What is SoLoMo anyway ?

Anyone familiar with the TV show Silicon Valley or the startup world in general might have heard of the all-important SoLoMo goals a startup must have.

SoLoMo (Social, Local, Mobile) is so finely ingrained into young startup founders that one of the first features in any app is to “Share” whatever the user just did.

Being Local, Mobile or Social is meant to add to the user experience and convenience. But sometimes it’s just annoying.

I do NOT need my friends to know when I skipped gym, or my dietary habits or any such unimportant activity. Similarly, I feel no need to see which of my Facebook friends is nearby. There are several startups which have a mobile app just for the sake of it (maybe because it is easier to get users). Several startup pitch events encourage every founder to have mobile apps.

As a consumer, I am one of the early adopters of new technology and new ideas. But having to reach for my phone and open yet another app to do something really puts a bummer on the User Experience. I encourage people to make apps which truly help users use their products better or just do away with the mobile apps otherwise. I’m perfectly happy to use a new desktop app or a web app !

Do you guys feel the same way?