Where Are the Killer Applications?

For those who are unfamiliar with the name of killer application, also known as killer app, here's the definition: an application that convinces you to purchase a certain hardware component, a certain operating system or a gaming console that would allow you to run that application.

For those of you who like history, the term of 'killer application' was used for the first time for VisiCalc, an application for Apple II platforms, which was bought by thousands of economists.

But we are not interested here in the history, is the very concept of killer application we are interested in. When was the last time when you bought a certain component just because a specific piece of software didn't work? And I'm not talking here about the last model of video card required to run Battlefield 2, because that is another story.

Has the software industry started to lose the capacity to innovate? How many of the programs you are working with every day are just unique and irreplaceable? Is there a chance, given the current circumstances, for such an application to drive the hardware and software sales?

I don't think so. Regardless of the application, I bet there is at least one other alternative that could replace it. We have hundreds of applications that are basically doing the same thing (better or worse, for Windows, Linux or Mac) and I don't know if in the last five years you've seen a software application that has earned this title.

If you have, don't hesitate to tell me. Or at least, the field where such a killer application could appear.


It's highly unlikely that among your favorite applications, there isn't an IM client. There's a broad offer, and even Google has entered the market. This week, Softpedia News is inviting you to choose your favorite IM client.