The Rise of Planet of Apps

🚀 This blog is from my series 0 to 0.1 for early-stage founders, wannapreneurs, and startup enthusiasts.

“In the ever-evolving world of mobile apps, it’s not enough to just solve problems anymore. It’s about how you solve them, and more importantly, how the user feels during the journey. From the micro interactions to the psychological triggers that drive engagement, every detail counts.”

Mobile Phones

Steve Jobs had a dream of personal computing, and he saw it in the Mac. He was a true visionary. Today, we have personal computing far beyond what most of us ever imagined—right in our pockets. And no one, truly no one, can stop this revolution anymore. The form factor might evolve, but I believe mobile phones are irreplaceable. They pack everything needed for a complete human experience—touch, sight, and sound—all in the palm of our hand.

Phones were originally invented as mere communication devices. Though I say “mere,” if you told a caveman—or even someone from a dynasty a few centuries ago—that we wouldn’t need pigeons, letter carriers, or an army to protect messages sealed with royal wax and encryption, they’d think you were mad. Tell them we’d have a device to speak to anyone, anywhere in the world, and they’d probably accuse you of delusion, or worse, isolate you—what we now call psychotherapy.

It makes me wonder sometimes: what one person calls delusion, another calls a dream.

Mobile phones aren’t just tools anymore—they’re a way of life. With a few taps, we’re not just ordering food, we’re feeding ourselves. We’re not simply hailing a taxi, we’re moving from A to B seamlessly. Traditional banking? That’s just shifting digits from one account to another. We’re no longer listening to MP3s; we’re experiencing music that’s tailored to our taste. And it’s not just about watching movies anymore—we’re constantly learning, sharing, and shaping ideas in real time. Then there’s social media—it’s shaping our thoughts, feelings, even how we shop, one swipe at a time. I could keep going, but you get the point.

Mobile phones are the most personal machines humans have ever created. And apps? They are our true extensions. The tech-ice-age before cyborgs and AI, said no one but WALL-E.

Mobile Apps, what the fish!

Apps live and die in pixels. You tap a spot, and the creator of the app understands your intent. With a bit of magic, the screen transforms into exactly what you wanted. Next thing you know, you're eating pizza you ordered on an app, watching a movie on an app, with someone you met on an app, in a house you found on an app.

2024: The Rise of Planet of apes Apps

An app is simply a piece of software designed to perform a task for you, whether at your command or automatically. We’ve entered—or are on the verge of entering—an age dominated by apps. Mobile apps are just the most direct way to experience their capabilities. We already have AI apps, automation apps, Internet-of-Things apps. Your voice assistant is an app, your car is an app—we’re completely surrounded by them.

The form factor will continue to evolve. We’re already seeing smart glasses with use cases tailor-made for them. Consider yourself lucky if you get to witness the apps that are yet to come. In fact, some of these apps—through biotech or nanotech—might even help you live longer, allowing you to experience the true “planet of apps.”

But always remember, the purpose of apps is to serve humanity, to enhance our lives. Here are a few guiding principles will help you craft mobile and app experiences that not only work but feel delightful too.

Micro User Experience (MUX)

I just love this word: MUX, MUX, MUX!

But before we dive into MUX, let’s first understand what UX—User Experience—is all about. It is all about how a person feels when interacting with a product. It’s not just about clicking buttons or navigating through screens—it’s the overall impression, the ease, the frustration, the joy. A great UX makes the complex feel simple, and the ordinary feel delightful. It’s the silent magic that either keeps you hooked or makes you want to throw your phone across the room.

Take ordering food from an app as an example. A great UX means you don’t even have to think about what you’re doing—you open the app, browse the menu, make your selection, and pay, all in a matter of seconds. Everything flows smoothly, with no friction. But if the app has a poor UX, it’s a completely different story. You’re struggling to find the menu, buttons aren’t responsive, and when you finally get to the checkout, it crashes. Frustration takes over, and you end up ordering from a different app. That’s the difference UX makes—seamless versus stressful.

Micro User Experience (MUX) is what happens in the small moments – those tiny, almost invisible interactions that form the backbone of a great app. It’s the swipe that feels natural, the button that responds in a way that delights, or the little animation that adds a bit of personality to your product.

