There’s no denying that the mobile app revolution is underway. In 2021, there were a whopping 7 billion mobile app users globally. The following year, this number rose to 9 billion and was projected to reach 10 billion in 2023 as smartphones and wearables become an integral part of our everyday life.

The shift from e-commerce to m-commerce did not happen by accident. While e-commerce presented a digital model for online shopping, m-commerce seemed to respond better to consumer needs given that it was integrated into mobile devices like smartphones, wearables, and tablets.

This post examines seven mobile app trends that businesses are tapping into to maintain a competitive edge in their industries.

1. 5G Technology

Mobile apps have proven to be a game-changer in the industry. They’ve helped transform markets, tap into new customer pools, and boost the bottom line.

Unfortunately, the app development landscape is forever changing, making it hard for businesses, especially small and medium-sized enterprises, to keep up with emerging trends.

One of these emerging technologies is the 5G. 5G offers 100 times faster internet connectivity than its predecessor, 4G LTE. This particular trend of faster internet connectivity speeds will significantly transform the mobile app development landscape.

Already, businesses of all sizes and sophistication are looking at how they can leverage this new technology to transform themselves and redefine their competitive positioning.

For instance, 5G technology could enable businesses to develop more immersive AR and VR technologies, provide improved data analytics, and transform their efficiencies on numerous fronts.

The 5G technology remains a game-changer in the mobile app development landscape, and enterprises must look into how they can optimize this new technology to drive value.

2. Internet of Things (IoT) App Integration

The Internet of Things is no longer a complicated term or concept. The IoT simply refers to the interconnectivity of devices and the information or data that flows among interconnected devices.

The rise of mobile penetration across multiple sectors has created seemingly endless possibilities for the internet of things. The Internet of Things refers to the increasingly high number of devices connected to the internet, and the information or data supported or emitted by these interconnected devices.

A classic example of IoT app integration is the rise of smart home technology. Mobile apps, for example, can be used to activate thermostats in remote homes. Mobile apps can also activate alarms, security cameras, and automated gates or entrances remotely.

Refrigerators, ovens, cookers, and other appliances can also be controlled using mobile apps, providing countless control and automation possibilities.

Credible research indicates that the global internet of things market will reach $264 billion in 2022. These statistics show that $190 billion of this income will come from interconnected mobile apps.

3. Augmented and Virtual Reality

Despite the Covid-19 pandemic and the recent transformations in the global business landscapes, businesses are expected to embrace mobile app development.

That’s because mobile apps provide a tangible way for businesses to reach their target audience and grow their brands despite the economic turmoil of the pandemic.

Integrating augmented and virtual reality is one of the most reputable mobile app development trends in 2022. This integration involves using immersive technologies to create engaging customer experiences.

For instance, businesses are using augmented reality technology to show customers what products will look like in their homes. In addition, augmented and virtual reality technologies are being embedded to provide a realistic preview of products.

4. Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning

As we recover from the Covid-19 pandemic, businesses are looking at ways to remain competitive in an ever-changing global landscape. Artificial intelligence and machine learning are one of the hottest words in the tech world right now, and they’re just beginning to get famous.

The reason machine learning and artificial intelligence are the two most important concepts right now is that they possess a huge capability to process huge amounts of information and data quickly and efficiently.

This capability is especially valuable to businesses that want to process huge amounts of information and make informed business decisions based on available customer behavior data.

And by incorporating artificial intelligence in their mobile apps, businesses can not only mine critical customer information – they can equally draw meaningful insights from collected data.

Also, artificial intelligence can create more interactive and engaging customer communication information and data or content. The creation of engaging content is a critical element of mobile app development.

So, businesses looking forward to staying competitive in an ever-changing business landscape must consider integrating machine learning and artificial intelligence in their mobile app development efforts.

5. Blockchain

Blockchain is another emerging mobile app trend that’s promising to make an impact in the coming years. Already, we have witnessed the success of blockchain in creating a secured and seamless cryptocurrency market, and its application in other industries and sectors continues to be lauded.

The blockchain, which essentially represents a distributed ledger technology, promises to revolutionize and transform the way businesses operate by offering a secure and water-tight way of storing information.

And while blockchain is mostly associated with cryptocurrencies like bitcoin, it has a wide range of applications for businesses of all types and sizes. For instance, blockchain can streamline supply chain processes, track inventory levels, and create secure digital contracts.

6. Apps for Foldable Devices

It’s not a surprise that you had, or maybe you knew someone who had a flip phone a long time ago. The first generation of flip-flop phones was replaced by touch screen phones and smartphones with one or two buttons.

However, at the start of 2019, we witnessed a generation of foldable smartphones. 2019 saw the release of foldable smartphones like Huawei Mate X, Samsung Galaxy Fold, and Motorola Razr.

These smartphones fold to expand or compress the screen size based on the user’s preference. For instance, the user can receive a call with the phone closed but watch a video with the device open.

That means that from an app development perspective, developers must account for these changes in mobile design. The idea is that an app must seamlessly update its display as the device unfolds and closes.

The key highlight of any app is to offer a superior and user-friendly viewing experience regardless of whether the app is open or closed.

7. Development for Wearable Devices

Wearable devices have taken a toll over the last decade, defining trends in the healthcare sector. Wearable devices nowadays monitor heart rate, record blood pressure, and keep tabs on pulses.

Some wearables go a notch higher to show important body variables and statistics like disease diagnostics, patient therapy delivery, and early disease diagnostics.

It’s important to note that wearable technology has come with devices such as trackers, fitness bands, and smartwatches, signaling a new wake for wearable devices.

However, emerging statistics show that the wearable market has not reached its full potential. There has been a year-to-year increase in wearable adoption from 2017 to 2022, signaling that the market is yet to exploit its fullest potential.

The evidence shows that while we are not witnessing a year-to-year jump, the growth rate is steady, a clear indication of the hidden potential of this market.

For instance, Apple Inc. made a big announcement about wearables and app integration at its 2019 WWDC. The newly launched WatchOS 6 brought the Apple Store to Apple Watch. This trend shows that new apps are being built specifically for these devices.

In the future, more mobile apps will be made with wearables in mind. Users with wearables will be able to download thousands of apps directly from their wrists – reinforcing the mere fact that mobile app development is gradually shifting towards wearable technology.

NS804 – Transforming The Mobile App Development Landscape!

NS804 is a trusted provider of custom-built mobile app solutions for individual businesses and corporations. NS804 provides expertise in mobile app development, allowing enterprises to approach their app projects with diligence.

So, if you want to tap into emerging app trends or integrate emerging solutions in your app development project – look no further!

Contact NS804 to know how exactly you can integrate emerging app trends into your mobile app.