5 Rising Trends in the Mobile App Development Industry
If there’s one thing that’s true in the mobile development industry, it’s that change is the only constant. Technology evolves at a rapid pace and it’s the job of software development companies to keep up. That’s the only way to ensure high-quality products.
There are many factors involved in the way trends are formed. New technologies and frameworks emerge, making some of the existing ones less popular or even obsolete. One thing leads to another: consumers’ habits and behaviors change, they develop new expectations and standards, and all of this shapes the way user experiences are created.
When you take a step back, you’ll see that mobile apps have gone a long way in the past fifteen years. From first mobile websites that were adjusted to smaller screens and had responsive interactive elements, all the way to hybrid apps and micro apps that are fueled by voice assistants and AI tech - truly, a lot has changed.
Today, we’ll be looking into five rising trends in mobile development that are already transforming the marketplace.
1. Foldable Devices Are Slowly Changing UI
It’s no secret that Google stays on top of things when it comes to seeing through groundbreaking changes. At the end of 2018, the company announced Android’s official support for smartphones with foldable displays. As for Apple, the company announced they also plan to jump on the foldable devices bandwagon by the end of 2020.
So, how will foldable devices change the way we approach mobile development? For starters, because of the larger screen that appears when the device is unfolded, additional elements can be included. Users have a big working surface at their disposal, meaning they can simultaneously use multiple windows and enjoy a richer, more immersive experience.
Some forecasts say that the production of foldable phones will grow over time to meet the increasing demand and it is expected to reach around 50 million units by 2022.
2. Mobile Commerce is Becoming the Norm
In the past, it was possible for ecommerce companies to get away with not having a dedicated mobile app available to their customers. Having a mobile responsive website was good enough.
However, it is estimated that by 2021, mobile ecommerce would make up to around 73% of all ecommerce sales, which is why it’s fair to say mobile apps will not ensure competitive advantage anymore; in fact, they will secure survival on the market for ecommerce brands.
Today's ecommerce mobile apps enable a much easier and pleasant buying experience. Since users have shifted to mobile almost completely, they expect extra convenience when placing their online orders; not to mention relevant personalized product suggestions.
The goal of creating any mobile app in this industry is to encourage additional purchases and gently push users further down the sales funnel. Great example of this is Amazon’s 1-Click Checkout that enables users to buy any product they like with a single click. Once they save their card number and personal information within their account, it gets a lot easier to make a purchase.
Also, customers are getting used to using their mobile wallets. When the process of making a payment is simplified, it can contribute to higher sales because consumers are triggered to buy more.
In a nutshell, mobile commerce is becoming even more relevant for app developers. High level of security, optimal speed and performance, as well as great user experience - are the top priorities when starting the project.
3. New Technologies in Focus: AI, IoT, and 5G
The truth is, artificial intelligence has been used in mobile development for years. But as time goes by, the possibilities in terms of utilizing tech are also growing. While Siri and Cortana probably pop into your mind the moment someone mentions AI, there are many additional ways how AI is changing the way mobile apps are built. From image and speech recognition to predictive analytics - AI is completely redefining what we consider great performing mobile apps.
When it comes to the Internet of Things, some estimate that the combined IoT markets will reach $520 billion by 2021 while others are more reserved about this expected high pace of adoption. Either way, the number of connected devices is exponentially growing. From smart homes and apps that enable remote controlling house appliances, to entire smart cities and apps that help people get around with ease while also collectively working towards a more energy efficient community - IoT is definitely changing the way we create mobile apps.
Last but not least, 5G technology will significantly improve existing business applications and deliver higher data capacity and lower latency. Shortly put, 5G will make developers’ jobs easier, especially in terms of testing and it will boost the speed of apps when utilized properly.
4. Chatbots That Satisfy the Need for Instant Gratification
According to Business Insider, around 80% of enterprises surveyed four years ago, said they plan on introducing chatbots by 2020. This shouldn’t come to us as a surprise.
Today’s consumers have a plethora of brands to choose from, which means they can easily turn their backs on the ones that they don’t like. All it takes is one negative experience. Believe it or not, but people expect immediate responses when they reach out to brands via live chat. That’s just how the cookie crumbles.
Efficient chatbots that function great within mobile apps are essential for businesses that want to sweep their customers off their feet. Chatbots facilitate better user experiences and they can also lead to stronger relationships, higher customer satisfaction, great brand loyalty, and more sales.
Chatbots have become an essential element of the standard modern customer service. The thing that will separate average brands from extraordinary ones is the way they will design their live chat. Bots are becoming more advanced and more human-like, which is why the AI tech that’s fueling them needs to be on point in order to meet and exceed customer expectations.
We can surely expect chatbots to take the spotlight in mobile app development in the following years.
5. The Rise of On-demand Apps
The rise of on-demand apps naturally follows the growth of the on-demand economy. We already tapped into the way consumer behavior evolved: people expect immediate responses and instant gratification, and they want to have everything they need at their fingertips, within just a few clicks.
When you look at traditional supply chains and what the business world looked like at the beginning of the century, and then compare it with current trends - you’ll see how severely things changed. From food and grocery delivery, to booking appointments, managing logistics and hiring car service - on-demand apps have become a part of our daily lives.
Developing successful on-demand apps requires an in-depth analysis of the problem you are trying to solve, as well as a list of key stakeholders that you want to target with the app. Businesses that choose to invest in on-demand app development can add advanced functionalities to make the user experience more pleasant. The idea is to create something amazing and practical that directly addresses the pain point of the defined target group.
The forecasts say on-demand apps will expand to new verticals and open up lucrative opportunities for companies. With more than 42% of US citizens who already participate in the on-demand economy, we can safely say that the number of on-demand apps will go up.
Final Thoughts
At Share IT, we’re committed to adopting new technologies and utilizing the ones we already use in the best possible way for each specific project. It’s very important to stay focused when new trends appear because following them blindly and prioritizing novelty over functionality - does not yield great results.
When we work with clients on a mobile development project, we always devote a sufficient amount of time to the initial analysis during which we form a business case, examine the objectives, and define the project scope. This is crucial for choosing the right technologies and optimally organizing all the available resources.
If you’re looking for a reliable company to help you with mobile app development, search no more: Share IT has the top talent in its ranks. Send us an email today and we’ll make sure to get back to you right away.