Since I first wrote this article technology has advanced a vast amount particularly with the now widespread adoption of AI. What make this evolution so exciting is the greater capacity and opportunity to transform ideas into reality through innovation.

Back in 2020 the worldwide number of smartphone users was on the rise, App development was at an all-time high and it was hard to imagine a life before them. It was estimated that there were more connected devices in the world than there were people. 

Mobile apps changed the way we lived, and connected with our families, friends, and peers. Apps represented the pinnacle of ambition for aspiring young entrepreneurs with digital startups.

Fast forward 4 years and the landscape has changed. With the enduring effects of the pandemic and volatile economy only an elite group have managed to not only survive but thrive in the app ecosystem. 

During its height of popularity, The app stores became saturated with millions of apps available across various catergories and the competition for user attention was intense making it challenging for newer of less established apps to gain traction. Users also experienced app fatigue due to the overwhelming amount of apps available and began saving valuable space on their home screens for just a few tried and tested applications.

The evolving landscape of app usage and technology trends can be attributed in part to the impact of large tech companies. These companies played a significant role in shaping app development practices, distribution channels, privacy standards, and user experiences within their ecosystems resulting in overall decline in the popularity or relevance of certain apps.

With this being said, despite the evolving landscape, we firmly believe that there continues to be a strong and viable market for apps. While the dynamics may have shifted, presenting new challenges and opportunities, the demand for innovative and purposeful applications remains significant. This transformed landscape requires app developers and entrepreneurs to adapt their strategies, embrace emerging trends, and leverage advancements in technology to meet evolving user needs and preferences. Ultimately, the potential for success in the app market persists, albeit in a context that demands agility, creativity, and a keen understanding of market dynamics.

Let’s take a look at the 3 most wanted apps that don’t exist yet: 

1) Apps that don’t exist yet – AI Enabled Virtual Cooking Assistant

An app that assists users in cooking and meal planning. The app can suggest recipes based on available ingredients, dietary preferences, and nutritional requirements. It can also provide cooking instructions, tips, and real-time assistance through voice commands.

2) Apps that don’t exist yet – Battery Share 

An app that allows you to connect to someone else’s phone and use their charge if you’re running low. We have seen portable chargers and all kinds of cumbersome gizmos to carry around in addition to our humble telephone however we are yet to discover an application that lets the user “borrow” a little bit of charge from a friend or colleague. Of course, the app would need to be protected to prevent other users from zapping other people’s battery life however wouldn’t it be nice to be safe in the knowledge that you would never be caught out again. A good safety tool for the younger generation when mum and dad are worrying if their teenage daughter managed to get on the last bus.

3) Apps that don’t exist yet – Restaurant Seating

A real-time app that lets the user know what seats are available in a restaurant and allows the user to book a table to ensure they get the best view of the river or the sunset. It would also let the user know if a seat is about to become free. As a tourist, a family with young children or even for an impulse business meeting this would be a great app to help the user find somewhere amazing and suitable minus the queuing at the door or the inconvenient wait at the bar only to be put at a tiny table next to the toilet. There are apps available that benefit the restaurateur – Waitlist Me and Hostme provide texts and notifications when your table is ready to save you queuing but there is nothing out there yet that can give you a tailored, unique experience like the above.

*Whilst there still hasn’t bee an app created which does the above – Apps within the restaurant industry continue to be huge, partucliarly post pandemic when people are looking to reconnect in person and venues are wanting to bring customers back into their establishments. 

Eat Club 

Eat Club is a recently created “food tech startup” founded by celebrity chef Marco Pierre White to help restaurants in fillling their empty seats during quiet times thoughout the day with the aim of bringing customers back to restaurants.

“EatClub connects customers with restaurants who have spare tables on any given day/night. The mobile app helps restaurants fill these spare tables while the customers receive great deals in return.”

Only time will tell if these ideas ever make it to market however with Apps now becoming a way of life and the way we work and communicate. I, for one, can’t wait to see what they think of next!

At Media Shark, our niche is building web and app software development. We specialise in native and hybrid app design If you have an idea you want to be brought to life, please reach out to us, our passion is turning your ideas into reality.

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In today’s digital age, software development companies hold a pivotal role in the transformation of businesses. Whether you have a revolutionary app concept in mind or seek to streamline and elevate your business operations through automation, making the right choice when it comes to a software development partner is paramount. An ill-informed decision in this regard can result in project delays, squandered resources, and subpar outcomes. In this extensive guide, we aim to equip you with valuable insights to confidently identify and collaborate with the ideal software development company that aligns with your specific needs and aspirations.

Defining Your Project Requirements

Before embarking on the journey of selecting a software development company, it is imperative to have a crystal-clear understanding of your project’s goals and requirements. A well-prepared and comprehensive project brief that outlines your objectives serves as an indispensable initial step. Such a robust brief not only aids in conveying your vision but also acts as a shared reference point during your interactions with potential software development firms. Furthermore, if the uniqueness and confidentiality of your project are paramount, consider safeguarding your ideas through the implementation of a Non-Disclosure Agreement (NDA).

Assessing Communication

Effective and seamless communication plays a pivotal role throughout the software development process. The initial interactions you have with a development company set the tone for the collaboration that lies ahead. It is crucial to evaluate how responsive and transparent their communication is. Did they promptly address your inquiries? Are they proficient in conveying technical intricacies in a manner comprehensible to you? Have they provided satisfactory answers to your questions? The success of your partnership largely hinges on open, efficient, and mutually respectful communication.

