOne ’99), but found most of what I needed to write a complete Palm application was missing. So, I picked up one of the more popular books and started reading.. Then, it hit me: C/C++. Ugh. Lower-level networking, custom UI controls, and a few sync plugins later and I tossed it all in my garage, never to be seen again. Java 2 Mobile Edition didn’t do much for me either, as many that I know found out as well.

Fast forward 8 years later and there are posts circulating about how people are frustrated that there are no rich client SDKs for the upcoming iPhone, or how it may be a big win for Java to finally see the JDK run on a phone that can handle it. Anyone seeing the pattern? Let’s review:

• 8 years ago: Palm OS + C + a few books available == a few initial developers
• 5 years ago: Windows Mobile + VB + a few more books available == a few more initial developers
• Tomorrow: OS X + HTML + loads of books available == anyone that can create a web page adds value to the iPhone

I’m not advocating the purchase of on iPhone immediately (I’m a late adopter when it comes to critical things to my business like a mobile phone), what I am saying is that the days of being one of a few that can add value to a mobile device is starting to diminish. That leaves the developers who can build great web-based solutions that people want to use at home, at work, and/or on the road as the winners for the next generation of mobile applications. How are you going to add mobile value?

[tags]iphone, iphone SDK, OS X, mobile software[/tags]