a16z Podcast | Searching for Mobile’s Own PageRank | Summary and Q&A

TL;DR

The current state of app stores and mobile browsing is similar to the early days of Yahoo and the internet, with limited discovery and exploration capabilities.

Key Insights

• 🎁 The current state of app stores mirrors the early days of the internet, where browsing and discovery were limited.
• 😀 Mobile app models differ from web browsers, resulting in challenges in finding and exploring content.
• 😀 The lack of a universal resource locator (URL) and deep linking structure in apps limits seamless navigation and sharing of content.
• 🚗 The future of mobile architecture may involve data-local computing and a fusion of Chrome OS and Android.
• 😀 The performance gap between native apps and web apps is likely to decrease over time.
• 😀 The competition between Apple and Google may drive innovations in app distribution and platform strength.
• 😮 The future of technology includes both mobile and sessile experiences, with the rise of VR and powerful computers.

Transcript

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Questions & Answers

Q: Why is it difficult to find the right apps on mobile app stores?

Mobile app stores currently lack effective search and discovery features, resulting in a browsing experience similar to the early days of Yahoo and the internet.

Q: How does the app model on smartphones differ from the web browser model?

Unlike web browsers where everything happens inside the browser, apps on smartphones offer various interaction models, such as cards, messaging apps, and web apps, leading to challenges in finding and exploring content.

Q: What are the limitations of the current app model?

The lack of a universal resource locator (URL) and deep linking structure in apps makes it challenging to seamlessly navigate and share content between different apps on Android and iOS platforms.

Q: Is there a potential solution to improve app discovery and exploration?

One proposed solution is to create a linking system between apps based on data interest, where data is stored locally and accessible by multiple apps, reducing the reliance on individual app databases and enabling easier sharing and linking of content.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• Mobile app stores lack effective search and discovery features, making it difficult for users to find the apps they want to use.

• The app model on smartphones is different from the web browser model on desktops, creating a challenge in finding and exploring content.

• The lack of a universal resource locator (URL) and deep linking structure in apps limits seamless navigation and sharing of content.