Understanding Their Development Process

Every software development company follows a unique set of procedures and methodologies. To ensure that your expectations are aligned with theirs, it is essential to inquire about their development processes. If you value active involvement in the project, inquire about collaboration opportunities, particularly during the scoping and design phases. Are high fidelity prototypes an integral part of their pre-development process? What can you expect in terms of milestones, sprint releases, and project demonstrations? Do they adhere to agile development practices? Establishing a dedicated point of contact, such as a project manager, is pivotal for ensuring seamless communication and effective project oversight.

Evaluating Business Acumen

While it’s not imperative for your software developer to be your business confidant, having industry-specific experience can be reassuring. An experienced developer can offer fresh perspectives, challenge assumptions, and provide recommendations tailored to the success of your custom software application. Reflect on whether your initial discussions were engaging and beneficial. Research their track record, reviews, and, importantly, whether they have previously undertaken projects similar to yours, both in terms of technologies and features.

Verifying Technical Expertise

Technical expertise stands as a cornerstone of successful software development. It is vital to ensure that the company’s team possesses the knowledge, skills, and resources required for your project. Different companies may specialize in distinct programming languages and technology stacks. It is essential to confirm that their chosen technologies align seamlessly with your project’s specific requirements. The most effective development teams tend to be well-rounded and diverse, boasting a range of skill sets and experiences. Inquire about the team structure, development process, and the programming languages in which they excel.

Establishing Trust

Trust forms the very foundation of any successful project. Your chosen software developer might become your long-term technology partner, making it imperative to select a team with a stellar reputation and a culture that resonates with your values. Honest and transparent communication is key, which includes discussing budget constraints and project limitations. Consider whether the development firm treats you with respect, adheres to ethical standards, and aligns with your core values.

Conclusion

Selecting the right software development company is a decision of immense significance for your business. It is crucial to invest time, ask pertinent questions, and ensure that you identify a team that is fully aligned with your objectives and values. A proficient software developer should bring digital innovation to your business, and if the fit isn’t right, don’t hesitate to explore alternative options. Building an application and enhancing your digital presence are substantial milestones—choose a team that shares your enthusiasm and commitment for this transformative journey. You deserve nothing less than a first class experience

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Last month we sent out an EDM to our clients letting them know that we had recently rebranded with a new logo and website.

The Media Shark rebrand has been in the pipeline for a while now however with an ever growing portfolio of clients, design and development projects taking priority it was a task that always seemed to get pushed to the bottom of the pile!

Alas, in mid June, we asked one of our designers to put together a mood board of ideas and concepts showcasing who we are as a company right now.

Media Shark rebrands! – It was actually at an event which we had sponsored earlier this year when the MC announced that people should contact Media Shark “For all things Media” when we realised we were no longer delivering the right message of our services and who we were.

Media Shark has grown significantly in the last 18 months with a larger team of designers and developers and we now soley focus on app and custom software development. Therefore it was important for us to deliver the message across all of our channels as to who we are today.

The first round of concepts still very much included the Shark, which although we will always have a fondness for, we felt as was a little dated for the brand and current demographic.

The second round of concepts were a lot closer to what we were looking for and there were admittedly some strong opinions. The second round of concepts started to include a semicolon with the shark finn, gradually reducing the “sharkiness” and bringing in the semi colon as code which is exaclty what we wanted to repsresent.

We knew we were getting closer and it was hard to let the Shark go, especially as we have the old logo painted as a huge mural on our office wall!

We didnt rush the decision as we knew how important it was to get it right and finally…………………………

We are thrilled to bits with our new icon and logo and couldn’t wait to get started on the website.

The website design took longer than expected with a few rounds of revisions before we were happy. This was then developed by one of our oldest team members, someone who has been with us from the very beginning – Camilo!

Once the website was live, we spread the message across our socials and began the extensive task of updating all of our collateral including business cards, t.shirts and all digital documents.

We are happy to say the effort was worth it, we couldn’t be happier with the new look.  

At Media Shark we have extensive experience creating brand identities for clients’ software and mobile applications and back in the early days of Media Shark logo design and brand identity was one of our main services.

We are proud to have created the logos and brand identities for all types of Gold Coast and Queensland Companies including Burleigh Protein & Etchd

We understand that the brand identity is the personality of the business is and that it needs to be clear and consistent. As we always convey to our clients, branding is more than just a logo it represents the company’s culture and vision.

Our look may have changed but our purpose remains the same!

Our Vision is to provide a first class experience, making clients feel welcome and valued.
Our Mission is to provide our clients with clear direction and transparency.
We Value each client that walks through the door, always referring to our Think Like a Shark culture. 

As we draw closer to the end of the year we are looking forward to a fresh new year, a fresh new look and a fresh new chapter for Media Shark. We would love for you to join us!

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Microservices make it easier for developers to scale software applications quickly, eradicate outages for companies and allow for software updates without affecting the whole application.

In recent times we have seen tech giants such as Netflix, Google and Amazon all using microservices, so let’s take a look at what exactly microservices are and how they could benefit your software!

Microservices – what are they in layman’s terms?

Imagine a company that has a sales department, a HR department and a front of house department. All the smaller departments make up the larger company however they operate independently from each other. All the departments are needed to make the company run successfully however each department has its own team and operational procedures.

In software development and microservices, developers break the project down into a collection of smaller services – just like company departments!

These smaller modules can be deployed individually and will perform the service required without the support of the other modules in the application. Often, when a new piece of code is added to a software application it can cause another part of the application to malfunction which can be frustrating, time consuming and costly. Microservices make it easier to deploy specific software updates without affecting the rest of the application.

