It amazes me to see so many poorly designed apps.  OK, so maybe “poorly designed” isn’t the right phrase.  How about saying, ”It amazes me to see so many full featured and cool apps that don’t take into consideration the unique strengths, and inherent limitations, of the mobile platform.”  Better?  No?  Let me be clear - for any budding app developers or product managers out there, let me offer up some advice:

Mobile App ≠ Web App

It’s not the same platform and the web rules do not apply.  Functionality, core content, ad placement, ease of use, screen real estate, etc. between a web app and mobile app must be reconciled to some extent.  That doesn’t mean that any web app’s functionality should be curtailed to match the mobile app.  I think Alexandre Mars, CEO of Phonevalley and head of mobile at Publicis Groupe, said it best:  ’When approaching mobile, “you need to forget your web education.’ 

So what’s up with the post heading?  Read this article from MediaPost’s Online Media Daily for a classic quote (you’ll know it when you see it):  http://www.mediapost.com/publications/?fa=Articles.showArticle&art_aid=124450&nid=112354