Table of content
Technology is always evolving, techniques are being innovated constantly, and skillsets are expanding each and every year. It’s what makes this digital world so unique and the reason why we will never stop improving.
As technology evolves, so do the way mobile app trends. App developers are responsible for keeping up with the latest trends being set in the mobile community, that way they can deliver a user experience that meets customer satisfaction every single time.
We are seeing a variety of trends make their way to the mobile community in 2020, including wearable devices, artificial intelligence, mobile commerce, augmented reality, Internet of Things, and foldable devices. If you plan on building a mobile app this year, it’ll be in your best interest to consider implementing these trends into your strategy and design.
To help you get a better idea of how these trends are being utilized by mobile apps, we’ll detail everything you need to know about each one.
Let’s get started!
Wearable Devices
Photo by Luke Chesser on Unsplash.com
It seems like wearable technology has found its way into every industry possible. Agents, lawyers, healthcare professionals, business owners, and anyone constantly on the move is finding a way to utilize it.
This is an excellent opportunity to expose your mobile app to a growing population of tech users. Smartwatches, smart jewelry, and fitness trackers are some of the most notable wearable technology gaining recognition today.
Making your app compatible with these devices will put you in an elite company, especially since many app owners haven’t done so yet. Keep in mind that these will require a more basic user interface, but will be more difficult to integrate and test than a typical app.
Artificial Intelligence
Artificial intelligence is the future. It’s the driving force behind a lot of the technology we see today. In mobile apps, it’s giving the user an unforgettable experience and allowing the app to behave more human-like than ever before.
Some of the greatest examples of AI being used in mobile apps is with Cortana and other voice assistants, Google Lens and other image recognition apps, and the various chatbots available in the app store.
By integrating artificial intelligence and machine learning into your mobile app, app owners can also gain valuable insights about user behavior, user preferences, and find new solutions to old problems — ultimately making your app more efficient and reliable.
Mobile Commerce
Each year, consumers become more and more dependent on online shopping. In fact, e-commerce and mobile commerce are starting to change the way businesses sell their product and services all-together.
There is a wide range of features that make e-commerce in mobile apps a no-brainer for any business. Online ordering, lightning-quick customer service, chatbots, easy money transfers, location-based shopping, and much more can provide your customers with a valuable mobile shopping experience.
If you happen to own a brick-and-mortar store, offering a mobile app can help customers view what’s in stock and even place an order for pickup. Convenience means everything to a consumer and mobile commerce is the easiest way to achieve that.
Augmented Reality and Virtual Reality
When you take a look at where technology is going, it’s hard to not mention augmented reality and virtual reality in the mix. They’re two of the most sought-after technologies today and are finally starting to find their way into the mobile app community.
For those that don’t know, augmented reality is when objects in real life are altered on the screen to promote unique user experience. Pokemon Go is a mobile app that took this to a new level and is still seeing success today. Interior design apps and makeup apps have also used augmented reality.
On the other hand, virtual reality is when the outside world is shut off and the user enters a completely new world — a virtual one. This is mostly used with mobile games, but we have also seen virtual reality utilized with virtual tours, real estate apps, and much more.
Want to start your own startup?
Beacon Technology
Beacon technology has been around for over 7 years, but they are still making their way into mobile app trends today. What initially started as a retail-specific technology has now been utilized by sports teams, malls, hotels, and much more.
In simple terms, beacons are small devices that are placed throughout a location — whether it be a store, stadium, or hotel. The beacon will connect to any nearby user’s Bluetooth and gain the ability to send that user notifications through an app. In retail, this was largely used to notify users of discounts and give recommendations as they walk through the store.
Since then, Major League Baseball has deployed them in stadiums to notify attendees of seats that are available. Hotels are even using them to replace hotel keys and make it easier to enter rooms.
Foldable Devices
Much like we’ve seen with wearable devices, mobile devices are always evolving. One of the newer technologies, mainly in the tablet and laptop community, has been foldable devices. As the name suggests, these devices can fold out into a larger screen — or dual screen.
Making an app compatible with foldable devices will allow you to enter an exclusive market that not many businesses or brands have entered yet. If you’re looking to be viewed as a leader in your industry, getting a head start on this technology in your mobile app can take your brand to new heights.
For anyone interested in learning more about the various trends we are seeing in the mobile app world, check out our blog that’s filled with resources and insights. If you have an idea for a mobile app that you want to bring to life, contact us today and we can help make that a reality!
—
Photo by Zapp2Photo on Shutterstock