Netflix microservices are considered top of the class when it comes to microservice architecture, they were one of the first multinational companies to have successfully migrated to this type of architecture.

*architecture is simply the structure of the software system or application. It is the set of principles or foundations from which the software is built on. 

Netflix decided to migrate to microservices due to a corruption of data which led to the platform being down for a few days. Following this it was decided that the entire application was to be moved to cloud based microservices to assist with scaling Netflix’s services and to ensure that the platform did not go down again.

Today Netflix has over a 1000 microservices, each managing a separate part of the site including watched shows, payments, and the algorithm of analysing and suggesting new programmes.

Monolithic vs Microservices Architecture

Monolithic architecture is the traditional way to create an application and may come in the form of an e-commerce application which takes orders, checks product inventory, takes payment and ships the products. Even though the application has different components/services it is deployed as one single application.

*A monolithic application is built as a single unified application which runs as a single service

Benefits of monolithic architecture include easier and faster development and deployment, easier and more efficient testing. Although they do have some benefits, Monolithic applications are quickly becoming a thing of the past especially for the new wave of tech startups who want to scale quickly.

Microservices on the other hand are not only more efficient, once they have been created they are reusable in other applications. The purpose of microservices is to ensure that every component of the application (which in turn is your business) runs smoothly and efficiently without interfering with other areas of the application.

“Microservices allow for high scalability whilst ensuring uninterrupted performance”

Facebook’s 2021 outage cost the company nearly $100 million in revenue and according to a report by Atlassian For Fortune 1,000 companies, downtime could cost as much as $1 million per hour.

So it’s fair to say that outages could have a significant effect on startups and small to medium businesses too.

Modernising your current systems

Microservices can be used to update legacy applications by migrating them to cloud based platforms.

*Legacy applications are old and outdated software solutions that are still used and crucial to business operations however use old systems and programmes

The advantages of modernising and migrating to microservices include improved employee efficiency, improved customer experience and reduced costs. According to a report by Allied Market Research, the global microservices architecture market size estimates to reach $8073 million by 2026 

Final Thoughts

New technologies are emerging all the time, however Microservices have actually already been around for a decade. It’s only in recent times and due to the success of Multinationals adopting and succeeding with these services that enterprises are beginning to take note. Similar to low code platforms, microservices offer freedom and flexibility for businesses who need to scale quickly.

By creating your software applications with microservices or migrating old applications to microservices there will certainly be challenges and they may not be right for every business however by connecting with the right development team. They will be able to take you through the pros and cons for your business needs.

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Custom application development is hugely popular in startups as the mobile app industry continues to thrive and is rapidly growing within organisations as they seek out various forms of automation and digital transformation, whilst embracing the hybrid and remote working models that have become the new normal.

The global custom application development service market is expected to grow by $38.15 billion during 2022-2026

Some examples of custom application development:

A CRM (Customer Relationship Management Application) is generally developed as a web application and can be used to store and manage information regarding a company’s clients. This type of platform can be developed in custom code to suit the businesses operating procedures and workflows and can include automated invoicing and reminders. This type of custom application development is used to assist a business with automation and streamlining processes.

Ridesharing applications such as Uber, Ola and Didi have been developed as web applications and also for iOS and Android. Both users and drivers can see real time ride requests, driver tracking and secure payments, This type of custom application is the lifeline of the business.    

Food delivery applications like the Domino’s Pizza App have been developed for iOS and Android. These apps are on demand delivery apps. Domino’s Pizza was created in the 1960’s, long before apps were invented, so this type of custom application has been developed to complement the existing business. 

Saas applications such as Netflix offer the software as a service, they are cloud based softwares which can be accessed through the internet. Some other examples include Salesforce, and Asana. This type of application is custom developed by the provider and it is the service which is resold as an out of the box application to the user or subscriber. This type of custom application development is the business.

Some examples of out of the box applications:

There are thousands of out of the box applications which suit some businesses perfectly however they may not fit your business needs entirely. This is where you could create your own custom application which you can sell on to users or subscribers like the developers of the below awesome applications.

Fitness application Mind body is an all in one fitness software with 1.9m users that allows gyms and studios to schedule clients. Manage staff and payroll and run reports. Users can also download the app, create their own profile and make bookings for classes and store payment methods.

Adobe creative cloud is a set of applications used for graphic design, video and picture editing and photography. Adobe is thought to have approximately 12 million cloud subscribers

Ivvy is a cloud based event management software for venues. This is an out of the box SaaS application that is an effective tool for managing events space, organising catering, equipment and accomodation. Ivvy is a Gold Coast based software company with approx 13,000 users.

Custom application development – what are the benefits?

Developing a bespoke software unique to your business has many advantages. Whether it is a mobile app that you plan to launch in the app stores or an enterprise application for your organisation. 

Custom application development is more expensive than off the shelf software however can be a better investment for the following reasons:

• Custom application development is tailor made to meet the requirements of your business
• It can increase productivity within the team as the workflows have been developed around your and your requirements
• It can improve the interaction and communication with your clients and customers thus improving the sales and onboarding process
• Custom application development allows you to scale quickly should the business grow rapidly
• It offers the security that out of the box software doesn’t
• It offers full control, you are the owner of the code rather than being locked into a vendor and needing to rely on for software updates and security 
• As the software is designed to fit your business it only includes the necessary functionality and is therefore more efficient
• There is a business opportunity to sell the software to users/subscribers in the industry needing this type of software to assist them and their business

Final thoughts 

By creating a custom application, You as a business owner have the opportunity to deliver consistently to their clients, regardless of where they are. Manage employees and scale quickly as and when you need to.

