Time flies. Trends come, trends go. New technologies come. Then probably some of it becomes a norm, and maybe some of it finally becomes obsolete too. But mobile app development is still there. And not to mention, it is there with all its grace and power. And with time, it is becoming more and more prominent!
We are already in 2020. And as usual, like every year, this year too we are going to see some trends rising high in the mobile app development field and successfully leaving their significant footmarks in the tech industry.
So, let’s take a look at the top predictions and trends for the app development market this year and beyond. And let’s try to find out where the future of mobile app development is heading.
So, What is Taking Over the Mobile App Development Future?
- Beacon technology is emerging
- Smarter apps with Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning
- 5G wireless services are bringing changes
- APM and EMM
- The next-generation app experience with AR/VR technology
- The rise of the Bots
- Instant Mobile Apps
- AMP comes into action
- IoT taking over the apps
- Cloud-powered applications
#1 It’s “Beacon” Time
This one of the emerging technologies that leverage the power of Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) signals. And thus, it helps in connecting enterprises and businesses with their customers.
Diverse industries like healthcare, hospitality, museums, etc. are whole-heartedly embracing this futuristic technology’s true power. According to experts, Beacon technology together with another promising technology IoT can revolutionize the retail sector.
Source: Mobile App Daily
Now, how does Beacon work? If you have a beacon-powered mobile app on your device, whenever the device enters the beacon’s zone, that app catches the signal and accordingly shows the device owners fitting notifications.
You already know about iBeacon and Eddystone, respectively by tech giants Apple and Google. Now, soon you are going to see Beacon becoming a major part of mobile app development for both iOS and Android devices.
A quick sneak peek to the upcoming Beacon trends
- Travel and tourism industry utilizing Beacon
- Beacon-powered mobile payment
- Beacon treasure hunting
- Transforming physical games with Beacon’s power
#2 Smarter Apps With AI and ML
Let’s start this segment with an informative insight.
Source: Hackenoon
AI is always in the limelight. It is here to stay for the long run. Experts predicted that by the end of this year, the AI industry should rise to $47 billion. And the way the tech industry is making use of it, it seems like the figure can rise even more than the expectation!
Google has brought Duplex in the market and set an example of how AI is taking over every industry including the app development sector.
AI is already redefining eCommerce and unlocking next-generation possibilities for healthcare. Now, when businesses combine AI with ML and deep learning, a treasure of real-time analytics and valuable data will be unearthed which businesses can use in their benefits to grow.
Moreover, when combined with another futuristic technology IoT, users do not even need to lift a finger to do a task! Yes, AI is that powerful and thus, it is turning past’s sci-fi into a reality.
A glimpse of the upcoming AI trends
- AI-enabled chips
- To automate IT functions, using AIOps
- Interoperability among neural networks
- Adaptive battery to ensure increased battery lifespan
- Voice and language translations
#3 5G Wireless Technology is Bringing Changes
Hold your breath because 5G wireless technology is entering the mobile app development space. And it is bringing unthinkable speed along with it. And by unthinkable, I meant almost 100 times faster than your 4G network. Experts are already saying that 5G is the future.
Source: Mobile App Daily
Globally renowned companies like Samsung and Verizon are already working to bring 5G-capable chips in the market. LG too is not much behind to incorporate this wireless technology into their devices.
And speed is not the only mentionable factor here. 3D gaming, data security, Augmented Reality (AR)- everything is going to transform with this advanced wireless technology.
#4 APM and EMM
Application Performance Management (APM) and Enterprise Mobile Management (EMM) are not newbies in the enterprise mobile app development process. These two are inevitable parts of this space for a long time.
Usually, an app’s performance slows down due to different types of snags. To diminish these snags, APM was brought into the picture. And it resulted in boosting the app’s overall functional performance. Today, APM is a crucial part of the mobile app testing tools, precisely used for quality assurance.
The platform EMM helps in making the security structure strong of the mobile devices used by industry-specific employees. Also, it makes data and application exchange over different mobile devices a breeze. Undoubtedly, it helps in increasing the productivity and efficiency of the employees.
#5 The next-generation App Experience with AR/VR Technology
AR/VR is pretty much known in the entertainment and gaming arena. But the good fact is that this year, AR/VR will expand its reach in other sectors as well.
