As of Q2 2024, there were
For instance, the penetration rates for tools and communication apps among Android users are 99.81% and 99.93%, respectively. That sounds like good news, but considering their categories, it really isn't.
Communication apps and basic tools are common smartphone default apps. Meanwhile, other categories have penetration rates between 30 and 80%, which leaves your app only one chance for survival—differentiation.
Creating distinct mobile apps that offer a trending approach gives your app a better chance at survival. Read on as I share six trends that'll determine the future of your app, so you can implement what gives you an upper hand in the market. .
AI and Machine Learning
As you may have heard, artificial Intelligence will not be taking over the world anytime soon. But it's impossible to underplay its contribution to software development. According to PWC, AI might increase global revenue by over $15 trillion by 2030.
It's no surprise, as many big tech companies use AI in their operations, software, and mobile applications. For instance, Netflix's AI-powered recommendations engine saves over $1 billion yearly.
Also, music platforms like Spotify curate highly targeted playlists based on the user's listening history. This level of personalization helps them retain their audience and stand out amidst the many music apps available today.
However, personalization is only one of the many AI features that could give your app an edge. Integrating chatbots, AI assistants, and real-time data analysis can also get users glued to their screens. For instance, learning platforms like Duolingo use AI to analyze each learner's performance and adjust learning to match their pace.
AR/VR
With augmented and virtual reality, so much is possible, including gaming, virtual shopping and tours, learning, product visualization, and more. Perhaps you want to take a picture on Snapchat or run a quick search with Google Lens, AR and VR give users a more seamless and innovative experience.
By creating a mobile app that uses one or both technologies, you increase the chances of engaging and consequently retaining users. In one survey, 2 in 5 people said they would spend more on online shopping if it provided AR experiences. That means you can get users to pay more for your app, which isn't an easy fit.
Besides, you know it's a big deal when all the giant tech companies are investing tons of money in it. Google has its Tango project, Facebook has Oculus, Apple has its AR-development platform, ARKit, etc. But not all apps need an AR or VR feature. Sometimes, all they need is the ability to work on AR/VR devices like Netflix.
IoT
IoT entered the consumer world with devices like the LG smart refrigerator. Since then, it has evolved into a technology that is applicable in almost every facet of life. If you're building apps under the tools, communication, and lifestyle categories, you want to optimize them for all types of devices, including wearables and smart objects.
By doing that, your application can be integrated into wearables like smartwatches or connected to home devices like lights, refrigerators, etc. In addition, you want to ensure that your mobile app is optimized for IoT connectivity. This includes Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and cellular connections like 5G, which we'll discuss in the next section.
5G
Besides these, 5G speeds up real-time collaboration with technologies like AR, VR, and IoT. Augmented and virtual reality apps will provide immersive, engaging experiences without the device lagging. IoT will also be able to process and exchange data between mobile apps and other interconnected devices.
Cross-Platform Support
Previously, developers had to write different codes for an app to be well-optimized on multiple platforms. Now, we can kill more than two birds with one stone. Technology advancements have made it possible to write a codebase for different operating systems (OS). Unlike before, you can now save money, time, and effort on building and managing apps.
Developers also no longer need to choose between Android and iOS. They can have both. Some frameworks that can help you achieve this cross-platform development include:
- Flutter: Flutter is an open-source framework for building UIs for web, mobile, and desktop apps. As Google's software development kit, it uses its Dart language and is known for its speed.
- React Native
React Native is a software development framework companies like Facebook, Instagram, and Uber use. It's written in JavaScript and allows you to use native device features. In addition to web, mobile, and desktop, it will enable you to optimize your app for macOS, tvOS, and UWP.
Low Code/No Code
According to Gartner, 70% of applications will be created with low-code or no-code technologies by 2025. The use of these technologies has increased significantly over the last few years, and their global market revenue is projected to reach $187 billion by 2030. You can prototype and launch your application in weeks with low-code and no-code technologies. This is a faster deployment time than you'd ever get from the traditional software development method.
You can skip the money, complexity, and manual labor you would've required otherwise. Even if you're not a developer, you can build a minimum viable product (MVP) to test ideas before you invest heavily in it. However, not all apps can be built with low or no code, and some may require extra customization. And that's when you'll need a few hands on deck.
Final Thoughts
You could create a very good app and still experience a high churn rate, which is the rate at which people stop using your product. You might likely lose 71% of your users within the first 90 days of download. So, you must keep your platform highly engaging and give users a reason to return.
Whether optimizing it for 5G, adding features that make it usable with wearables, or making personalized recommendations, there must be something to lock them in. Remember these trends as you develop your mobile app, and you may get an edge over
the 30 other apps on your audience's smartphone.