In 2022 it is important to encourage innovation and new ideas in technology to stay ahead of the competition in business!

Reach out to us to discuss your custom application development needs.

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Social media apps in particular, have come under huge criticism in recent times, with The Wall Street Journal investigating in 2021, Facebook’s own admission and in depth research that Instagram is Toxic For Teen Girls

The digital expectations of Gen Z are higher than ever before with some of the cohort only ever knowing the world shaped by technology. 

There are 68 million Generation Z members in the US, and their buying power is estimated at $144 billion. In addition to this it is reported that 31% of Gen Z feel uncomfortable if they are without their phones for 30 minutes or less, so it’s no wonder large corporations are trying their best to cash in on “The attention economy”

With the amount of apps available the competition for our attention is fierce with businesses and developers constantly updating features to keep us engaged for as long as possible. 

There are now however a huge amount of ethical issues when it comes to the tech we are using in our day to day lives which has proven to have a detrimental effect on our safety, security and mental health.

Digital Ethics – Addictive design

Casinos are a great example of addictive design; the dark mood lighting and windowless establishments with no clocks to differentiate between night and day. These places have all been designed with one purpose in mind – to keep the player focussed on spending money at the table.

In app development, there is a fine line between a good UI/UX and one that becomes so addictive it becomes detrimental to someone’s health. Symptoms of depression are twice as likely to appear in teens who spend more than 5 hours a day on their smartphones

Some addictive design techniques that keep users coming back for more are;

The wavy dots in messenger apps – this keeps the user in a state of anticipation waiting and wondering what the other user is going to write and therefore inside the app longer.

Push notifications – the ultimate digital distraction. Who is guilty of picking up their phone immediately after that little red dot appears?

According to business of apps Mobile push notifications are the most important channel for engagement for 61% of businesses

The refresh button – the instant gratification that comes from hitting the refresh button and being rewarded with a juicy new feed of stories and pictures is likened to the addictive nature of slot machines.  

Likes – the craving for social validation comes in the form of likes. How many likes did I get for my selfie at the gym, who’s interested in what I ate for breakfast? How popular am I?

A University of Cambridge study showed that after 300 likes, Facebook will know you better than your spouse!

Digital Ethics – Deceptive Design (also known as Dark Patterns)

A dark pattern is a term which was originally coined by Harry Brignull, a London based UI/UX designer. “A dark pattern is a user interface that has been carefully crafted to trick users into doing things that are not in their interest and is usually at their expense”

The roach motel is a dark pattern that makes it hard for a user to leave once inside the app or a website. Another example is designing an app deliberately making it difficult to opt out of something. 

Despite there not being a lot of regulation around app design and development, in March 2021 California actually passed a bill called the Consumer Privacy Act, prohibiting the use of dark patterns in the UI. 

Digital Ethics – Unethical practices 

Unethical practices can come in the form of automatically starting a subscription without reminding users that their free trial is about to expire. 

But more serious practices include spreading misinformation and fake news about competitors in order to gain business or even win an election. A recent study by 3 MIT scholars has found that false news spreads quicker on twitter than real news does! 

One of the biggest culprits of spreading fake news and disinformation was Donald Trump (who is now banned from Twitter) During his time in office Donald Trump Tweeted 36 election related falsehoods. These then received 22.6 million likes and 3.9 million retweets!

Fake news and misinformation can have a significant and harmful impact on individuals and the community. There have been some reports and studies that suggest that people with lower cognitive abilities are more susceptible to accepting “fake news”

Digital Ethics – Data Misuse

Now here’s one we all know, big tech companies want our data! Tech giants such as Facebook and Google are well known for making unethical decisions. Selling our data is one of them. 

The big tech companies all have their own third party sharing policies however The best company for your privacy is Apple

Companies want our names, phone numbers, emails, location and ip addresses. All these things enable a company to build a profile to better understand what we are interested in and our buying habits. These tech companies are then building algorithms to market to us better. 

But what happens when our data is breached and falls into the wrong hands? Remember the Cambridge Analytica scandal?

Twitter, Amazon, Google and even Uber have all been involved in data misuse investigations and more recently it has been reported that Tik Tok shares your data more than any other social media app! 

Digital Ethics – The Metaverse and AI

In December 2021, Bloomberg reported that the Metaverse revenue opportunity could reach $800 billion. However a recent Channel 4 Dispatches documentary has uncovered some disturbing behaviour inside the 3D community which has raised already heightened safety concerns within the virtual world. 

The Metaverse is completely unregulated and reports to no government or jurisdiction and unquestionably Artificial intelligence will have a major part to play in the metaverse. But who’s in charge, That straight shooter Mark Zuckerberg?

It is well documented that there are dark AI patterns including ethnicity and gender bias. AI ultimately is based on algorithms built by people and studies have shown that the pre existing biases in society affect the way we speak and write. The written word is currently used to train and program these machines and therefore bias in AI is an ethical problem.  

Sophia the robot, famous for becoming the first robot to be granted citizenship who has also once said she would destroy humans has recently sold an NFT of her artwork for $700,000

So is this cool or is it all getting a bit dystopian?

But what about the good stuff?

All of the above makes for some depressing reading right? Well let there be said there are also some awesome tech companies out there doing the right thing and using their influence in tech to make the world a better place!

