The Killer Narrative
When resources and user insights were scarce, when the potential of computers were more potential than realized usage, the quest has been for the killer app.
But as one can see from a quick perusal of product hunt, the "killer app" will eventually be uncovered by virtual of number of teams at bat. The elocity of new product releases and the speed of communication makes it likely such an app is a) more likely to be found; b) more likely copied once discovered.
In an age ofattention deficit, the killer narrative is likely what will drive adoption and growth.
This is not to say that the details of an application working and meeting user needs in as frictionless and intuitive way as possible doesn't go away.
I think the elegant and impactful killer narrative just becomes essential.
While Steve Jobs may be known for his flashy reveals and elegant, human-centric products, I believe he had a narrative that made the difference.
Perhaps it wasn't fully communicated in a concise manifesto, for example. But his speeches and interviews revealed a consistency of thought, one so powerful it probably incepted the world and bled through the apps themselves.
One example, which came out in an interview, was the notion of a "bicycle for the mind."
The concept had such a hold that the company we know as Apple almost became known as Bicycle.
But from that snippet of an interview was a killer narrative. Perhaps it was one that only Steve Jobs understand and articulated in pieces. Perhaps it was because it was a different time, before social media, where it didn't need to be crystal clear and amplified to no end.