The Future of iOS (and mobile computing): Will there be apps?

[gwhizkids]

As we near WWDC 2017 and the introduction of what may be named iOS 11, I wanted to post this thought starter:

Does the future of mobile computing (iOS, Android, etc...) include a future for what we now know as apps (that is: discrete, user-selected mobile applications used to accomplish fairly unique tasks)? Or are we headed for a future when the mobile device is simply able to provide what is desired without the visible intervention of a discrete application?

There are some signs of the latter with things like SiriKit, that allow app-like responses without the user needing to open the responsible app. Think of things like "Siri, I need a Lyft ride to the airport". Although this cannot be done currently completely without reference to the Lyft app, a great deal of the transaction can occur without the user needing to open or interact with the Lyft app. If the state is ever reached of not needing "an app for that", we will be coming close to reaching the age of computing seen in the S-F genre over the years: truly frictionless interactions with AI type devices.

Of course, this is not going to make a lot of app developers happy, as even if their code is used to power the back-end of an interaction with the device, I suspect a lot them like having something discrete like an app icon to identify their contribution to the mobile computing experience.

That said, I think a lot of end users may clamor for this eventually, as the proliferation of thngs like fast food chain apps continues. I think people would like to be able to type or say "Order _____ from [restaurant name]" rather than have 10 different fast food chain apps on their phone to accomplish the same thing. I know I am in that camp.

So, where do you think this is going? Respond to the poll and post your comments!

 

[LordQ]

The OS will subsume many apps, but there will still be a need for some discrete applications.

I literally have 5 apps on my iPhone (Adguard, Clue, Apple TV Remote, Uber and WhatsApp), I think the OS already covers most of the apps I used to download and use:

Soundhound: Hey Siri, Shazam
Unit Conversion: Spotlight, Siri
Foursquare: Maps
Movies Playing & Info - Siri, Spotlight
Light word translation or definition: Siri, Built-in Dictionary

Plus all the iCloud goodies like all my passwords or notes synced and whatnot.

But since not everything baked in is perfect, there will always be third-party options on the App Store IMO.

 

[CTHarrryH]

There are many apps for specific companies and a lot of non public apps. I can't see ever the OS covering all nor would any 1 vendor be able to do all those. Apps are what makes mobile computing great.

 

[gwhizkids]

There are many apps for specific companies and a lot of non public apps. I can't see ever the OS covering all nor would any 1 vendor be able to do all those. Apps are what makes mobile computing great.

Maybe I needed to qualify it a bit more: the app capabilities would still be there, but they would happen without the need for tapping an app icon to get started. "Hey Computer: Read me my schedule and order me a latte at Starbucks to be ready at 7:45 am, unless I'm delayed" or something like that.

 

[itsmilo]

The OS will subsume many apps, but there will still be a need for some discrete applications.

I literally have 5 apps on my iPhone (Adguard, Clue, Apple TV Remote, Uber and WhatsApp), I think the OS already covers most of the apps I used to download and use:

Soundhound: Hey Siri, Shazam
Unit Conversion: Spotlight, Siri
Foursquare: Maps
Movies Playing & Info - Siri, Spotlight
Light word translation or definition: Siri, Built-in Dictionary

Plus all the iCloud goodies like all my passwords or notes synced and whatnot.

But since not everything baked in is perfect, there will always be third-party options on the App Store IMO.

meanwhile i got 78 and need them all

 

[mpavilion]

I'm sure intelligent assistants will become more capable, but they won't take the place of apps. First, in most situations, you don't want to talk to your phone -- you want to interact with it silently (and it's faster to open the Weather app than ask, "Phone, what will the weather be like this week?"). Second, how would you access social media, read news, email, etc. without apps?

 

[gwhizkids]

I'm sure intelligent assistants will become more capable, but they won't take the place of apps. First, in most situations, you don't want to talk to your phone -- you want to interact with it silently (and it's faster to open the Weather app than ask, "Phone, what will the weather be like this week?"). Second, how would you access social media, read news, email, etc. without apps?

Agree re the talking part. I am still waiting for typing-Siri. I think iOS 11 will bring that.

As for the second part of your post: the "apps" (or code) to handle the various info types still exist. But the wrapper delivering you this info is seamless and OS delivered. Envision an info stream where you get all your updates, tweets and email in one stream (didn't Blackberry have something like this?). Or you just tell your phone: show me my tweets. No Twitter app opens, but you are simply presented with your tweets on the screen.

 

[mpavilion]

Agree re the talking part. I am still waiting for typing-Siri. I think iOS 11 will bring that.

As for the second part of your post: the "apps" (or code) to handle the various info types still exist. But the wrapper delivering you this info is seamless and OS delivered. Envision an info stream where you get all your updates, tweets and email in one stream (didn't Blackberry have something like this?). Or you just tell your phone: show me my tweets. No Twitter app opens, but you are simply presented with your tweets on the screen.

Blackberry did (or still does) have something like that. Maybe it works for some ppl. But when I use Twitter, I really dive into it -- search and visit various accounts (that I don't follow), follow links, click on tweets to see replies, etc. A mere listing of tweets in my feed, in a consolidated "stream" along with emails and other content, does not seem like it would be a satisfying way of viewing any of that content.