Why should you pay attention to mobile app development trends? Mobile applications are actively integrated into our lives, the market is growing, and so are the requirements for new products.
Something is trendy, something is out of fashion, and something is eternal. Now, you need to do everything quickly — it’s not a secret 🙂 MVP will help you dig around. What else? Could 2024 be able to bring something new, and what should a young startup add to their mobile app to make a cool product?
Internet of Things (IoT)
An app that helps users control their smart homes
If you thought that pervasive smart devices could only be in the distant future — no way! In the USA and Europe, things like Smart homes are familiar occurrence. Smart technology can even find your escaped pet! It works very simply: smart devices are paired with a mobile app and can be controlled with a phone or remote control anywhere in the world. In the modern world, the number of followers of the ‘smart devices’ faith is growing, so the trend is still relevant.
Why is it interesting for a startup owner? The Internet of Things covers more and more areas of our life. With it, you can track the user’s needs and optimize the operation of systems and machines in different industries in real time. If there is something to automate in the sphere, IoT will appear there. For example, thanks to IoT, you can track parcels. There are many more reasons to develop IoT applications in 2024. Check out our article about it.
Artificial Intelligence
The first versions of artificial intelligence appeared over 70 years ago, but only in recent years have we begun to use it in our lives extensively. Right now, it’s one of the biggest mobile app development trends. Sometimes, we may not even know that AI is built into an application. For example, it is now widely used for voice assistants (Siri, Alexa, and Google Assistant), facial recognition (FaceID, Facebook), and personalized recommendations (Spotify, Amazon, and YouTube).
AI is also used in the mobile app development industry, for example, to speed up the process of writing code or creating UI/UX designs. One of these assistants is Tabnine AI. It makes code suggestions based on the current code context. Tabnine AI supports a wide range of programming languages, including Python, JavaScript, and PHP.
Why is it interesting for a startup owner? AI improves user experience by making interactions with apps smoother and more personalized. For businesses, AI can automate routine tasks, saving time and money. In addition, AI-powered analytics can provide businesses with insights into user behavior to make better decisions.
Virtual and Augmented reality
These technologies offer users a new experience by combining the real and the virtual. Over the years, AR and VR have begun to expand from gaming into areas such as commerce, education, and healthcare.
AR feature in the IKEA app
AR allows users to try on clothes virtually or even see how new furniture would look in their homes. Augmented reality elements are also widely used in social media filters. While mobile devices may be enough for AR, VR requires additional hardware — helmet/glasses and a controller, at the very least. Virtual reality is common in gaming, but also in training simulations for aviation and healthcare.
Why is it interesting for a startup owner? With augmented and virtual reality, app development startups can create unique user experiences and differentiate themselves on the market. These technologies can also reduce the cost of physical product demonstrations and prototypes by enabling virtual presentations instead.
5G technology
5G technology was introduced in 2019, but its adoption is still ongoing. The fifth generation can offer speeds of up to 20 Gbps which is significantly faster than its predecessor, 4G. It can reach 100 Mbps for both downloads and uploads.
By taking advantage of 5G, companies can improve app performance and reduce latency during data transfers. This upgrade allows for the creation and improvement of apps that require large amounts of data and high-speed connections, such as cloud gaming and video streaming.
5G also plays an important role in the IoT by enabling faster connectivity between devices. The technology opens up opportunities for more advanced connectivity, improving operations in areas such as smart cities, automotive, and healthcare.
Why is it interesting for a startup owner? The key benefit of 5G technology is its ability to improve application performance significantly, enhancing the user experience. It will also allow developers to create more complex apps without sacrificing performance. With 5G, mobile app development startups will be able to become early adopters of cutting-edge technology, differentiating themselves in the market and positioning themselves as innovative.
Chatbots
Today, chatbots are essential tools for customer interaction, and most companies have already implemented them. Chatbots help automate communication and are used across industries for customer service and answering common questions. With the advancement in AI, chatbots have begun to provide a more natural and human-like interaction with customers.