Apple has just been listed in the Ethisphere 2022 edition of most ethical tech companies. This is decided using a number of factors including company culture, environmental and social impact and reputation.

Apple is leading the way on the ethics front with the release of iOS15 which will also now ask users if they would like to receive targeted ads. Prior to this release all users were immediately opted in. This new feature is an effort to offer users the ability to take control over their apps and the way they are marketed to.

In regards to the environment and sustainability. Cisco and Microsoft are also doing great things!

Cisco’s Takeback and Reuse program allows Cisco equipment owners to return hardware that has reached end-of-use, at no cost. This equipment is then recycled and reused.

Microsoft’s 2030 zero waste goal is another initiative and commitment to the environment. They are building Microsoft Circular Centres to extend the life cycle of servers by 90% by 2025.

How can tech companies become ethical?

By making ethics a priority and part of organisational culture, tech companies can make a change. Organisations should focus on having a deeper commitment to their corporate social responsibilities.

Companies must ensure they are practising responsible AI which is designed and developed with honest and transparent intentions and without bias, with an understanding that digital wellbeing can have a tremendous impact on mental health, for employees, customers and society.   

Companies must commit to running more sustainably and reducing their carbon footprints. And offer education and training opportunities for the underprivileged within their communities.

Final Thoughts

Technology is a part of our lives whether we like it or not so it’s important to look after our own digital wellbeing, whether this be taking a break from social media or setting boundaries by limiting our time on our devices. 

We can take control by aligning ourselves with companies whose own ethics and values match our own. 

As technology advances and ethical issues in tech grow, tech giants have a responsibility to step up and keep focussed on the relationship between technology and human morality as they have the reach, power and influence that smaller businesses don’t.

The tides are turning however with people turning their back on big tech. Facebook lost around 500,000 daily users in the last three months of 2021.  Users want more genuine interactions, more privacy and less lies and scandal.

A new wave of tech startups are being founded each day, who are trailblazing a new era of tech. By embracing an ethical mindset from the beginning these smaller companies have the power to make a change and a difference

The post Digital Ethics & Ethical Issues in Technology appeared first on Mediashark.

Some examples of femtech include apps for fertility, pregnancy, period tracking, sexual and gynecological health as well as lifestyle & wellness. The term “femetech” was coined by Ida Tin who is the co-founder and CEO of the female health app Clue which assists users with all aspects of female reproductive health.

After decades of silence and taboo, women are now finding platforms and apps where they can understand, educate and empower themselves about their bodies and take full control over their health, and according to Frost and Sullivan: femtech could become a $50 billion market by 2025.

Menstrual products weren’t allowed to be advertised on American television until 1972 so it’s a welcome change to see so many startups assisting women, now making vital services more accessible, particularly in a post pandemic world where the cost of some of these services in person is not viable for some.

In 2021 the tides began to turn with ovulation calendar, period tracker and pregnancy app Flo securing $50 million in Series B Funding, bringing the companies valuation to $800 million.

Femtech is still however a relatively untapped market with only a few hundred startups worldwide. 

Digital Health Apps – Femtech Apps

Flo
Flo is an app that assists women with tracking menstruation, predicting their cycle and preparing for conception.  

Clue
Founded by Ida Tin who actually coined the phrase “femtech” Clue is a period tracking app which assists with PMS and fertility.

Natural Cycles
Natural Cycles is the first FDA cleared birth control app and advocates for more non hormonal, non invasive birth control options. 

Caria
Caria is an app which assists women with navigating menopause smoothly and has been developed with leading experts in womens health.

Gazella
Gazella is an app that allows a user to find different workouts depending on where they are in their menstrual cycle. 

Digital Health Apps – Education & Poverty

Period poverty is the lack of access to sanitary products and education surrounding menstrual health. Femtech is educating women in the developing world by improving knowledge to women who have limited access to healthcare.

Unicef have created an app to assist in educating young girls in developing contries, Oky is a period tracking app which has been created for girls by girls to help them learn about menstruation. Oky has been developed for girls in low and middle income countries where there is a lack of education and understanding. Currently adolescent girls in Mongolia and Indonesia are using this app annd Unicef plans to launch in Kenya next.

According to the World Health Organization more than 800 women die of pregnancy-related complications every day, particularly in rural areas of India and Africa, where healthcare facilities are in short supply. Femtech is also being used in developing contries to tackle cervial cancer. 

Digital Health Apps – What about inclusivity?

Femtech is a growing and evolving industry and the term femtech itself can be considered exclusive so there is an increased demand to accommodate the LGBTQI+ community who need access to information and advice regardless as to how they identify as a gender.

There is now a stronger expectation for brands to be accessible to all. Queerly health is a rising startup which is dedicated to educating the LGBTQI + and trans community by allowing them to connect with practicioners via the online marketplace.

In addition to this Plume is a trans led platform which allows the user to download an app and be connected with a practicioner who can provide gender affirming care in the form of hormone therapy. 

Femtech Apps – The future?

The conversations surrounding women’s health and reproductive topics have always carried a social stigma. But the world is transforming and we are thrilled to have femtech startups that are trailblazing the way to not only normalizing the subject of womens health but providing scientific results to support and educate women worldwide.    

Femtech represents a shift in thinking and women are being represented in a way they have never been before by raising awareness, removing stigmas and using technology to educate and empower. As a result of this transition, more women are entering industries and roles that were predominantly led by men. 

