Web 3.0 = mini apps, according to Eric Schmidt

In this 1.5 min YouTube video, Google CEO Eric Schmidt gave his thoughts on the difference between Web 2.0 and Web 3.0. It is one of the clearest definition I've heard so far. Here's the summary:

1. Web 2.0 is a marketing term. Web 2.0=AJAX.
2. Web 3.0 is: different way of building apps. Web 3.0 is defined by...
   

• many small apps that are pieced together
• made of small apps whose data live in clouds
• apps that can run on any device (PC/mobile)
• apps that are fast
• apps that are very customizable
• apps that are distributed virally by social networks, by email - you won't go to the store and purchase them.
  
• there is low barrier of entry. Market size likely to be very large (sounds like long tail to me).
  
• apps solve a lot of problems. Works everywhere.

This echoes my excitement about the future of apps, where ubiquitous mini apps, each of which has a very limited scope but does what it do well, helps us lead better, more efficient life on the go. What about you? Any thoughts?

Mini mobile apps the future of the internet?

"In 2009, we’ll see a groundswell of ordinary people with a great idea open up SDKs and create modest little mobile web apps that revolutionize the world." (Adaptive Path blog)

This blog post predicts that that one of the top 3 mobile user experience trends is that how we access the internet will change in a fundamental way, with 2009 leading the way in transition to mini mobile apps.

Exciting stuff indeed. Let's hope that sustainability apps become a big enough category that they will be listed in their own section under the various app stores!

iPhone - a mini app paradise

I have always loved everything in bite-size. From small cookies (hey look - iPhone icon cookies found on Flickr) to pithy quotes to succinct framework, things in small doses are simple to use, and add flavor to life. Ever since iPhone brought mini apps into mainstream consciousness, my digital life has been a blast. In fact, I sense a tipping point in user demographic powered by mini apps, iPhone or not.

But those iPhone apps have to be the creme de la creme of mini apps. They are so addicting, with their cool graphics and the strangely comforting touch screen. They have helped me productively use the few spare minutes here and there -- whether to do something useful, or just plain fun. Until the iPhone came along, I never exchanged stories about computer games with girlfriends, and only played computer games couple hours a year. In the past few months, lo and behold, the girlfriends circle behavior shifted. Girls with iPhones are actually recommending cool apps (mostly games) to each other. I even sat next to a girl on a flight who played mini games on her iPhone for several hours! Girls on games. Is there a tipping point or what?

Which leads me to think... wouldn't it be great if the usability of iPhone mini apps is translated to sustainability?

iPhone apps are already proving helpful to make many day-to-day activities just a little better, and a little easier -- enough to become one's best friend in the pocket while on-the-go. You name it -- there is likely an app in its 15,000 strong arsenal that will step up to the plate to do a job. Or is there? How about sustainability?

This blog is dedicated to reviewing all those cool mini apps, iPhone or not, that could help us live us lives just a little more caringly towards humanity and the environment. We can't miss this opportunity to embed sustainability in this new trend. Please use them and spread the word of the reviews here.