The Future of Mobile App Development: Trends and Innovations

Quick Summary: Have you ever noticed how mobile apps are subtly becoming a part of our daily rituals? 

Mobile and mobile applications have become a significant part of our daily routines–be it ordering groceries from Big Basket, or Skype calling to keep in touch with our friends and families worldwide. There has been a continuous series of innovations to enhance user experience and fulfill the gaps that exist within our society. With 8 million+ Android and iOS apps competing to grab our attention, developers are constantly striving to come up with a new and unique idea. Users’ rising expectations drive the latest trends and technologies like Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, Blockchain, 5G, and no-code. According to a report by Statista, “the worldwide AI market value will exceed $126 billion US dollars by 2025”, reflecting that AI is the future of mobile app development. 

Trends and innovations in mobile app development 

1. 5G

“5G can operate at 100x the speed of most existing networks”

Speed is the main benefit associated with 5G. The hype around it is real; it’s exceptionally fast. Due to such a high speed, information can be transferred in milliseconds, which improves the user experience and saves a lot of time. It allows users to connect not only with their mobile phones, but with wearables like watches, devices or machines. A recent study by PwC describes a unique but significant use of 5G–that 5G could take the telehealth services to next level by adding sensors and VR to teleconferencing, enabling doctors to remotely monitor the vital signs of a patient. 5G has the potential to transmit sizable data packages, so it can also test changes in heartbeat, blood sugar and BP of a patient n number of times in a day. 

2. AR and VR 

AR and VR are taking virtual gaming way ahead of the competition. Augmented reality (AR) imposes artificial objects or images on real-life objects. Pokemon Go is one of the examples where users can play the game walking around their neighborhood. As opposed to this, Virtual reality (VR) can create an artificial environment, like you can explore new countries through it, watch concerts, or work out in an artificial gym. The use of AR and VR is not only limited to the gaming industry, it is paving its way into retail, and real estate as well. During the pandemic when it was not possible for everyone to visit houses in person, apps integrated with VR made virtual home walk-ins possible. 

3. AI 

AI is not a new trend to talk about, but as it combines with machine learning, its capabilities become more advanced. For example, AI algorithms can learn past user behavior and predict what happens next. This is particularly beneficial for Finance and Insurance companies where they can leverage AI and machine learning to safeguard user data and help spot fraud. With AI integrated apps, identifying and preventing frauds will become easier as more and more people use mobile devices and wearables as payment devices. It is estimated that by 2025, there will be 4.8 billion active mobile wallets, giving rise to online transactions. This growth further leads to creating AI-based apps to detect frauds and minimize investigation time. 

4. No code and low code development 

For decades, there have been only two solutions for app development. Either you buy them ready made from an external vendor or get them built from scratch. But today, with the rise and growing sophistication of low code and no code app platforms, building mobile apps has gotten so much easier. Using the no-code and low-code development platforms, businesses can save money and develop apps effortlessly, without the need to hire professionals. These alternative methods use an intuitive and graphical interface to allow users build applications quickly and automate business workflows without having to write codes. 

5. Wearables 

Wearables like smart watches, earbuds, and fitness trackers can perform a range of functions–voice activation for phone calls to counting the number of steps people take each day. There are approx 1 billion wearable devices “active” worldwide, which shows the tremendous market scope for wearable technology. Moreover, the healthcare sector has also shown interest in integrating these wearables with the electro cardio technologies to track the heart irregularities of a person in daily life. Other significant features that are waiting in the line to get launched in the market include smart app capabilities linked to security. Recently, Apple partnered with lock manufacturer Schlage to make smart locks which you can open using Apple devices like iWatch or iPhone. 

Anticipating the future of mobile app development  

Technology changes rapidly, and staying ahead in the mobile software development company is crucial. Anticipating the future trends allows you to understand customer needs and industry shifts to develop apps that outperform the competition. Apps must adapt and evolve. They can no longer be static to meet high user expectations, which includes real-time updates, smart features, smooth experiences and relevance. 

To maintain a competitive edge, developers need to embrace innovation and leverage emerging technologies. Incorporating AI and machine learning, optimizing for 5G networks, and ensuring robust security measures are just a few ways to stay ahead. By focusing on user-centric design and functionality, you can create apps that not only meet but exceed user expectations, securing a strong position in the ever-evolving mobile app landscape