Just like COVID-19 has affected every industry, the mobile app development ecosystem had severely felt the impact of the pandemic. However, it would not be wrong to say that the pandemic has been a blessing as a disguise for the mobile app marketplace. Since everything shifted to online platforms, consumers began looking for handy solutions by downloading apps on their phones. Hence, the need for new trends in mobile app development is enhanced to make the experience more inclusive, engaging, and fascinating, along with fulfilling the need of the users.
If you are still wondering why your app has not done any better since 2020, then not incorporating new trends in mobile app development might be a reason.
Want to know what trends in mobile app development mean for your business? Are you willing to learn some of the latest trends in mobile apps? Keep reading then!
The present era is a digital era in which we observe trends changing within minutes. The developments are for real and evolving with every passing day. People are shifting from traditional media forms to modern ones. From looking for solutions to ordering food and watching movies, people turn to mobile-held devices, i.e., mobile phones. Hence, for mobile app businesses to grow and succeed, adapting to the changing trends is significant. Unfortunately, those who fail to adapt and change according to mobile application technology trends become extinct within no time.
Considering the rapid pace at which trends for mobile app development keep evolving, it has become the need for the developers to sustain the trends to remain relevant to the audience as when one trend steps in, the previous one gets outdated. Additionally, the digital marketplace is competitive. All those doing better than your mobile app are doing better because they embrace emerging app development trends without delays. To get the clients to choose you and to stand out of the competition and make your application more user-friendly, adapting mobile application market trends has become a dire need to shape the future of mobile app development. Remember that stubborn businesses have no place in the present digital market.
The ultimate goal of evolving trends in the mobile app development market is to fulfill users’ expectations and offer them an experience like never before. As the mobile business industry grows, the needs of the users change. For instance, previously, users could not report the issues in an app. However, today, users get to report any problem they face while using an app. Furthermore, communication with the users has become way easier for app developers thanks to social media any in-app communication channels.
Next in the article are some of the best mobile technology trends in 2021. Adapt them, but know what your users want from your app before choosing the right mobile development trends for you.
As mentioned above, mobile app technology trends aim to offer an overwhelming experience to current and potential users. They should feel an association with your app through the technologies you use. The best technology for mobile app development is the one that has the power to immerse the users. For example, there has been an evident rise in full-screen images and videos in apps. App developers do not let their users drift on any other app by offering them an option to view content in full-screen. The trend is to enhance the focus of the users on the application.
Moreover, the full-screen option negates all other distractions on the application. Hence, it is undoubtedly an excellent idea to offer a more comprehensive, immersive, and authentic experience. You can achieve this quickly with in-app stories by Storyly.
Especially during the pandemic, when physical presence became slighter, the virtual connections added to the latest trends in mobile app development. Live stream videos gave a chance to the brands to connect with their audience virtually on any platform. Live streaming has turned the tables for businesses from live sales of products through live streaming to informative campaigns led by brands. The trend increases the interaction between the app owners and the consumers through various ways, including live polls, contests, giveaways, etc.
The most outstanding benefits of live streaming are as follows:
Hence, if you are looking for a trend that is the best for mobile app development, then including live stream videos is.
According to eMarketer, around 89% of the US marketers believe that their businesses on sites and applications have observed a rise in revenue due to personalization. Factually, when you individualize an experience, the user feels like they matter to you. Hence, a trending mobile app development strategy would be to include personalization as much as possible.
There are multiple ways to personalize your app. Here are a few examples:
You can also integrate various facial recognition technologies for login, payments or photo tagging, etc.
Surprisingly, an Indian company, FaceX, allows the retailers to measure the users’ emotions through face recognition and offer them advertisements’ according to the results of that. Other personalization trends in mobile application development can be listed as follows:
Last but not least, you can display personalized in-app stories to your users based on their in-app activities or any other data that you have.
Wearables are one of the top current mobile app development trends. According to the research by Gartner, total end-user spending on wearable devices will reach $93.8 billion in 2022. You must have seen almost every other person wearing fitness tracking bracelets, smartwatches, and ear pods. Well, that is how popular the wearables market has become. So depending upon the product or service of your business, to have a bright future of mobile app development, you can enable integration of your app with wearable’s like smart glasses, VR headphones, body cameras, thermal bracelets, body suites with IoT sensors, etc.
