How Appnext’s Timeline tech is offering a totally tailored smartphone experience

Appnext is the largest app discovery platform, offering the only recommendation engine on the market, which encompasses both in-app and on-device discovery. Through its direct partnerships with top OEMs, operators and app developers, Appnext creates a new discovery experience in over 10,000 mobile touchpoints, utilising its ‘Timeline’ technology that predicts the app users are likely to use next. Appnext’s recommendations are helping app marketers reach more engaged users and get their apps discovered, used and re-used.

In an interaction with Adgully, Elad Natanson, CEO Appnext, talks about how App developers can expand their reach and unlock new revenues streams via the Appnext experiences on top OEM brands.

Is device-level app discovery shaping how users interact with their smartphones?

Absolutely! Our data shows what a seismic impact this discovery channel is having on how people use their smartphones. For example, we know that fewer users than ever are finding new apps via a search on an app store. Why? It’s obvious that users now rely on on-device discovery to connect them with the apps they need – from reminding them of an already-installed app to recommending something new. But this has been a process. Appnext has been continuously developing our state-of-art ‘Timeline’ technology to ensure users get a totally tailored smartphone experience. Users trust that they will receive the recommendation they want exactly when they need it.

What role does app discovery play in the success of app developers and the overall app ecosystem?

The fact is, there are millions of apps out there and the majority of developers struggle to attract their target audience to their app. So, for developers and app marketers, app discovery tools like on-device discovery are basically a fast-track to getting their apps seen by huge group of highly-engaged users. Appnext’s tech-powered on-device discovery solutions have proven to be one of the most powerful channels for developers. In short, we enable increased visibility for developers which translates into more downloads and higher engagement. The success of new (and established) developers means user acquisition growth. A thriving app ecosystem benefits everyone – developers, manufacturers, marketers and, most importantly, users.

How do newly-purchased devices present an unparalleled engagement opportunity for developers?

The first 24 hours from when a user has unboxed and switched on a new device are really the golden window for developers. Users are eager to explore and personalise their new smartphones, which provides a receptivity that is much higher than throughout the rest of the mobile lifecycle. Appnext’s technology takes full advantage of this period of high-engagement. Our Out of Box Experience completed the end-to-end user experiencing with a smart set-up wizard that guides users through populating their new device with the apps and services they need. Our research shows that statistically these are the apps that are used most frequently, so it has been a real game-changer for developers.

How can app developers expand their reach and unlock new revenue streams through the Appnext experience on leading OEM brands?

By partnering with leading OEMs, Appnext integrates its on-device discovery technology directly into devices, which ensures developers’ apps are prominently featured and recommended to users. Such high visibility increases the chances of app discovery, leading to higher downloads and user engagement. The user acquisition boost to advertisers has been immense – instant access to the millions of users who are ready to discover apps and services directly on their devices. Additionally, developers can monetise their apps through Appnext’s advertising solutions, which intelligently match relevant recommendations to users, while providing new revenue streams.

Has Appnext’s proprietary state-of-the-art ‘Timeline’ technology been instrumental in delivering an unparalleled level of personalisation, enabling hyper-personalised, real-time experiences powered by technology?

Our ‘Timeline’ technology has been the key in Appnext’s huge global expansion in recent years. I think one of the issues in the early days of app development was that attracting users always felt like a stab in the dark. There was so much trial and error! Our technology being integrated into millions of devices globally changed that. We achieved this by building truly comprehensive understanding of users. By taking into account user preferences and needs we were able to seamlessly deliver the contextually-relevant and unmissable recommendations at the right moment in the language of choice. We created a hyper-personalised experience that has never been replicated and we are continually improving the technology.

Where does device-level app discovery go from here?

I can’t give away too much, but what I can say is that we are rapidly growing the number of app developers, mobile carriers and manufacturers we are partnering with.