What is the future of mobile app development? Various trends to watch

With smartphones so ubiquitous today, it's easy to forget that mobile apps are relatively new. Since the early 1970s when the first cell phone was introduced, mobile app development has gone through a number of iterations and changed our lives immeasurably.

There is no sign of mobile app development slowing down. Emerging technologies like AI, VR, AR, and blockchain are continually influencing the trajectory of mobile app development, and apps that power phones and wearables are often at the center of attention. What is the future of mobile app development?

How mobile app development has evolved over time

The First portable cell phone was released in 1973 invented, but it took another 20 years before the first commercially available cell phones paved the way for today's technology. The Simon from IBM was the first phone in 1993 with a touchscreen and built-in applications, including a contact book and a calendar.

The Java-based one followed in 2002 Blackberry 5810 . This groundbreaking device included built-in applications such as: B. a wireless e-mail connection, and helped to create the conditions for rapid development of mobile applications. Even today, Java is still the most important development language for Android-based applications.

In 2008, both Apple and Google launched online app stores. Apple's App Store reached one billion downloads just nine months after its launch. In 2021, there were 230 billion first-time mobile app downloads on Apple and Android devices worldwide.

As mobile phones became more widespread and developed at an explosion, apps became more and more advanced. While the first apps primarily displayed information based on user input, many of today's apps can intuitively recognize the user's needs and provide information even before they are prompted.

Here are six trends that developer of mobile apps will be further explored in the coming years.

5G lays the foundation

Anyone who hypes fifth-generation mobile technology ( 5G ) has been going on for nearly a decade, but most carriers will only begin rolling out 5G access in 2021.

The focus of 5G is on speed. Not only is it faster than current 4G technology, it is exponentially faster, capable of operating at 100 times the speed of most existing networks. This is important because it allows users - from individuals to corporate networks - to connect to wearables, devices and machines in addition to phones. Because the speed is so much faster, information is transferred in milliseconds, reducing latency and providing a better user experience.

The use cases range from simple to complex. A simple use case could be for users to watch HD videos on their devices without buffering or loss of quality. A study from PwC describes a use case where a 5G-enabled healthcare ecosystem - including apps, Internet of Things (IoT) and wearables - could enable patients to better monitor their health and quality of life. This could help detect diseases earlier and reduce healthcare costs by about $2,000 per patient.

2. AR and VR go beyond games

Augmented Reality (AR) technology adds artificial images and objects to real-world objects, allowing users to play Pokémon Go while walking around their neighborhood. In contrast, virtual reality (VR) creates an artificial environment. With the Oculus Quest 2 With Meta, for example, users can train, explore new countries and attend concerts in an immersive world - all from their living room. However, AR and VR are no longer just for gamers; these technologies are rapidly spreading to other industries, including travel, real estate and retail.

The use of AR technology in the real estate industry is booming, accelerated by an unexpected catalyst: COVID-19. When the pandemic hit, attending viewings in person was no longer a safe option for many. The rapid development of apps made virtual house tours possible.

Matterport, a 3D virtual tour platform, developed an iOS app in late 2020 that allows home sellers to scan their homes using their phone or tablet's LiDAR sensors. Previously, this option was only possible with expensive camera equipment. According to real estate brokerage Redfin, 63 percent of buyers who viewed virtual tours at the end of 2020 made offers on homes they hadn't viewed in person. Monthly views of 3D tours via the app have increased by over 500 percent since February 2020.

3. AI is on the rise

Artificial intelligence (AI) is by no means a new technology for mobile app development, but as AI and machine learning become more complex, the functionality of the apps is also getting better. For example, algorithms can use advanced machine learning to learn from past user behavior and then pull data to predict what might happen next.

One area where AI could play an important role in future app development is facial and voice recognition - biometric characteristics that can improve security features. Companies, particularly in the insurance and financial industries, can use AI and machine learning not only to improve user and data security, but also to detect fraud. McKinsey estimates the potential annual value of AI to global banking at over $1 trillion.

Detecting and preventing fraud will undoubtedly become even more important as more users use phones and wearables as a means of payment. It is estimated that there will be 2.8 billion mobile wallets in use worldwide in 2020, and this number could rise to 4.8 billion by 2025. As people use these wallets to conduct more sophisticated online transactions, fraud detection companies are developing AI-based technologies for banks and retailers to reduce false positives, improve fraud detection and minimize investigation time.

4. Blockchain goes beyond cryptocurrencies

While the term “blockchain” is most often associated with digital currency, the underlying technology is being used in a number of new applications. Simply put, a blockchain is a digital ledger that securely records transactions. Once a transaction is stored on the blockchain, it is virtually impossible to change or delete it. Therefore, blockchain technology is suitable for tracking digital assets and securing identities.

Mobile wallets and person-to-person (P2P) payment applications are increasingly using blockchain technology to improve the speed and security of transactions. It is estimated that 68 million people currently own blockchain wallets. In January 2021 5.6 million blockchain wallet apps downloaded.

Due to the additional security features, blockchain technology will be combined with IoT and smart contracts in various industries in the coming years. For example, when working with shipping and logistics companies, IBM has found that the use of blockchain technology helps them reduce costs, improve supply chain inefficiencies, and resolve disputes.

5. Wearables can do more

Wearables include watches, earbuds and other smart devices - even certain items of clothing. Wearables can perform a range of functions, from voice activation for phone calls to monitoring the number of steps taken per day. Worldwide there are approximately one billion connected wearables in use. In 2021, the wearables market is valued at approximately $116 billion, with significant growth expected. It is estimated to rise to $265 billion by 2026.

Consumer electronics make up the largest share of wearables. Still, there is growing interest in their use for purposes beyond simply counting steps, particularly in healthcare. Some wearables, including Fitbit and the Apple Watch, have received approval from the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for an electrocardiogram app to monitor heart irregularities.

Other features you can expect from wearables in the near future include smart app features related to security. Recently, Apple teamed up with lock maker Schlage to develop smart locks that can be opened with an Apple Watch or iPhone. Users can also add a virtual house key to their mobile smart wallet.

Security is becoming an increasingly important issue

As more and more personal data goes online, fears about consumer security and privacy are increasing. Consumer data is routinely collected to provide better services, particularly in use cases that leverage AI and machine learning, but consumer concerns about personal information leaks are not unfounded.

A recent review of popular Android apps by Synopsis found that 63 percent Contains open source components with known security vulnerabilities. This puts many consumers at risk of their data being hacked or leaked, which could impact customer experience or trust in an app.

Two innovations are emerging to solve security problems like these. One is biometric authentication, which uses eye, facial, fingerprint or voice recognition to verify a user. This helps provide the first line of defense against fraud or stolen information and is easy for consumers to use. Another option is to use distributed ledger technology (DLT), which also includes blockchain. This technology can help increase IoT security on mobile and other smart devices through additional layers of encryption.

What is the future of mobile application development?

The application of existing technologies and the development of new technologies will continue to drive the growth of the mobile app industry. The motivation for developers to get involved in this development is clear: it is estimated that mobile app development will generate over $600 billion in revenue by 2025. And that, it seems, is just a down payment on the rewards of mobile app development.