The End of The App

Over the past several years, Silicon Valley has been flooded with an overwhelming amount of eager app developers. Since Apple’s launch of the App Store back in 2008, apps have been at the forefront of innovation in the valley. The App Store made launching a product, be it service driven or recreational, much more achievable. Back in 2008, it was a brand new market with seemingly endless possibilities. Unfortunately, the accessibility of that market has lead to an overwhelming amount of competition, where very few come out successful.

The pullback in app downloads is clearly depicted in an article for recode.net, which features statistics from SensorTower. According to the data featured, app downloads have declined by more than 20% over the past year. Even the bigger app publishers (Facebook/Instagram) are feeling the pullback. Very few apps saw an increase in downloads between May of this year and last, of those included Snapchat and Uber.  

For so long, developers have been focused on catering to the on-demand market; which was built on a concept of just prices and unparalleled convenience. Since Uber’s launch, coincidentally in 2008 as well, there’s been a plethora of developers attempting to mirror that same success. Uber, an infamous unicorn in the app industry, started out with unheard of  Series A funding of $11.5 million. Unfortunately, Uber is one of the few, if not the only, apps to accomplish this.

Today the App Store contains over 2 millions apps, which is quite the bit of competition. With such a stealthy number of applications to choose from, it’s no wonder there’s a shift in downloads. The app craze is over. More often than not, users have already downloaded the apps they’re most interested, and be it for lack of space or desire, they’re not downloading anymore. It’s quite impossible to compete in such a large market that’s seemingly catered to every niche. Though, should you have a concept that hasn’t already been tapped in the app industry, more power to you!

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The Uneven Scale Between Design And Technology

The past several years have been nothing short of a technological boom. From drones that carry passengers to autonomous vehicles, technology has taken society by storm. The technological expertise that is present today is beyond impressive, and more than one could have imagined a few decades ago. While these developments are all well and good, what we’re lacking is that expertise in product design. Developers have been so absorbed in software and applications that the fundamentals of product design has been left on the table. The Harvard Business Review recently released an article which reflects on why we’ve seen such shortcomings on the product design forefront and why the scale needs to be readjusted.

One sector in technological industry, which has been more prominent in recent quarters, is home automation. In a recent blog of mine, Amazon’s Voice Service Products, I discussed Amazon’s voice-recognition system, Alexa. Amazon refers to Alexa as an “intelligent personal assistant”, and operates from cylinder form speaker, the Amazon Echo. While the concept of an “intelligent personal assistant” is certainly appealing, especially in a society that revolves around on-demand services, the product design is lacking. The concept behind the voice service product is for it to act as “a natural interface for the connected home”. While Alexa might be able to activate security systems and adjust the lights, “she” is still an advanced voice-recognition software that operates out of a less than ideal product.

The consumers of today are used to efficiency. These technological developments have made it possible to order groceries, book a flight, and pay a bill all in a matter of minutes, at the touch of a button. That’s what our society seeks in new products, that same level of accessibility and efficiency. In the article for The Harvard Business Review, authors Nelson and Metaxatos, reiterates the disconnect here. Developers have been so fixated on the Internet of Things that they’re so far removed from product design. While these advancements in network connectivity are certainly valued, its not transferable to consumers without the proper product design.

The article shares an appropriate conclusion, “Customers do not buy IoT”. The Internet of Things enhances a product’s value, but if that product doesn’t have an effective design, it’s essentially irrelevant to consumers. Consumers need products that have integrated the technology into a simple and well thought out design. For home automation technology to truly infiltrate the market, several things will have to be considered. Consumers will need a product that is simplified, perhaps smaller devices with a greater range. Developers will also have to be mindful of product to product connectivity. It could be some time before we see an appropriate balance between technology and design, but  until then, visit The Harvard Business Review for “five ways that technology and design can build successful partnerships”.

 

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Wearable Technology And Your Health

Technology has impacted various sectors of society for some time now; however, most recently has conformed the way we monitor our health. In an earlier blog post, I reflected on the booming smart watch industry, but wearable technology has superseded the ordinary smart watch and now includes more advanced watches and fitness bands.

The Apple watch and Fitbit have seemingly changed the way people view health care overnight. With features that monitor your heart rate and sleeping patterns, it’s almost as though we have a physician readily available on our wrist.

