Mobile Apps Are Becoming Essential Daily Tools

Original Story Published by: Fundisiwe Maseko for IT News Africa

Recent research indicates that the average smartphone user spends two hours and 15 minutes a day using apps, which adds up to about a month every year.

Smartphones have become essential daily living tools and there are few people who could optimally function without them. But it’s not just about communicating anymore – there are over 2.8 million options available for download on leading app stores that can help you do anything from getting fit, relaxing, watching a movie or playing music to identifying a plant or calling a cab. If you can think it, there’s probably an app for it.

Apps are so much a part of everyday life that many of them are becoming verbs – instead of asking a person to send a message on WhatsApp, its more common to say, ‘WhatsApp me’. 

When it comes to language skills as well, short messaging has brought about a whole new vernacular to be learned and interpreted (especially by parents of teenagers).

With all the multi-tasking now possible, the concept of how we use time may need to shift – most people have the perception that time not spent productively is time wasted. But, even if you are spending a month a year using your favourite apps, it may be because you’re having more and better experiences at the same time. Instead of standing in a queue at the bank, you can do your banking while you’re waiting to go into a show or concert. You’ll have done all your banking and other admin by the time you’re ready to video or photograph your experience.