Before developing the next hit App on Apple’s App Store, consider the number of Apps available : over 650 000 in the US App store alone.
This was one fact that got me thinking about combining an accessory with the iPhone. Because there are significantly less accessories available!
The iPhone provides a mobile computing platform that an accessory can leverage. For example it is now possible to process credit cards with an iPhone. It is much cheaper to manufacture the magnetic strip reader than to manufacture a dedicated hand held credit card scanner.
With so many people carrying iPhones, there is a huge potential for accessories that adapt the iPhone perfectly for a niche functionality. Combining an accessory with a dedicated App opens up a world of possibilites. HiLO Lens plans to ride this wave.
When Apple released the iPhone 3.0 they allowed App Enabled Accessories. Since then there have been a couple of attempts to find a better name, Appcessory and Dongleware being notable.
If the accessory communicates with the iPhone, using either Bluetooth radio or the 30 pin connector, then it must be accepted into Apple’s MFi program. One advantage is that the manufacturer can label their product “Made for iPhone”. Naturally Apple gets a commission on sales of these accessories.
HiLO Lens fits into a grey area, it includes a physical accessory and an App. But there is no communication, by Bluetooth radio or the 30 pin connector, between the accessory and the App. So you might be happy to hear, HiLO Lens will be sold without Apple’s margin.