In an article for digitaltrends.com, author Lulu Chang references a study from Northwestern University School of Professional Studies, which reflects on how wearable technology has changed the healthcare industry. According to the study,  one in five Americans owns some form of wearable technology. The study went on to ask those surveyed if they believed their life expectancy had increased due to their device, 56% percent believed it had increased their expectancy by a decade. While I’m unsure of the likelihood behind those beliefs, wearable technology has most certainly made consumers more healthy.

According to Northwestern’s study, there was a 44% decrease in sick days for employees that wear a tracker on a daily basis. BP had distributed FitBits to all of their employees and saw their corporate healthcare costs drop below the national growth rate. BP isn’t the only company taking part in the initiative to integrate wearable technology into their policies. Humana Inc. and UnitedHealth Group Inc. have also taken part in the initiative in hopes of more people investing in their health thus, cutting costs for the corporations.

Fit bands and smart watches have most certainly shaped the way consumers monitor their health and one can only presume it will only further advance in time. Technology is forever progressing and wearable technology has the potential to make a substantial impact on the healthcare industry. Aside from tracking physical activity and collecting minimal health data, wearable technology is constantly being fine tuned to further benefit consumers and better integrate health care providers.

 

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Amazon’s Voice Service Products

It seems as though the general direction that technological developments are going is towards a completely automated life. For some time now there has been this ever-present idea of a fully connected smart home, and it seems as though there’s another race at play, aside from the autonomous vehicle race. More tech companies are beginning to develop variations of these voice interfaces, in hopes of creating the ultimate personal assistant for your home.

Not only are we getting closer to having  fully autonomous vehicles drive us around, but our homes are becoming more and more automated as well. Amazon’s Alexa is changing the way we operate a home and the newest additions to the Alexa voice-recognition system suggests the progression towards a fully connected house, rather than a fully connected room.

Referred to as an “intelligent personal assistant”, Alexa is essentially a Siri that operates from the Amazon Echo. The Echo, which announced back in 2014, looks very much like a typical cylinder speaker, and it’s just that, a speaker simply equipped with an “always-listening”  assistant. In an article for fastcompany.com, Alexa is is depicted as, “a natural interface for the connected home.” Alexa offers homeowners a variety of features and benefits with compatible smart home devices. Homeowners can monitor their homes by setting security alarms, they can also adjust the thermostat and lights through simple commands to Alexa. The connection between Alexa and a smartphone allows users to order a pizza, set alarms, make grocery lists in notes, or even order an Uber.

The newest additions to the Alexa-enabled home automation products is the Echo Dot and Amazon Tap. The Echo Dot is essentially the same as it’s original and was developed as an extension of range for the Echo. The Amazon Tap is a portable option that offers consumers the same experience at The Echo.

What we can expect to see next is connected home devices such as your refrigerator, dishwasher, and coffee pot. The idea of connecting all of the different devices and appliances we have in our home, which are developed by varying companies, seems a little far fetched. It would be ideal to speak to an Alexa or Siri and simply say, “Make a pot of coffee and turn on the stove”, but the reality of the situation is that companies such as GE or Whirlpool would have to be willing to embrace these voice services in order to sync these devices. As with anything, in time, we will have an “intelligent personal assistant” that’s fully connected to homes. Until then, enjoy Alexa with the Amazon Echo!

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The Future Of The Automotive Industry

There has been a looming conversation around autonomous cars for some time now. Talk of the self-driving car has been in the works for years. The first real inkling of this came when we were introduced to cruise control, next came electric/hybrid cars, then the semi-autonomous vehicle. and now comes the fully autonomous vehicle. There have been a number of predictions that, in time, the number of personally owned vehicles will significantly decrease and be replaced by more communal options. With such predictions in place, major automotive makers are getting behind the wheel on this. 

As more and more technology companies are entering the automotive business, car makers are feeling a greater sense of competition around innovation. It seems that almost every week there’s a new press release from either a tech company or car maker suggesting a potential date for their “fully autonomous” car. It’s a race to see who develops the first autonomous car available to the public.

Car makers have since been teaming up with both technology companies and ride sharing companies in the efforts to be at the forefront of this initiative. There has been speculation of a partnership between Google and Ford in the world of autonomous driving. Google has been testing a fleet of 53 vehicles in California and Texas since early 2015, that includes both their prototype and a modified version of a Lexus SUV. Ford now has a fleet of 30 vehicles being tested in Michigan, California, and Arizona. Although no official statement has been made as of yet, a partnership between one of the most influential tech companies and oldest car makers could make for quite a team.

