What is a “killer application” ?

A killer application is a computer program so attractive, so cool, which justify, for many consumers, to buy a computer, a PlayStation, a game-boy, or an operating system like windows vista for example.

In the definition of “killer application” there is a big part of subjectivity. MSN is a killer application witch justify to buy a computer to chat but not for all the people. For me, it’s just ridiculous to buy a computer just for MSN, Skype, or Windows office pack. So we can say that “killer application” is not an objective term.

When we talk about video game it’s the same thing because for many people “Tetris” was a killer game which justify to buy a game boy. Also, this game is so popular that Japanese people make some stupid TV game like this :

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But Larry Downes have write the 12 principles of a killer application :

RESHAPING THE LANDSCAPE

1. Outsource to the customer.
2. Cannibalize your markets.
3. Treat each customer as a market segment of one.
4. Create communities of values.

BUILDING NEW CONNECTIONS

5. Replace rude interfaces with learning interfaces.
6. Ensure continuity for the customer, not yourself.
7. Give away as much information as you can.
8. Structure every transaction as a joint venture.

REDEFINING THE INTERIOR

9. Treat your assets as liabilities.
10.Destroy your value chain.
11. Manage innovation as a portfolio of options.
12. Hire the children.

I will explain all this principles in others posts and give you some examples

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