In recent days, Google has been purchasing a wide variety of companies. If one takes a close look at the last hundred and forty-four acquisitions made by Google, it is obvious that the company, now the second most valuable company in the United States with a market capitalization of $395.42 billion next to Apple’s $463.55 billion, wants to move beyond simply providing search and advertising services.
For example, in September, 2013 Google acquired a health care company named Calico, which is researching ways to defy ageing. Later in December, Google acquired a host of robotics companies, such as Boston Dynamics. In the middle of January, 2014, Google acquired Nest, a company that makes smoke detectors and thermostats that are connected to the Internet for $3.2 billion.
About the History
Nest was founded by two former engineers from Apple, Tony Fadell and Matt Rogers, whose mission was to reduce energy consumption. They made a thermostat that a homeowner needed to change manually a few times throughout the entire day before the thermostat itself learned the homeowners routine and adjusted automatically. Most importantly, Nest also created an app that allowed the homeowner to adjust their thermostat from anywhere with a mobile device! Both of these products are considered to be the best in the industry, which is why a corporate giant like Google took notice.
What Does it Mean for App Developers?
Since Nest is specialized in doing one thing and doing it well, the lesson here for all app developers is clear: if one decides what he or she would like their apps to be able to do, the chances for being noticed by a big company is possible. With the Internet of Things revolutionizing how people use ordinary items, apps can be developed for nearly every device you see before you!
The Uses
Well, the possibilities are actually endless. All you need is a bit of technical knowledge and a truckload of imagination to power it! An app for the car which tells you which roads to take to avoid a traffic jam or if the car needs servicing, or for garbage bins to help facilitate garbage collection. One does not have to limit themselves to just household items, however: apps could also be made for specific purposes, an app to locate a particular package in big areas such as warehouses or harbors or an app to enhance the quality of wine by monitoring soil moisture and trunk diameter in vineyards to control the amount of sugar in grapes and grapevine health.
With the right idea, clarity and focus the possibilities for app developers are endless!
