Here’s a list of the top MOBILE APP DEVELOPMENT TRENDS that will dominate the mobile app industry in 2022 and for the foreseeable future.
1. Internet of Things (IoT) App Integration
The IoT app integration is far from a new concept. But the rise in mobile penetration across a broad range of sectors and categories has created seemingly endless opportunities for the Internet of Things.
People have grown accustomed to using technology to improve their everyday life.
The IoT describes the growing network of devices connected to the Internet, providing convenience and automated control to consumers. Smart home technology is a perfect example of the rise in IoT and the best mobile app development.
Mobile apps can be used to adjust the thermostat in a house from a remote location, lock or unlock a front door, and connect to home security systems. Refrigerators and other household appliances can also be connected to mobile apps.
The global Internet of Things market is expected to reach $222 billion in 2021. $161 billion of that estimate will come from software, like mobile apps.
That’s a 14% increase from 2019. As you can see from the graph, the IoT is poised for steady growth in the coming years with software leading the way. The number of IoT solutions out there is growing,
According to Statista, the revenue from technology associated with the Internet of Things Solutions will eclipse 1.6 trillion by 2025.
In 2021, I expect to see more mobile app development with the IoT in mind. Household devices, automobiles, display devices, smart devices, and healthcare are all markets to keep an eye on.
2. Apps For Foldable Devices
It feels like a lifetime ago, but one of my first mobile phones was a flip phone. Mobile phones have clearly changed over the last decade. Touch screens with one or no buttons have taken over the market.
But over the last couple of years, foldable devices have begun making a comeback. 2019 saw the release of foldable devices like the Samsung Galaxy Fold, the Huawei Mate X, and the new Motorola Razr.
These smartphones fold to compress or expand the screen size based on user preferences. For example, a user might make a call with the device closed, but watch a video on a larger screen by unfolding the device.
From an app development perspective, resellers and content creators need to account for these devices when building or updating an app.
The idea is that an app should seamlessly adjust its display as the screen folds or unfolds.
Right now, foldable devices are just a sliver of the overall smartphone market share. But this will change in the coming years. According to a 2019 study by USA Today, 17% of iPhone users and 19% of Android users are excited about buying a phone with a foldable design.
According to Statista, roughly 3.2 million foldable phones were shipped in 2019. This forecast is expected to reach 50 million units by 2022. For that growth to happen, 2021 will be a big year for foldables, which means mobile app developers must plan accordingly.
3. 5G Technology
The rollout of 5G will have a major impact on 2021 app trends. For developers, resellers, and creators, this technology is poised to change the way mobile applications are used and created.
Take a look at the expected growth of 5G smartphone connections over the next four years.
2021 will have roughly 3.5 times more 5G connections than in 2020. These connections will nearly triple by 2022.
What does this mean for mobile app development?
Speed and efficiency will drastically improve. In fact, 5G is expected to deliver a 10x decrease in latency, while boosting network efficiency and traffic capacity. Compared to 4G, 5G will be up to 100 times faster, depending on the mobile network operator.
The penetration of 5G will ultimately boost the functionality of mobile apps. This will allow developers to add new features to apps without negatively affecting the app’s performance.
Developers and mobile app resellers should also use 5G network speed during the testing and development stages of building an app.
4. Development For Wearable Devices
Wearable technology has been trending upward for years now as well. This isn’t necessarily a breakthrough in the market. We’ve seen smartwatches, trackers, and fitness bands for a while now.
But wearable devices have yet to reach their full potential.
Take a look at this graph from eMarketer about the penetration of wearables in the United States.
While we’re not seeing a staggering jump year-year-over year, the growth is still steady. The wearables trend has changed and will continue to change the way that mobile apps get developed.
For instance, Apple made a big announcement about wearables and app integration at WWDC 2019. The new watchOS 6 has brought the Apple App Store to Apple Watch. Independent apps are being built specifically for these devices. This has created an enormous opportunity for app resellers and content creators.
In 2021, more mobile apps will be made with wearables in mind. Users will be able to download tens of thousands of apps directly from their wrist.
We’re just beginning to scratch the surface with wearables and mobile app integration. The coming years will be exceptionally progressive in this category.
5. Beacon Technology
Beacon technology has been embraced by a wide range of industries. From retail to healthcare and hospitality, beacons can add advanced functionality to nearly any mobile app.
The first mobile app beacons were developed back in 2013. But over the last few years, significant advancements have been made to this technology.
Here’s an example of how beacons work with mobile apps. Let’s say you’re a mobile app reseller that builds apps for retailers. Your clients can install beacons in their stores that connect with a user’s smartphone via Bluetooth if the app is on their device. When a user passes by a beacon, they can be instantly notified about a sale or special on products in that store.
Beacons can also help track buyer behavior in stores. They can detect if a user is spending a significant amount of time in a particular aisle. The app can automatically trigger a push notification to entice a sale at a later date related to those products.
The main benefit of beacon technology is proximity marketing. It ultimately improves the customer experience within a mobile app.
According to Statista, the beacon technology market is increasing at a compound annual growth rate of 59.8%. The estimated market value will reach $56.6 billion by 2026. That’s more than ten times higher than the $519.6 million worth from 2016.
6. Biometric authentication
Biometric authentication in mobile development normally refers to identifying users by their fingerprints or through facial recognition. As the latest mobile technology, biometrics redefines users’ expectations of how security should function for mobile applications.
For instance, apps like Apple Pay and PayPal use facial recognition to identify users and provide an additional level of protection to their funds and data.
Whether you’re in fintech, retail, or healthcare, employing computer vision and other biometrics-processing technologies will allow your customers to appreciate an additional level of protection to their data and money.
7. Mobile-first leisure
Before the pandemic, people used to spend around 3 hours on their phones daily. In 2021, this number has already reached 4 hours 6 minutes, and 3 hours 41 minutes of this time are dedicated to mobile apps rather than browser usage. Leisure was the first area to go fully digital due to the COVID-19 restrictions, and users are not willing to give it up any time soon.
Essentially, mobile-first leisure is the most intuitive of the recent app development trends: since users favor mobile platforms, your business should leverage them.
8. Geolocation-based apps
Using GPS in your software is one of the multi-purposeful mobile technology trends that suit any industry. Retailers, for instance, can use the concept of geolocation-based apps to help users quickly find their stores. You don’t need to look up the nearest Walmart or IKEA at every new place anymore—simply install their apps once, and they will automatically scan your location and lead the way.
Likewise, apps like Grubhub use GPS to improve customer experience by showing clients where their delivery person is at the moment and how soon they will arrive. Besides goods delivery, geolocation-based apps are also useful in the automotive industry (Google Maps, Onfleet, Geotab), travel and hospitality (Airbnb, Booking), sports (Nike+, Runtastic), and dating apps (Tinder, eHarmony).
