It wasn’t that long ago that using a PC was the main driver of online activity. However, that has changed. More online activity now comes from mobile devices, and its lead over desktop continues to grow with each passing year.
Given this new reality, there is an increased focus on Android and iOS mobile app development and the evolving technologies that expand the capabilities of mobile apps. The following are a few of the trends that are having the biggest impact on the current mobile app marketplace.
IoT and Wearables
Mobile apps are now expanding beyond the borders of the mobile device to interact with a wide range of objects. Some of these are wearables like smartwatches and fitness trackers, and others exist in the broader realm of IoT (Internet of Things) technology.
Beyond the wearables, we now have a wide range of devices that can connect and interact with mobile devices. These include things like smart appliances that can be paired with mobile apps. You can even install smart home security devices that can be monitored and managed from an app on your phone.
On-Demand Apps
Almost as quickly as smartphones changed the way people access the internet, on-demand mobile apps have transformed the way people shop for various products and services. The on-demand economy has grown far beyond transportation apps like Uber, and there is now an expanded array of apps that offer quick and convenient access to a wider range of services. We can expect to see more of these apps reaching the marketplace in the coming years as well as significant developments in the way on-demand apps operate.
Mobile Payment
One of the reasons the above-mentioned on-demand apps were able to come to prominence is because it is getting easier to make financial transactions with ease while using a smartphone. It began with having to key in a credit card number, then it moved to mobile wallets, and now we even have digital currencies that can facilitate payments. The success of mobile apps that engage in online commerce will heavily depend on their ability to integrate convenient, secure payment options.
Augmented Reality
Augmented reality (AR) might have made its name as a novelty feature to entertain and amuse smartphone users, but it is growing into so much more. You not only have a better range of AR games that are now available, but you also have AR apps that are designed to be a useful tool on your smartphone. Additionally, we also see businesses utilising AR to attract new customers and provide them with a better, more immersive shopping experience.
Better AI Chatbots
The clunky chatbots that solely specialised in automated FAQs are a thing of the past. Thanks to advances in machine learning, modern chatbots are much more capable than they used to be. Now, with the addition of voice recognition technology, they are well on their way to providing an experience that closely replicates an interaction with a real person.
As chatbots improve, we can expect to see more developers adding them as a feature to provide a better experience for consumers. Rather than apps serving as tools that you have to tap and swipe to navigate, the chatbot will act as a digital assistant to make mobile app services more accessible and convenient.
These are the trends that are playing a big part in shaping the current state of mobile app development. While we can expect these trends to hold strong for the foreseeable future, it is an industry that is known for its rapid change.
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