The 7 Most Popular Apps of 2021

In the day and age of rapid technological advancement, it has become increasingly common that the average person will spend approximately 2-3 hours a day on their phone. In the short-run, this statistic may not jump out of the screen; however, if you think of the 2-3 hours of screen time a day over the course of a year, this equates to around 38 full days of the year is spent on a mobile device. 

If you are on the hunt for apps on IOS or Android that could make your day to day a little easier, look no further. 

1. Uber

Uber has single-handedly taken over the mobile ride-share market. They have done so by creating an easy to use mobile application that allows its users to order a ride to and from anywhere they would like, so long as there is a registered uber driver nearby. According to Statista, in 2020, 78 million people used Uber on a monthly basis. 

Anyone with ownership of a vehicle can sign up to be an Uber driver, so long as they meet all of the safety requirements that Uber has laid out. 

2. Instagram

Instagram has been a staple in the world of social media since its creation in 2010. Instagram may be the most seamless way of connecting with friends by posting pictures/videos which can be interacted with by your followers through methods such as liking, commenting, and sharing. With over a billion monthly active users, it is clear that Instagram dominates its competition in the world of social media. 

3. Airbnb

Airbnb is a mobile booking app that allows people to easily plan for their holiday. The app is designed to connect the locals with the person looking to travel to the area. The main feature on the app allows for people to easily rent their house out to a traveler. Filters in the search bar allow for a quick and efficient booking experience. Listed on the app are options ranging from houses to villas to cottages, and more.

4. Netflix

As you have probably heard, Netflix is a subscription-based video streaming platform. Netflix as a platform is a host to countless movies, TV series, and specials, which are constantly being cycled in and out to maintain a fresh base of things to watch for their most active users. While it can be accessed on a laptop, Netflix has a mobile app with the ability to download any movies or shows that you may want to watch when you don't have an Internet connection, such as on a plane. 

5. Amazon

Amazon at the time of writing is the world’s largest corporation. Amazon’s primary function is to give a consumer the ability to purchase a good and have it shipped directly to their doorstep. Amazon Prime members are given the advantage of 1-2 day shipping and they are also given access to Amazon Prime Video, a video streaming service similar to Netflix. Amazon has a number of business venture ideas that are in testing such as cashless stores where you scan your Amazon account to pay. Amazon is a great app to get and will continue to gain value year by year.

6. Spotify

Spotify is the world-leading music and podcast streaming service, followed by Apple Music. The app has a free version that is funded through ads and then there is an add-free subscription option that enables users to listen without interruptions and gives the ability to download music/podcasts. Spotify also recently signed an exclusive deal with the top podcast host Joe Rogan, meaning Spotify is the only place where you can tune in.

7. WhatsApp

WhatsApp is the leading mobile app in mobile communication. With over 1.5 billion users worldwide, WhatsApp has been proven to be a safe and secure means for its users to text and call with other users around the world. WhatsApp is especially unique in that you do not need to be with a carrier to text and call. Lastly, WhatsApp has been proven to be end-to-end encrypted which guarantees a level of security and is favored by people in countries with security concerns.

If you are interested in learning more or want to create your own app, reach out to one of our experts at ISU Corp!

How To Modernize Your Applications

Ever since the application boom of 2008, it has become increasingly common for firms to create and manage their own software applications. These applications may assist in anything from daily business operations to communications; however, we have reached a point in time where a question needs to be asked, has your application become outdated? If you answered yes, it may be time for a digital transformation. 

Given that the technological landscape is constantly progressing forward, modernizing an existing application that is partially or completely outdated is crucial to maintaining a smooth business operation. 

What Does Application Modernization Mean? 

Basically, the process of modernizing an application means that you are revamping your old applications with new and cutting-edge functionalities, ensuring that the speed, ease of use, and security of the application are at no risk of falling behind the growing technological curve. Given the nature of outdated (legacy) applications, chances are that they have been stuffed by years of application updates and add-ons, which may cause a decay of the functionalities and security of the application. 

Why is it Time for Modernization? 

In the current stage of technology and business, the technology is already a step behind the curve if it only functions as a resource to get work done. Instead, a modern application should be creating a certain level of value for the firm, as well as assisting with business processes. Overall, the long-term benefits of modernizing your application will outweigh the short-term pain of getting it done. Some of the benefits include: 

Efficiency

• In simple terms, an older application requires dedicating a larger amount of time and resources by your IT team to maintaining its functionality. Should you update the application, this will allow for some of the IT team’s resources to be shifted somewhere else.   

