Apple, Google & friends roll out fat wads for developers

Dan Jones, Mobile Editor

March 6, 2008

1 Min Read
SDK Slap Fight

5:40 PM -- Google (Nasdaq: GOOG) has already put up $10 million for its Android developer challenge. Now Kleiner Perkins Caufield & Byers is fronting a $100 million fund to "to invest in companies developing applications and services for Apple's innovative iPhone and iPod touch." (See KPCB Launches $100M iFund.)

It is clear that Apple, Google, and friends are willing to put up the big bucks to stimulate the developer community. Still, i think the most interesting part of the SDK equation might be yet to come: How will these new entrants to the phone market work with carriers and developers to split revenues on applications?

After all, if an application proves to be really popular than it might turn out better to have a few more percentage points in recurring revenues rather than an upfront lump sum.

— Dan Jones, Site Editor, Unstrung

About the Author(s)

Dan Jones

Mobile Editor

Dan is to hats what Will.I.Am is to ridiculous eyewear. Fedora, trilby, tam-o-shanter -- all have graced the Jones pate during his career as the go-to purveyor of mobile essentials.

But hey, Dan is so much more than 4G maps and state-of-the-art headgear. Before joining the Light Reading team in 2002 he was an award-winning cult hit on Broadway (with four 'Toni' awards, two 'Emma' gongs and a 'Brian' to his name) with his one-man show, "Dan Sings the Show Tunes."

His perfectly crafted blogs, falling under the "Jonestown" banner, have been compared to the works of Chekhov. But only by Dan.

He lives in Brooklyn with cats.

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