Web app era could mean millions of apps, says Mippin.
UK app platform specialist Mippin believes that apps are nothing like the 'flash in the pan' medium some pundits believe them to be.
Quite the contrary, it argues that the HTML5 era will make apps cheap and quick to code – and blissfully easy to distribute via QR code, NFC and other channels.
For this reason, it reckons that there will be a windfall of single-purpose apps in the web app era.
And it gives two examples:
* An app for every house sale. Here, upmarket estate agents can make a short film about every house they list, turn it into an app and make the app available via a barcode from the shop window
* An app for every taxi cab. Offered via a QR code in the back of the cab, this basic app would install itself as an icon on the smartphone screen and include a speed dial. Mippin believes this model could be extended for hairdressers, mechanics - or any local service vendor.
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Nick Barnett, CEO of Mippin, told ME: "The native v web app debate always comes back to technology, but it's really about cost and distribution.
"With our platform you can build a web app in ten minutes for $100. And then you can distribute it anywhere you like – via QR codes or NFC – without having to worry about Apple or whoever.
"I really think this opens the door for all sorts of people to enter the app space with products that answer a simple need."
Mippin is already in discussion with taxi firms and estate agents about the above example, and says it has the option to negotiate some kind of rev share or licensing agreement.
The firm admits that there are limits to the functionality possible using a cross platform tool – no back channel, no gaming, no m-commerce, limited comment and sharing options – but argues that for single purpose apps like the ones it is proposing, these are unnecessary.
The strategy could be an interesting one for Mippin, which already claims to have build more apps than any other developer in the world.
Its App Factory platform has built and published over 50,000 apps in the last 18 months across iPhone, Android, Nokia Ovi, Symbian, Blackberry and more.
It also white-labels the platform to handset manufacturers and operators, allowing them to populate their app stores quickly with thousands of apps. Customers include Vodafone, Samsung and RIM.
Among the more high profile apps made using the platform are OK!, NME, Auto Express and Daily Star.
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