In the last 25 years, smartphones have become our constant companion, which is why the mobile app development business is skyrocketing. Every second organization or company seeks to take place on the mobile phones of its audience. Because of this phenomenon, they follow every new trend in mobile app development. In this article, we will observe the recent trends in the development of mobile applications and how to stay relevant in 2022.
Integration into the Internet of Things (IoT) applications
The Internet of Things is far from a new concept. But the rise of mobile device penetration across a wide range of sectors and categories has created seemingly limitless opportunities for the Internet of Things. People are accustomed to using technology to improve their daily lives.
The Internet of Things describes the growing network of devices connected to the Internet, providing convenience and automated control for consumers. Innovative home technology is an excellent example of the rise of the Internet of Things and mobile applications.
Mobile apps can set the home’s thermostat from a remote location, lock or unlock the front door, and connect to home security systems. Different household appliances can also be connected to mobile applications.
The IoT is poised for solid growth in the coming years, and software will lead the way. The number of IoT devices is growing. According to Statista, by 2025, IoT-related technology revenues will exceed $1.6 trillion.
In 2022, according to research, we will see even more mobile applications with IoT technology. Home appliances, automobiles, display devices, intelligent devices, and healthcare are all markets to keep an eye on.
Applications for foldable devices
Mobile phones have changed over the past decade. Touch screens with or without one button have taken over the market.
The foldable display is one of the biggest mobile app development trends that mobile app companies need to focus on. Foldable devices such as the Samsung Galaxy Fold, Huawei Mate X, and the new Motorola Razr were released in 2019. Depending on the user’s preferences, these smartphones fold to shrink or expand the screen size. For example, a user may be making a call with the device closed but watching a video on a large screen by rotating the device.
The folding display will be a new challenge for mobile app developers. From this perspective, resellers and content creators should consider these devices when building or updating an app. The screen size will change instantly depending on the user’s actions. The idea is that the application should seamlessly adjust its display when the screen is folded or unfolded.
Foldable devices comprise only a tiny fraction of the total smartphone market share. But this will change in recent years. According to a 2019 USA Today study, 17% of iPhone users and 19% of Android users are happy with a phone with a foldable design.
Approximately 3.2 million foldable phones were shipped in 2019, according to Statista. It is expected to reach 50 million units in 2022. 2022 will be a big year for foldable phones, meaning app developers must plan accordingly.
Developments for mobile wearable devices
Wearable technology has also been advanced for many years. This is not necessarily a breakthrough in the market. We have been seeing smartwatches, trackers, and fitness bands for a long time. But wearables have yet to reach their full potential.
While we’re not seeing a staggering jump in wearables from last year, the growth is still solid. The wearable trend has changed and will continue to change how we develop mobile apps.
In 2022, even more, mobile applications for wearable devices will be created. Users can download tens of thousands of apps right from their wrists.
We are just starting to explore wearables and mobile app integration. The coming years will be exceptionally progressive in this category.
5G
The fifth generation of mobile communication, of course, applies to mobile marketing and directly to applications. The more devices that use 5G worldwide, the better the user experience with applications will become. And the applications themselves will become more functional.
5G is an advanced wireless network infrastructure that provides high-speed mobile connectivity. Tech companies promise that 5G will be 100 times faster than its 4G predecessor.
This dramatic increase in speed means faster downloads, real-time transmission of vast amounts of data to wireless devices, and the development and implementation of solutions such as big data, Internet of Things, video streaming, VR/AR, and others.
Smartphone manufacturers are also pushing the development of 5G. Apple Inc., Samsung, and OnePlus Technology Co., Ltd. have incorporated 5G technology into their iPhone 12, Samsung Galaxy, and OnePlus product lines to maintain their leading position in the market.
According to Statista, 5G will grow to 2,451 million people by 2025. Such a rapid development of technology is not surprising. 5G is expected to be a revolutionary technology in many areas, especially mobile applications. the
Some of the potential benefits of 5G:
- This will make a single global standard for everyone.
- The availability of the network will be everywhere and allow people to use their computers and such mobile devices anywhere at any time.
- Due to IPv6 technology, a visit to a mobile IP address will be assigned according to the connected network and geographic location.
- His application will create a real Wi-Fi zone in the world.
- Its cognitive radio technology will facilitate using different radio technologies to use the same spectrum efficiently.
- Its application will make it easier for people to use the radio signal at a higher altitude.
5G is a promising technology that is revolutionizing mobile app development. Let’s take a closer look at the technical features of 5G that these changes will bring:
- The speed will increase from 100 Mbps for 4G to 10 Gbps for 5G, providing a smoother wireless connection on mobile devices outside the network. This will be possible thanks to the higher 5G radio frequencies, which include the spectrum from 30 GHz to 300 GHz, including all previous 1G-4G cellular spectra.
