Tag: App types

This week’s focus is on different types of app, and there is also an introduction to market research.

It was interesting to see a wide range of app types from the provided course resources, covering these categories:

• Serious Games & Simulations
• Gamification
• eHealth Apps
• Casual Creator Apps
• Quantified Self Apps
• Experimental Art App

However, as I found myself unable to slot many of the most popular apps, and even my “Quick Cook Challenge” concept from the app jam, into any of the categories covered, I concluded that the presentation was not a comprehensive classification of apps.

I do appreciate that it is incredibly difficult to define a comprehensive classification system for the entire spectrum of app possibilities, and the realms of what is possible are ever expanding as enabling technologies develop and market wants and needs change. It is important that I keep an eye on market trends to identify changes that could have an impact on the lifecycle of my apps, and adapt to keep pace (or even set the pace), where appropriate.

Furthermore, the lines are becoming increasingly blurred. Whereas certain apps serve a single, clearly defined purpose (for example a calculator app) and therefore quite easily classified, many app developers strive to provide more and more benefits for their users, and so their apps evolve into a hybrid platform, incorporating a variety of elements to deliver intrinsic and perhaps also user-generated value. These apps can be far more difficult to pigeonhole, which could mean that some thought is required when deciding upon which category to list your app under on app stores.

While the core purpose of Facebook is be a social media facility, the development strategy has seen the platform evolve (both organically and mechanistically) to incorporate a progressively diverse range of value delivery initiatives, including analytics driven advertising, news, games, personal sales and event listings.

Fitbit is another good example of an app that has grown from it’s origins of serving a specific function (as an eHealth app) to become a hybrid platform with the addition of elements of gamification (awards and badges) and a shared interest social community.

Of course, some of the app types discussed hold more interest for me than others. For example, I have no intention of building games or experimental art apps. But I can see that it would be foolish of me to completely dismiss any of these app types, as there is always the possibility that certain elements, techniques and ideas within them could provide inspiration for value-added functionality within my own apps.