If you ask digital directors at leading organizations what the next evolutionary step is for the Internet, they probably don't actually talk about the Web. Instead, they most likely talk about applications and devices. They also probably say that app developers are becoming worth their weight in gold.
That is certainly the case with Cameron Clayton, president of the digital group at The Weather Channel in Atlanta. The Weather Channel has the second most downloaded app on the iPad and the fifth most downloaded app on the iPhone. Clayton obviously knows the demand for mobile application development -- and developers.
"Looking out five years, I see increasing traffic on mobile devices, and for most companies, that probably means hiring more developers," Clayton told us. "But we're already not even close to having enough people to do the work." This demand is already making application developers among the highest-paid information technology professionals in many companies -- and deservedly so, according to Clayton.
He advises college students who want to be in high demand (and cash big paychecks) to concentrate on app development now. "If you want to earn $100,000 your first year out of school, become an applications developer for the Android or iOS. There is a real shortage of talent in the marketplace for people that can code for these devices."
Steve Nelson, technology director for the Oregon Virtual Schools, can confirm the growing demand for mobile devices and apps. Two years ago, the Oregon public school system became the largest test bed for Google Docs and Google Apps; the entire state adopted the Google Docs platform for digital education delivery.
"The Oregon Virtual Schools provide online learning applications, digital content, and digital courses," Nelson told us. Google provided its Google Docs and Google Apps technologies to all local school districts in the state, and it provided training for IT personnel and teachers. So far, 122 of 197 school districts have made the move to Google Docs. As part of this effort, students are given their own Gmail accounts, student portfolios on the cloud-based system, and mobile devices to access course work anywhere at any time.
As to the future of the Internet, it's not as much about the Net as it is about instant messaging and text messaging in mobile applications. I watch students and how they communicate. They don't want to talk on the phone so much anymore as much as they want to be able to text. Eventually, you'll see students taking tests on handheld devices.
This move to the 1:1 environment, as it is known in public education, is gaining popularity across the country. More school districts are embracing mobile devices as the preferred delivery device for the classroom. Even in districts that can't afford to purchase a lot of mobile devices for several classrooms, the new trend is to bring your own device.
Clearly, we are pumping a lot of new mobile consumers into the pipeline. More students will access and share their work via tablets and smartphones. Business travelers are increasingly leaving the laptop at home and opting for the tablet and smartphone. Put any number of people in a room for any length of time, and the odds are you'll find half of them on their Android or iPhone immediately, looking for entertainment, information, or companionship. Consumers are seeking apps to do virtually everything. We're almost there now.
Clayton and his friends recently had a friendly competition to see how long it would take to find a topic or function for which they couldn't find an app of any kind. "It took us two hours."
— David Weldon is an experienced editor, writer, and research analyst with more than 30 years of experience in the communications and research fields.
Yes stotheco. I think this is making apps a lesser demand. Overloading things do make people dislike them in quick time. Apps have lot to offer so lets keep it short and clean.
Well, it was bound to happen sooner or later at this rate. I suppose we need to train more people at the art of building a good app for companies or people. Either that or long waits and price hikes can be expected for this kind of service. However, I will be honest and say that I am shocked that no one has invited a drag and drop app builder. I think that would do well and while it couldn't make the most fancy ones, I do think a market could be found for it.
Up until now, app developers have adapted their apps to what the devices could do. Are we starting to see a change where App Developers are setting their requirements, in order to be able to provide richer apps?
In this day and age of rapid development tools, I find it hard to believe that we can't make it easier to create apps for various devices with relative ease. A nip here, a tuck there, and you should be able to port them without too much fuss, either. I would think the tough part would be coming up with something that people will want to download and carry around in what is sometimes limited storage space. Weather and news are a given, as is chat and communication. But how many pedometer apps do you need, or exercise planners, or even video players? It's been estimated that 30% of the apps in the Apple Store are really just variations of the classic "fart app." I find it amusing that IE would actually choose to put their content on the Apple tablets, knowing that they are more and more just me-too appliances rather than innovative products. Let's get it rolled out for Android platforms, so the intelligent half of the population can use them, too.
mobile apps are increasing popularity, thats why our very own liked website internet evolution also lauched its Ipad App. i would sure download it and use it. Also it is free of cost. It will sure be easier having an App, rather than opening safari first and then redirecting to the internet evolution site.
@mtechie, I'm a fan of the native app--very much so, in fact. As a user, I want the app to work when I'm not connected, on a plane, for example. If I wanted to go to website, I'd have started with the browser :-)
And, yes, I think there is a huge place for enterprise native apps. Maybe some of it is really a hybrid VPN kind of thing, but, again, having the app and data reside on the device has value. I get the mobile security concerns, but there is a point of view in the latest Computerworld magazine about "containment software," and I'm not sure it's not a pipe dream, but I like the idea.
usman, - but app monetization is actually one of those industry failure points. making reasonable cash out of most apps is difficult no wonder many developers just do it for the passion.
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