The use and dependence on mobile devices is currently higher than ever and continuously growing. Take our local Polish market – in 2011 only 11.5% of consumers owned a smartphone. Flash forward to 2016 and the figure rises to a smashing 60%! Also the mobile app market is expected to grow exponentially and reach $101 billion by 2020.
The increasing level of global smartphone penetration and the growing interest in mobile apps clearly impacts the development of this segment. Therefore, it is no wonder that one of the strategies businesses use to tap into the potential of mobile technologies for generating leads and growing revenue is creating branded mobile apps. Here are 5 key trends that are expected to define the future of mobile apps in 2016.
1. FOCUS ON SWIFT AND BEACON TECHNOLOGY
Apple’s brand new programming language Swift is expected to become a key innovation on the app development scene in 2016. Constructed on the modern compiler infrastructure, the language is actually part of the Xcode tools and it helps developers to write reliable code right from the start.
Another interesting thing for iOS developers is the Beacon technology which many expect to be soon available for Android platform as well. This cutting-edge invention helps to blur the boundary between offline and online worlds and is relevant especially to finance and retail sectors – but also education, healthcare or entertainment. In the near future, developers will be building new app functionalities to make the most from this technology.
2. WEARABLES
Wearable devices are all the rage right now. Whether they’re being used for fitness or as part of the newest tech fashion, wearables are much more than just gadgets. Don’t forget that apps on wearables operate from mobile phones. With the expected boom of wearable devices starting in 2016, it makes sense that the functionalities of these devices will at some point align with and affect the future of mobile apps.
3. THE INTERNET OF THINGS
Even if it’s expected to boom anytime during the next couple of years, the Internet of Things is already generating a lot of expectations. No wonder – its scope is getting bigger every day. From smart vehicles to smart houses, we will soon live in a world where smart connected objects constantly transmit data between themselves and their creators.
This constant stream of data and its implications on technology features is expected to have an impact on the entire mobile sector, including mobile apps, which will be smarter and even better integrated in our daily lives.
4. CLOUD-BASED DEVELOPMENT
When it comes to developing apps, the cloud will reign the scene in 2016. It’s quite simple – cloud-based technology has been gaining steam for the last couple of years. As its costs decrease and accessibility increases, the cloud-based approach helps developers to create apps meant for different platforms with an easy use of shared information and resources.
5. FOCUS ON SECURITY
Needless to say, security will be on top of the agenda in practically every tech segment, starting from the Internet of Things to wearables and mobile devices. The main problem in this field is the relatively low computing power of these devices which doesn’t allow to equip them with powerful anti-virus software and other security measures. This lack of security naturally affects the current state of mobile apps – according to Gartner, 75% of them wouldn’t be able to pass even the most basic security tests.
And that goes even for apps created by giants like Facebook – just a couple of days ago, Facebook Messenger turned out to have serious security holes that could allow others to intercept private messages and files sent through the service. In 2016, developers will definitely treat mobile app security as their priority.
These 5 trends will define the future development of mobile apps and are bound become deal-breakers in the field. Apply them in your practice and you can be sure to stay on the leading edge of the sector and develop apps which are recognized by the industry and consumers.
Interested in mobile technologies? Check 7 most reliable tech researchers you should follow.
