Ben Schmidt

So the Canadian Real Estate Association announced last week that the first realtor.ca mobile app is launched! I am very excited in the direction this is going. Realtor.com (the american counterpart) launched their mobile app earlier in the year and it is a phenomenal product. With this app you will be able to search the MLS system on your phone. You can locate homes that you are nearby, get directions, have the photos, write-up and videos at your fingertips!

Awesome right? WRONG!

This mobile app that is being launched is available for the Windows 7 Phone. This phone is not yet available here in Fredericton. Rogers, who has an exclusive deal on the Samsung Focus which will carry the Windows 7 phone, will not have one available for another two weeks. But this is not the reason this is a bad idea.

Lets look at the numbers. The Apple iOS has a market share of North America smartphone users totaling 54%. Google Android has quickly shot up the charts now having a market share of 27%. And trailing in third with its market share cut in half in one year, is RIM with a market share of 10%. This total number is 91% of all smartphone users, using Apple, Blackberry or a Android phone. The Windows mobile OS market share is a big whooping 3%!

 

If you were developing an app to reach the public would you go after the 3%, or the 54%, the 27% or even the 10%?

I have spoke with CREA and the iPhone app "will be launched in mid December" and the Blackberry app "should be launched in March." Also, "at this time there is no development of an Android app."

So hopefully right around the corner is an app for us iPhone users!

If you have any questions about apps for real estate or a question for a Realtor give me an email at ben.schmidt@me.com