By killer apps, I mean technology products or services that have been in use by at least, a million people in the internet and mobile space. So while karaokes, videokes, franchising and the like have been extremely popular as well among businesses and consumers alike, killer apps in this listing are only restricted to those products and services that are being produced, distributed and consumed through electronic means such as the web and cellphones and/or the combination of both.
Here is the listing:
Communications
- Text Messaging
- Instant Messaging
- VoIP
Internet
- Search Engines
- Web browsers
Expression
- Blogging (WordPress)
- Podcasting (Apple iTunes)
- Social Network Apps (MySpace, Facebook)
Commerce
- Ecommerce (Amazon, eBay)
- mCommerce (GCash, Smart Money, Micropayments)
- Online/mobile banking (Bank of America)
Entertainment
- Video/online/mobile games
- Music downloads
Speaking of killer apps, here are some interesting links:
- GCash on Microfinance – Shareideas.org Case Study
- GCash, Smart Money – GSM World on Micropayments
- Economics and History of Killer Apps – Downes and Mui
In the spirit of entrepreneurship or simply to stir your mind in case you are thinking what’s the next killer app, it is interesting to note what Thomas Friedman has put in his book "The World is Flat" that in order to survive in this competitive world, we need not look further to re-invent the wheel of business processes. Once you have identified a market niche or see a demand for something that is not immediately obvious or introduce value-added services to what are now plain, commoditized digital services, you might just stumble upon a good opportunity. Or you might be the next YouTube of tomorrow.