Mobile App Development Trends to Watch Out for in 2018
2017 was a phenomenal year for app development. A lot of companies now realize that mobile apps are no longer an optional investment, they are a necessity. Mobile is the very best way to meet customer demands and increase sales.
The number of free apps downloaded in 2017 rose to more than 254 billion, up from 57.33 billion in 2012, and mobile development is one of the most actively growing sectors in the industry.
The mobile application market is dominated by Google apps, social media, lifestyle and gaming apps. Large companies (retailers, banks, hospitality etc.) are using mobile applications for branding, increasing customer engagement, direct marketing etc., while small and midsize businesses are also following the mobile trend and creating their own apps.
Below are the latest mobile app development trends, which will determine the future of mobile application development.Here we have gathered an extensive list of trends you need to watch out for in 2018.
mobile app development trends in 2018
1. Internet of Things (IoT) and Wearable Apps
The idea of a smart home, smart cities, industrial IoT, automotive industry, smart health, and smart retail is growing.
From healthcare to education and smart homes to smart offices, IoT apps will gradually start becoming mainstream in 218. Though it might take some more time for IoT to fully take off, it is here to stay. Apple watch apps are already booming and will continue growing.
Google has also released Android Things to increase IoT adoption. As we see an increase in demand for connected things, apps will be required for smart devices other than smartphones, and developers will have to keep innovating to meet diverse needs.
Analysts predict that IoT will grow from $157.05 billion in 2016 to $661.74 billion by 2021, at a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 33.3%. This directly impacts the mobile app trends as IoT devices are controlled by smartphones.
2. Accelerated Mobile Pages
Another upcoming trend – Accelerated Mobile Pages (AMP). Since Google introduced the AMP project, page loading on mobile devices is accelerated. With AMP, you now see the quick loading of web pages on your mobile. Besides this awesome function, Google has declared that it will provide an isolated search index for the mobile web. From an SEO point of view, this step transforms all mobile app development approaches.
Accelerated Mobile Pages will help web apps to load more quickly on all mobile devices, reducing bounce rate. This change will also help publishers increase visibility to their ads and create a boom in the number of visitors.
3. Mobile Payments
Customers engaged in online shopping through Mobile Applications have been using Internet banking or Credit/ Debit cards to make payments. But with the introduction of Apple Pay and Google Wallet, customers are gradually shifting to m-commerce.
It will be a good way for companies to harvest data and provide in-depth analysis about clients. As well as being a more comfortable payment option for customers.
M-commerce is also going to stay strong in 2018.
4. Augmented Reality/Virtual Reality Apps
In 2018 AR and VR will start to go beyond entertainment and gaming. We saw the growth trend driven by consumer and business demand for new technologies last year. Both AR and VR possess huge potential when it comes to transforming a diverse range of industry sectors.
The market for enterprise Augmented Reality will primarily be driven by industries such as retail, healthcare, engineering and real estate. Virtual Reality technologies will be more focused on the game and events sphere.
5. On-Demand Apps
On-demand applications are now very popular. They make our lives easier and more convenient, and we can use them from anywhere.
Examples include:
• Cleaning services
• Laundry services
• Beauty services
• Food delivery
• Taxi services
Why these apps are so popular:
• Convenience
• Availability of nearby services
• Timely services
• Easy Payments
6. Enterprise Apps and BYOD
More and more organizations embrace the “Bring Your Own Device” model, we are going to see an upsurge in demand for hybrid enterprise apps. 72% of organizations have already started investing in BYOD for employees in some way or the other.
In 2018 more than half of the world’s employers will require BYOD. Hybrid apps are known to run in the app form but are essentially mobile websites.
7. Cloud-based Apps
Mobile App Developers are designing more cloud driven mobile apps. With increasing use of cloud technology, it has become much quicker and easier to get data without impacting on your internal phone memory.
With Dropbox, Google Drive and various other cloud apps, more and more mobile apps will be cloud driven.
According to the Cisco VNI Global Mobile Forecast (2015-2020), cloud apps will drive 90% of total mobile data traffic by 2019 globally. Mobile cloud traffic will increase in 11 times with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 60%.
Cloud-based mobile apps are especially attractive for enterprises as they would largely alleviate the data security issues inherent in BYOD (Bring Your Own Device). There has always been a concern for protecting sensitive corporate data with regards to employee devices that are not completely secure. And with this now protected by the cloud, companies can be assured that their data is safe.
8. Android Instant Apps
Android Instant Apps – native apps that function like websites, can attract more people with their convenience. Android Instant Apps don’t require installation, all borders are removed between app and website.
• You can have all the advantages of your app within your site, with only one click.
• Access apps from anywhere without installing on the device
• Run Android apps as seamlessly as loading a web page
• Compatible with all the Android versions from Jelly Bean to current
• Easy to share
• Save space on your smartphone, no unwanted app downloading
9. Application Security
The security of a smartphone is more crucial than ever because of the amount of personal user data it contains. Surprisingly, many people still do not take smartphone security as seriously as they should, which proves to be a concern for app developers as well.
Apps with built-in security features can make a large difference in the app space. More developers will be adopting the use of this platform, providing better UX with more security features. With this new programming language, we’ll begin to see more secure apps in the market.
Mobile App Developers will be working harder than ever to ensure that every app they design comes with a safety guarantee.
10. Machine learning, Artificial Intelligence, and chatbots
Customized, conversational commerce and chatting with online shoppers are highly lucrative for any business.
Apps are increasingly learning about their user’s preferences. Sounds intelligent, but it is way more than that. There is something about playing with their heartstrings. It is emotional quotients of applications being upgraded by sheer bot observation!
All off we know such amazing AI apps: Prisma, Siri, Google Now. We are expecting much more in 2018 keeping the AI mobile application development trend intact.
11. Lazy loading
Another great trend that we should expect in the upcoming year is related to the lazy loading technology.
The thing is that the images that load for too long prevent the user from opening the whole article. It takes time to load the page, and users leave not willing to spend too much time on the page waiting.
As a result, the bounce rate grows, and the conversion rates drop. So, to prevent this, technology gurus have decided to implement the lazy loading which basically means that images only load when their turn on the page comes. Otherwise, they do not overload the page. Quite smart, don’t you think?
12. Blockchain
Blockchain, the new kid on the block has gathered more attention than any other technology witnessed in recent times. Blockchain- a shared, unalterable ledger for recording a company’s information listed as blocks- whether that’s history of transactions or bitcoins, none of which can be altered without changing all subsequent blocks and the collusion of the network. Data tyrants are scared with the latest technology as it eliminates the scope of data tampering. Legit businesses, however, can harness stronger by offering transparent access to the blockchain.
Mobile app development is in its prime at the time being. And it is important to keep up with the latest trends in order to deliver the topical product to your end user.
