A Double-Edged Sword: Prominent trends within AI consumer applications
Consumer apps, especially mobile ones, are fascinating to observe. They're such an integral part of our everyday lives that it’s hard not to notice certain aspects of their evolution. It's wild to think about the kinds of web and mobile apps we used in the 2000s, where even a simple game like Snake was a huge deal, and accessibility to apps was limited. Of course, it was an amazing time for technology, and using apps on mobile and web devices went through a classic cycle of early innovation. Things changed dramatically when the iPhone and App Store were released, democratizing app development and usage. When accessibility kicks in and exclusivity goes out the window, it’s always fascinating to see how these apps monetize themselves and how they make money. Over the years, and especially now with the rise of AI, it’s clear that there has been limited pricing innovation. Many web apps still rely on subscription models, but it’s difficult to convince someone to subscribe when ther...
