The world of mobile apps is constantly changing and evolving, as is their development. As a result, there are increasing concerns about privacy and data security along with related regulations in many parts of the world.
New technology is being developed that changes how we think about and use mobile devices. Things that were once considered far-fetched and futuristic are being integrated into everyday use, and digital has begun to dominate people’s lives.
Notable Mobile Application Development Trends In 2022
With all these changes moving so quickly, it’s important to stay on top of trends in the mobile app development industry. App development is becoming a shorter and shorter process with every iteration. However, new apps can still become obsolete shortly after release, or even before, if they focus on old technologies or don’t have the ability to integrate new ones.
Adaptability to a changing landscape can mean the difference between great success and disastrous failure in the future.
5G
If you’ve seen any commercials from cell phone carriers recently, you’ll know that 5G is here to stay. It hasn’t been universally implemented just yet, but it will become the industry standard in 2022. It is expected that nearly half of all devices will be 5G-enabled by 2023, and that number will keep climbing. With that in mind, now is the time to ensure 5G support for your app to stay ahead of the game.
5G has over 100 times more bandwidth than 4G, allowing for faster and smoother connections. The latency will drop significantly, allowing for quicker, more responsive functionality. Data transfer will be much faster, and video streaming will be stronger with less lag and loading time.
Developers can add new features with no significant impact on app performance. Overall, 5G will allow every aspect of the app to be streamlined, and apps will be faster, smoother, and more efficient than ever before, bringing a new dimension to the user experience.
Augmented Reality (AR)
Although it’s been a few years since Pokemon Go’s release, The Pokemon Company showed us how intuitive and well-received AR can be when they allowed players to bring their Pokemon into the world around them through the use of AR technology built into the game.
While the wild fanfare of Pokemon Go has since faded, the interest in AR has remained strong. Like 5G, while it hasn’t been adopted by everyone developing apps, it has been picked up by key players like Apple, Meta, and Google.
AR offers an immersive experience to its users and is easily customized to a person’s preference since it uses their surroundings. Ikea has already capitalized on this trend by partnering with Apple to provide an app that allows customers to preview an AR image of what a piece of furniture would look like in their home prior to purchase.
Lenskart has done something similar with features to let customers virtually try on glasses to see how they look. This technology is on the rise and has been readily accepted by current users, with even more people expected to join the ranks.
According to a Gartner study (Figure 2.1) of business which utilize indoor location services (including augmented reality), AR technology is projected to become the 2nd most revenue generating advanced technology services by 2030, closely following asset tracking technologies.
Predictive Analytics
Predictive analytics have been a part of the online world for some time now. For example, Netflix uses it to recommend shows and movies based on your previous watch history. Amazon tracks the products you look at and purchase to recommend similar products and personalize what they show you.
Outside video streaming and virtual marketplaces, retail stores have integrated predictive analytics into their inventory management, learning how sales spike and fall for certain items before and after events like holidays, major sporting events, and severe weather to be able to stock more appropriately.
This technology is rapidly being integrated into app development for both the personalization and the planning purposes above. It can curate recommended content for users, learn how people use the app to personalize menus and screens, and identify potential issues with the app before they become widespread problems. Incorporating predictive analytics into your app development can improve user experience as well as reduce development time between version releases and critical updates.
Artificial Intelligence (AI) & Machine Learning (ML)
Another set of technology that’s been around for a while before being widely adopted into mobile apps, AI and ML are versatile, innovative additions to the industry. Playing a key role in things like face and speech recognition, these technologies are also responsible for chatbots and can even tell you the most fuel-efficient routes to get from one place to another.
AI and ML excel at automating simpler tasks, reducing or eliminating human error, and freeing personnel for other jobs. These technologies are often paired with predictive analytics or AR to create an even more powerful tool.
AI and ML can also help improve security. For example, they can monitor use patterns or buying habits to identify potential fraud and data breaches. Geotagging capabilities allow apps to know where you are and what’s around, suggesting nearby shops and activities related to app use and activity. Overall, these technologies can open any number of possibilities both during app development and after.
