The mobile app development industry has never seen better days. In recent years, mobile phone and tablet usage has grown exponentially as more and more people become dependent on mobile devices for work, communication, and entertainment. Statistics show that more than 5 billion people worldwide have smartphones, and the average user spends around 4 hours of their day on their phone, but many use their devices much more.
And if mobile device usage wasn’t already expanding enough before 2020, it managed to become even bigger with the Covid-19 pandemic. The global lockdowns had us seek new and improved ways to stay connected, entertained, and informed.
Additionally, the rapid shift to remote work left companies and workers in urgent need of mobile apps that could maintain productivity and efficiency, such as high-quality and feature-rich videoconferencing applications and productivity/organizational platforms that helped employers and employees manage their work from home.
Inevitably, we have reached a point in which innovation is never enough. Apps become obsolete quickly, and mobile app developers have to generate new ideas that draw user attention.
In this article, we explore how developers can maintain their apps competitive and appealing: by integrating the most promising mobile app development trends in their projects.
AI and Machine Learning in Mobile App Development
Artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) have the power to revolutionize mobile app development. They can significantly improve several processes by automating tasks, providing real-time user insights, and making predictions based on gathered data. They can also make applications safer by detecting fraudulent activity more quickly.
But perhaps the most important outcome these technologies produce is the improved user experience. AI and ML can better user interaction with the app, making it more simple and intuitive thanks to their natural language processing skills.
Another way in which Ai and ML can improve the UX is by providing personalized content and recommendations.
Augmented Reality (AR) and Virtual Reality (VR) in Mobile App Development
Like artificial intelligence and machine learning, AR and VR technologies can have a very positive impact on app development. They can engage the users through innovative elements and create a more engaging user experience, thus, increasing user retention rates.
The immersive nature of AR and VR allows developers to work on different experiences for users and increase the interaction between them and the platform. Because they are relatively unknown, VR and AR still produce an awe effect, which captivates users.
Besides significantly bettering and innovating the user experience, employing these technologies also improves brand awareness and gives the app a competitive advantage.
Internet of Things (IoT) and Wearable Technology in Mobile App Development
Another trend that promises to transform the app development industry is the Internet of Things (IoT). The interconnectivity of all physical devices, from cars to home appliances, has created a huge demand for mobile applications to control these devices.
Additionally, IoT improved data analytics processes as it enabled developers to collect data from more devices, making way for more accurate and targeted marketing campaigns as well as improved decision-making.
Speaking of interconnectivity, wearable technology has also played a significant role in the improvement of the mobile app development industry. In addition to the advantages it shares with IoT – better UX, more accurate data collection, etc. – wearable technology has contributed to a vital focus shift in design, as developers had to work on design elements that could provide a seamless user experience even in the smallest screens, such as that of a smartwatch, for example.
Blockchain Technology and Mobile App Development
Combining blockchain technology and mobile app development results in a unique type of mobile application: dApps.
dApps operate on a blockchain, a distributed ledger that lacks a central authority to control transactions. They can be of use in different industries and serve different purposes, from storing data to managing supply chains to transferring assets, etc. dApps are very different in the sense that they are always accessible to every blockchain participant and offer high resistance to fraud and tampering , providing, thus, transparency and security for the users.
Conclusion
Mobile app development keeps growing – and it does not seem like it will come to a halt soon. More and more people are becoming dependent on how mobile devices and applications facilitate their lives.
But as with everything, mobile apps need innovation to stay relevant and competitive. And the best way to achieve that is by researching and integrating the best app development trends in applications.
Some promising trends that can change how we look at apps are artificial intelligence and machine learning, augmented and virtual reality, the Internet of Things and wearable devices, and blockchain technology.
