Bots.

Is it better than apps?

Joey Rigor, Kontak Mobile Apps April 22, 2016

App fatigue. It’s getting harder to download, manage

and switch between so many apps.

That’s the main reason why most mobile users only use a few apps.

Forrester Research estimated that 80% of the typical US smartphone user's time

was spent in only five apps.

There are about 3 million apps available in App Store and Google Play.

http://www.statista.com/statistics/276623/number-of-apps-available-in-leading-app-stores/

Aside from the fact that users don't want to install apps anymore,

standing out among these 3 million apps is difficult and it isn't getting

any easier.

What about bots?

Bots are easier to install.

Actually, you don’t have to install anything.

Just search it within a messaging app and start chatting.

That’s because bots reside in the cloud. So it can be

shared or linked.

Some even have a number you can sms or call.

Bots are focused.

You don’t need an app to do simple things or something

you don’t do often.

Bots can be programmed to carry out specific automated conversations,

transactions or workflows. And do it repeatedly. Fast.

That’s what they’re good at.

And bots stay at the background until you

need them.

Bots can do anything.

E-commerce bots help you buy goods and services.

Content bots share news or the weather.

Watcher bots notify you when your flight is delayed or a payment is due.

Workflow bots automate business processes in sales, finance and

operations.

IoT bots connect us to our smart homes, cars and devices.

If you have a lot of bots running around,

there is even a Personal Assistant bot that manages the

communication with these bots.

You can easily talk to a bot.

Humans are hardwired for language and conversation.

Talking to a bot is a lot natural than swiping or clicking buttons.

And the experience is bi-directional.

A bot answers you back on-the-fly.

“Smarter” bots can respond with images, video or even a mini

website.

So, will bots replace apps?

Facebook, with its billion users, started the slow shift from apps to bots.

It launched its bot platform and even introduced a few bots in Messenger.

Microsoft announced its “Conversations as a Platform”

initiative. It plans to build bots into Skype to help you do things like book hotels or order a pizza from Domino's.

It is also aggressively pushing the millions of Windows developers in that direction.

WeChat started out as a chat app. Now, its 700 million users has began transacting with 10 million business accounts for its products

and services.

WeChat has already proven that using bots for business works.

Messaging platforms is where users are and will be.

So that’s where your business should be, too.

AboutMe

As a software developer, I have always been interested in discovering new

technology, how it can be used and how to harness its potential.

Joey Rigor, CEO Kontak Mobile Apps. kontakios.com