Digital healthcare has advanced enormously in the last few years and has transfromed the way in which we look after our health. Satista estimates that the mobile medial app market will grow to over 11 billion dollars by 2025.

We at Media Shark are looking forward to seeing further innovation to educate and assist users all around the globe!

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It’s no secret that the last few years have been like no other, with the pandemic taking over our lives and the stress of not knowing if our jobs are safe, life in lockdown and worrying about the safety of our family and friends. Our mental health has really been put to the test! So what do we do when we simply can’t afford to go and see a psychologist, counsellor or therapist but need a little help with our mental health?

We can download a mental health app! Mental health apps are tools which can be accessed via our smartphones devices and most focus on aspects such as reducing stress, anxiety and improving sleep. A lot of mental health apps offer different types of techniques and strategies and have been endorsed by licensed healthcare professionals.

In the last few years, there’s been a multitude of mental health apps that have become available for smartphone users. Most of the time they are free and the mental health apps on offer have an abundance of resources that make therapeutic approaches more accessible for the everyday user.

The Best Mental Health Apps Australia – Smiling Mind

Smiling Mind is an Australian made app which has been developed by psychologists and focusses on mindfulness. There are a number of daily meditation exercises which the user can work through & there is even the choice between a man or a womans voice which we think is awesome!

The Best Mental Health Apps Australia – Mentemia

Mentemia is an app that coaches mental wellbeing. Free to all Australians. Endorsed by our very own Mick Fanning. Mentemia helps users learn to control their anxiety. The app distinguishes itself from what is already available as it takes medically proven techniques and transforms them into interactive and engaging tasks. It works to help recognise stress and puts forth methods to support and improve anxiety.

The Best Mental Health Apps Australia – Headspace

“Headpsace has one mission: to improve the health and happiness of the world.” Headspace was launched in 2010 and was originally an event company. The British founder Andy Rich and his team realised that the people attending the events were wanting to take home with them the tools that they had learned in the workshops and so the headspace mental health app was created. 

Headspace focuses on meditation and mindfulness to improve sleep and reduce stress and anxiety. Headspace offers guided exercises and videos and even claims that 10 days of headspace can increase happiness by 16%

Headspace have also just partnered with Netflix – Headspace Guide to sleep!

The Best Mental Health Apps Australia – Happify

Happify was founded in 2012 by 3 entrepreneurs who were certain that technology could make people’s lives better. With their actual expertise being in gaming and technology, the founders wanted to bring science and technology together to create something fun and engaging which could help people. 

Happify provides people with the tools to take control of their thoughts and feelings and offers techniques for mindfulness and cognitive behavioral therapy. As you can imagine by the name, Happify really does focus on happiness and the science behind it and provides games and activities to help retraining peoples negative thoughts.

The Best Mental Health Apps Australia – Breathe, Think, Do with sesame street (Mental Health App for Kids)

This has to be one of our favourites, this app for kids is designed to teach skills such as problem solving, self control and planning. There is an activity called “Breathe with the Monster” which is an activity to help kids do breathing exercises to calm down.

The Best Mental Health Apps Australia – Calm

Calm has been regarded as one of the best mental health apps available and aims to help with health and happiness, it comes with relaxing soundtracks, exercise and meditation and was awarded apple app of the year in 2017. Calm is used for anybody who needs to get better sleep and feel a little bit spiritual at the same time.

The Best Mental Health Apps Australia – Talkspace

Talkspace is convenient and affordable and allows you to be matched with a licensed therapist. You are then able to message, have video calls at your convenience. This app is subscription based and for users 13 and over. Talkspace allows a user to contact their allocated therapist at any time and comes with a guarantee that the therapist will respond once per day – 5 days per week. In one recent study, 81% of participants felt Talkspace is as effective or better than in-person therapy. Talkspace has been featured in the Wall Street Journal and CNN.

The Best Mental Health Apps Australia –Mindshift

Mindshift was developed by Anxiety Canada and really focuses on anxiety and provides the tools to help deal with worry, panic, social anxiety and phobias. Mindshift uses techniques and strategies based on behavioral cognitive therapy. Mind Shift claims to be the go to app for anxiety management.

Final Thoughts

For people who are feeling a bit low or struggling mentally, there are some awesome benefits to using a mental health app. 

1. You can use the app in the privacy of your own home and remain anonymous
2. They are easily accessible and a more cost effective option 
3. They are convenient which means you can use them anytime   

In addition to this some counsellors have claimed that the apps have assisted with tracking their clients’ progress:

As a clinician, I can now have my clients share their Thought Journals and Belief Experiment CBT homework by ‘sharing their progress” with me from this app. This helps me better track their progress and support treatment goals. 

– Rita Schnarr, MA, RCC

Clinical Counsellor

Mental Health apps are an great way to keep a track of our mental health and wellness. There are a number of free-to-download options available for a variety of wants and needs.

Not every app is suitable for everyone. However, the free apps allow you to try multiple options to find the best fit for you

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As we near the end of 2021 which has been another rollercoaster of a year for many of us. It’s time to take a look to the future with a fresh and excited mindset to see what we can expect in the form of mobile app trends for 2022. 

What edgy and innovative ideas will be the future of app development in 2022?

Mobile App Trends 2022 – Augmented & Virtual Reality

Mark Zuckerberg recently announced that he’s changing the name of Facebook to Meta Platforms Inc (Meta). In short the Metaverse will be “a virtual reality construct intended to supplant the internet, merge virtual life with real life and create endless new playgrounds for everyone”

So what is Virtual and Augmented reality?

