After more than one year of consumer testing, business development and networking with influencers throughout the U.S., executives at Pingup, the leading mobile booking app for local services, have their fingers on the pulse of what consumers will want from their mobile apps in 2014.

Trends that Pingup anticipates taking shape in the world of mobile apps in 2014 include:

  • Usability: information-only apps are a thing of the past. In the early days of the Internet, a website was just a company's online brochure. In 2014, consumers will require that apps facilitate action and provide direct and immediate interaction with businesses
  • Convenience: mobile screen real estate is precious and apps that will rise to the top are those providing the most value. Consumers don't want to support hundreds of apps to complete point tasks. Instead, apps that aggregate capabilities around key themes (e.g., booking appointments, price comparisons, mobile payments) will win the hearts and minds of consumers. Successful apps will also need to not only support the cadre of mobile devices on the market today, but also those projected for tomorrow. Users want and need to have fluid access to a specific account, no matter what device you're using or where you are
  • The mobile grace period is over: the rules for mobile aren't the same as web, and web and pre-web companies must be smart about their strategic design and deployment to embrace mobile content consumption, and fast. Those that don't appreciate the rapid shift to mobile soon will become laggards.
  • Voice will no longer be the primary application for your mobile phone: successful mobile apps that take the place of a traditional phone call will rise above others that don't offer a fast, simple and flexible alternative to multiple step processes

"Mobile presents a convenient and simple way for busy people to get things done," stated Mark Slater, CEO of Pingup. "In many ways, smartphones have the potential to become a universal remote control for our personal lives -- enabling us to find and take action with local businesses. But, as we saw in the web world, users will demand efficiency and a single platform to streamline scheduling everything from rides and restaurant reservations to salon appointments and gym sessions. That shift is coming faster than many realize, and 2014 is the year that mobile booking will really catch on."

Pingup provides access to local businesses including taxis, salons, restaurants and more. Users can book a salon or spa appointment, make a dinner reservation and request a taxi all in one easy-to-use app.

In addition to these predictions for 2014, Pingup also announced that its app has expanded to support more than 10,000 salons, spa locations, restaurants and taxis with direct booking.

About Pingup
Pingup, a mobile booking app, is designed to help busy, on-the-go users get things done by shortening the distance between the consumer and local businesses. Providing direct, convenient access to nationwide local businesses anytime, anywhere, Pingup puts the power of action into the hands of the mobile user. With Pingup, to-do lists, calls and web-based interactions to book appointments, make reservations and request taxis are a thing of the past. Pingup is expanding its national footprint of local businesses empowering users to move from "To-Do" to "DONE." The company is headquartered in Boston's Innovation District and backed by Avalon Ventures. For more information, visit www.pingup.com.

For Pingup
Libby Fortier, 617-426-2222
Pingup@v2comms.com