On average, the modern consumer spends about 5 hours a day on their smartphone. Over 90 percent of this screen time is spent interacting with mobile applications. The widespread popularity of apps has motivated many business owners and tech entrepreneurs to develop a series of new apps.
If you are an app developer, finding a way to connect with consumers should be one of your main concerns. Considering things like user experience and functionality during the app design process is essential.
Being successful in this industry will also require you to stay “in the know” regarding the future of mobile apps. Failing to keep up with the trends in the app development world can lead to you losing your competitive edge. The last thing you want is for your apps to be viewed as outdated and unappealing.
Are you interested in the app development trends coming in 2019? The following are a list of app development trends you need to embrace this year.
1. The Internet of Things Is the Future of Mobile Apps
One of the biggest concerns most app developers have is connecting their apps to new pieces of technology. In recent years, wearable technology has become extremely popular. Most people own a piece of wearable technology, usually in the form of a smartwatch.
With the convenience and power of the Internet of Things (IoT), developers are able to link various pieces of mobile technology together. In most cases, the technology used on the IoT will feature specialized software, sensors, and even circuits.
As this technology improves, you will undoubtedly see more apps that are designed to work with smart home components. This technology is also being used in the healthcare sector. Many clinics are using wearable devices coupled with IoT systems to monitor their patients from afar.
2. Security Is Still a Top Priority in the App Development World
As most app developers know, consumers are getting smarter and more tech-savvy with each passing year. Modern consumers consider a number of factors before downloading and using a particular app. One of the main concerns these consumers have is whether or not a particular app is secure.
Most apps collect information about their users. In some instances, this information is extremely sensitive in nature. For the majority of app developers, properly securing the programs they build is a top priority.
Before releasing an app, you need to run a series of penetration tests on it. By doing this, you can pinpoint security issues and fix them. Addressing these problems before an app is released to the general public can help you avoid disasters in the future.
3. Cloud Integration Is Becoming Common
Programs like Evernote and Dropbox are used by both business professionals and consumers on a daily basis. The key to the success these types of programs have enjoyed is seamless cloud integration. By utilizing the power of the cloud, app developers are able to reduce the amount of storage their app servers need.
If you specialize in developing apps for business owners and entrepreneurs, cloud integration is something you should pay attention to. With this technology, you can offer users a seamless and fast experience on a consistent basis.
Before choosing a cloud-based system to use, be sure to check out the security measures in place. Failing to consider cloud security will put your app and the information it collects at risk. Experienced app developers realize the benefits of cloud-based computing, which is why it has become so popular.
4. App Developers Are Investing More Money in Artificial Intelligence
With the rise of devices like the Amazon Echo and Google Home, more and more consumers are being exposed to artificial intelligence. For years, television shows and movies have portrayed artificial intelligence as evil and menacing. The reality is that this technology can be used to improve the human experience.
As the popularity of voice search rises, app developers are starting to take notice of artificial intelligence. Many businesses are putting out apps that feature virtual assistants patterned after Apple’s Siri and Microsoft’s Cortana.
These same businesses are using artificial intelligence to populate their mobile websites with helpful chatbots. These programs allow a business owner to answers frequently asked questions 24 hours a day.
5. Transport Users to Another World with Virtual Reality
Are you trying to make innovative and immersive apps for the general public? If you answered yes, then using virtual reality technology is essential. With this technology, you can transport your users to a different world and keep them entertained.
Augmented reality technology has also been used successfully in apps like Pokemon Go. This technology uses the elemental landscape around a person to imprint new images or experiences.
The key to having success with this technology is working with developers who have previous experience with AR and VR. With their assistance, you can create a seamless and engaging app with ease.
6. Making Mobile Transactions Easy for Consumers
Shopping online is something most consumers are extremely familiar with. As more people use their mobile devices to look for and buying items online, developers will need to offer easy to use payment systems.
If the payment system you have incorporated into an app is hard to use or unreliable, it can create lots of problems. This is why you need to test out a payment system before releasing it for use by the masses. You need to also focus on offering a variety of payment options for consumers.
Creating a Great App Takes Time
The future of mobile apps is definitely rooted in providing a great user experience. Rushing to be first to market with an app may cause mistakes to be made. It is better to take your time and ensure the app you release is operational and glitch free.
Looking for more information about mobile apps and how to use them? If so, be sure to check out our article on enterprise mobile app development.
