Wow… What a difference just one year can make.

I thought I noticed fewer IPhones floating around…. but I had no idea.

Apple – the maker of the IPhone and other cool “I-gadgets” sold 24% of the smartphones worldwide in the 4th quarter of 2011.

Today – they control just over 14% of the market.  You can read the entire article in the Wall Street Journal today, or online at http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424127887324391104578230060513922882.html

One year – and Apple loses almost half of their worldwide market share.  That is a huge loss. So large in fact, that the company is finally considering a lower cost alternative to their $600 or more current model.

I am pretty careful where I spend money, and certainly subscribe to the “penny saved, penny earned” theory.  When I was shopping for a phone a few months ago, I chose an Android phone – because it was cheaper.  Most people that know me, know that I am not too technical – but – for me and my needs, (and contrary to the trendy kid at the Verizon store who tried desperately to sell the IPhone) my phone seems to do most of what the IPhone could do, and at a substantially discounted price.

Before you go taking my advice about phones  – please don’t.  I’m just telling you a story about what works for me, and apparently, quite a few other people around the world.  You do what works best for you.

Justin and I were in the office yesterday, and he reminded me of the article about Facebook suggesting their employees switch to Android based phones.   I think the whole smartphone market is pretty interesting and I continue to be amazed at what I can do with my phone. Even Facebook realized that markets change – and they want to their employes to stay within the herd to get the same experience that their users have when using mobile devises.  You can find that Facebook article at http://news.cnet.com/8301-1023_3-57553967-93/facebook-uses-posters-to-push-employees-to-switch-to-android/

Why is this interesting?  Because markets change.  People start to want different things.  If your business doesn’t change, you will lose market share – just like Apple.

In the 30’s and 40’s the family gathered around the radio.  By the time the 50’s and 60’s rolled around, the TV was a gathering point.  Today, everyone in my house has their own mobile wireless computer, (one of which is an IPad) and on many nights we may be all in the same room, but each person is “doing their own thing”.

Our business has changed slightly in the last 12 months – we are starting to focus on different markets than we did in 2010 and 2011.  Every month this year, we plan to keep you updated about what is going on in our world of real estate, and how the DC-Baltimore market (and it’s many sub-markets) is changing.

This story about Apple also reminded me about a property we are trying to sell right now – sometimes, it is about the price. Listen to the feedback you get from your customers.  Listen to your market.  Never be afraid to make changes quickly when you need to.

I am excited to see you in a couple weeks (Jan. 21st)  as we kick off another year at Washington REIA Network.  We are going to continue to introduce you to local professionals in our area – so you get a sense of how this business really operates.  There is no better way to learn about this business, and stay on top of the current local trends than from the DC “insiders”.

Let me know how I can help you,

John Peterson