This Week in Apps #8 - Google Maps, E-Scooters, and Starbucks Prove Things are Starting to Open Up

This Week in Apps is a short, no-fluff, round-up of interesting things that happened in the mobile industry. With the coronavirus continuing to cause uncertainty, there's a lot going on right now. Here are our top highlights.

They're heading out

Google Maps, the most popular map/navigation app, have risen for the third week in a row for a total increase of 37%. Cities opening up means more people are outside and need to know where to go. Report

Shopify's clever app switch

Shop, a new shopping assistant from Shopify, launched last week. Instead of a brand new app, however, Shop replaces Shopify's package tracker Arrive, so it already on Amazon's scope. Report

E-Scooters are taking off

New downloads of Bird, Lime, and Spin have more than tippled recently as the devices make their way back to metro city streets. The increase could mean that commuters are looking for new ways to commute while social distancing. I know I am. Report

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Downloads of Youtube are nearing full recovery on the App Store after a short lockdown slump.

It's the little things

After being inside for so long, it's really the little things that bring joy, and a cup of coffee is one of those. Downloads of the Starbucks app have more than doubled in the last month in the US and Canada.

Amazon's nightmare

Amazon's Chinese rival Wish is back, big time. The app was edging out Amazon earlier in the year but slumped during the lockdown. In April, Wish recovered with downloads doubling and quickly took over as the most downloaded shopping app in the world.

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