Given how the global industry has been quick to embrace massive digitization, the latest developments in the mobile app industry are largely affecting the entire digital ecosystem as a whole.
Numerous technologies emerged and 2019 was a fantastic year in terms of what this technology could achieve: we’re looking at you IoT and AI, just to name a few.
In early 2019, it was reported that there were nearly 2.5 million mobile apps featured on the Google Play store, while almost 2 million were available to download on the App Store. According to a recent survey, the mobile app industry will earn $581.9B in revenue by 2020.
Here we take a look at some of the most interesting and influential mobile app development trends that will unfold in 2020:
AI and Machine Learning
Artificial Intelligence needs no introduction as it has been a known phenomenon for quite some time now, being a top mobile app development trend in 2019 as well – with experts now saying that by 2024, the AI market will be valued at $191B. More industries are now looking to combine AI with our own intelligence.
In fact, companies in the medical and manufacturing industries have shown outstanding potential for improving efficiency through AI, owing to the high precision and capacity with which real-time events can be captured.
The integration of AI and machine learning has certainly proved critical in mobile app development. And whether it’s iOS, Android or any other platform, this integration has the ability to learn how app building is done from existing data, identify issues along the way and even resolve them in real-time. More importantly, it can quickly learn entire user activities as well as behaviors through daily use patterns, and apply specific actions with no guidelines as such.
Blockchain Technology
Blockchain, another revolutionary technology that continues to evolve rapidly, now goes well beyond just cryptocurrencies and other industry buzzwords. It has certainly made its way into the world of mobile app development, following on from its popularity as being one of the most talked about mobile app development trends in 2019.
Without getting too technical, it is quite evident today that blockchain technology can be used to prevent data breaching and the creation of forged documents. And if anyone makes a mistake, be it deliberate or non-deliberate, the source can be instantly pinpointed – since blockchain is more or less a decentralized database where blocks persistently build themselves every time new data is recorded.
Many online wallets actually depend on this technology. In cases where you may be hesitant to process cross-border payments or credit card payments, for instance, you can use a blockchain-enabled payment app to carry out transactions with ease and complete peace of mind.
Don’t be surprised to see BaaS (blockchain as a service), blockchain for anti-piracy drives and cryptocurrency exchange emerging in the future – so if you’re a mobile app developer, you had better keep your eyes peeled and follow this technology closely while it continues to evolve.
IoT
As if the internet wasn’t already a huge part of our daily lives, Internet of Things (IoT) applications can now help control – you guessed it – things you interact with.
We’ve all been in that situation at some point where we accidentally lock ourselves outside our home, forget to turn the iron off or wish that somebody was there to turn on the air conditioner an hour before we arrive back home.
It will all be a reality soon because an IoT app on your phone with an internet connection is all you need to control many aspects of your home or office while away. Forward-thinking companies have already taken the plunge toward developing IoT apps and industry experts have gone as far as to say that in 2020, IoT devices will be about as omnipresent as smartphones.
No wonder IoT was also one of the top-rated mobile app development trends to follow in 2019 as well.
Beacon Technology
Beacon technology is right up there among the top mobile app development trends to follow in 2020, with industries like tourism, healthcare and hospitality already embracing its promising potential. This trend is certainly putting proximity marketing and location-based technology to good use.
The wireless transmitters, known as beacons, send signals via Bluetooth which are responsible for telling a mobile app what to do. Businesses in the transport, dining and retail industry have also started using beacons with IoT to drive better sales and streamline business operations.
Specific mobile app trends related to this technology in 2020 include mobile payment beacons, automated machine learning, AI-induced chips and more.
More Wearables
Wearable devices are not exactly new in the market as we have already seen fitness bands, smart rings, smartwatches and trackers, which have all revolutionized the way we use smart devices.
A report published in 2019 revealed that wearable devices generated an astonishing $33B in revenue in 2019. Going by this potential alone, mobile apps will irrefutably support wearable technology in 2020, although, unfortunately, most apps don’t come integrated with wearable devices.
Mobile app developers would be wise to have wearable device integration as an open option as there will be a rise in fitness trackers for one, which means less dependence on smartphones.
More Bots
In 2020, it is believed that bots adaptation and application will escalate on a widespread scale. Even though both the Android and iOS app store have over 2.5 million apps each today, not that many apps have chatbots integrated to improve UI and UX services.
Chatbots are something that users absolutely love and appreciate because they provide the right answers within seconds. Businesses that are in the online shopping, hail-a-ride and food delivery sector are working hard to integrate chatbots within their apps – so don’t miss the boat on this one.
Closing Thoughts
With the above trends and many more, it seems the mobile app industry is set to expand uncontrollably in the year 2020. Competition among mobile app development companies will be fiercer than ever – so it’s always good to know the top mobile app development trends that will dominate this year.