- Low latency, reduced from 50 milliseconds in 4G to one millisecond in 5G. This incredible reduction in latency will mean no image lag when broadcasting competitions or other events as if their audience was present at the scene.
- High connection density. 5G is expected to be able to support one million devices per 0.38 sq. miles, while 4G can only connect 2,000 devices per 0.38 sq. Miles right now. This will stimulate the adoption of new technologies such as the Internet of Things and big data for smart cities.
Beacon Technology in Applications
Beacon technology is used in a wide variety of industries. Whether it’s retail, healthcare, and hospitality, beacons can enhance the functionality of almost any mobile application. The first beacons for mobile applications were developed back in 2013. But over the past few years, this technology has advanced significantly.
Here is an example of how beacons work with mobile apps. Let’s say you’re a mobile app seller who builds apps for retailers. Your customers can install beacons in their stores that connect to the user’s smartphone via Bluetooth if the app is installed on their device. When a user walks past a beacon, they can be immediately notified of a sale or special offer on items in that store.
Beacons can also help track customer behavior in stores. They can determine if a user spends significant time in a particular aisle. The app can automatically trigger push notifications to incentivize a sale at a later date associated with those products.
The main advantage of beacon technology is contactless marketing. Ultimately, this improves the customer experience in the mobile app. According to Statista, the beacon market is growing at a CAGR of 59.8%.
The synergy of AR and artificial intelligence
Artificial intelligence was developing in all directions, and augmented reality is no exception. First of all, it uses the capabilities of computer vision, which allow AR to recognize objects in the frame better and superimpose extended virtual information on them, for example, trying on clothes or viewing goods in the interior. With computer vision algorithms, the phone camera can better recognize the floor, walls, and objects – as a result, it turns out to correctly position the object.
Virtual avatars are actively developing. Many people are familiar with Instagram masks – this is also an example of the synergy of AR and artificial intelligence when more realistic effects can be applied due to more accurate recognition. But virtual avatars have gone further: thanks to technology, it is possible to create a digital copy of a person that will exactly repeat all movements and broadcast them into the virtual world.
AR glasses are a trend that everyone has been talking about for a long time, and functional solutions have finally appeared, for example, HoloLens 2, as well as Chinese counterparts, which are one step behind the flagship, but two ahead in price. The long-awaited release is Apple Glass glasses that will automatically adjust to the user’s vision. It also recently became known that Google is preparing its AR glasses; the company expects to release them in 2024. In 2012, Google already showed its first AR glasses, but the technology was ahead of its time because, at that time, even smartphones were not so widespread, and the device did not become popular.
WebAR is a trend that increases the availability of augmented reality for the mass user. Because “installing an app” is a complex targeted action that costs money for the company. WebAR eliminates this step.
WebAR developments have already appeared, and standard libraries allow you to launch the service quickly enough, so the technology will drive growth. The 8th Wall WebAR technology supports almost 3 billion smartphones on iOS and Android; that is, it is the most common.
The movement to the Metaverse
Someday we will come to the Metaverse, but this idea is now at the point of inflated expectations. Because the technology is not yet ready because getting into the Metaverse is not just putting on VR glasses and immersing yourself in space. People need to spend a lot of time in this virtual place. To do this, it is necessary to ensure the availability of devices and the Internet, integrate payment services, provide high image quality, make devices light and high-performance, and, in general, think over a world in which users will be interested in moving around.
Right now, images in VR services look very playful. Therefore, the Metaverse is the hype that the industry needs because, without it, there will be no investment and attention to the industry. And now, thanks to the attention riveted to the idea, there are more developments, sometimes even useful ones.
Following the predictions, we will likely see a quality metaverse after 2030, but certainly not in this decade. But the islands of the metauniverse, which make it possible to realize individual spheres of life, are already appearing. We are actively monitoring which of these will be the most sustainable. Perhaps all companies will switch to a remote mode of operation, VR glasses will be issued like a corporate laptop, and virtual reality meetings will be held daily.
The rise of mobile e-commerce in 2022
Previously, this trend dominated in 2020 and 2021 and will continue to flourish in 2022. It seems like everyone is using mobile apps to increase their income. From large retailers to individual content creators and personal brands, there is much money to make in this space.
The mobile e-commerce functionality is the main feature that mobile app resellers can demonstrate during their presentation to clients. Every day, a different business is launching an app to increase sales.
We’re not quite there yet, but we’re almost at the age where you need a mobile commerce app to stay competitive. Every person and every business that sells online competes with giants like Amazon. To keep up with the times, you need to copy what makes these brands so successful; the app is at the top of this list.
In 2021, more than 72.9% of e-commerce sales came from mobile devices. Apps play an essential role in mobile commerce’s current and future success. 2022 will continue to be an important year for eCommerce app development.
Conclusion
To keep up with these ever-changing trends, companies that offer mobile app development services must constantly innovate. They must know the latest technological developments, market needs, and directions.
