Mobile apps won't help engage users if they lack strong content and support for interaction.

According to Philippe De Passorio, head of Asia Pac, Total Immersion, technologies like augmented reality (AR) are available to help enhance user experience, but businesses need contents that will draw users to those apps in the first place. The French AR technology provider has its Asia Pacific headquarters in Hong Kong.

"People are becoming more sophisticated," said Jason Chiu, CEO of Hong Kong-based firm cherrypicks. "On top of useful information and features, mobile apps must also give users a pleasant surprise."