Mobile app development is constantly evolving at a dramatic rate, and the trends involved are changing at the same breakneck speed.
What’s more, mobile application development services are in high demand now. As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, 2020 saw a huge spike of interest for certain mobile app development categories. That is especially true of the mobile apps that are used to help us adapt to the new reality and enable education, work, and social life in the time of remote. To meet the rapidly rising demand and users’ needs, companies are investing heavily into the advancement of their mobile applications and bringing new features to the market.
So what are the nine most important trends of mobile app development? And how you can benefit from them? Let’s find out.
1. Integration of ML and AI
Machine learning and artificial intelligence are up-and-coming concepts in the tech world and are used in mobile app development. Many modern mobile devices, applications, and services have already incorporated AI and ML into their products, but this level of integration is only going to continue.
Notable examples of using ML/ AI in mobile apps are “FaceApp” and “Snapchat”. The opportunities of using machine learning models in mobile software development are ever-expanding, from money-saving solutions to computer vision applications.
2. Mobile app development for foldable devices
Foldable devices are going to be the next big thing in mobile application development, and you need to have these products in mind when building new solutions.
As reported by Samsung, a ton of well-known Androids applications have been advanced for the Galaxy Fold. Foldable devices are going to become more and more popular as a bigger screen means more space, better user experience, and multitasking (with Multi-windows).
3. IoT Integration
Google and Amazon have already stormed the market with their devices, such as the Google Dot, Home range, and Amazon Alexa. Like Apple’s iOS and Philips Home, there are plenty of other devices that offer their own IoT connections, and we will need more apps that allow mobile devices to connect with different devices and appliances, monitor and control them.
More and more mobile apps are heading in this direction as IoT is a very hot trend in the time of remote, and we can see the rapid development of smart homes and the industrial Internet of Things.
4. Mobile Banking
For many people, mobile banking has become an essential part of their everyday lives. There is no need to go to a physical bank anymore. What’s more, mobile wallets are everywhere.
All major tech companies have their own mobile wallet variant, and it’s a growing trend. In fact, estimates show that the industry is set to be worth at least $13,979 billion by 2022.
5. Chatbot integration and mobile app development
Chatbots go a long way toward cultivating customer relationships. As of now, there are approximately 2.5 million apps in the Google Play Store and about 1.8 million in the Apple App Store. However, not so many of them have chatbots to enable a better user experience.
One of the apps that have a chatbot integrated is an app called ‘My Starbucks Barista’, where you need to tell the application the sort of espresso you need, and it submits a request for you.
6. On-demand services and mobile app development
On-demand services are everywhere. From ordering a ride-sharing car to ordering food that can be delivered to your door within an hour, all industries are experiencing a surge in on-demand services. From streaming devices to healthcare and travel, it’s estimated that around 42% of the population are using at least one on-demand service, and this figure is projected to rise.
When designing your apps, it may be worth thinking about how you can integrate these services into your own products.
7. AR and VR Technology
The technology is there and has been around for several years. As indicated by Statista, the overall market of AR and VR innovation will go up from $27 billion dollars in 2018 to about $209 billion out by 2022.
Google has released a whole range of AR products and apps. Pokémon Go was a massive yet admittedly temporary hit in most countries around the world. Facebook has purchased the Oculus brand.
Apple and Google are now developing a wide range of new use cases utilizing AR. For instance, Google is going to present another AR solution for Google Maps.
8. Wearable App Technology
Wearable innovation is dynamically developing all around the world. As indicated by Statista, the number of associated wearable gadgets reached 453 million as of 2017 and is estimated to amount to 929 million by 2021.
Wearable applications are turning into a significant part of our regular daily lives.
9. Mobile App Security
One of the most critical aspects of mobile app development is the application and data security. From mobile banking, location tracking services, and social media data, the security of your user’s data is paramount.
What’s more, data privacy is of prime importance too. Many put this down to the Cambridge Analytica scandal that broke headlines back in 2018 and has spawned a huge movement for user data protection and privacy legislation. People are also far more careful with where their data goes and what information they put across for free.
Read more on the topic: 25 best custom application development companies: Europe vs USA vs Asia
Wrap-up
Mobile application development trends are on the rise. To meet the growing users’ needs, and withstand the competition, it is critical to keep up to date with the latest trends and emerging technologies.
About the author:
Regina Wheeler is a lifestyle and tech-consultant and blogger at Academic Brits and PhD Kingdom. She has been involved in many projects but loves nothing more than venturing into new tech ideas and concepts and seeing the impact they’re going to have on the modern world and consumers.