User Satisfaction

• Any user of the application, whether employees or customers, will benefit from modernized functionality, an overhaul of the interface, and new features being added which may smooth out their workflow. The addition of the ability to use the application in the cloud will result in more flexibility - a luxury that people have grown accustomed to. 

Competitive Edge

• A firm should always have an understanding of its competition and the industry standards of technological capabilities. Imagine that you are a customer who has the choice between two nearly identical websites. One website has been modernized so it runs effectively and the other website is older, slower, and harder to use. Nine times out of ten the customer chooses the modernized website. It is also important to note that the firm with the modernized application will enable employees to work more productively.

Security

• Security vulnerabilities need to be taken seriously, especially if your firm needs to maintain a level of confidentiality on its application. There is always a potential for a cyber breach to come from an external user (hacker) or an internal user (employee), and if your legacy application has not been adequately modernized, it will be a lot easier for the hacker to gain access. If your company cannot guarantee at least an industry average level of security, then you are at a disadvantage from the competition

The Next Steps

If your firm decides to modernize its applications, the next decision is how much you need to change. If the changes that need to be made are minuscule, you can simply rehost the application to the cloud, allowing for more to be done with the application at a lower cost. Secondly, you can decide to rebuild the application if it functions properly but needs a make-over. Thirdly, you may just up and decide to replace the entire operating system if it is so outdated that the first two steps are inaccessible. While going through the process of modernizing may seem like a lot of work, I can assure you that your firm will reap the long-term benefits for years to come. 

If you are interested in learning more or want to create your own app, reach out to one of our experts at ISU Corp!

Keeping it together through fear and uncertainty

There are two types of uncertainty; the one we always welcome, like starting a new relationship or a new job, which in some way foreshows good times and are manageable and predictable.

But there’s also the other type that presents us with an unpleasant situation we’re not familiar with and takes us outside of our comfort zone. We don’t feel secure anymore and start wondering how we will get through or if we could ever handle it.

We need certainty. It’s a fundamental human need that provides us with a feeling of security and safety. At the same time, uncertainty always involves fear of the unknown and the sense that we’re no longer in control of our lives.

Nevertheless, we can take charge of our actions and reactions to these situations. We feel the fear, but we discipline ourselves to look beyond it and focus on a positive outcome.

Like Nelson Mandela said, “Courage is not the absence of fear but the triumph over it; the brave man is not he who doesn’t feel afraid, but he who conquers that fear.”

Whenever we’re faced with uncertainty, there are a few things to be mindful of so we can bring peace of mind to any chaotic situation:

. Trust ourselves. We’ve done it before; we’ve made it through all kinds of adversity, and we can make it through this one too.

. Tough times don’t last; tough people do. What doesn’t kill us makes us stronger (except bears, of course, bears will kill us 😉). We may not feel strong at the time, but we will be wiser, stronger, and better equipped in the future.

. Things always work out, one way or the other. Sometimes, when we get to a roadblock, we feel disappointed when in reality, it was a detour to take us to an even better destination.

. Life goes on. There will come a time when we’d look back at that situation and wonder why did we worry so much in the first place.

. We can only grow outside our comfort zone. We need to learn to be comfortable being uncomfortable so we can succeed and enjoy life.

. Everything looks clearer in retrospect. Once we’re able to look back, we’ll understand and appreciate the way things unfolded and even why.

Steve Jobs said it right, “you can’t connect the dots looking forward; you can only connect them looking back, so you have to trust that the dots will somehow connect in your future.”

Uncertainty is a normal part of life, and we need to learn to see it that way.

It’s challenging to feel confident when we can’t see where we’re going and easy to perceive everything as a threat, but often, those uncertain times lead us to a brighter future.

The roads we know can only take us to places we’ve already been. If we’re willing to take risks and travel uncharted paths, we can open up a world of possibilities and opportunities, new beginnings that won’t happen if we cling to what we know.

Let’s take that chance; we’ll make it through, and, in the wonderful words of Alain de Botton, “feeling lost, crazy and desperate belongs to a good life as much as optimism, certainty, and reason.”

Stay strong!

One of the core values we have as a company is to inspire and empower people in all aspects of their lives. Additionally, if you want to read about our Custom Software Solutions and Consulting Services, please visit www.isucorp.ca, or book a meeting to review your software project.