Core Viewpoint - The decline of mobile assistant applications, once popular tools for managing smartphones, reflects a significant shift in technology and user behavior, leading to their obsolescence in the current digital landscape [6][8][31]. Group 1: Historical Context - Mobile assistants like 91 Assistant, iTools, and others were once essential for managing iOS and Android devices, providing functionalities such as app sideloading and jailbreaking [12][15][18]. - The acquisition of 91 Wireless by Baidu for $1.9 billion in 2013 marked a peak for mobile assistants, but ultimately highlighted Baidu's misjudgment of the market's future [21][23]. - The initial appeal of mobile assistants stemmed from their ability to offer features that were not available through official app stores, catering to a user base that sought free or alternative applications [24][34]. Group 2: Market Evolution - As smartphones became more capable and independent, the need for computer-based management tools diminished, leading to the rise of cloud services and streaming [30][32]. - The increasing awareness of copyright and the convenience of app stores have shifted user preferences towards legitimate app purchases, reducing reliance on mobile assistants [34][35]. - Android's ecosystem has evolved, with manufacturers developing their own app stores, further diminishing the role of third-party mobile assistants [35]. Group 3: Current Landscape - Despite the decline, some mobile assistants like iTools and 爱思助手 (iDevice Assistant) have adapted by focusing on niche functionalities, such as device verification reports for second-hand phone transactions [39][41]. - The market for mobile assistants has contracted significantly, with many smaller players unable to pivot successfully and thus ceasing operations [46]. - The emergence of new types of "assistants," such as those for headsets, indicates a potential shift in the technology landscape, reminiscent of the early days of mobile assistants [50][53].

Core Viewpoint - The decline of mobile assistant applications, once popular in the smartphone ecosystem, is highlighted by the demise of 91 Assistant, signaling a broader trend of obsolescence in this sector [2][48]. Group 1: Historical Context - Mobile assistants like 91 Assistant, iTools, and others were once essential tools for managing smartphones, especially in the early days of iOS and Android [3][4][9]. - The acquisition of 91 Wireless by Baidu for $1.9 billion in 2013 marked a significant moment in the mobile assistant landscape, but ultimately, Baidu's strategy did not align with the future of mobile applications [15][18]. - The mobile application market was once vibrant, characterized by intense competition among various mobile assistant platforms [13]. Group 2: Evolution of User Needs - As smartphones became more capable and independent, the need for desktop-based management tools diminished, leading to a shift towards cloud services and streaming [29][30]. - Users' attitudes towards app payments have evolved, with a growing willingness to pay for quality applications, reducing reliance on cracked or pirated apps [32]. Group 3: Current Landscape - The remaining mobile assistants, such as iTools and 爱思助手 (i4), have had to pivot their business models, focusing on niche services like device verification reports [38][41]. - The market for mobile assistants has contracted significantly, with many smaller players unable to adapt and thus ceasing operations [47]. - The rise of integrated features within smartphones, such as Apple's own verification tools, poses further challenges for existing mobile assistant applications [44]. Group 4: Future Outlook - The emergence of new types of "assistants" in technology suggests a shift in how users interact with devices, potentially leading to a new era where traditional mobile assistants become obsolete [51][55].

Core Insights - The decline of mobile assistant applications, exemplified by the shutdown of 91 Assistant, highlights the obsolescence of once-popular tools in the smartphone ecosystem [1][16][27] - The mobile assistant market, once thriving, has diminished due to the evolution of smartphone technology and user behavior, leading to a shift towards integrated solutions and cloud services [18][21][23] Group 1: Historical Context - Mobile assistants like 91 Assistant, iTools, and others were once essential for managing smartphones, especially in the early days of iOS and Android [4][9][11] - The acquisition of 91 Wireless by Baidu for $1.9 billion in 2013 marked a significant moment in the mobile assistant landscape, but ultimately, the sector did not evolve as expected [11][13] Group 2: Market Dynamics - The rise of cloud services and improved smartphone capabilities reduced the need for desktop-based management tools, leading to a decline in the relevance of mobile assistants [18][21] - Users have shifted towards paying for quality applications, diminishing the appeal of mobile assistants that facilitated piracy and sideloading [20][21] Group 3: Current Landscape - While many mobile assistants have ceased operations, some have adapted, such as Aisi Assistant, which now focuses on providing verification reports for second-hand devices [24][30] - The transition of Coolapk from an app market to a digital community illustrates how some players have successfully pivoted in response to market changes [25][27]