# Untethered Application Data-free apps democratize connectivity for price-conscious consumers. By [Gil Cohen](https://www.trendhunter.com/ghaddi), SVP Client Success | Published May 2, 2017 | Category: [Tech](https://www.trendhunter.com/pro/category/technology-trends-and-gadgets) Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/untethered-application ## Key Figures - Trend score: 2.8/10 - Evidence articles: 5 ## 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. ## At a Glance - Evidence: 5 featured examples - Articles from: Jun 9, 2015 to Apr 7, 2017 - Published: May 2, 2017 - Patterns: [Redirection](https://www.trendhunter.com/pattern/redirection), [Acceleration](https://www.trendhunter.com/pattern/acceleration) - Megatrends: [Instant Entrepreneurship](https://www.trendhunter.com/megatrend/instant-entrepreneurship), [Artificial Intelligence](https://www.trendhunter.com/megatrend/artificial-intelligence), [Many to Many](https://www.trendhunter.com/megatrend/many-to-many) ## Audience - Gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Gen Z, Millennial - Top markets: North America, Europe ## Themes within the Untethered Application trend ### 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. ### 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. ### 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. ## What the Untethered Application trend means for industry ### For 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 for Untethered Application Trend score 2.8 out of 10, from popularity 46%, activity 31%, freshness 8%. - Popularity: 46% - Activity: 31% - Freshness: 8% ## Examples of the Untethered Application trend 5 featured examples from Jun 9, 2015 to Apr 7, 2017. - [Open-Source Learning Apps](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/learning-apps): The Moodle App Lets Students Continue Learning When Offline (Category: Tech) Implication: The EdTech industry can leverage offline learning apps to improve accessibility and reach a wider student population. - [Data-Free Messaging Apps](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/jott-app): The Jott App Works Without a Data Plan or Wifi Connection (Category: Life-Stages) Implication: The data-free messaging trend, exemplified by the Jott app, presents opportunities for innovation in the mobile messaging industry. - [Offline Navigation Maps](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/offline-navigation): Google Maps' Navigational Services Can Now Be Used with No Data Connection (Category: Autos) Implication: Disruptive innovation opportunity: Develop mobile apps that optimize offline navigation and search functionality. - [Data-Saving Internet Extensions](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/internet-extension): Google Chrome Offers a 'Data Saver' Function To Reduce Over-Use (Category: Tech) Implication: Internet browsers can develop extensions that help reduce data usage. - [Data-Saving Social Apps](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/twitter-lite): 'Twitter Lite' Offers Optimized Features for Mobile Users (Category: Tech) Implication: Social media platforms that are increasingly focusing on reducing data consumption for users on mobile devices. ## Recent trend clusters - [Delegated Interfaces](https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/delegated-interfaces) (Tech) - [Adaptive Controls](https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/adaptive-controls) (Tech) - [Desk Systems](https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/desk-systems) (Tech) - [Spatial Refinement](https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/spatial-refinement) (Tech) ## Trending in Tech - [Decor-Led Home Projectors](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/decor-led-home-projectors) - [Accessible Fintech Pop-Ups](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/chequing-account) - [Dual-Wavelength Recovery Wearables](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/joint-therapy) - [Pop-Culture WiFi Routers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/pop-culture-wifi-routers) All articles: [Tech](https://www.trendhunter.com/tech)