Is It The End of Mobile Apps?
Since the release of the first iPhone back in 2007, mobile apps have eventually become popular. In 2008, App Store went live, which made a big surprise and went up to 10 million downloads in just one week. Then, they come up with some native applications available on AppStore, some for free, some offered at a price of less than $10.
Google also played a key role and launched Google Play which makes an evolution for Android. The word “App” become popular, and the slang was voted to the 2010 Word of the Year by the American Dialect Society.
In today’s world, apps are essentials and used daily like maps, notes, etc.… but why some say it is the end of mobile apps? We will cover the pros and cons of mobile apps in daily use. Also, what will happen in the future if mobile apps reach their end? Other areas will explain how apps are made, which tools use to make them, and who can make them.
1. How Apps Are Made?
In the past, apps were built by using the platform‘s native programming language. If you want to build an iOS app, you will have to use Apple’s software development kit, and the same goes for Android. To build an Android app, a programmer would have to use Android’s native language.
Today, with the advantage of modern technology, we can use an intermediary language such as JavaScript to build the app and then simplify export the code to create an app for different platforms.
2. The Pros and Cons of Mobile Apps
Using a native mobile app has advantages and disadvantages. First, because apps can be download on your own smartphone, it is really convenient. A smartphone can only have up to 50–100 apps, not to mention the software installed on the phone, which can’t be deleted.
Second, by installed apps on the smartphone, users can use them offline to provide access to contents and features without an internet connection. So, users can work on it anytime at any location.
Lastly, apps allow users to personalize. Users can create accounts and set preferences however they want. For example, bank apps allow users to set notifications when a transaction is made, which very helpful to keep track of your bank money.
On the other hand, mobile apps also have some disadvantages. They are built specifically for only a mobile operating system. Plus, even with all the technology, building it is still expensive. It requires a lot of effort from the team and costs around $100,000 to $500,000.
Also, acquiring user cost even more than building it. Once an app is developed, updates or maintenance are required. Indeed, developers need to provide upgrades, fix bugs or issues. They will then need to inform users about the update and push them to download the updated versions.
Not to mention storage, an updated app takes up a lot of space as it has more features. Some smartphone has limited space of storage which will slow down the phone eventually. It’s a common reason for users not to upgrade to a new version of the app.
For users, app installation takes quite a few steps before they actually start using it. Users need to go to the app store, find the app, choose to install it, and then wait for the download. Most of the apps ask for an account to use it, so it takes another step for users to create an account then finally get to use the app.
The most popular problem that users face is that there are too many apps available in just one category. It takes time to choose which one is the best. It makes them feel overwhelmed by the number of new options that pop up every week.
Every app has its own value. It determines whether a user should download it or not. If they don’t see the app’s value, they most likely won’t get it. Some researches show that users tend to stay on their most popular app, which is why new apps don’t get any attention.
3. Websites versus Mobile Apps
A web app is an application program stored in a remote server and delivered through a browser interface. Anyone can use a web app since it is designed for various uses and can be easily accessed using any browser.
For web apps to operate, 3 main things are needed: a web server, an application server, and a database. When users input a request, the webserver will manage it while the application server completes the requested task. A database is used to store any information needed. And because web apps run on websites, it is compatible with different types of devices.
In contrast, the mobile app requires developing a separate version for each operating system. For this reason, web apps cost less to make than mobile apps, which are only $3000-$250,000 from simple websites to complex ones. It is also taking less time to maintain and improve the user’s experiences.
Web apps are different from mobile apps. They don’t need to be downloaded since they can be accessed through the network. Also, web apps don’t need to be installed, and users don’t need to update them every time a new version of the app comes out.
4. Why Mobile Apps May Not Last Long?
Based on the current trend, mobile apps are consolidating, which means soon, apps will become part of social media. For example, some brands developed their own apps, and Facebook sponsors them based on the user’s recent searches/ history. Facebook attaches the link to its sponsor post, so whenever a user clicks on the image or information, they will pop up a new screen, leading to their online website instead of their own apps.
Another example is restaurants are merging their delivery system into a third-party delivery app. A business owner will have to pay the third party to have their restaurant available on the delivery app instead of maintenance their own delivery app.
Also, web applications are now developed to have more features. The web app is now capable of working offline, delivering push notifications, handling cameras and microphone input, and much more. It improves the distances between the mobile app and web apps and makes it more convenient for users. Progressive Web App(PWA) is a new technology that allows programmers to build more efficient products.
Users tend to have time spent on social media apps, especially messaging apps, as users use them to communicate with friends, family, etc.…. With the rise of use in message apps, it is possible to turn chat apps into a system that helps users solve problems.
The most popular messaging apps are Messenger. There have been quite a few chatbots that appeared on Messenger and allow users to have conversation interfaces through text, speech, even emojis. For example, users won’t need to download an app that helps to choose clothes every day. They can go to the chatbot and ask them for the type of outfits. Some social media groups use them to keep track of their own followers, such as ranking, reward, interaction points, or giveaway, etc.…
It is clear that AI (Artificial Intelligence) such as Alexa, Google Home, the chatbots is the new trend and soon will become a default interface for many users.
Another service that also taken the place of native apps is Cloud Service. It referred to a wide range of services delivered to users over the internet. With the Cloud Service, small businesses do not need to have their own resources/apps that do not cost extra.
Many Cloud Services have a subscription. Businesses can purchase monthly or annually and avoid paying the entire software license. It’s convenient for businesses; if they want to take down a particular service, they can cancel the subscription.
5. Useless App Need to Go
While there are many useful apps such as Google Map, delivery apps, exercise apps, etc.…that help our daily life easier, there are also useless and wasteful apps.
For example, some apps will test how much you love the other person or apps to tell you how ugly you are/ make you look uglier. And apps that function the same as original system apps in the phone, like calculation, notes, etc.… also exist. These system apps were added to the software, which can’t be removed.
There are plenty of these useless apps in the App Stores. Even there are different apps for each function. For example, a calculation app used for simple math functions, and then another individual app is used for a complex math function. These apps existed in both Apple and Android stores. It takes up spaces and wastes time to search for an actually useful app.
Not to mention how useless it is, some apps also charge to download for an average of $1-$2.
Fashion apps are an example of apps that doesn’t make much difference from a web browser. Apparently, fashion brands created native apps to help customers have more access to their products, but these apps won’t differ from the websites. Most fashion brands have their own websites, and they can be accessed through device browsers. If a user wants to search for products for two different brands, they will need two native apps that take up more mobile devices.
On the other hand, social media apps, meditation apps, study apps are top apps that will be staying in the future. These apps are being used daily as it is becoming part of the user’s life. These apps function better and make it easier for users to use them when out, especially, social media such as Facebook, Messenger, Snapchat. Users shares their moments at any time, texts/calls their friends/family when using social media apps.
Takeaway
Consolidation happens in any industry as it matures where economies of scale, large user bases, frequent traffics, and more are required for monetization.
In the future, native apps will slowly be consolidating. Big brands will move from native apps to mobile apps. Both mobile sites and native apps have disadvantages and advantages, and progressive web apps are proving to be the best of both, taking their place in the world of technology. Native mobile apps will soon be replaced and become better for users, improving user’s experiences and bring benefits for businesses. It offers much more functionally compelling packages while also offering more in terms of brand discovery.
With the rise of AI, businesses have more choices of bringing their products to users through websites instead of native apps. Native apps will no longer be the key to digital access. Even with a good native app idea, it will probably cost more in making it and even more in advertising.
