Mobile apps come and go, often fading from our phones and memories almost as quickly as they were downloaded. Many apps that were once household names are now little more than a nostalgic reminder of a different time. But despite their decline, these apps have left a lasting legacy. The features and innovations they introduced are still influencing the apps we use today.
In this blog, we’ll revisit five legacy mobile apps, each of which once captured the world’s attention, and explore the ways in which they’ve shaped the digital experiences we rely on today. From iBeer’s motion-sensing party trick to MySpace’s role in the evolution of social media, these apps helped pave the way for the mobile world we know today.
iBeer App
Let’s kick off with a pint of the virtual stuff! Released in 2008, iBeer was one of the first novelty apps to make waves in the app store. It used the iPhone’s revolutionary motion sensors to simulate the act of drinking a glass of beer. Users would tilt their phones as though they were sipping (or gulping!) and the app would show the beer level going down. It was a simple concept that amused people in the early days of the smart phone, and while it didn’t have much substance, it was a huge talking point.
Although iBeer has long been forgotten by most, it helped lay the groundwork for the interactive and motion-sensitive apps that came later, including augmented reality apps that use a phone’s sensors to create engaging experiences. Today, apps that leverage AR and motion tracking are hugely popular, but it all started with simple apps like iBeer that made us see the potential of mobile technology in new ways.
MySpace
Before Facebook and Instagram dominated the social media landscape, MySpace was the go-to platform for self-expression and social networking. Launched in 2003, MySpace was a cultural phenomenon, especially for young people. It was the platform where people first experimented with customisable profiles, music sharing, and connecting with friends online. Its influence on the social media landscape is undeniable, as many of the features that Facebook and other platforms adopted, such as personalisation of profiles and content sharing, can be traced back to MySpace.
MySpace’s downfall came when it failed to adapt to the changing landscape of social media, losing out to Facebook’s more streamlined and user-friendly interface. Despite its decline, MySpace showed the world how social networking could change the way we communicate and connect with others online, setting the stage for the app-driven social media world know today.
Google Reader: The RSS Reader
Google Reader was an RSS (Really Simple Syndication) reader that allowed users to subscribe to and organise content from their favourite websites, blogs, and news outlets in one place. Launched in 2005, it was a favourite tool among early internet users, particularly bloggers, journalists, and tech enthusiasts. The app’s simple yet powerful design made it the go-to app for content curation and organisation, allowing users to keep track of all the latest updates from a range of sources.
When it was discontinued in 2013 it left a gap in the market, but its influence on apps we use today is still clear. The rise of modern-day content aggregation apps, such as Feeder and Flipboard, can be traced back to Google Reader’s pioneering efforts in RSS feeds. Even apps like X (formally Twitter), where real-time content consumption is key, owe much to the way Google Reader shaped how we digest information.
Pokémon GO
In 2016, Pokémon GO became a global phenomenon, bringing augmented reality (AR) to the masses in a way that had never been done before. By combining the popular Pokémon franchise with GPS technology, the app allowed users to hunt for virtual creatures in the real world, using their smartphones as guides. The success of Pokémon GO showed how AR could be used in an engaging, social way, encouraging users to get outside, interact with each other, and explore their surroundings. Although its initial craze has died down dramatically, the app remains a key example of how mobile apps can influence our behaviour and change the way we interact with the physical world.
Today, many apps leverage AR for similar experiences, from interior design apps that allow users to visualise furniture in their homes, to apps for online shopping, all thanks to the impact Pokémon GO had on the mobile space.
Blackberry Messenger (BBM)
Before WhatsApp, BBM was the go-to messaging app for those who used BlackBerry devices. Launched in 2005, BBM allowed BlackBerry users to send instant messages to one another for free, bypassing SMS charges. It quickly became a social phenomenon, especially in the business world, where its secure messaging services made it a favourite among professionals.
BBM’s rise coincided with the popularity of BlackBerry phones, and it revolutionised the way people communicated by offering a more instant, direct form of communication compared to email or texting. However, when BlackBerry failed to innovate quickly enough to compete with the growing app ecosystem, BBM’s popularity decreased. Today, messaging apps like WhatsApp, which offers secure encrypted messaging and enhanced features, owe much of their success to BBM’s groundwork in mobile communication.
Final Thoughts
As these apps fade into memory, their influence is far from gone. Many of the concepts and features that made them popular have been adopted and evolved by the apps we use today. Whether it’s the interactivity of iBeer, the social media foundations laid by MySpace, the content aggregation pioneered by Google Reader, the AR experience set by Pokémon GO, or the messaging revolution sparked by BBM, these apps have all shaped the digital landscape. Even though they may no longer be in the limelight, their impact on the mobile app world continues to resonate.
Sometimes a trip down a technological memory lane is all that’s needed to appreciate how far our little mobile devices have come! If this article as promted you to think about your team’s mobile needs, contact us today to learn more about how we can tailor a solution to fit your business. You can use our contact form or get in touch on 03300 945545.