Virtual Reality – users wear a headset or glasses and are completely immersed into a new “virtual” environment.

Augmented Reality – an enhanced vision of the real world, created with superimposed images, sights and sounds.

A lot of retail brands such as IKEA are using augmented reality apps so that their customers can have a more engaging experience when shopping for products. But did you also know that Snapchat filters are a form of augmented reality too! 

Both technologies will be key trends to keep an eye on in 2022. 

Mobile App Trends 2022 – Internet of Things (IoT)

In layman’s terms the Internet of things (IoT) is the network of connected applications that can collect and exchange data over the internet using sensors. Some examples include smarthomes and wearables such as fitbits. The vast majority of these applications are also connected to our smartphone devices. 

It’s estimated that the number of active IoT devices will surpass 25.4 billion in 2030. In 2022 mobile IoT will allow us to control the lighting and heating in our homes from apps on our phones and put the coffee machine on just as we arrive at the front door

IoT is also increasingly important in the world of healthcare, not only for our fitness and heart rate monitoring but for observing patients too.

Mobile App Trends 2022 – iOS 15

With Apple’s release of IOS15 back in September came lots of new features including a new way to view notifications, a focus feature which allows a user to create various profiles for different times of the day, an awesome new text scan feature, safari updates, and those all important privacy changes. 

iOS 15 has been a game changer for many and has allowed for a new era of apps to be developed. App store connect will now allow developers to change app icons and customise product pages which in turn will change the way we market to new and existing users.

Mobile App Trends 2022 – Inclusive UI/UX 

The design of a mobile app includes the UI (user interface) and the UX (user experience). Inclusive UI/UX is the way a mobile app has been designed for all users in all situations. Inclusive design is not just aimed at people with disabilities. 

Understanding user diversity in today’s digital world and ensuring apps can be used and enjoyed by everyone is essential!

A great example of inclusive design is a voice control feature for someone who is driving and can’t use their hands. Another example is the screen lock feature to keep the screen still whilst the user is operating the app, this may be useful for physical workers who may be up a ladder or under a car.

Mobile App Trends 2022 – AI

Artificial intelligence has been around for a number of years and is already a part of our day to day lives with creations such as Siri – Apple’s virtual assistant and Alexa, Amazon’s own virtual assistant.

Chatbots are now also increasingly used in messaging apps and are a form of artificial intelligence. A recent report stated that AI could contribute up to $15.7 trillion to the global economy in 2030.

AI is now being utilised to understand the behaviour patterns of mobile app users and gain valuable insight into user engagement levels.

Mobile App Trends 2022 – Data Privacy

Data privacy has been big in the last few years particularly after the Netflix documentary The Great Hack which was about the Facebook and Cambridge Analytica data scandal. 

Apple has now taken the reins and with the release of iOS 15 and is now asking users whether they want to be opted in to in app marketing, something which was previously standard. Offering data privacy has almost become as ethical as sustainability when it comes to corporate and social responsibility.

Taking control of our own data privacy will continue to be a real trend in 2022 with emerging companies such as Gener8 Ads giving us the opportunity to block the advertising that’s not relevant to us and tailor the ads we actually want to see.

Mobile App Trends 2022 – Digital Currency

As we reported in last week’s article, Fintech is huge right now globally. Some of the world’s most valuable companies are in the Fintech sector. Digital Currency has changed the world of finance and covid in particular has accelerated and changed the way we do business. The need for contactless technology is higher than ever. 

In 2022 we expect a new wave of mobile apps which will allow us to manage our finances, conduct business transactions, manage our investments and crypto currencies.

Mobile App Trends 2022 – Low-Code Prototyping

Low code app development is on the rise and has allowed businesses to automate new processes quickly. Low code prototyping however will be a massive trend for 2022 allowing novice app developers and entrepreneurs the opportunity to build a mobile app prototype at a rapid rate and reduced cost which is is key during the initial stages of the app development journey. It will also allow first time app developers to get in front of investors at a faster rate to secure that all important funding.

Mobile App Trends 2022 – On-Demand Apps

The on-demand sector is still going strong and according to the PwC research, it is estimated that the on-demand economy will soar to reach a whopping $335 billion by 2025

From ridesharing and prescriptions to takeaways and food shopping. Everything can now be booked, paid for and delivered by on-demand apps. 

The ongoing success of the on-demand app sector has given mass appeal to investors with on-demand grocery start-up Gorilla recently securing close to $1bn in their series C funding round.

On-demand apps will continue to trend in 2022 with healthcare and education being the newest players.

Final Thoughts

The mobile app statistics for 2021 show a clear shift in the way we use and engage with our apps. We are now using them to organise navigate our day to day lives. Mobile app trends for 2022 are set to be some of the most advanced technology we have ever seen so hold onto your hats – we’re in for a thrilling ride! 

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It’s every ambitious entrepreneur’s dream to create a unicorn startup, currently there are only 892 companies worldwide that have unicorn status – but what are unicorn startups and how are they achieved? 

The term unicorn was coined by venture capitalist Aileen Lee in her article Welcome to the unicorn club in 2013 and is now widely used to describe a privately held company that has a valuation of 1 billion dollars.

Air bnb, Facebook and Google were all unicorn startups that have now moved on to hectocorn status (which we will cover later)

The US and China are currently taking the monopoly of the most valuable companies in 2021 followed closely by India and the UK.  

Industry wise, technology is high on the list of unicorns in the form of software and artificial intelligence, but it’s actually the fintech sector which is booming with 42 fintech unicorns being created in the last quarter.

