The International Data Corporation (IDC) estimates that more than 2 billion people worldwide have access to the Internet via mobile devices. The scope of mobile has exponentially widened over a very short period of time: we use mobile for talking, messaging, search, music, education, commerce, games, social, romantic, and everything in between.
When I got my first mobile phone (it was a red Nokia — remember those?) back in 2000, I did exactly three things on it: I talked, messaged and played Snake. Now the possibilities are endless.
This is only possible because of innovative companies pushing the mobile envelope, responding to fierce competition and their desire to create the future.
Here are five companies redefining — and re-creating — the mobile landscape of today:
1. Nintendo
Remember last summer when all you saw when driving down the street was people running while repeatedly swiping forward on their device? Yep, that was the Pokemon GO craze at its peak.
Nintendo owns just over a third of the Pokemon GO franchise, and because of Pokemon Go, the Japanese company earned $115 million, as reported in their second-quarter earnings of 2016.
Pokemon GO was our collective introduction to Augmented Reality (AR) and how it redefined mobile gaming, and the mobile experience itself.
Despite mixed reviews in the new year, Nintendo’s Super Mario Run, developed in-house (in partnership with DeNA, Co.) grossed $5 million in under 24 hours at its launch. Their payment model is somewhat controversial (it’s free but for the full version, users have to pay $9.99), yet most users have reviewed it quite favorably.
Maybe Super Mario Run isn’t as groundbreaking as Pokemon GO, but it alludes to mobile users’ desire for the throwback — the classic game, app or device — that brings us full-circle to where we are now. Many are watching Nintendo to see what else they cook up in 2017.
2. Snapchat
How do we know for sure that Snapchat is redefining mobile?
Because everyone’s copying them (ahem, Facebook, ahem). And because they are taking wearables to a whole new level, evidenced by their release of Spectacles. Snap Inc. is also in talks with a wearable camera company, according to Business Insider.
The unique thing about Snapchat is that they refuse to be bought out, and they keep innovating in the otherwise Facebook-dominated space…