With over 1 billion smartphones and 179 billion mobile apps downloaded annually, mobile development is certainly one of the most innovative and rapidly growing sectors. Mobile apps are undoubtedly influenced by Google apps like Gmail, Maps, Search, social media (Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, YouTube), and gaming apps (Angry Birds, Temple Run). Giants like Walmart, Bank of America, and Amazon leverage mobile apps to boost brand popularity, improve customer engagement, conduct direct marketing, and more. Small and medium-sized businesses are also following the mobile growth trend. Ultimately, an effective mobile technology strategy includes more than just a mobile-friendly website. The following article examines some of the most impactful areas of app design shaping the future of mobile app development.
1. Wearable Devices
According to an IDC report, 101.9 million wearable devices were in use in 2016. Smart wearables like the Apple Watch and Microsoft Hololens represent new shifts in computing, from basic to intelligent. This technology opens new opportunities for vendors, app developers, and accessory makers. The smartphone becomes a personal network hub comprised of wearable tools like body-care sensors, smart jewelry, smartwatches, display devices (like Google Glass), and various sensors embedded in clothing and shoes. These tools connect with mobile apps to deliver information in novel ways and provide a wide range of products and services in areas like sports, fitness, fashion, entertainment, and healthcare. Therefore, wearable devices connected to smartphones will impact the next generation of mobile development strategies.
2. Internet of Things (IoT)
Gartner projects that by 2020, 26 billion devices will be connected to the internet, including hundreds of smart devices such as LED lights, toys, home appliances, fitness equipment, medical devices, controllable sockets, and more. These smart home devices are part of the Internet of Things and will communicate with a mobile app or tablet. Smartphones and tablets will act as remote controls, display and analyze information, connect to social networks to monitor "things" that can tweet or post, pay for subscription services, order replacement consumables, and update the app software of the objects.
Currently, RiotOS and Thingsquare Mist are software technologies, and RFID, WiFi, EnOcean, etc., are communication technologies used for IoT. Google has two dedicated projects called Nest and Brillo targeting IoT. Nest involves developing home automation products such as smoke alarms, cameras, and thermostats, while Brillo is an IoT operating system supporting Wi-Fi, Bluetooth Low Energy, and other Android elements. Apple recently introduced "Homekit" products that allow you to wirelessly and electronically control your home appliances. These products include low-light, air monitors, thermostats, and the entire smart home network, which can be controlled via apps and Siri, allowing homes to be automated with voice commands. Similarly, Amazon launched the "Amazon Echo," a voice-command device for answering questions, playing music, and controlling smart devices. A comprehensive list of IoT technologies can be found at the Postscapes lab.
3. M-Commerce
Various analysts believe that the mobile net purchasing trend will continue for the next 4 years as more and more consumers become comfortable with e-commerce. The increasing popularity of Apple Pay and Google Wallet facilitates purchasing using mobile phones instead of credit cards. This necessitates developers creating a mobile app capable of processing transactions without requiring credit cards or cash. Coupled with wearables that can perform payment processing, m-commerce will take another shape. In addition to data collection and predictive analytics, wearables also play a key role in the future of mobile payments and customer loyalty.
4. Location & Motion Sensing
Most mobile phones have location sensing capabilities, using multiple positioning methods to provide varying details of location information. Knowing a person's location within a few meters is useful for delivering relevant contextual information and services. Motion-sensitive applications are used in security, anti-theft, energy saving, and gaming. Location sensing is useful in Geotagging, gaming, vehicle navigation, and fitness apps. Apps leveraging precise indoor location are currently using technologies such as Wi-Fi, imaging, ultrasonic beacons, and geofencing. It will also be important in long-term technologies such as smart lighting. Precise indoor sensing, coupled with mobile apps, provides a new generation of highly personalized services and information.
5. Innovative Mobile UX Design
Effectively displaying data and content in your mobile UI is critical for a great user experience. Successful mobile app design companies like Houzz, Instagram, Pinterest, and Wunderlist have established new patterns designed with visual layouts and interactive interfaces. Apps should leverage technologies with new features like interactive content layers, circular design patterns, cards, and content manipulation. These features create "augmented reality" by allowing users to interact more with content and reveal further details.
6. Application Performance Management (APM)
Two factors lead to performance bottlenecks in app testing, including the diversity of mobile devices and the unpredictable nature of mobile networks. But measurement and monitoring tools like APMs have improved app quality and performance. APMs provide deep insights into user behavior within the app, the devices and operating systems used, and good statistics on different parts of the app and their success rates. Modern companies need powerful tools that can monitor resources used by apps, correlate user insight data with those resources, and align performance with business processes.
7. Enterprise Mobile Management (EMM)
Enterprise Mobile Management or EMM is a set of people, processes, and technologies using mobile computing to simplify business. The core dimensions of EMM include security, application management, and financial management. EMM is software that allows employees of organizations to securely use mobile phones and their applications. Beyond addressing security concerns, EMM software also helps employees be more efficient, as the IT unit can push and provide the apps and information they need to perform their duties to employees’ mobile devices.
