‘Your mobile device has quickly become the easiest portal into your digital self’ – Phil Nickinson.
Mobile applications have become integral for every business. Users downloaded more than 50 billion Android applications and 25 billion iOS applications in 2015. The number of downloads has exponentially increased in 2018. Research shows that more than 80% of internet users have smartphones. It highlights the significance of mobile applications and the need to develop robust applications. All industries now have mobile apps to offer utmost convenience to users such as banks, newspapers, restaurants, and others.
This article explores some of the hottest trends in app development which are impossible to ignore!
Blockchain
Blockchain has paved its ways to transform the world. The inception of blockchain has made the utmost security of digital assets possible, especially for online payments in the form of cryptocurrencies. Mobile payments with Bitcoin have become a reality, and more industries are recognizing digital assets.
Blockchain develops a system where the exchange of money takes places without a third-party such as banks. The parties in trade are responsible for ensuring the proper flow of funds; therefore, Blockchain is expected to be highlight reliable. Although the technology is in its initial stages, it is reflecting a bright future with some interesting apps like Fold and Bitpay.
Artificial Intelligence
Siri has been killing boredom for Apple users. But now, artificial intelligence is taking new turns and performing routine tasks for users effortlessly. The technology is being utilized to build robots, chatbots, virtual assistants, and more. Artificial intelligence follows verbal orders, such as making calls, booking appointments, sending messages and so. Instead of unlocking your phone, you can make a call by asking your phone to do so.
The technology analyzes the user’s activity patterns and makes suggestions accordingly. For example, if you call your best friend every Sunday after dinner, the technology will ask you if you want to perform the task at similar times. A simple acceptance will do the work for you.
The best use of artificial intelligence is in customer relationship management where instant response for traditional queries helps address customer queries immediately, fostering loyalty and satisfaction in the customers.
Mobile Payments
Instead of using any other platform for making payments which delay the process, mobile payments allow smartphones to transfer money immediately. Users prefer paying from their mobile, and mobile payments in the United States are expected to reach $142 billion by 2019. The vast potential of mobile payments is recognized by Google, Apple, and other giants. Their applications support a wide range of payment methods which facilitate customers globally and encourages international transactions. American Express and Visa allow users to scan their cards to promote mobile payments by simplifying the process.
Apps for Wearable Devices
Wearable devices, like Fitbit, are famous for tracking activities. More than 453 million wearable devices connected in 2017 and the market crossed 4 billion. Trends show that the market will grow by 35% in 2019 and more than 50 billion wearable devices will be active by 2020. The tools are attractive for their mobility.
Users can connect the wearable device to their mobile phone, receive messages and attend calls, endorsed by gesture recognition.
The device allows monitoring their physical activity such as total steps taken, heart rate, sleep activity and helps achieve fitness goals. Research shows that employees with wearable devices reported a 3.5% increase in job satisfaction and an 8.5% increase in productivity.
Developers are attracted to expanding the wearable devices by adding more features and enhancing their compatibility.
Personalization
An average smartphone user has 65 apps but only uses 15 of them, and 65% of the users delete the app if their first encounter isn’t as expected. Hence, the static designs and content are long gone. Mobile apps personalized to the users’ preferences and taste, such as Netflix, Airbnb, and Alibaba are more effective. The applications monitor the users’ choices and customize content according to their behaviors.
For example, Netflix suggests shows based on the genre of shows watched by the users while Starbucks reminds users to grab a coffee on their usual intake time.
Cloud Computing
‘Cloud computing is empowering; companies leveraging cloud will be able to innovate cheaper and faster’ – Jamal Mazhar
Cloud computing allows companies to store and share data, without excessive infrastructure requirements. The cloud computing spending will grow six times the rate of IT spending, and 67% of enterprise software and infrastructure will be for cloud-based services by 2020. The market will grow from 56.9 billion in 2016 to 79.7 billion by 2020. Cloud-based applications like iCloud and Google Drive have successfully outshined storage devices for individuals and enterprises.
Businesses today are geographically dispersed. Resources are acquired from across the globe which requires data sharing. Web-based storage services will accelerate in the coming years, as the demand for data storage and sharing will increase.
‘If someone asks me what computing is, I try not to get bogged down with definitions. I tell them that, simply put, cloud computing is a better way to run their business’ – Marc Benioff.
Biometrics
The biometrics technology has grown in the last few years from fingerprint scanning to facial recognition, sound waves, retina patterns and beyond. The market size is expected to grow from 10.74 billion in 2015 to 32.73 billion by 2022. The growth of Biometrics technology is due to the to increase in security and privacy needs. A study shows that 73% of adults in the UK and U.S. use one password for multiple accounts, increasing chances of successful hacking. 47% of the users never change their password. Biometric authentication is more accurate, more comfortable and faster!
About Author:
Rameez Ramzan has been a senior digital marketing executive at Cubix, a leading software development company in Washington DC that specialized in blockchain development and software development. With over 6 years of experiences in the software development industry, Rameez is passionate about helping business to increase their branding on the internet.
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