The Homogenization of Mobile Apps and the Promise of Personal Software
By
mharju
7mo ago· 2 min readenOpinion
55/100
Doughy
Bagelometer↗
Pulled from the oven a few minutes early. Edible, just barely.
Score55TypeopinionSentimentnegative
Summary
The article critiques the current state of mobile apps, arguing that the App Store's initial promise of diversity has been replaced by a homogenized ecosystem dominated by a few large corporations. It suggests that most apps are now 'one-size-fits-all' products designed for mass appeal rather than individual users, and hints at an upcoming 'personal software platform' that will reorient software around individual users rather than corporate incentives.
Key quotes
· 4 pulledBut year after year, our home screens remain largely the same.
A dozen apps produced by a handful of mega-corporations.
But our apps? They're still one-size-fits-all. Made for billions. Not for us.
When software is oriented around you… It's freed from the incentives that create dark patterns.
The first personal software platform is arriving soon.