For example, e-commerce apps use chatbots to recommend products and purchases, resolve order issues, and provide refunds. And banking apps use them to help clients with transactions, account information, and other questions.
Why is it interesting for a startup owner? Chatbots can handle large volumes of requests 24/7, improving customer service and freeing up employees for more important tasks. Chatbots also provide startups with valuable data about customer preferences and behaviors. This data can help enhance a company’s products and services.
Apps for foldable mobile devices
Many of us remember the flip phones with buttons we used in the 2000s. The phones have changed a lot since then, but the trend came back in 2019 after the release of Samsung Galaxy Fold. Since then, more and more manufacturers have started releasing their own versions of foldable smartphones and tablets.
Apps for these mobile devices offer new design and functionality options. Users can seamlessly switch between screens of different sizes and open multiple apps simultaneously. This has become a bit of a challenge for mobile app developers, who have to adapt apps so that layouts change dynamically depending on whether the device is folded or unfolded.
Why is it interesting for a startup owner? Today, people are used to doing everything quickly and efficiently. Foldable devices enhance multitasking by allowing multiple apps to run simultaneously on different screen parts. Therefore, mobile app development startups can tap into this growing market and offer innovative features to users.
Beacon technology
Apple introduced beacon technology in 2013. It uses Bluetooth Low Energy to transmit data over short distances. Beacons were initially used in the retail industry, but have since been introduced in other sectors such as museums and hospitality. Beacons have become a popular tool because they provide customers with a unique experience based on their location.
Beacon technology is used to send notifications to smartphones when they are in proximity to special transmitters. In museums, for example, beacons provide interactive content and guided tours. When visitors approach a particular exhibit with their device, it can activate a tour guide or other media content. In hotels and restaurants, beacons are used to notify nearby potential customers of available reservations.
Why is it interesting for a startup owner? Beacon technology allows businesses to deliver targeted marketing messages to customers. The technology can improve customer service and loyalty by offering personalized interactions. In addition, this technology is inexpensive and easy to implement, making it accessible to businesses of all sizes.
Cross-platform development
Competition is growing daily in many areas, and if you have an idea for a startup — you need to validate it quickly. Native mobile app development takes a lot of time and money, but the product may not take off. So, it is worth making a choice in favor of cross-platform. Due to the common code base, developing for iOS and Android and releasing your product on two platforms at once takes less time and budget. Plus, apps are updated internally — you don’t need to add a new version to the App Store and Google Play.
Why is it interesting for a startup owner? We have already mentioned that cross-platform mobile app development is twice as fast as native development, but you can include parts of the React Native code even in ready-made native apps. This way, Instagram (originally developed natively) added push notifications, and post promotions to their app.
Wearable devices
Where the development of wearable devices is, there is also the adaptation of apps for them. The most striking examples of wearable devices — smart watches, fitness trackers, and smart rings. For iOS, it’s the WatchOS platform, and for Android, it’s WearOS. Usually, apps on Apple Watch/Xiaomi Mi Band are associated with apps on devices. In the future, the operation of such devices will be autonomous without linking to a smartphone.
Why is it interesting for a startup owner? The separate app for Apple Watch is not yet said at every step. You have the opportunity to be the first in this field. Stand-alone devices allow you to save your work, even if you don’t have a phone at hand. A system of frequent notifications will keep the user’s activity on a favorable side.
Cloud computing
Today, cloud applications are useful tools for businesses and individuals. They provide the ability to store data on servers and collaborate in real time. Cloud computing allows applications to run more efficiently, saves money on additional equipment, and does not require a large amount of storage on the user’s device.
Some popular cloud applications include Dropbox, Google Drive, and Adobe Creative Cloud. They allow users to store, share, and access files from any device with an Internet connection. Cloud applications are also common in CRM platforms and project management tools such as ClickUp and Salesforce.
Why is it interesting for a startup owner? For businesses, cloud computing provides access to data from anywhere, so employees can collaborate on the same project, no matter where they are. Cloud applications also provide backup capabilities. This ensures that data remains safe even if the device is damaged.
