Steven Frank summarizing feedback on the direction future of computer interfaces,
The other common theme was a desire to see applications become less general purpose and more specific. A good example was finding out train or bus schedules. One way to do this is to start up your all-purpose web browser, and visit a transit web site that offers a downloadable PDF of the bus schedule pamphlet. Another way is to use an iPhone application that has been built-to-task to interface with a particular city’s transit system. It’s no contest which is the better experience.
…In 2009, it’s still a chore to find out from the internet what time the grocery store down the street closes — we’ve got some work to do.
I would like to see a nice pithy term replace “very specific task-driven apps”. Perhaps “Specialty Applications” or “Focused Programs”. But I’m not enamored with ether. Whatever the term, it should emphasize excelling at something, not being limited. What are your thoughts for a name?