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It'll be interesting to see how the "app boom" turns out. The demand for apps right now reminds me of the demand for all of the shareware, etc programs of the l

It'll be interesting to see how the "app boom" turns out. The demand for apps right now reminds me of the demand for all of the shareware, etc programs of the late 90s, when personal computing was growing at a rate analogous to smart phone usage today. Utilities to speed up your internet and computer and the cute little animated tray programs, etc. (I had a soft spot for Tiny Elvis, who at random times would be awed at the size of a an icon on my desktop and then do a little jig). It was normal to pay for a web browser or video player. I find myself only using apps that satisfy a core set of use-cases: favorite website consumption (HN reader, Reddit is Fun), media consumption, and social media. I play games much less than I thought I would have but I think it is the one subset of apps that will continue to see demand. The apps that list different types of knots...not so much.

kumarm 14y ago
>>The apps that list different types of knots...not so much. If you look at AppStores there are apps with Types of Knots that has in access of Millions of downloads (Which I am sure had pretty good return). Your analogy is wrong IMO. App boom is similar to Web Boom of Late 90's. Almost everyone says they only visit 1-50 websites a day but there are several 10K's of sites that are profitable.
- wallflower 14y ago
  > there are apps with Types of Knots that has in access of Millions of downloads (Which I am sure had pretty good return). And there is even a niche inside the Knots niche. The sad truth is people are searching for specific things 'how to tie my tie' not mediocre social media/game/productivity apps. https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.artelplus.howtotie&hl=en https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.artelplus.... "INSTALLS: 5,000,000 - 10,000,000 Ratings: 1/2 (114,872)"
jiggy2011 14y ago
I think you will see more variety in successful smartphone apps simply because a phone can be used in so many more situations. A PC app with a list of knot types is not especially useful if you can't take it on your boat with you.

kumarm 14y ago

>>The apps that list different types of knots...not so much. If you look at AppStores there are apps with Types of Knots that has in access of Millions of downloads (Which I am sure had pretty good return). Your analogy is wrong IMO. App boom is similar to Web Boom of Late 90's. Almost everyone says they only visit 1-50 websites a day but there are several 10K's of sites that are profitable.

wallflower 14y ago
> there are apps with Types of Knots that has in access of Millions of downloads (Which I am sure had pretty good return). And there is even a niche inside the Knots niche. The sad truth is people are searching for specific things 'how to tie my tie' not mediocre social media/game/productivity apps. https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.artelplus.howtotie&hl=en https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.artelplus.... "INSTALLS: 5,000,000 - 10,000,000 Ratings: 1/2 (114,872)"

jiggy2011 14y ago

I think you will see more variety in successful smartphone apps simply because a phone can be used in so many more situations. A PC app with a list of knot types is not especially useful if you can't take it on your boat with you.