a16z Podcast a16z Podcast: Searching for Mobile’s Own PageRank
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Mar 24, 2014 Discover how the mobile experience resembles the chaotic internet pre-PageRank. The discussion covers the limitations of mobile apps versus web browsers and the challenges of deep linking. Explore innovative ideas like Urbit, which aims for seamless data connectivity on mobile devices. Plus, delve into the shift towards decentralized systems and the future of app distribution, including the potential merger of Chrome OS and Android. The conversation highlights the evolution needed for better mobile engagement and user experience.
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Mobile's Yahoo Phase
- Mobile app stores currently resemble Yahoo in 1995, offering a vast selection but lacking effective discovery mechanisms.
- Users struggle to find desired apps, highlighting the need for a mobile equivalent of PageRank.
Pre-Netscape Era of Mobile
- Mobile lacks a universal linking structure like the web, hindering deep linking and content discovery within apps.
- This limitation, coupled with the need for downloads, contrasts with the web's seamless linking and open standards.
Smartphones as Social Platforms
- Desktops relied on the web due to the difficulty of installing applications, while smartphones offer easier alternatives.
- Smartphones, unlike PCs, function as communication platforms, exemplified by WhatsApp's integration with phone features.