October 31, 2023
How Mobile Apps Have Changed the Way We Live
READ TIME: 4 MIN.
Since the creation of the first smartphone in 1992 and the very first mobile app in 1993, we have grown more and more dependent on them for almost everything we do.
One survey found that there were 6.37 billion smartphone users in the world in 2021. That number is expected to increase by 2025 at which point there will be around 7.33 billion smartphone users.
In other words, a billion more people are expected to acquire a smartphone by 2025.
But what are people using their smartphone for? How are mobile apps utilized?
This article will discuss the usage of mobile apps, their role and importance in our daily lives and some of the most popular apps on the market.
What are mobile apps and why are people using them?
Mobile apps, also known as mobile applications, are software applications that can be downloaded on compatible mobile devices such as a smartphone or a tablet.
Nowadays, most mobile apps are either available on both Android and Apple devices, or exclusively on one or the other. Here are two key reasons why people use mobile apps.
They are convenient and quick
Apps make a lot of things easier and quicker in our daily lives. For example, instead of going to the bank to sort out some issues or check our bank balance, we can now check this remotely via our banking app.
They help organize our schedule and keep track of our tasks
Many apps are great for organization, delegating and scheduling events. They help us keep track of our tasks via notifications and alarms.
What are some of the most popular types of mobile apps on the market?
Nowadays, there are apps for almost everything. However, some categories are extremely popular, as listed below.
Most smartphone users have at least one gaming app on their device. Mobile gaming is currently the most popular type of gaming in the world.
It is loved by gamers for a number of reasons. The main reason is that it is extremely convenient, easy to access and time efficient.
Players can now start a game on their way to work or during a short break.
Gambling and various betting apps are also extremely popular. Instead of having to go to a land-based gambling venue like a bookies, punters can now place their bets from anywhere they want in real-time, meaning they can place bets as the game is in play.
Mobile gaming apps have given players much more flexibility, gaming options and freedom. The popularity of these apps is such that the gaming industry is growing quicker than expected and attracting new demographics of players.
As mentioned before, banking apps are particularly useful to have. They save a lot of time and a lot of issues by giving individuals direct access to their bank account. The major bank accounts make sure they have a strong security platform in place to give customers a piece of mind when using apps.
You can now budget with more ease, keep track of your finances, transfer money and even invest in the stock market from your phone.
Banking apps are also eco-friendly as they reduce the number of physical bank statements sent out to clients, and therefore paper used by banks.
Money management apps also exist to help clients understand their budget and their financial health. Most money management app users have reported that they now have more control over their finances and have improved their financial health.
Banking apps are great. They are so great that people are growing a bit too dependent on them according to a new study.
That being said, as long as these apps contribute to the individual's overall wellbeing which includes their financial wellbeing, we could argue that they remain positive.
This category encompasses a large range of apps. Health can mean a number of things.
Some use mental health or self-development apps to improve their mental wellbeing. Some of these can include meditation apps, journaling apps, therapy apps...
There are also some apps that are focused on physical health. These types of apps can include exercising apps and diet apps.
They help individuals monitor their progress, seek professional advice, and follow a healthy routine.
Health apps are extremely popular although a number of studies argue that they are not always beneficial to a patient's health. They argue that nothing can ever truly replace a face-to-face interaction with a sports teacher, a personal trainer, a dietician, a therapist, or a doctor.
Although individuals are becoming more dependent on these types of apps, they should try and use them to complement their face-to-face health check-ups and appointments and not as a replacement.
Final thoughts
Mobile apps are growing in popularity and will continue to do so in the foreseeable future. Although the majority of apps are very beneficial and useful to users, they should not fully replace human interaction and important appointments such as in-person health check-ups.
