Way back in 2008, now over a decade ago, the first instances of different app marketplaces were launched as Apple led the way with Google soon to follow after and forever changed the way most of us used our current smartphone devices, from a huge variety in utility applications through to gaming choices that had moved away from the browser space like the games found at casinosnotongamstop.org for example, and the rest as they say is history as the app store and the way we use mobile applications has only continued to grow. The question always remains, however, what future changes could be seen over time and for many the answer is starting to form.
The biggest target hit recently has certainly been around user data and the way information is collected, mandatory changes to privacy policy and the expectation of these apps has certainly changed over time particularly as there has been more transparency expected, most recently apps like WhatsApp have come into view here as adjustments in this space in particular have grown concerns that the app may not remain useable for some as denying the new terms in favour of privacy could limit the way the app responds.
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Not only the first app to face this issue, as social media as a whole has received many calls to be more transparent in the way data and information is handled, and over time users as a whole have become much more aware of the way apps can access the mobile device for these purposes – and it raises the question now of whether these bigger app store changes could have a bigger impact on upcoming apps that have yet to hit the market, if users are becoming more aware not to allow certain permissions and newer terms of service prevent apps asking for these services, what may change?
One expectation is that premium features and microtransactions will see an increase, if data can’t be harvested as the primary selling point and ads are becoming harder to place, this has often been the go-to for generating revenue, but not all apps will be able to follow this same path. Another argument has been whether alternative app marketplaces will see growth particularly with the ongoing battle between Apple and Epic games calling for alternatives, but with no guarantee of safety or regulation it could be some time before these alternative marketplaces are able to grow in popularity or find the same success as the more mainstream choices.
One thing for certain is that changes are on the way, and certainly becoming more user friendly over time, and may see longer term changes that could change the shape of app marketplaces for good in the future too.
