Mobile phones have become so popular that many of us already use them as a hand/brain extension. We hang out, communicate, buy and sell things, book our holidays, search for properties, and do many other things through those miraculous gadgets.
Some industries haven’t been completely changed with the advent of mobile technology but each field has experienced some adaptations to this new environment.
And some other sectors aren’t the same anymore because mobiles have changed the way people use services in these sectors. This article talks about the six industries where mobiles are now prevalent over desktop computers and laptops.
Banking Services
From peer-to-peer money transfers to paying utilities and overhead bills, online transactions are the backbone of modern life. And this backbone wouldn’t be able to hold such pressure if there wasn’t for handy mobile banking apps. Even though most banks also have a website where users can log in and carry out all their operations, it’s a more cumbersome effort. The user needs to switch off their desktop or laptop, open the website in question, and go to the desired sections.
With a mobile in your pocket and a banking app within it, everything is done in a much faster and smoother way. Many banks today even offer their loyal and registered customers to apply for loans through mobile apps. Still, when it comes to mortgages, consumers still need to physically go to the bank and negotiate the terms and conditions.
Gambling Options
Online games have been old news for several decades now. In the 1980s and 1990s playing games connected with other computers was heavily restricted. The quick growth of the Internet in the 2000s sped things up with online gaming, while smartphones literally put games into every owner’s pocket.
This has especially benefited iGaming (online betting and gambling), as people can now bet on sports games or play poker on their phones. The global distribution and presence of smartphones have contributed to the unparalleled launch of mobile-friendly platforms. Hence, now people from Chile to South Korea, from South Africa to Norway spille casino på mobiltelefonen, using various incentives and bonuses to increase their chances of winning such games. There’s free sign ups, bonuses, extra spins and 24/7 customer support for added peace of mind.
Travel Providers
It’s almost impossible to imagine traveling without using mobile apps to arrange trips, find accommodation, rent cars, etc. In the last seven years, the global revenue of travel apps has increased from $370 million in 2017 to $1.25 billion in 2023, to the expected $2 billion in 2027.
Sure, many hotels, travel agencies, and flight providers still use websites. That’s not only because they want to be user-friendly on that part. Websites are some sort of shop window for businesses in various industries, travel and hospitality niches included.
However, the practical availability of smartphones and mobile apps has made them popular worldwide, from China and their super apps to middle-of-the-road solutions of the West.
The future integration of advanced payment services and enhanced personalization based on AI tools will additionally make travel and tourist apps used even more widely.
Ecommerce Platforms
And now we get to probably the most mobile-influenced industry worldwide: eCommerce. Online shopping – together with the accompanying branch of shipping – has made an unprecedented effect on people’s lives in the last fifteen years. From the way we plan our monthly expenses to buying various goods online – mostly apparel but groceries and other deliverable products are climbing the ladder as we speak – online commerce figures have been incredible.
And such a strong penetration of eCommerce into our daily habits wouldn’t be possible without a mobile. You’re sitting on a bus or having a coffee with your friends and get a notification that an item you’ve been looking for is discounted. With only a few touches of the mobile screen, this product can be purchased and ordered. Such shopping convenience is incomparable to anything else; numbers support this statement. A study conducted by the Pew Research Center has shown that in 2022 about 76% of US online shoppers predominantly use mobile for their purchases. This figure goes up to 92% of buyers aged 30-49.
In the time ahead, we can expect that online stores in some industries will abandon websites and turn to a combination of social media shopping options and mobile apps.
Fintech Innovations
Financial technology is not far away from travel, eCommerce, and hospitality in terms of powerful mobile development and new growth opportunities. It’s especially interesting how mobile phones have enhanced online transactions in various rural areas of South America, Africa, and Asia. Ten years ago, a large number of people living in these regions didn’t have a chance to send or receive money online. Even if they could use PayPal or AliPay, it might take weeks or even months for their local banks to settle such payments.
However, the increased affordability of advanced smartphones has democratized the online transactions market. It doesn’t matter whether you live in West Europe, Central Africa, or in the Amazon – you can make your digital transfers similarly fast. Equally important, those transactions are similarly secure in all these parts of the world because globally present providers take care of them.
What’s more, such development of fintech services has helped millions of people improve their lives through remote work and gigs. While many of them surely use their desktop computers to carry out the agreed assignments, all of them rely to mobile phones and web-based transactions to enjoy the fruits of their work.
Finally, the growth of the cryptocurrency market and blockchain technology is pushing the envelope even further. Now you can buy tangible goods (and non-fungible tokens alike), pay for your video games, or chip in your crypto betting sessions using Bitcoin & Co.
Real Estate Upgrades
Imagine buying a home or just shopping around only ten-ish years ago. You’d go to a real estate agency website and browse through hundreds of properties until you spot something close to your interest. And twenty years ago, most of these activities had to be done offline – people would go down to a brick-and-mortar real estate agency, talk to a realtor, and then start exploring the desired areas and homes in person.
Mobile apps now enable home seekers, home sellers, middlepersons, and construction companies to accelerate various real estate procedures. As a buyer, you can simply download the desired app and go through thousands, if not millions of homes locally, nationally, or globally. Dozens of filters help you narrow down the selection to fit your preferences. There are still real estate agents who can help you with further steps of homebuying once you’ve handpicked several options. Upgraded and easily integrated visual solutions, such as virtual tours, additionally enhance the entire process.
To top it all off, the advanced banking and fintech services that can be accessed and used through mobile apps let people buy homes or invest in properties in farther parts of the world.
Conclusion
An average smartphone is now more powerful than an average desktop computer from, say, 2010. The future will pack even more innovations into our mobiles, so the smartest thing we can do is embrace these advantages and use them to our utter benefit.
