Category
Tech
Delegated Interfaces
Trend cluster
Category
Untethered
Application
Data-free apps democratize connectivity for price-conscious consumers.
2.8
Trend score
Trend
What is the Untethered Application trend?
Untethered Application: With a premium placed on data usage over talk time leaving younger users unable to pay for big data plans, several brands are adapting and starting to offer low-data and even data-free apps. While many of these apps still come with limitations such as proximity to other users or reduced resolution quality, this emerging market is quickly growing as consumers seek ways to save money and still maintain connectivity.
Trend themes
Themes within the Untethered Application trend
Three behaviours holding the trend together01
Data-Free Apps
Offering low-data and data-free apps for price-conscious consumers is an emerging market that is quickly growing as consumers seek ways to save money and still maintain connectivity.
02
Offline Access
Providing offline access to apps such as navigation maps and open-source learning platforms, allow consumers to continue to engage with these services when connectivity is not available.
03
Data-Saving Extensions
Creating internet extensions with data-saving features like Data Saver by Google Chrome, lower the amount of data used when streaming media and avoid mobile users exceeding their data cap.
Industry implications
What the Untethered Application trend means for industry
Where the trend changes the playbookFor
Mobile Technology
The proliferation of mobile devices and increasing demand for connectivity on-the-go are driving innovation in the mobile technology industry to provide low-data and data-free apps and other connectivity solutions.
For
Education Technology
Providing offline access and open-source learning apps results in an opportunity for education technology companies to address the challenge of delivering quality education in areas with limited or unreliable access to the internet.
For
Social Media
Social media companies like Twitter are innovating by introducing features like Twitter Lite, optimizing for slow connections and offering data-saving features to better serve consumers with limited or unreliable access to the internet.
Workshop question
How does your product/service solve for the barriers to entry for your industry?
Trend signals
Trend signals for Untethered Application
Trend score 2.8 out of 10, from popularity 46%, activity 31%, freshness 8%.
Popularity46%
Activity31%
Freshness8%
Audience
50%Men
50%Women
- Gen Alpha
- Gen Z
- Millennial
- Gen X (not a primary audience)
- Boomer (not a primary audience)
Market
North America
Europe
Evidence
Examples of the Untethered Application trend
5 featured examples from Jun 9, 2015 to Apr 7, 2017CategoryTech
Open-Source Learning Apps
The Moodle App Lets Students Continue Learning When Offline
The EdTech industry can leverage offline learning apps to improve accessibility and reach a wider student population.
CategoryLife-Stages
Data-Free Messaging Apps
The Jott App Works Without a Data Plan or Wifi Connection
The data-free messaging trend, exemplified by the Jott app, presents opportunities for innovation in the mobile messaging industry.
CategoryAutos
Offline Navigation Maps
Google Maps' Navigational Services Can Now Be Used with No Data Connection
Disruptive innovation opportunity: Develop mobile apps that optimize offline navigation and search functionality.
CategoryTech
Data-Saving Internet Extensions
Google Chrome Offers a 'Data Saver' Function To Reduce Over-Use
Internet browsers can develop extensions that help reduce data usage.
CategoryTech
Data-Saving Social Apps
'Twitter Lite' Offers Optimized Features for Mobile Users
Social media platforms that are increasingly focusing on reducing data consumption for users on mobile devices.