Another trend in partnerships is that of car makers and ride sharing companies. It was recently announced that General Motors invested $500 million into ride-sharing company Lyft. While most car makers are focusing on their fully autonomous prototypes, GM is also looking at things in a broad manner. It is more likely for autonomous cars to first be used in ridesharing situations, as opposed to individual use. By utilizing these autonomous cars in conjunction with ride-sharing services, you’ll create an on-demand autonomous service that eliminates congested roadways and pollution.

There’s still a lot that remains to be seen with the future of fully autonomous cars. One can presume there is quite a bit of negotiating going on behind closed doors between tech companies, car makers, and ride sharing services. As we’re likely a number of years away from on-demand autonomous services, it’s interesting to see the partnerships that are beginning to form thus far.

 

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Movado, the Next Big Name in Smartwatches

We knew it wouldn’t be long for this market to take off after the Apple Watch release back in April. While the Apple Watch at first received a lot of skepticism around its relevance and demand, it unsurprisingly took off immediately along with the smartwatch market.

The next big name in the smartwatch market is a timeless brand, best known for their Museum Watch, none other than Movado. Movado’s new smart watch Bold Motion is joining the likes of Apple, Samsung, and Sony in the creation of a watch compatible to a user’s smartphone.  

Bold Motion remains true to the Museum Watch staple with a timeless analog design. Unlike that of Apple Watch and Samsung, Bold Motion does not have a graphic interface screen, instead it offers subtle vibrations and lighting alerts in response to your smartphone. The focus is to deliver the user notifications on email alerts, social media updates, text messages and scheduled events. The watch is synced to the Movado app which available for both IOS and Android devices. The Movado Bold Motion, engineered by Hewlett-Packard (HP), also works as an activity monitor.

Movado’s watch plays on the aesthetics for the consumer more so than the technology behind it. While the Bold Motion would certainly give you a classic, timeless piece to wear everyday it won’t give you just everything the Apple Watch offers.

 

See more on Movado’s Bold Motion here.

 

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The iPad Pro Will Change the Way We Work

A 12.9-inch display, 5.6 million pixels, an A9x chip with 64-bit desktop-class architecture, and 10 hours of battery life. The iPad pro is definitely a force to be reckoned with. Available November of this year, professionals are already speculating just how power this new tool will be.

After Apple’s annual keynote announcement, one of the company’s biggest unveils yet was the new iPad Pro. Sleek in design, this ultra powerhouse is a true productivity booster. With built in iOS 9 multi-tasking capabilities and two top-of-the-line accessories (the Apple Pencil and new Smart Keyboard), Apple’s senior vice president of marketing, Phil Schiller demonstrated just how useful the new iPad can be. A new Photoshop Fix app and Microsoft Office Suite provides limitless abilities with user friendly interface and high speed responsiveness.

The screen is large enough to type full-length documents and fast enough to run multiple apps. Those on the go are constantly looking for ways to improve portability. Business class travellers can now do the work of a laptop without taking up the extra space. And although Apple is not the first to produce a tablet-notebook hybrid, it may have just bested the competition. The 32GB iPad Pro is set at $799. The Apple Pencil is $99 and the Smart Keyboard is $169.

For more information, check out the keynote presentation below:

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Olio’s Model One, A Smartwatch Competitor

In March of this year, while many anticipated the release of the Apple Watch, discussing it’s stark range in price points and upcoming features, Olio introduced an ultra luxe, premium smartwatch called Model One. From surgical-grade stainless steel to precision forged housing, the high-end Swiss watch completely sold out of its limited edition black and steel models. Buyers barely flinched at the $500+ price tag, purchasing all 1,000 in the matter of weeks. July 30th marked the release of a second batch of the swank jewelry.

Olio has added two more designs to the roster in 24 karat gold and 18 karat rose gold. Undoubtedly taking inspiration from the success of the gold Apple watch, Olio’s founder and CEO, Steve Jacobs, promises that the watches are pure. Leather Model One straps are available in black and alligator brown at $1,195 each. All-gold link styles are $1,395.

Imitating high-end specialty shops, only 500 of the black and steel options will be available. Even more exclusive, only 100 each of the two gold options are for sale. Jacobs sees an advantage to making high quality batches in small increments. Careful consideration is made from the ballasts to the strap, each detail intentional. Some criticize the watch for it’s rather large and hefty style, however, Jacobs suggests that large watches are currently in. The company, although unique, does adhere to customer demands and industry trends. In the future, the Jacobs hopes to incorporate smaller designs for those interested in a lighter wear watch.

