My home theater system recently stopped working and I found myself in the market for a specific piece of relatively complex consumer technology: a new receiver. A new home theater receiver is not an insignificant purchase. Surprisingly, the major factor in my decision had nothing to do with price point or technical specs. Instead, I chose a receiver that featured an intuitive mobile app that made the technology easier and more delightful to use.
I bring this up because apps like this are actually changing business models. The first few apps out there might have been gimmicks, but they have evolved into so much more than that. They are becoming the remote control to the Internet of Things. Apps are no longer an accessory; they’re a necessity.
There are currently 1.3 million apps available on Android alone. The options available create a competitive market, especially when you consider 90 percent of apps are downloaded and never used again.
Mobile apps have been playing an important role in the product experience for some time now. Consumer expectations around product apps are expanding to include even the most complex goods and industries. These consumers want new and innovative ways to use products, and the right product apps can provide that. A good mobile app can simplify the complex, and this is what companies should aim to do when developing theirs.