Wearable Technology
Both Apple and Google are taking steps to make their wearable technology more powerful and efficient. As a result, use of wearables is rapidly growing, and apps that feature wearable compatibility have a competitive advantage in the market.
There is a growing demand for apps and web pages to work as seamlessly on wearables as they do on mobile devices and desktop computers. The devices are quickly gaining the ability to support full-function apps as well, reducing barriers to a successful app launch.
In addition to seamless operation, users expect to be able to rapidly switch from using wearables to other devices and pick up right where they left off. This means apps need to support communication between devices through Bluetooth or shared Wi-Fi networks.
Configuring all these specifications may pose a challenge, but it can keep you a step ahead of the rest with the rise of wearable technology. Continual advances in wearable capabilities require constant adaptability and planning to stay ahead of the changes.
Mobile Commerce (E-Commerce)
Online shopping has existed almost as long as the Internet has been readily accessible. However, the advent of mobile devices and e-commerce applications has changed the face of online shopping.
More and more people are using smartphones and tablets to make purchases, and many show a preference for ordering through a retailer’s app rather than their mobile web page. This has led to more and more mobile commerce apps hitting the market as companies try to provide their customers with their preferred buying option. While the convenience and ease of mobile purchases are a great way to draw customers, it’s important to ensure that the app functions properly. Double charges, failed transactions, and long wait times can drive customers away from your app.
Figure 6.1 is an example of a properly developed check-out experience, proven to increase user conversions and repeat business. Whereas Figure 6.2 represents a poorly designed mobile commerce check-out experience, which can damage brand reputation and reduce customer checkout conversions.
Mobile commerce can also generate brand recognition for your company and create a more pleasant, memorable user experience. These apps also generate data to help businesses learn more about their customers and their purchasing habits.
App Security
With the rise of things like mobile commerce and IoT, application security is more important than ever. Increasing use of personal devices for business purposes also poses a security risk when malicious software is downloaded then given access to otherwise secure networks and information. Users want to know that their information is safe.
Cybersecurity and encryption efforts are essential for maintaining both digital security and consumer trust. Password-less sign-ins and biometric authentication are popular options that users have readily adopted.
Both B2B and consumer-focused app developers need to ensure that their user data is secure and resistant to breaches as well as staying on the cutting edge of cybersecurity. Unfortunately, as quickly as new security measures come out, viruses and malware development seem to soon follow suit.
Not only do businesses have to stay ahead of the competition to offer users the best security available, but they must be aware of hackers, scammers, and phishers looking to steal personal information. Data breaches may cost companies their reputations, but they can cost app users and other types of consumers their identity and peace of mind.
Blockchain
Blockchain technology allows for decentralized data, storing it in different secure databases with end-to-end encryption. It’s already made its way into industries like finance, insurance, and healthcare as a way to increase security for their users. It monitors the data at every step of the way and alerts all involved parties of any interference or tampering.
All changes are tracked and detailed while still keeping personal data safe, secure, and private. Timestamps also allow for close timing of the data and, along with the encryption, are currently impossible to hack.
This technology is at the leading edge of data security and encryption, but it isn’t perfect. Battery life and storage space are major limiting factors. This doesn’t mean you can’t use blockchain technology for mobile app development; it just changes how it’s integrated into the app. Rather than being an integrated part of the blockchain operation, apps act as APIs to display the information stored in the blockchain without storing any of it on the device itself.
Be Prepared for the Future, Today
If all these trends seem like too much to keep track of, Orases is here to help. Orases offers comprehensive software development services from custom software and mobile app development to UX/UI development to infrastructure management and advisory roles.
Security and compliance, as well as blockchain implementation all help add to their repertoire of expert services to offer you a complete experience.
They don’t quite do everything under the sun, but they excel in the services they offer. If you’d like to know more about how they can help your business, schedule a consultation today.
