Zoom, other WFH tech darlings risk user exodus as the world reopens
Many internet companies posted
record performance during the pandemic as consumers turned to apps and other
cloud software to work, study, socialize and shop from home. But as vaccines
roll out and restrictions relax, some of this unprecedented digital demand is
fading.
Data from research firm Apptopia reveal how the superstar apps of
the Covid-19 era are faring now in the U.S. Plus, stats from New Zealand, a
country that reopened earlier, show what the future might hold for these
services.
Here’s the main takeaway: Many well-known apps are losing ground,
or usage has stabilized. Some behaviors are sticking, though, suggesting the
pandemic will provide a more-permanent boost for a few internet companies.
Zoom Video
Communications Inc.’s app has been so ubiquitous during the pandemic that it’s
now a verb. Lately, though, workers complain of “Zoom fatigue,” and
data from New Zealand are ominous. Usage has dropped in that country as
employees and students return to offices and schools. Even in the US, where
most offices remain virtual, Zoom use peaked in
September. The company said recently it’s well positioned for strong growth.
Microsoft’s Teams communication software was another
work-from-home hit last year. That service has seen mobile app usage decline,
too, especially in New Zealand.
Other staples of the virtual workplace are here
to stay, according to Apptopia data. DocuSign’s app, which lets you sign
contracts and other documents digitally, has seen consistently high usage
lately. The app has become a popular way to close real-estate transactions, so
it is likely getting an extra boost from the housing boom.
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