It Takes Two to Tango: 7 Benefits of Using Companion Apps for Your Digital Device

Like in a beautifully choreographed dance, the interplay between hardware and software is essential for a seamless and engaging user experience. If you want your connected device to truly shine on the stage, it needs a dance partner—a companion app that complements its movements and enhances its capabilities with every step.

What is a Companion App and What Do They Do?

A companion app is a mobile application designed to work in tandem with a connected device, enhancing its capabilities and providing a more seamless and enriched user experience. These apps allow users to interact with their devices in ways that would be impossible with hardware alone.

Whether it’s through data visualization, remote control, or personalized settings, device companion apps are a critical component in the Internet of Things (IoT) ecosystem. Check out our previous guide for more on how connected devices communicate.

Examples of device companion apps include:

• Wearable Health Devices, like fitness trackers, smartwatches, and other wearable technology, rely heavily on companion apps to provide users with meaningful insights into their health and fitness. These apps for wearables offer detailed data visualization, personalized recommendations, and integration with other health platforms.
• Smart Home Systems, such as thermostats, security cameras, and lighting systems, use companion apps to give users remote control and monitoring capabilities. These apps allow users to automate routines, receive alerts, and manage their smart home ecosystem from anywhere.
• MedTech Devices, particularly those used for patient monitoring and diagnostics, benefit from companion apps that enable healthcare providers to access real-time data and insights. These apps can improve patient outcomes by facilitating timely interventions and continuous monitoring.

7 Benefits of Using Companion Apps

Now that you know what a companion app is, let’s explore the seven reasons why your connected device needs to launch with one if you want to achieve a successful product rollout in 2024 and beyond.

1. Enhanced User Experience

Companion apps provide a user-friendly interface that makes interacting with your connected device intuitive and enjoyable. By leveraging the familiar touchscreen interface of smartphones and tablets, users can easily control their devices, monitor data, and receive notifications.

• • Intuitive Control: Imagine a wearable health monitor that tracks vital signs. The companion app could allow users to view their health data in real time, set goals, and receive personalized insights, making the device far more valuable.
  • Customization: Users can tailor the settings and functionality of their devices to suit their preferences. For example, smart home devices can be programmed to respond to voice commands, adjust lighting, and control climate, all through a companion app.

2. Expanded Functionality

Companion apps extend the capabilities of connected devices by integrating with other software and services. This integration can unlock new features and provide users with a more comprehensive experience.

• • Data Analysis and Visualization: IoT app development enables the collection and analysis of vast amounts of data. A fitness tracker, for instance, can use a companion app to display detailed graphs of activity levels, heart rate, and sleep patterns, offering insights that the device alone could not provide.
  • Remote Access: Users can control and monitor their devices from anywhere in the world. For example, a smart security system can send alerts and live video feeds to the companion app, giving users peace of mind even when they are away from home.

3. Seamless Integration with IoT Ecosystems

Companion apps play a crucial role in the broader IoT ecosystem by enabling communication between devices and cloud services. This integration ensures that devices can operate in harmony and share data seamlessly.

• • Cloud Connectivity: By connecting to the cloud, companion apps enable devices to store data, receive updates, and integrate with other smart devices and services. This connectivity is essential for applications like smart cities, where data from various sources needs to be aggregated and analyzed.
  • Interoperability: The ability to work with different devices and platforms is a significant advantage of companion apps. For instance, apps for wearables can integrate with popular health platforms like Apple Health or Google Fit, providing users with a unified view of their health data.

4. Improved User Engagement and Retention

Device companion apps can significantly enhance user engagement by providing ongoing value and interaction. Features like notifications, reminders, and social sharing keep users connected to their devices and encourage regular use.

• • Notifications and Alerts: Timely notifications can inform users of important updates, maintenance needs, or security alerts. For example, a connected smoke detector can send an alert to the companion app if it detects smoke, ensuring that users are immediately aware of potential dangers.
  • Community and Social Features: Companion apps can create a sense of community by allowing users to share their experiences and achievements. Fitness apps, for example, often include features for sharing workout results and competing with friends, fostering a sense of motivation and camaraderie.

5. Facilitating Updates and Upgrades

Through companion apps, manufacturers can easily push updates and new features to connected devices, ensuring they remain up-to-date and continue to meet users’ needs, long after launch. Not only is this helpful in providing a better user experience, but it can also work to increase your product lifespan.

• • Over-the-Air Updates: Firmware and software updates can be delivered directly through the companion app, eliminating the need for manual updates. This feature is particularly important for security devices, where timely updates are crucial for maintaining protection.
  • Feature Expansion: As new functionalities are developed, they can be rolled out to users via the companion app. For instance, a smart thermostat could receive updates that introduce new energy-saving modes or improved scheduling options.

6. Enhanced Security and Privacy

Companion apps can provide an additional layer of security by managing access and permissions for connected devices. They can also offer features like two-factor authentication and data encryption to protect user information.

• • Access Control: Users can manage who has access to their devices and monitor usage through the companion app. For example, a smart lock system can allow homeowners to grant temporary access to guests or service providers, with detailed logs of entry times.
  • Data Protection: Companion apps can implement robust security measures to safeguard user data. This is particularly important for medical devices, where protecting patient information is critical.

7. Streamlined Customer Support and Feedback

Device companion apps can facilitate direct communication between users and manufacturers, making it easier than ever to gather feedback, provide timely customer support, and encourage brand loyalty.

• • Support Channels: Users can access troubleshooting guides, FAQs, and contact support directly through the companion app. This streamlined approach ensures help is always at hand.
  • Feedback Mechanisms: Companion apps can include features for users to provide feedback, report bugs, and suggest improvements. This feedback loop helps manufacturers continuously improve their products and services.

May We Have This Dance?

Just as it takes a connected device and companion app to tango, you too need an experienced partner if you wish to avoid embarrassing yourself out on the dance floor. But you’re in luck—we just so happen to specialize in product design and IoT app development.

By leveraging our expertise in embedded systems and human factors engineering, we can help you create a companion app that communicates effectively, enhances engagement, streamlines operations, and unlocks the full potential of your product. Contact us today and we’ll show you how to make a device that dazzles!