At this weeks Apple’s Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) a whole slew of  exciting new mobile features were announced and set to be released in the autumn as part of iOS6 the latest iteration of the iPhone and iPads operating system.

With more than 80% of the user base running (and upgrading to) the last version of the iOS Apple mobile devices Apple’s world is a fast moving one where legacy is abandoned and agility is king.

In amongst the big feature like the all new (non-Google) mapping system was the gem that is “Smart App Banners”.

If you’ve wandered around many popular websites lately on an iPad or iPhone you’ll have seen some of the dialog boxes trying to encourage you to download the site’s app. These boxes are generally big, ugly and often have you running for the back button or scrambling to find the “No Thanks” option!

Apple realised it didn’t have to be this way and did something about it!

The new “Smart app banners” provide web site owners with an elegant and less intrusive way to promote their  (or other peoples) app within their website easily and in a consistent way that the site visitors will recognise and hopefully respond positively too.

Users that download the usually free apps for a website often gain a better more curated experience, along with fast access to the site’s latest information.

For the site owner an app improves engagement, loyalty and also gets to claim some valuable real estate on the users app pages on their phone or tablet.

Win, Win.

Photo credit: The Verge