Limitations of Existing Mobile Platforms

Additional problem with the mobile health sector is that the market is very segmented. Most apps focus on one specific area, while each of the providers gather only very specific information, thus lacking an overall picture. While various aggregators that allow integration exist, users are reluctant to connect their apps and wearable devices to them. Because, there is no real advantage for a user to have this data in one place: various aggregators answer the question "What's next?". Usually integration only means that a user is transferring more data to one app provider with no reward mechanism for its user. Thus, the interaction stays mostly limited occasional data sharing on social media. In addition to this, numerous research accounts show that privacy is the number one concern for Mobile health app users. Most companies offering possibilities to integrate data are big players like Apple, Google or Microsoft that regardless own a lot of users' data and do not inspire the trust that is needed to store sensitive health information in one place. The 2017 report by Human Data Commons reveals that big corporations with extensive capacities to integrate data are weakest in terms of providing direct human contact for consumers. These challenges make it difficult for a user to have all generated data in one place. While such a data set would be very valuable for getting feedback from a sports or mindfulness coach, physical therapist and even a general practitioner, it remains scattered among a variety of apps and devices. Market segmentation and lack of incentive for mobile health apps' integration prevents users from having an overall picture of all their acitivities or further reaping key benefits of the data they generate.