What in the world is "extraordinary" about Instapaper? It came at the right time to help people deal with the limitations of a mobile device, but the app itself is trivial. The model is trivial. The web service is, I would wager, trivial.
It is entirely normal, but happened at exactly the right time.
I'm not a big fan of Marcos because I read a sense of desperation in virtually all he has said lately (just look through his recent archives and you'll see someone tilting into the wind). Further isn't it a bit ridiculous for someone to have gotten big on the backs of a free app to then -- after they've established the network effect and have market presence -- proclaim that free apps aren't necessary?
It's a lesson with no meat at all. If this app started at $4.99 and became as popular as it is, then you'd have a story. Otherwise honestly it reads more like an attempt at misdirection for people who might follow.
It is entirely normal, but happened at exactly the right time.
I'm not a big fan of Marcos because I read a sense of desperation in virtually all he has said lately (just look through his recent archives and you'll see someone tilting into the wind). Further isn't it a bit ridiculous for someone to have gotten big on the backs of a free app to then -- after they've established the network effect and have market presence -- proclaim that free apps aren't necessary?
It's a lesson with no meat at all. If this app started at $4.99 and became as popular as it is, then you'd have a story. Otherwise honestly it reads more like an attempt at misdirection for people who might follow.