Proving that not everything needs to be made into a mobile application, Ralph Lauren has released a free iPhone application. No matter where you are, you can look at Ralph Lauren clothes. Can you buy them via the application? Er, no. Does it allow you to read those QR codes Ralph Lauren started putting in ads a few months back? Nope.
What it does do:
• Video highlights from the Fall 2008 runway show
• Go behind the scenes with the Backstage Pass photo gallery, full run-of-show video and Lookbook feature
• A look ahead to the Spring 2009 runway show (full set of features, videos, and exclusive photography)
• Domestic and international store locators
• A rare look at the artist at work through the short film “Portraits of a Collection,” narrated in part by the designer himself
In other words, nothing that couldn’t be done just as well through a web site. It even looks like a web site, straying about as far from Apple’s Human Interface Guidelines and UI standards as possible.
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An interesting app :) – but not a must-have. Video highlights of a runway show, Backstage Pass photo gallery, full run-of-show video … don’t sound tempting (sorry) ;p
The “store locator” might come in handy for high-end shoppers … but, I still can’t see why someone would want to have that app in their phone when they can use yellowpages. That being said,… I’ll gladly install the app & spread good words about it if Ralph Lauren is offering some freebies in return ;)
As a developer I’d say: unnecessary, the style.com app would do the job perfectly well, apart from the store locator.
But since I’m a fashion-addicted developer I say: We just wanna see fabulous ALL day so gimme that app. Who cares for standards if it looks fantastic. (Which it somehow doesn’t, from my designer point of view.)
xo & Cheers, Raphael :)
Useless. These are one of the times Apple should ban these bogus apps from its store. Every second brand has an iPhone app these days, that is one big commercial.
Ya… Just what you want. The App Store polluted with apps that are nothing more then ads.
It’s actually brilliant on Ralph Lauren’s part. They get add placement in the app store that they didn’t have to pay for. Additionally, it’s an ad that can be updated on a regular basis to reflect their latest offerings which may have been the intent.
At any rate… I agree. Apps of this type should be banned.
Hmm, “inspired” by the (excellent) Chanel iPhone app, perhaps?
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trendoriginal spotted this for ralph lauren Rugby: http://www.trendoriginal.com/2008/09/07/instant-digital-window-shopping-from-ralph-lauren-rugby/
No doubt retailers having presence on your iPhone is a wave of the future. For example, I’d love to walk into REI and get cool freebies, store info, map of store, etc…it’s only a matter of time.
That said, I agree with most commenters and this post that for Ralph Lauren to achieve USAGE they need to deliver quite a bit more value to whoever their fans are that are using this application. And I disagree with YHO that “ads” should be banned because it will be too subjective a decision. Ralph Lauren’s app is not an ad for is addicted to Ralph Lauren. Better for Apple to create a new category in the App store called “Stores” or something similar.
These apps are starting to be a drain on budgets. I bet this cost well over 100K.. and in the end, what does it really offer consumers?
everybody makes his own app!
Sounds cool:)
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I’ll gladly install the app & spread good words about it if Ralph Lauren is offering some freebies in return
Here we go!!
It’s a good sign only in that basically whatever the hell you are interested in there is going to be an applicable app.
At last, my prayers were heard….totally useless
Another worthless Iphone application you say?
wow how short sighted you geeks are, this is why geeks will always be followers and lead by people who are creative.
ralph lauren rocks and are continually leading the pack.
cheers,
Dean
What could they be thinking? I wonder– is this a prequel to a highly useful app for the next collection? Or was the app created just to showcase the i-phone’s interface and its aesthetic features? For whatever reason— this appears to be a weak attempt to promote I-phone and also Ralph Lauren’s collection. If this app is intended for consumers, they should’ve thought of throwing in a few coupons and swags along with it, this is a proven marketing approach that will certainly create consumer interest. Finally, there are lots of available resources on mobile applications and mobile marketing solutions everywhere, (companies like SMSJock, Cielo Mobile have solutions info, MMA case studies & mobile marketing news, Mobile Marketing Profits for basic mobile marketing info— to name a few), really— there’s no good excuse for this app. Sad.