How we interact with digital services has changed significantly over the past decade or so. Where desktop computers once dominated online activities, the increase in popularity and user-friendliness of smartphones and tablets has made mobile apps the go-to choice for many daily tasks. From quick Google searches to complex financial transactions, apps are overtaking their desktop counterparts. These applications offer speed, convenience, and a tailored user experience.
Apps can be used for social media, communication, entertainment, gaming, business management, health, and finance. However, some of these features are predominantly still accessed via desktop. So, how and where are apps overtaking desktop use?
Internet Searches
When mobile internet first became accessible, searching for information on a phone felt uncomfortable compared to a computer with a keyboard and screen. However, that cluckiness has disappeared, and browser apps like Safari, Google Chrome, and Mozilla Firefox have evolved to become intuitive tools that mirror or even surpass desktop searches.
These apps have many features, like voice search, translation, and password managers that make it easy and convenient to find information online. Browser apps allow users to carry their bookmarks, saved login information, and browsing history with them without having to return to their PCs each time they want to look up something new.
Entertainment
Entertainment is the biggest sector driving app use. Popular streaming services, like Netflix, Prime Video, and Disney+, are optimized for mobile viewing. This allows users to enjoy their favorite shows and movies from anywhere.
Music platforms have also jumped on the bandwagon, with Spotify and Apple Music showing exactly how functional these apps can be. They offer personalized playlists, offline downloads of albums and podcasts, and easy sharing of your favorite tunes.
The gaming industry has also taken over mobile use. Casinos and poker rooms, for example, offer mobile platforms with all the features found in an online casino. They allow players to play on the go without sacrificing functionality or game quality. Game apps often have simplified interfaces when compared to their desktop counterparts, making them more accessible for casual gamers.
High-speed mobile networks can be found almost everywhere, and device displays are constantly improving. This means entertainment apps can offer clear visuals, lag-free playback, and a lot of interactivity.
Travel
Planning your next holiday has never been easier thanks to travel apps. Booking flights, renting cars, finding accommodation, and organizing activities in a foreign city can all be done by simply tapping on your phone screen a couple of times.
Popular apps like Airbnb, Booking.com, Expedia, and Skyscanner allow users to read reviews, compare prices, and complete payments almost instantly. Boarding passes have gone mobile, map apps are used to navigate, and real-time travel alerts are used to keep travellers up to date.
Interestingly, mobile apps are only the preferred tool for local or shorter trips, where speed and convenience are paramount. They make it possible to secure last-minute accommodation or book a car as soon as your flight lands. However, for more complex itineraries, like a multi-country trip, desktops are still dominating. That’s because they have larger screens, making it easier to view multiple tabs for comparison and cross-referencing.
Finance
The finance sector quickly recognized the value of mobile-optimized services. Mobile banking apps from Varo, Capital One, and Bank of America offer features that were once limited only to desktop computers (or going into the bank and talking to someone in person). Today, apps are used to check balances, transfer funds, pay bills, and apply for loans.
Trading platforms are also embracing mobile apps, allowing users to buy and sell shares, monitor markets, and manage portfolios. Many of these apps use biometric authentication for an added layer of security.
Shopping
The retail world was one unexpected industry that made the shift to mobile. Shopping giants rely largely on apps, including global retailers like Amazon, eBay, and Alibaba. Noche and local retailers also have apps that offer curated recommendations, stock updates, and quick payment options. Many of these apps integrate with mobile wallets like Apple Pay or Google Pay, making checkout fast and secure.
Mobile shopping is continuing to evolve thanks to augmented reality, which allows users the ability to try on clothing virtually or to visualize how furniture will look in their homes. These apps use push notifications to alert users of sales or new stock, which makes for more spontaneous shopping than desktop allows.
Final Thoughts
Mobile phones are becoming more sophisticated, as are the apps that can be downloaded on them. Apps are no longer companions to desktop functionality; they have become the main way people access services online.
Desktops still have their place for activities that require large screens or in-depth analysis; however, mobile apps offer portability, convenience, and speed, making them a go-to choice for most daily activities.
Technology will continue to evolve, which will close the gap between mobile and desktop in even more industries.
