Mobile apps are soon set to replace desktop apps in US markets
Technology has the particularity of evolving overnight. Every piece of technology is constantly evolving and will continue to do so over the years. With new apps launching almost every day, there is no doubt that a virtual world is the future.
Mobile apps have transformed the way we live our lives. There’s an app for everything humans do, from ordering food, shopping for groceries, booking a restaurant, watching a movie, online banking, and more.
Applications are defined as end-user software applications specifically designed to run on mobile phones and extend the capability of the phone by enabling users to perform their tasks.
Technology has not only evolved but also streamlined our daily activities. Cell phone use in the United States has increased dramatically over the past decade, and 8 out of 10 adults are cell phone users, which is over 82%. Along with the widespread use of mobile phones, the “app culture has resurfaced”.
A brief history of mobile apps: what led to its expansion?
Did you know it’s been less than two decades since tech giants like Google and Apple launched their app stores? Incredible, isn’t it? In March 2017, Statistica reported that apps available in major app stores totaled over 6.3 million apps. That’s a staggering number, considering these app stores were launched in the late 2000s.
In the traditional era of application development, the first mobile applications used in the United States were mainly monthly calendar applications, calculators, messages, and simple games developed in the Java framework.
After IBM introduced the very first smartphone in 1993, it ushered in the era of built-in apps like calendars, contacts, world clock, calculators, and more. In 2002, with the launch of the Blackberry mobile, a new era of mobile application development emerged, which also brought about the integration of the initial concept of wireless email.
Later, apps like eBay and PhoneSaber evolved from basic frameworks to today’s apps with supercomputer-like processing power and world-class mobile networks. Two key factors have led to the expansion of mobile app marketing.
- The convenience of mobile apps has won over users. Whatever app they were looking for, they could easily download it to their phone and enjoy it.
- Most cell phone users took their cell phone with them wherever they went. This has diminished the popularity of the desktop and favored the use of mobile applications.
Together, these two features have expanded app culture and contributed to the overall growth of mobile app marketing. Unlike desktop apps, mobile apps were designed to perform multiple tasks at once proficiently, and this all-in-one feature has attracted users from all over the world.
Also, mobile apps were easier to develop than desktop apps. App stores like Google and Apple have made it easier for developers to publish their apps and reach a wider audience. Ease of development and low cost forced developers to create more apps and eventually proved to be an effective alternative to desktop apps.
Increase in the number of mobile application users
As mentioned, users liked the convenience and compact design of the mobile apps used in the United States. Since most cell phone owners took their devices everywhere they went, they could use these apps on the go and be entertained. In fact, after downloading the app, most users figured out how to use it within minutes.
According to a recent study by MTV Networks, 83% of respondents admitted that they were “addicted” to mobile apps. This is partly because cell phones were portable and easily accessible to the user, unlike personal computers.
A similar Nielsen study reported that 47% of mobile app users have even paid to download an app. An average cell phone user would have at least 18 apps on their phone.
What are the most popular types of mobile apps in the United States?
The wide variety of apps available has also contributed significantly to the development of the best mobile apps in the US market. Today, there’s an app for literally everything you can think of.
The technology leverages the function of mobile apps to extend IoT network management functionality in smartphones, such as Alexa, allowing customers to turn lights on/off, control temperature, power consumption, and more. , using a simple app.
The apps also let users pay for gas with their phone at gas stations, book flights, and allow them to pair their phone with their car, so they never get lost.
There are countless ways to use mobile apps. These apps have gone beyond social media. Nielsen data indicated that online games were among the most popular mobile apps, followed by news and weather, maps, social networking sites, and music and entertainment apps.
Gaming apps account for nearly 60% of apps recently downloaded by a user. The increase in the legalization of online gambling by several US states has further exacerbated these statistics. Several online gaming sites have developed a mobile version for their users.
For example, the twinspires sports betting app is available in some states that now allow sports betting. These apps allow users to place bets on the go and view the results immediately. Sports fans shouldn’t miss the action, even if they’re traveling or stuck in a meeting.
Sportsbooks, OTT platforms, and audiobooks are popular entertainment sites that have seen an increase in usage, especially since 2020 when people had to refrain from going out. Besides game apps, mobile apps like Fitbit, Siri, and Amazon are the most frequently downloaded apps in the United States.
The future of mobile apps in the US market
Cell phones are now part of American culture. The advanced ecosystem of mobile computing applications has been a boon to the US market, and the widespread adoption of app culture has spawned the growth of US industries.
The mobile phone industry in the United States is one of the biggest contributors to its economy, and app developers are also among the highest paid professionals in the country.
In the future, mobile apps will replace websites and continue to be part of the virtual ecosystem. Technology evolves, and with that, applications will also evolve. Technological advancements such as blockchain, cloud computing and disk storage will drive invention in sectors such as healthcare.
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