When the second phone was introduced by Steve Jobs in 2007, it accelerated the smartphone trend by including only a handful of Apple-designed apps. At that time, there was no software development kit (SDK) available for third-party app creation, nor was there an app store. However, this scenario changed in early 2008 when the doors to software development were finally opened.
Since then, a multitude of smartphone applications have been developed for both iPhone and Android devices, revolutionizing various aspects of society.
Nevertheless, there arises a question: could the gaming market face a collapse?
The recent surge in artificial intelligence (AI) advancements, especially in generative AI, raises the possibility of an era beyond traditional apps. This shift could potentially usher in new paradigms for businesses in delivering products and services, as well as transforming user interactions with technology.
The notion that the era of software applications may be numbered is not entirely new. For over a decade, analysts have contended that the conventional concept of an app—an individual software application displayed on a screen that necessitates discovery, opening, and engagement—may not be the most efficient approach.
In present times, certain device functionalities no longer require such explicit actions. For instance, you can bypass the need for engaging with apps by simply reading and responding to notifications. Security protocols can be managed by facial recognition technology. Platforms like Google Assistant on iOS and Android utilize voice commands to retrieve information such as music or directions.
Despite the widespread acceptance of alternative ways to interact with technology, devices that offer diverse functionalities beyond apps have not displaced the widespread usage of applications.
Even with these advancements, consumers predominantly engage with their mobile devices through apps.
With over six billion active phones globally, the popularity of smartphones is undeniable. Statistics show that Americans spend 88 percent of their mobile device usage on apps, with a significant portion dedicated to gaming, followed by applications in business, education, and lifestyle.
The landscape of information consumption, entertainment, commerce, and social interactions has been fundamentally altered by the advent of software applications. Apps have provided businesses with a new avenue for engagement. Presently, a business without at least one app is an exception, potentially missing out on lucrative opportunities.
The looming question remains: could the dominance of standalone, installed applications be upended? The critical consideration is whether a superior alternative exists.
Smartphones and apps have consolidated numerous essential functions into a single software interface. This comprehensive list encompasses a wide array of everyday activities such as navigation, shopping, gaming, content consumption, photography, and videography. Undoubtedly, this convergence has transformed the landscape, enabling individuals to launch businesses with a simple tap on their smartphones.
Imagine a scenario where the need to search for and engage with apps is eliminated, and your requirements are seamlessly fulfilled through voice commands or automated recognition of your preferences.
In such a scenario, traditional apps might seem cumbersome. With highly intelligent devices, the need to select, locate, launch, learn, and navigate through individual apps could become obsolete. This streamlined approach could significantly reduce operational overheads. Technology could seamlessly integrate into daily tasks, almost imperceptibly.
This vision hints at a post-app era driven by the continuous advancements in AI technology. In the foreseeable future, devices might be equipped with personalized digital assistants.
For over three decades, Bill Gates, the former CEO of Microsoft, has envisioned a future where software enables the existence of “agents”—personalized assistants. With recent AI advancements, we are inching closer to realizing this vision. Gates foresees a future where users can communicate their needs directly to their devices in natural language, eliminating the need for multiple apps for diverse tasks.
In a post-app world, smartphones may become redundant. A San Francisco-based company, Humane, has developed the Ai Pin, a compact smart device that responds to voice commands and gestures, projecting text and images onto the user’s hand. Despite lacking a traditional screen, the Ai Pin offers the full functionality of a smartphone, presenting a glimpse into a potential future market.
The transition to a post-app or technology agent-centric world may unsettle the multi-billion-dollar app and software development industry. Companies will need to reassess their customer engagement strategies. However, this evolution presents new opportunities and avenues for innovation as one era gives way to the next.
While the realization of this transformative potential requires further exploration, the impending changes in how we interact with technology and the world are inevitable.
