More and more every year, mobile apps are becoming an integral part of how we interact with the world. In 2017, according to Statista, there were over 178 billion mobile app downloads, and by 2022, they project that the number of downloads will soar all the way past 258 billion. Hardly any part of our daily lives remains untouched by apps—from shopping to eating to navigating our way through the spaces we live in, apps are the new normal. In order to remain relevant in such a competitive market when developing your own app, though, it’s more important than ever to stay up to date on technological trends. Here are a couple of the latest, greatest trends in the world of mobile apps.
Mobile IoT Application Integrations
The Internet of Things (IoT) refers to internet connectivity being integrated into traditionally “dumb” physical devices and objects. Once things like thermostats, cars, or refrigerators are connected to the IoT, they can both send and receive data, allowing for greater efficiency, a higher degree of convenience, and remote monitoring. Imagine being able to adjust the temperature of your house on your way home from work, or standing in the grocery store and using your smartphone to double-check what you have in your fridge—while IoT connectivity may sound more like science fiction than reality, app developers will ignore it at their own peril. When you start the process of app development, considering your app’s relationship to the IoT will be vital—otherwise, you may find your app rendered irrelevant in a world that increasingly values connectivity.
Working with an experienced mobile app development company is a good way to be certain that you’re making your app as relevant as possible, but when selecting your developer, make sure that they’re invested in learning and employing new technologies. With the speed that technology changes these days, it’s easy to fall behind the market. Leaner mobile app developers like Toronto’s Guaraná Technologies have made their name staying ahead of trends, and their work continues to be recognized as some of the best in its field—in no small part because of their dedication to new technologies. Be sure to explore their blog for the latest app development news and insights to help you make the right choice.
Location-Based Services
While Location-Based Services (LBS) are typically not the flashiest of applications, often being used for basic things like local information (the best sushi in the area, for example) or navigation, it is worth remembering that finding location-based information is the one of the most popular types of smartphone usage, and that’s consistent across all different age groups.
Location-Based Services are about to receive a major upgrade, too: there is increasing demand for indoor LBS and ever-greater accuracy through the integration of beacons and wireless sensors. Precise location data will allow apps to deliver hyper-relevant content to their users based on where they are. Suddenly, your app will be able to offer its users coupons or special offers for nearby products or businesses, and use augmented reality to encourage user interaction with their surroundings. Taking advantage of LBS, if done properly, will keep your app relevant and engaging.
Instant Apps through Google Play Instant
Google Play Instant represents a big step up for apps and their users. Instead of forcing users to download an app or a game before they play it, Google Play Instant lives up to its name by letting you tap to try: one tap is all it takes for a user to take a game for a spin, and if they like the experience, an in-app “Install Now!” button will allow them to download it. Google Play Instant represents a fundamental shift in users’ initial interactions with apps. By removing barriers to testing an app, it becomes easier to showcase your app’s best features right out of the gate without relying on only a written description and screenshots. Developing an app that is Instant-compatible will help immediately connect your app with potential users, and that can be a huge boon to helping your app gain momentum.
When it comes to developing apps, an awareness of digital trends is paramount. Mobile apps are already a market force to be reckoned with, and that’s a pattern that will only get more prevalent as time goes on. Apps offer an opportunity to connect with consumers in plenty of unprecedented ways, and it should go without saying that taking advantage of new technologies will only enhance that opportunity—all to the benefit of your bottom line.
