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With nearly 5 billion smartphone users globally, today, mobile devices reign supreme. So, it wouldn’t be an overstatement to say that we live in a mobile world. With that, it’s mobile apps that convert our gadgets into digital Swiss army knives we always have within arm’s reach. Shopping, playing games, surfing the web, managing daily routines, and even working on the go are made possible thanks to sophisticated and functional applications specifically created for mobile devices.
A growing demand for product and service accessibility via mobile drives continuous evolution in the mobile app development sector. Mobile app development has become a trend per se in recent years. With that, devs need to catch up with the upcoming trends in the industry to craft applications that will hold them at the forefront of innovation and resonate with modern uses.
Let’s look into the 9 top trends that will shape the development of mobile applications in 2024.
1. AI and ML
Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) maintain a new generation of intelligent mobile apps that can understand, adapt, and respond to users’ needs and preferences. Both virtual assistants like Siri and Google Assistant and recommendation engines in e-commerce apps rely on smart tech. AI-enabled features bring the overall user experience to a new quality level and open avenues for further advancements.
Smart algorithms analyze huge blocks of user data to personalize recommendations, predict user behavior, and anticipate user needs. Whether it’s suggesting relevant content ideas or optimizing user interfaces, AI and ML enable mobile apps to deliver custom-tailored experiences that deliver to user expectations, driving satisfaction, retention, and loyalty.
Widely employed in social media and e-commerce apps, these technologies confidently permeate other sectors expanding and enhancing mobile app functionality.
2. AR and VR
The big thing about augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) is the level of immersion they offer by blurring the line between digital and real worlds. They captivate users with realistic simulations and virtual scenarios, thus, achieving the interaction and involvement that traditional mobile apps are unable to deliver. This advanced tech will add to the developer’s arsenal, enabling them to hone mobile experiences that perfectly match increasing user expectations. Smart tech use will help increase user retention and brand loyalty.
Modern mobile devices come equipped with top-notch sensors, high-resolution displays, and robust GPUs to further elevate AR and VR experiences on mobile platforms and make them even more engaging to users. On top of that, advanced ARKit (for iOS) and ARCore (for Android) bring forward the tools and frameworks that make it easier for devs to build sophisticated AR apps. Likewise, progressive VR platforms like Oculus Quest have made virtual reality more accessible to consumers to introduce VR innovation in the mobile space.
The adoption of AR and VR in mobile applications is definitely on the rise. It will keep gaining pace and become mainstream in the coming years.
3. Progressive Web Apps (PWAs)
Accessible via web browsers, PWAs eliminate the need for installation and updates. Hitting the best of both desktop and mobile software, these apps ensure smooth offline functionality, push notifications, and seamless device integration. They provide a native-like experience across all devices and platforms. Mobile app developers and businesses strive to embrace PWAs as a cost-effective alternative to native app development. This way, they can reach a wider audience without sacrificing user experience or performance.
The adoption of PWAs kicks into gear, driven by the increasing demand for cross-platform solutions. The global PWAs market is predicted to cross the $10 billion line in 2027 showing an impressive growth as compared to $1.13 billion in 2019. With global giants like Pinterest and Starbucks embracing PWAs, the trend shows no signs of slowing down. Its fast expansion signals a bright future for this innovative approach to mobile development.
4. On-Demand Mobile Apps
Modern digital markets abound with offers of all types. To stand out from the crowd, manufacturers, merchants, and service providers strive to come up with unique solutions to satisfy the demand for instant service accessibility, convenience, and personalized experiences. This is where on-demand mobile apps come into play. They are intended to connect service providers with users in real time by ensuring immediate access to the desired goods and services.
As consumers prioritize out-of-the-box functionality, the interest in on-demand apps will continue to grow among businesses seeking to make their services available to a wider audience and longing to thrive in a digital marketplace.
5. Internet of Things (IoT)
Smart thermostats, wearable fitness trackers, connected cars, and industrial sensors are common things that make our lives more comfortable and safer. These are IoT devices connected to a huge ecosystem that generates a wealth of data. It’s something that is going to stay with us. And this interconnected system will expand and become more and more complex.