Predictive analytics
Predictive analytics helps applications predict customer actions, preferences, and needs. As a result, companies can make better decisions and personalize their services for clients. Predictive analytics is most commonly used in the financial, e-commerce, and healthcare industries.
For example, financial apps use predictive analytics to forecast market trends and optimize investment strategies. In e-commerce, predictive analytics is used to recommend more relevant products to consumers based on their preferences.
Why is it interesting for a startup owner? Predictive analytics provides valuable insights into customer behavior. The data can be used to predict users’ needs, optimize the marketing strategy, and improve services. As a result, the business will be able to retain existing customers and attract new ones with ease.
Voice recognition
You may be familiar with voice recognition from popular voice assistants like Siri and Alexa. Over the years, voice recognition has become more accurate and accessible, allowing us to control devices and interact with apps without hands. Today, speech recognition is widely used in smart home devices, search engines, and mobile assistants.
Through special portable speakers like Alexa, users can control other connected devices, find information on the Internet, and set reminders using voice commands. The Google search engine allows users to perform voice searches. Developers also implement voice recognition to help users with disabilities.
Why is it interesting for a startup owner? Speech recognition allows startups to create apps for a wider audience, increasing accessibility and helping people with disabilities. Such applications increase efficiency by enabling users to complete tasks faster and easier using voice commands.
Biometric authentication
You’ve probably paid for purchases many times with the help of TouchID and FaceID inside apps and in real life. The facial recognition system is another option. When a security guard asks you to show your documents and you’re unsure if you took them — there may be difficulties. The face recognition function will allow you to get information about a person and speed up this process. A good example is Amazon Rekognition. It is a deep video and image analysis service that searches for and matches people’s faces. You can use it to identify people, situations, specific actions, text, and inappropriate content.
Why is it interesting for a startup owner? These statistics can be used for marketing purposes. For example, the system will remember that a certain number of people ordered the same cocktail in a bar, or vice versa, no one orders a specific position. This feature will help the owners of establishments to improve their service further.
Super apps
Why super? Because this is an app that combines several applications at once! A single ecosystem with everything in one place, a mixture of everything that a user might need.
One example of a super app — a Spanish startup, Glovo. Through it, you can order food, go to the pharmacy, and deliver your item to another place (or vice versa, it’s up to you 🙂 You don’t need to leave the app and download multiple apps for different purposes because now you can do everything in one. Cool!
Why is it interesting for a startup owner? One way or another, the latest mobile app trends lead to an increase in app functionality. We believe that the emergence of super apps will lead to competition in the context of a single niche. The best ones will be those where the users can switch from one service to another as seamlessly as possible.
Mobile wallets and payments
Over the past decade, mobile payment systems have become increasingly prevalent, and paying for purchases with your phone has become the new norm. In the 2010s, Apple Pay, Samsung Pay, and Google Wallet enabled users to easily make contactless payments with their mobile devices on the go. Mobile wallets store all card information on the devices, allowing users to make payments with just a tap or scan of their phone.
The PayPal app, for example, uses mobile wallet technology to store and transfer money between users in different countries. Mobile wallets are often used in e-commerce apps and the retail industry to allow customers to pay through their phone or contactless at checkout.
Why is it interesting for a startup owner? Mobile wallets and mobile payments make paying for goods and services convenient. By integrating mobile payments into their apps, startups can speed up the checkout and purchase process, increasing conversion and customer satisfaction. They can also incorporate loyalty programs to motivate users to make repeat purchases.
Summary
The cross-platform mobile app development industry is actively developing and continues to do so because customers are interested in quickly validating their hypotheses. Switching to new processors will erase the line between different development approaches. The introduction of IoT automates more and more processes.
Simplifying everything is now the main trend in the world of digital products. Did you notice? All the mobile app development trends we have listed have one important similarity — their goal is to make the user experience more exciting and faster. At the same time — acceleration and optimization of life processes. Times change very quickly, it is not permissible to be irrelevant — compliance with mobile app trends is vital if you want to launch a cool product.
