Apps everywhere // apps for everything.

According to a CheethamBellJWT report '100 Things to Watch in 2012', "Navigating the vast world of apps is already daunting, and the app-ifying of everything (desktops, cars, TVs, etc.) is only just beginning." 
  

  

It is apparent, even to the non-techno-savvy consumer, that there is an absolute abundance of apps. They cover everything from transforming your voice into that of a duck to booking your parking spot at the local train station.
  
In the same report, CheethamBellJWT also warns that "The novelty of apps will wear off as consumers become paralyzed by too many choices." Too much clutter around our media platforms is not a good idea. It means we have to work harder for consumer engagement and cut-through new cynicism created by mediocre apps and short fads.

  

Isobar Create London
In a recent event held in London, 65 developers (grouped into 20 teams) were invited to a 34-hour hackday. The inspiration behind the event was to bring together some of the brightest developer minds to create innovative and practical apps that can have positive effects in the physical world. 
  
The teams raced to create NFC (near field communication) applications for four categories: Retail, Finance, Sporting Events and Leisure and Entertainment. Some of the apps that impressed the judging board included:
> Theme park app -  centralised the experience of visiting a theme park with a digital ticket to the park, advanced ride bookings and the purchasing of food and drinks
> Tap-to-WiFi app - allowed smartphone users to automatically login to WiFi networks in cafes, hotels and conference venues by simply touching a poster
> Supermarket app - allowed shoppers to scan products straight from the shelf, to personalise the shopping experience by diet and simplify the checkout process.
  
Interesting app ideas and a great sense of innovation behind the event. There is wonderful strength in bringing together great minds in stimulating environments such as this one. 
  
With such an abundance of apps that cover all aspects of life, are we simply becoming more lazy and new media dependent? As we continue to embrace these ideas of "new" and "more", are we not moving towards a point of total convergence? Perhaps, or perhaps not, but it will be interesting to see which way this one goes.