Globally renowned brands like IKEA and Sephora are already fusing AR technology in their apps. Thus, these brands are successfully delivering top-notch UX which is resulting in a conversion rate boost.
You know Instagram and Snapchat right? These apps are too utilizing the power of AR technology. How? Well, the funny and creative stickers or the unique animated touch – how do you think they are possible! Of course, using AR technology.
Here’s a sneak peek how AR can revolutionize the app industry
- Advanced healthcare applications
- Mobile AR disruption
- Transforming the advertising and marketing with AR
- AR in manufacturing
It is true that VR still needs a bit of time to become mainstream. But advanced apps like Tilt Brush or Google Cardboard are setting examples of how VR can deliver an amazing 360 experience.
#6 The Rise of the Bots
Industry experts think that by the end of this year, more than 80% of interactions with businesses will be done using chatbots.
When businesses can have real-time interaction with their prospective clients, the chances of converting them into potential customers becomes easier. And chatbots help businesses in doing so.
eCommerce and healthcare sectors are already witnessing how chatbots can take customer engagement to new heights ensuring refined and better customer relationships. Any query at any time of the day – chatbots are always there, all set with informative and human-like responses depending on the queries!
No wonder why Global Market Insight reported that by 2024, the global market size for implementing chatbots would reach 1.34 billion USD.
#7 Instant Mobile Apps
Do you not wish to download an app on your smartphone but still want to use it? Instant mobile apps bring you this opportunity.
Sometimes maybe you are not sure about an app whether to download it or not. So, you decide to check its fundamental functionalities first before making a decision. Instant mobile apps provide the taste of using an application’s complete version without the necessity of downloading the app.
Thus, instant applications are gaining immense popularity among its target audience. Also, such apps come with other benefits like smaller size, impressive UX, not eating up device memory, having the functionalities of a website, and more.
NYTimes mentioned that by launching an instant app, they significantly increased their conversion rate from 20% to almost 27%. You can find Google Instant Apps now in the Google Play Store.
Experts believe that these instant apps are definitely going to set a new trend in the app development space.
#8 AMP Comes Into Action
Well, together with Twitter, Google introduced AMP (Accelerated Mobile Pages).
Source: Mobile App Daily
Now, developers can easily come up with feature-rich heavy websites that load really fast, ensuring high-quality performance along with reduced bounce rates.
After Google integrated AMP listings into its mobile search results, developers can now reduce the loading time of web pages significantly. An impressive AMP score helps in user retention as well along with the perks mentioned before.
Google has stated that soon they will be introducing the mobile search box. With it, marking out the websites that are mobile-friendly will be easier.
#9 IoT Taking Over the Apps
Suppose that your alarm wakes you up and you find that your morning coffee is already brewing! Suppose that you cannot remember whether you switched off all the lights before getting out of the house or not. With just one tap on your smartphone, you can do it instantly! Interesting right? With IoT integration in mobile applications, this is possible.
The concept of a smart home is rising based on this futuristic technology only. And businesses are going gaga over investing in smart home app development.
And it is not just about smart homes or smart cities. As per the Statista report, by the end of this year, the total number of IoT connected devices is about to reach over 30.73 billion!
According to market experts, smart and self-driving automobiles are definitely going to rise with the help of IoT advancements in this year and beyond.
#10 Cloud-powered Applications
Cloud-powered apps are becoming the new favorites of industry-specific businesses. The unlimited space offered by such applications is definitely a reason behind it. Also, scalability is another major reason why cloud apps are going to trend this year and beyond.
Source: Mobile App Daily
- Lower equipment cost
- More streamlined operations
- Improved collaboration
- Enhanced productivity
- Reduction in hosting
These are some of the benefits that you can avail by integrating cloud technology in the mobile app development process.
Cloud computing trends to watch out in app development space this year
- Hybrid cloud solutions
- Quantum computing
Wrapping Up
Well, as I already mentioned the mobile app development space is advancing more and more with time. New technologies are being introduced and unlocking more opportunities for app developers to come up with brilliant applications.
Other than the things mentioned above, you should keep in mind that Blockchain, another emerging technology is on its way to becoming mainstream. Also, this year we will see app security reaching new heights along with delivering next-level UX with predictive analytics.
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