Augmented Reality (AR) and Virtual Reality (VR) are top mobile app development trends that have observed unprecedented growth in 2021. Moreover, the number of users is likely to rise to 1.73 billion by 2024. Multiple brands of various industries are utilizing AR and VR to offer a real-time experience to the users. Usually, the technologies are used to develop some creative ads, interactive demos and build a natural bond with the users.
Famous forms of Augmented Reality (AR) technologies include marker-based technology to see the virtual elements for an augmented experience and location-based technology like Pokemon Go, which offers an experience by collecting information through GPS. Likewise, Virtual Reality (VR) technologies help make the apps and the features seem real by adapting technologies like offering three-dimensional objects in the apps, a user interface backed by virtual reality, etc.
All in all, for a vivid growth in mobile application software, using augmented reality and virtual reality-based technologies has become crucial.
Privacy has always been significant in the mobile ecosystem. However, Apple’s launch of the App Tracking Transparency (ATT) framework in April 2021 added an extra layer to the matter. Accordingly, mobile apps can only track iOS users’ Identifier for Advertiser (IDFA) if these people give explicit permission.
Hence, the privacy trend is added to the top 10 mobile app development trends in 2021.
From a child to a senior, everyone loves some exciting stories. One of the latest mobile app development trends is including in-app stories. It is among the top mobile app trends that can turn the tables for your app development marketing. But why did it get so important?
Users are familiar with mobile stories through various social apps such as Snapchat and Instagram. They know what to do and what to expect when they see stories on mobile apps. Additionally, the story format enables apps to deliver a full-screen experience that eliminates the possibility of distraction. Another considerable benefit of such stories inside apps is that they build an emotional connection with the user that bounds them and makes them feel like your app is all they need. And finally, publishing some impressive stories help app owners improve user engagement and retention. Overall, in-app stories are powerful, from taking your new user on a beautiful journey about your app through storytelling to informing your current users about new updates or promotions. Storyly can bring all these benefits to your app in 15 minutes.
Location-based apps have made lives easier for users. For instance, a food delivery app tracks your location using GPS and delivers food right at your doorstep. Similarly, like the mobile application development industry, you can make use of geolocation as well. Numerous apps are using the development trend these days. For instance, Google Maps uses the technology to track user’s location and offer them information regarding nearby locations, directions, etc. Moreover, apps like Facebook and Instagram use geolocation technology to provide ads according to the users’ location. Photo location finder apps also use the technology to tell the users where the photo was taken.
So depending upon the products and services of your app, you can integrate the technology. Some of the best tools to integrate the android app development’s latest geolocation trends in your app are Google Location Services API, Google Maps Directions API, and Google Maps API. Similarly, to implement geolocation iOS app development trends, the tools are Google Maps API, Apple MapKit, Google Maps SDK, and Core Location API.
As per the mobile app development industry statistics, the technologies related to the Internet of Things (IoT) are becoming popular every passing day. Not just smart homes, the trend has been incorporated in all walks of life and has become one of the most beneficial mobile application development trends of all time.
If you add the technology to your app, it will benefit your users in multiple ways. For example, the exchange of data between the connected devices ensures that the users’ privacy remains safe. Also, integration with the augmented and virtual reality technologies becomes way easier by incorporating IoT. Not just this, for your app, gaining insights regarding the users becomes hassle-free.
Among the mobile app development latest trends, a timeless one is developing user-friendly apps. You must be wondering what could be a user-friendly app. In simple words, an app is simple, easy, intuitive, reliable, and minimal for the users. When the user opens your app, they should find any difficulty in understanding the app’s interface. The onboarding experience should be simple and basic without causing any trouble to the user. The app should be error and bugs-free, with a simple user interface. Also, it should have an excellent UX. To make your app user-friendly, you should plan it inefficiently and then work on its development. Keep in mind that complexity in the functioning of the interface will not take your app anywhere.
From slick-looking apps to personalized push notifications and minimalist design, make your app as applicable and straightforward as you can. Also, do not forget to keep an eye on the latest mobile software technologies to enhance the app’s user-friendliness.
Berkem is master of none, jack of all trades. Happens to be a Growth Strategist at Storyly. Knows/writes about growth frameworks and user behavior.
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