It’s already begun. You’re seeing those tiny icon changes, the seamless morphing from one icon to another, the quick tap that turns into a checkmark, the satisfying way a progress bar shifts from loading to done.

MUX is to UX what unit testing is to a codebase—do it well, and it will pay off.

If you’re a designer, engineer, or product manager, keep an eye on MUX. It’s becoming a must-have tool in your arsenal.

Delight

Delight is that extra sprinkle of magic that turns a functional app into one people actually enjoy using. It’s those surprise moments where the app does something unexpected but in a good way. Think confetti after a completed task or a cheerful sound when you hit a milestone.

Now, pause for a second. What’s your favorite app moment? Is it the fun animation when you check off your to-do list? Or maybe that subtle vibration when you unlock a new feature in a game? These tiny moments of delight are what make apps stick. They make it feel like the app gets you.

So, how do you bring delight into your own designs? It doesn’t have to be flashy. Sometimes, it’s the smallest things that make the biggest difference. Maybe a smooth transition, a little animation, or a well-placed message.

Whatever it is, remember—delight is about creating that moment where your users stop, smile, and think, “This app just gets me.”

Copies

Words matter. The way you communicate through your app—whether it’s a button label, an error message, or a push notification—can make or break the experience. It’s not just about what you say, but how you say it. A simple, friendly message can turn frustration into trust.

Copies aren’t just for sales, ads, and marketing anymore. This is how your app communicates with your users. But here’s the catch—it’s easier said than done. You’ve got to know the context of your app. A game can get away with a more casual tone, but a banking app? Not so much. Imagine a banking app saying, “Yo Bro! Your money’s been sent to your buddy.” Not exactly what you’d want, right?

Just like your toast at a memorial is different from one at a wedding, your app’s tone needs to adapt to the context and the task at hand.

The right tone at the right moment makes all the difference.

Psychology

Humans are wired in predictable ways, and understanding the psychology behind decision-making can give your app a serious edge. Concepts like cognitive load, reward systems, and habit loops shape how users interact with your product.

Cognitive Load

Let’s break it down with some real-life examples. Think of Netflix. Ever notice how it auto-plays the next episode without you having to lift a finger? That’s reducing cognitive load. The less effort you need to continue watching, the more likely you are to binge. It’s psychology at play—removing friction keeps users engaged.

Reward Systems

Now, look at apps like Duolingo. Every time you complete a lesson, there’s a cute animation or a progress streak reminder. That’s a reward system. By giving you a small dopamine hit, the app motivates you to keep learning, just like how games give you badges or points.

Habit Loops

Habit loops are another key element. Apps like Instagram or TikTok have mastered this. The trigger (a notification), the action (you open the app), and the reward (new content) form a loop that keeps you coming back. Understanding these loops helps you design features that build engagement and user retention.

Psychology is the secret sauce. It’s not just about making the app work—it’s about how it feels to use. If you can tap into what makes people tick, your app won’t just be useful; it’ll be something they want to come back to.

Gamification

Gamification taps into our innate love for rewards and achievements. By incorporating elements like leaderboards, points, and badges, apps can motivate users to stick around longer. But it’s not just about throwing in some badges and calling it a day—it’s about meaningful engagement.

Avoiding the Gimmick Trap

Done poorly, gamification can easily feel like a gimmick. Users will see through shallow rewards if there’s no real value behind them. If the rewards feel pointless, it can even push users away rather than keeping them engaged.

Gamifying the Right Way

So, how do you gamify in a way that feels organic and adds real value? Here are a few key insights:

1. Make It Relevant: The rewards should make sense within the context of your app. For example, in a fitness app, badges for workout milestones feel rewarding because they reflect real achievements.
2. Create Real Progress: Gamification works best when it ties into users’ actual progress. Instead of giving random points, ensure users feel like they’re moving forward and that their effort is being recognized.
3. Balance Fun and Function: It’s about finding that sweet spot where gamification is fun but still serves the purpose of your app. Too much focus on the “game” can detract from the functionality.

When done right, gamification can create a deeply engaging experience that keeps users coming back not just for the rewards, but because the app itself feels more rewarding to use.

At the end of the day, the best apps are the ones that respect the user’s time, while making the experience enjoyable and memorable. Whether it’s through thoughtful MUX, clever copies, or a well-designed reward system, the goal should always be the same—make users feel like the app was designed just for them.