Skyhook Wireless has done an excellent job in proliferating their wifi-based location determination technology via integration in a broad variety of mobile applications developed by third parties. As such they have a unique vantage point into developing trends for location aware applications. Today Skyhook published a report that has several interesting takeaways worth noting:
- Template-Based Application Trend: A “handful of companies releasing “Bulk Apps”
– template‐based apps, usually selling for the same price, which have the same
look and feel but swap out content. For example, Molinker Inc. sells over 850
travel apps based on the same template, but switches out content based on
specific locations, e.g Travelto Paris or Travelto Costa Rica. Around 1/3 of
Apple LBS apps are mass‐produced local search or travel guide apps." Clearly from an economic perspective, writing once and populating with customized content many times has some compelling advantages. This is a terrific example of smart innovation at work.
- Broadening
of Location Aware Application Categories:
“While
Travel and Navigation are still the top categories in all five stores, other
interesting categories have grown tremendously.
Social Networking is a top category in all of the stores, and in fact
surpassed Travel in the Android Marketplace this month. Lifestyle is also
increasing in popularity. Most surprisingly, the Sports & Fitness category
has seen huge growth in each of the five stores this month. Location awareness has potential value across a wide array of applications, not just navigation.
- Paid
Applications are Increasing in Proportion to Free: “As time goes on, the number of free apps released per quarter is
decreasing.” A welcome and necessary shift to a focus on building viable businesses.
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