First batch of Olio Model One watches

Perhaps the most unique feature on the watch is its software. Instead of opting for Android Wear, Olio is compatible with both Android and iOS. Its simple UI allows wearers to swipe down to reveal settings and swipe up for controls. Instead of incorporating a large number of applications, Olio’s smartwatch communicates through notifications and open APIs. Notifications are revealed by swiping left and a schedule is shown if one swipes right. The simplicity is definitely favorable for those on the go or disinterested in the complexity of complete applications on such a small surface.

To top everything off, Olio comes equip with a cloud-based personal assistant who will learn your behavior and improve over time. Although the Olio smartwatch may seem unorthodox and expensive in the growing world of smartwatch competition, it is truly a device designed for savvy modern-day professionals with an interest in style.

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To No Ones Surprise, Gap is Closing 175 Stores

It’s no secret that in recent years Gap, like many mid-tier fashion brands, has been struggling to compete with the rise of ‘throw-away fashion’ companies like H&M. Their price point is high, their look is dated, and the company itself has struggled with constantly changing executive leadership.

Unfortunately, for their employees, this means Gap will be closing one-fourth (175 total) of their 675 stores in North America over the next few years. Additional closures are expected to hit a limited number of European locations, though the exact number has not yet been disclosed.

Manhattan Gap Clothing Store (Photo by Chris Hondros)

Art Peck, Gap’s Chief Executive since February of this year, believes these closures are necessary if the brand is to reposition itself for future success. Though these cuts will trim about $300 million from annual sales with additional costs of approximately $140 million to $160 million from lease buyouts, inventory write-offs, and costs that come with shrinking a headquarters workforce, beginning in 2016, Gap expects these changes to generate annual savings of about $25 million.

The real challenge for Gap won’t be in savings, though: it will be in fixing its product. Muted tones, straight silhouettes, and outdated trends have plagued the company’s line for years. Peck himself has admitted to these issues and alludes to mixing up the assortment, including more vibrant color palettes, the introduction of unique patterns, and designing for a more feminine look and shape. It will be interesting to see Gap mix things up and give us something new. Who knows, they may even win back some of those core customers that have been over at H&M this whole time.

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The Crackdown on Traffic

In a recent CNN Money Article, some of the world’s worst rush hour traffic cities were ranked including: Istanbul, Moscow, Mexico City, Chongqing, Rio de Janeiro, Shenzhen, and the infamous Los Angeles. An EscapeHere article cited a few different cities, noting: Milan, Detroit, London, Brussels, San Francisco, and Dallas. And if you’re from New York, you’ve probably struggled a time or two through traffic as well. Considering how different the lists are, it’s safe to say that traffic is a problem worldwide. With the rapid increase of car ownership, more people are electing to drive than there is road space. At least in major cities, public transportation is more accessible.

San Francisco recently announced the Leap bus, a startup company aiming to provide luxury bus service for a slightly higher fee to city commuters. For now, the bus route only covers a direct 25 minute line from the Financial District to the Marina. The bus runs during morning and evening hours equipped with juice service, bar stools, Wi-Fi, USB ports, and tabletops. The back of the bus has a collaborative area while the front remains more reserved for solitary work. Watch the video below for more information.

Even with innovations in public transportation, city traffic remains a problem. No only is it bad for commuters, it’s also bad for the environment, contributing to elevated levels of smog and carbon dioxide emissions. As an alternative, some cities are aiming to band driving personal vehicles all together!

Milan, one of the worlds smoggiest cities, is offering free public transit vouchers as an incentive to leave personal cars at home. Each day someone leaves their car at home, they receive a voucher for the appropriate train or bus ticket in the mail. Madrid has entire “car-free” zones, completely banning vehicles from many streets. In months to come, this zone will expand even further. Paris saw a drastic increase in pollution levels in 2014 after which they banned all vehicles with even number license plates from driving on the streets. They saw a 30% decrease pollution levels, prompting the government to move forward with increased car restrictions.

It is impressive to see cities moving forward on solid initiatives to reduce traffic and carbon emissions. It would be interesting to see an initiative like this passed in the United States. Would a large city like New York accept a ban on motor vehicle road access? Would Los Angeles? The gut instinct is “absolutely not!” But who can tell what the future holds.

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