Mobile developers can capitalize on this trend by integrating IoT devices with mobile apps to give users an opportunity to monitor and control them from anywhere, anytime. By enhancing convenience, efficiency, and automation, such integration will lend multiple opportunities for innovation and differentiation.
However, managing and making sense of this enormous amount of data is a significant challenge. This is where a cheaper alternative to New Relic can come into play. Tools and platforms that offer robust analytics, performance monitoring, and management capabilities specifically tailored for IoT applications are invaluable. They not only help in optimizing device performance but also in securing data and ensuring privacy. Adopting such solutions can enable developers to create more reliable, efficient, and user-centric mobile applications, further driving the growth of IoT innovations.
According to Statista, the IoT market is expected to hit $1.387 billion in 2024, and it will keep growing at a staggering pace. So, mobile app devs should stay focused on this trend to be ahead of the curve.
6. 5G Integration
The advent of 5G technology not only marks a new era of connectivity but also brings new opportunities for mobile app development. With only 10% of global connections hinging on 5G in 2022, this figure will linger at 50% in 2030.
5G is up to 100 times faster than 4G. As such, it enables lightning-fast downloads, flawless streaming, and lag-free gaming. Enhanced network capabilities boost user experiences and open doors for innovative applications that require high bandwidth and low latency.
Low-latency 5G systems enable real-time applications that were previously impractical or impossible. Such data-intensive tasks as remote medical diagnostics, simulated reality gaming, autonomous vehicle operation, and industrial automation become a common thing thanks to 5G. As such, it redefines the boundaries of possible in the mobile development landscape.
7. Voice User Interface (VUI)
The advent of smart speakers, virtual assistants, and voice-activated devices, bumps up the popularity of voice-controlled apps among users. VUI enables users to interact with mobile apps using natural language. It enhances accessibility, convenience, and usability. Hands-free navigation, voice-activated commands, voice search, and dictation are a few functionalities to name in this realm.
At the core of voice features are natural language processing (NLP) algorithms. Capable of analyzing and discerning human language, they enable mobile apps to interpret user queries with precision, extract relevant information, and generate contextually relevant responses. Recent NLP advances will further refine the accuracy of voice technology in mobile apps.
8. Wearable Mobile Apps
Wearable mobile apps are created to integrate with devices like smartwatches, fitness trackers, and augmented reality glasses. They have gained significant traction in recent years to catch up with the increasing demand for wearable gadgets that offer connectivity capabilities.
Wearable technology continues to evolve and permeate various aspects of daily life, with its market growth projections set for $265 billion by 2026. Hence, developers should embrace this trend and utilize its potential to create immersive experiences that resonate with changing user needs and expectations.
9. Blockchain
Blockchain technology offers unparalleled security and transparency. As such, it’s ideal for secure transactions and data management in mobile apps. Developers explore innovative use cases such as decentralized finance (DeFi) platforms, non-fungible tokens (NFTs), decentralized autonomous organizations (DAOs), and more. They strive to leverage blockchain’s decentralized architecture to create trustless, tamper-proof, and censorship-resistant mobile apps.
10. Mobile CRM
In 2024, Mobile Customer Relationship Management (CRM) stands out as a pivotal trend in mobile app development. As businesses increasingly recognize the significance of fostering strong customer relationships, mobile CRM applications become indispensable tools.
These apps empower businesses to seamlessly manage and analyze customer interactions on mobile devices, enhancing real-time communication and responsiveness. The integration of Mobile CRM not only ensures efficient customer engagement but also facilitates personalized experiences, contributing to improved customer satisfaction and loyalty.
With the continuous evolution of technology, the adoption of Mobile CRM is poised to play a crucial role in shaping the landscape of mobile app development in 2024.
To Conclude
The modern mobile development landscape is a fertile ground for innovation and limitless potential. The trends and skills that will prevail in 2024 tend to intersect creating a tapestry that shapes the future of mobile app development. Developers should embrace their transformative power to churn out progressive mobile apps that cater to user needs and market demands in a mobile-centric world.
