21 Jan
2011
Prompted by a bit of back and forth on Twitter between @henre and @rafiq, about why SA banks don't appear to have or be interested in, iOS or Android or Blackberry apps, I asked why, and @rafiq replied:
"cost overhead to build device specific apps, the internet & ussd works on everything, even an old nokia".
Now, I'd bet money that he's right, and that's the EXACT reason. But my question is, is that reasoning RIGHT? Doesn't that lead us down the worm-hole where we never advance, because we stifle innovation by clinging to the lowest common denominator?
Look, I understand that this is Africa, and we do things a little differently here, and we have challenges, and, and...But wouldn't we like to do things differently, in a better, more innovative way? A way that gives customers a GREAT experience if they have any better phone than the Nokia 3-something..(the AK-47 of cellphones)? I get that the iPhone has somewhat of an elitist reputation. What about Blackberry? There are millions of the things out there. And in 6 months to a year, there'll millions of Android devices, as well. Cheap, entry-level devices. An AK-47 with underslung grenade-launcher, if you will. Phones are becoming smart. All the way down to ground level.
A really smart bank would be working on this stuff already, and advertising it.
Not clinging to Internet Explorer 6.
Nedbank, I'm looking at you.
