People With Mobile Devices Use Apps to Get Data Off the Net

Steve Jobs made a point at the recent iPhone OS 4 preview keynote: The way people pull data off the internet from their desktops is different from mobile devices. Rightfully said. Basically, the difference is what allows apps to exist. People use apps to pull information not their mobile web browsers.

Why Apps Work
I think a lot of that has to do with the size limitations of the device. The screen size of most mobile devices make it hard to browse the internet, especially when you’re out and about doing something other than sitting down in front of a computer at work or at home. The whole web page would be shrunk down to fit the screen alright but you wouldn’t be able to do much unless you zoomed in. That really kills the experience. That was until Apple came along with their iPhone. Let’s be honest now. Apple has a good product out there.

The iPhone and the proliferation of apps really filled in a lot of the gaps around the mobile experience. When I’m out and want to check something quickly whether it's for information or email, I want it back instantly and in a manner that’s easy to digest. What I’ve also noticed more and more nowadays is my growing hunger for information. I’ve become so accustomed to Googling things that I’ve built a habit of relying on it regardless of where I am. The development of mobile apps allow that.

My Apps Satisfy My Hunger for Info on Mobile
Currently, I have an app that takes me directly to:
- Facebook, Twitter, Flickr, etc
- My email accounts
- Weather temperatures
- Restaurant suggestions
- Address search
- Maps
- Dictionary definitions
- News headline
- My bank account

Looking at this list alone reveals how it can be different from search on a desktop. At the desktop level, I do more in depth searches, such as shopping and real researching that require more time.

Takeaway
So, the takeaway? If you were ever to create a mobile app for your customers, make sure it gives them value and that it’s created in a manner that’s easy to navigate around and allows information to be digested easily.