Generation of computing saw a lot to shift in trends of application, internet, and end user behaviour. The users are progressing toward a world of “internet as a Shadow of self”. Recently i went to atlanta on a business trip and on the way stopped by a Tanger Outlet to kill some time. As its was a first time entry there, i was not too sure what to visit and at the same time, i had limited time to kill too. I am not a person very interested in visiting places for attire and ado. So all i wanted to visit was probably special lifestyle shops. If you have visited tanger before, then you would agree that they are huge. There she was standing on the mall office with a bulb on her head (idea). She asked me “Sir why dont you download this app in your iphone and take a guided tour of the mall”. I was wow-ed.
I realized, the world is shifting towards, app-based computing. Not a one size fits all or one software does everything type, but specialized apps on your smart phone available to help you with specific need. I will not be surprised if i dont see a computer (legacy desktops, latpops) after 5 years. When i wonder the reason for the appstatic world, there are couple of reasons why they are so popular.
1. Simple, and small foot print.
2. Not catering to more than 1 need – This is important. We have 1 function for 1 apps. So i don’t have to spend my time or intelligence to figure out how it works. So no end user training and adaptability issue.
3. Always available (internet as shadow) – 3G and 4G revolutions are helping to make internet available 24X7.
4. Mobility (ability to carry them – I can imagine any trip without my iPhone (i might get lost in my way back home from work without it)). You can call it over dependency, but i call slave-gadgetry. Let to machine do all the stuff it can and you save your intelligence for more humane, more meaningful.
A lot of enterprise would be taken for a shock due to their non-readiness for applications and ability to invest on them in time. Firms like that, are over dependent or over-believer in the old way of computing. I am sure it would be a scenario, get aligned or get aside.
This is so relevant. Specially chrome apps and apple apps are example of the trend that in future, it will be one app-for-one-purpose. This will simplify life as the apps are mostly for smaller perspectives of life solving small but important problems