It is predicted that there are 7 billion mobile users around the world in 2021. Its projected that this figure will continue to rise as technology becomes more accessible each passing day. Mobile phones have integrated into our lives seamlessly over the past decade.
Regardless of your industry, the mobile application development industry has been genuinely altering and redefining business for quite a while now. Almost every company needs to amalgamate the latest mobile app development trends and extend its marketing strategy to gain traction towards optimum growth and reach its targeted market effectively.
Kodak, Compaq, Blockbuster Video what do these companies have in common? Despite being widely popular in the past, they failed to keep up with technology and, therefore, ended up closing or selling out. All this at a time when technology was not changing as fast as it is today. Technology truly is in a constant state of flux. When businesses fail to keep up, they usually tend to go the Blockbuster way.
The only way to stand out in such an environment is through constant innovation. Whether you are a developer or a business with a mobile app, you must be updated with the latest mobile app trends. Without incorporating these trends into your apps, your mobile might become obsolete.
Apps are being developed faster than ever to meet the rising demand for new content. Consumers today expect services to come with apps with friendly, clean user interfaces. The presentation of your brand through your app can go a long way with the tech-savvy customers of today. Lets look at the emerging trends in mobile application development that you must keep an eye out for.
What are the New Trends in Mobile Application Development?
1.Wearables
Wearables have taken the world by storm; whether its on the Subway or at the gym, you can see everybody decked out with the latest wearables. Then, the Apple Watch and AirPods paved the way for more development in space. Today, every manufacturer offers its version of the smartwatch and smart earbuds. These are capable of doing everything from helping you navigate to your destination, and some might even let you make a call without your phone being around! With the wearable industry being valued at over $44 billion, its safe to say wearables are one of the top mobile application trends.
Wearable Trends in 2021
- Fitness-based tech to stay at the forefront.
- Move to make wearables more independent of the smartphone.
2.On-Demand Development Apps
On-demand development apps were created to fill a void in the mobile app development industry. Building apps required technical expertise and knowledge of coding, but today, the on-demand development model has made building apps so much more accessible. Are you running a business and looking to scale using apps? Chances are, you wont have to build it yourself at all. Theres a good chance that theres an on-demand app that will do everything that you expect from it. This statistic says 42% of adults have used on-demand services. The on-demand development model is likely to grow as the demand for simplified app development increases.
On-Demand Apps in 2021
- More industries adopting the on-demand model
- B2B transactions are emphasised
3.Mobile Wallets
The pandemic changed our lifestyles and forced us to adopt a digital-first alternative. Today, everything from buying groceries to paying people for their services is done online. Mobile wallets have simplified online payments and made them accessible to everyone.
As we embrace transferring money online, service providers will push to make their products better and more secure. Security of funds and transactions is one of the primary concerns when it comes to mobile wallet development. Social distancing is the new norm post the pandemic, so contactless payment solutions like Apple Pay and Google Pay solve the problem. Going forward, security and ease of payment will drive innovation in this sector to emerge as a critical mobile application trend.
Mobile Wallet Trends in 2021
- 2 billion users worldwide and counting
- Secure and convenient wallets
4.Cloud-based Apps
Cloud technology has grown so much over the past few years. Cloud storage is growing to become inexpensive as service providers invest in more efficient cloud infrastructure. Cloud technology is the backbone of mobile app development in 2021.
Many things we do on apps today leverage cloud technology, like booking a cab or ordering food. Cloud has made web hosting inexpensive, more load efficient and accessible. This has prompted the quick adoption of the mobile technology trend.
Cloud Trends in 2021
- Efficient cloud infrastructure
- Hybrid cloud solutions
- Quantum computing
5.Smart Things / IoT
The Internet of Things is an ecosystem of intelligent devices that can communicate with other devices over the Internet. Everything from the lights in our homes to the ovens in our kitchens can be controlled through Alexa, Siri, or Google Assistant. This is the future envisioned by the IoT, and weve warmed up to it well so far. Manufacturers like Samsung, Xiaomi, Nest, and Honeywell build a solid platform at accessible price points. Some of the intelligent critical mobile application technology trends are:
IoT trends in 2021
- More affordable IoT tech
- Self-driving cars
- Smart home and appliances
6.Augmented Reality (AR) and Virtual Reality (VR)
Who isnt familiar with Pokemon Go? The game took the world by storm and brought augmented reality into the mainstream. While augmented reality superimposes artificial objects on real-world objects, virtual reality offers an entirely artificial environment.
But games arent the only area of application of AR and VR. These technologies can be used to improve the efficacy of training and educational apps. They can give the student a true sense of performing the job at hand.
Interior designing and marketing are other areas where AR and VR apps are creating game-changing experiences. The app can let the user see how the product will look in a particular space or give you a better idea about its size and shape.
AR/VR Trends in 2021
- AR/VR in marketing, healthcare, education, and other industries
- Mobile AR technology is going to be at the forefront
Future of Mobile Application Development: 2021 and Beyond
Technology is constantly evolving, with new iterations of technology hitting the shelves every year. These mobile technology trends in the market provide plenty of new opportunities for app developers.
Keeping up with trends is vital to stay on top of the mobile app development space. In 2021, technologies like wearables, the Internet of Things, and cloud computing will continue to catch steam.
This article was originally published here