In recent years Australia has seen some noteworthy tech unicorn startups to make the list including: 

Canva: 

Canva is a graphic design platform that was founded by Melanie Perkins and partner Cliff Obrecht. Canva is now valued at $40 billion US dollars making it one of the world’s most valuable startups (and now propelled to decarcorn status)

Canva has also made it in at number 3 on the Forbes “The Cloud 100 2021” list which is their definition of the best, brightest and most valuable private companies.

Since raising $2oo million in their latest funding round, Canvas new valuation means it is Australia’s most valuable unlisted company and most successful startup which is awesome!

It is reported that it took 3 years to gain the all important $3m investment they needed to launch and that the couple plan to slowly give away the majority of their wealth to charities.

Airwallex:

Established in Melbourne, Airwallex is a fintech startup which achieved unicorn status in March 2019 after securing $141 million in funding and knocking back a takeover bid from Stripe.

Founded by Jack Zhang, Lucy Lio, Jacob Dai and Max Li, Airwallex initially focussed on allowing small businesses make transactions with offshore merchants without incurring the exchange fees but has now expanded and offers multi currency credit cards, 

Airwallex is currently valued at $4 billion since also securing $200 million in its last funding round.

Culture Amp:

Culture Amp is an employee engagement tool which is now valued at over $2 billion, the Melbourne based start up reached unicorn status in 2019 but has now grown considerably since the start of the pandemic.

Culture Amp is on trend with the current transition from remote and hybrid working models and allows organisations to survey their employees to gauge levels of engagement to gain insight into company culture, and productivity levels. Culture Amp was founded in 2011 in Melbourne, by Didier Elzinga, Douglas English, Jon Williams, and Rod Hamilton,

Characteristics of a unicorn startup

There are thousands of businesses started globally every year but the unfortunate truth is – 20% of businesses fail in their first year and around 60% will go bust within their first three years. Some of the reasons being a lack of cash, no market demand for the product or simply they just didn’t have the right team.  

So what makes a unicorn?

Disruptive innovation

Often a unicorn is a company that transforms the way an industry, consumer or business does something. Uber for example has changed the way we travel, Netflix has changed the way we watch television. The most recent being Cryptocurrency which has disrupted money and changed the world of finance and the way we conduct our banking transactions and investments.  

High tech

Many unicorn companies are software companies, therefore their business models rely heavily on technology (which is the future of course) this coupled with consumer expectation for digital services is the driving force behind why a unicorn needs to be high on tech.

They solve a problem

Identifying a problem and solving it is the reason why the on demand economy is still thriving. On demand is the process where a gap is bridged between consumers and the product or service they want. 

Rapid growth

Having a vision for rapid expansion and a global mentality from the start is key as well as having a business model that is easily scalable, the model must have the ability and structure to operate at a national and international level.

Founders

There are some interesting similarities when it comes to the founders of unicorn startups which Aileen Lee discovered whilst writing her article back in 2013.

The average age of founders at founding is 34

Co-founders with years of history together have driven most success

80 percent of unicorns had at least one co-founder who had previously founded a company

Well rounded and experienced teams who have a long history together and have dipped their toes in the water before seem to be a recipe for success!  

Decacorn, Hectocorn

2021 has been a record year for startups with more companies than ever reaching unicorn status and in much shorter time frames than we have ever seen. A report by crunchbase shared that there are 2 – 3 companies reaching unicorn status each day globally

There are however still just a handful of companies which have reached beyond unicorn status, these companies are defined as either a Decacorn (valued at $1o billion) or a Hectocorn (valued at $1oo billion)

Chinese e-commerce giant Shein is a decacorn company – currently valued at $15bn

Stripe is a decacorn currently headed towards hectocorn status – currently valued at $95bn

Now, we are familiar with giants Google, Facebook, Apple & Microsoft (All Hectocorns) but what about our Aussie businesses?

Afterpay:

Aussie fintech company Afterpay was founded in 2014 by Sydney based Nick Molnar and Anthony Eisen. Afterpay was recently acquired by Square in a $39bn deal making it the biggest takeover deal in Australia’s history.

Afterpay works with thousands of businesses worldwide to allow the customer to split their transactions into 4 installments instead of 1. Afterpay has always been somewhat controversial however it has 100,000 retailers signed up and over 16.2 million customers. 

Atlassian:

Australia’s biggest tech success story to date is Atlassian, now worth more than $100 billion USD. Atlassian is a Sydney based tech giant that was founded by Mike Cannon-Brookes and Scott Farquhar who met whilst at University. 

The pair put $10,000.00 on a credit card to fund the project initially and the company is currently valued at AU$136.7 billion. 

“It’s just exciting to see an Australian business do this. A Sydney-founded business to be $100 billion on the NASDAQ is really demonstrating the success Australian entrepreneurs can have on the global stage.” – Gavin Appel, Atlassian investor and founder of Ignition

Who to watch out for in 2022

Rumoured to be the next Atlassian, Brisbane software company Octopus Deploy recently secured $172.5 million in funding. Until then the company had been bootstrapped all the way by founder and couple Sonia and Paul Stovell. 

Octopus Deploy is a deployment tool and a single place where a team can manage releases and automate complex application deployments 

Final Thoughts

Australia is home to 6 companies that have made it to the unicorn list with the majority in the fintech industry. The pandemic has changed the way we conduct business and our overall outlook on enterprise. Some Australian businesses are thriving post pandemic and it’s an incredibly exciting time. If ever there was a time to get started – it’s now!

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