Mobile apps are expected to generate around $189 billion in revenue by 2020.
If that sounds like something you’d like a slice of, you’ve come to the right place. App ideas are only as good as the trends that inform them. So with that in mind, we’ve come up with 9 mobile app trends that should be informing your brainstorming process.
Here are 9 mobile app trends that will help you turn your ideas into real products in 2019.
Look to Progressive Web Apps
Web apps are the new old kids on the block and they’re taking it by storm. Essentially, web apps are almost functionally complete mobile apps with one big difference: they’re built as web apps rather than mobile apps. This means web apps don’t need to be installed from app stores. They don’t require physical space on the phone either.
Because web apps are delivered via an internet connection, they’re also far easier to update than traditional apps. Simply updating files on a server will ensure everyone’s running the most up-to-date version of your app.
Progressive web app development is expected to surge this year as developers and users see the many upsides to the format. So why not make your next app idea a reality with an App Builder that specializes in web apps?
Participate in the Internet of Things
The Internet of Things (IoT) ideology is the concept of connecting and controlling offline things with the internet. Think Amazon with it’s “Echo” devices and the Google Home brand.
Nowadays, it’s not unusual to control your hardware devices and appliances with an internet connection. That tendency is only expected to increase in 2019.
The demand for IoT devices has given rise to a slew of apps to better control them and that development isn’t likely to slow down anytime soon. So when brainstorming your next big app, why not turn to IoT and let it inform your creativity.
Augment Reality
Pokemon Go cemented augmented reality app development as a staple in 2016 and its popularity has only grown since. Now AR has some awesome use cases under its belt.
Everything from SnapChat filters to selfies with Marvel characters to the Ikea Place app uses AR technology to provide an intuitive, immersive experience. Google even stepped into the AR limelight at its annual developers’ conference this year with it’s AR Visual Positioning System.
Utilizing AR technology in your next app is a great way to stay on top of trends and ahead of the competition.
Pay Attention to Payments
Customers have long demanded frictionless payment methods from all the apps they use but the methods of payment have changed over time. Cash to credit, credit to debit, now the focus is on mobile wallets and digital currencies.
When planning your next app you have to ensure it’s integrated with all the major payment options available currently. Mobile wallets like Amazon Pay, Google Wallet, and PayPal, in particular, should be given priority.
Wearable Tech Is in Fashion
Just as IoT is becoming more common so too is wearable technology. Smart watches, motion trackers, and mobile gadgets are booming and so your app development should take that into account.
Have an idea for a fitness app? Why not integrate it with Fitbit or smartwatches? Looking to develop a medical orientated app? Take advantage of movement and heart rate trackers.
2019 will be the year wearable tech takes center stage – make sure you’re not left in the wings yourself.
Integrate AI and Machine Learning
AI and machine learning have been gaining traction in the mobile app world for a few years now but 2019 will be the year they really shine.
With Google, Facebook, and other developers all releasing open source machine learning libraries the possibilities for app integration are endless.
Want to build an app that parses information from a screenshot? Google’s Cloud Vision has you covered. Looking to integrate speech-to-text functionality into your app? AWS Transcribe has just what you’re looking for.
The best part about AI and machine learning is the best is yet to come. As technology gets smarter so too will our AI.
Look to the Beacon
Beacon technology is used to track a users’ movement inside space by measuring the distance between a mobile device and a nearby beacon device. The technology is already a boon for malls, hotels, retail stores, and airports but that’s just the beginning of the story.
Imagine a museum app that can track where you are in an exhibition and push information about artwork to your phone as you approach. This ability to tailor your users’ experience based on location is going to be one of the biggest trends to hit this year.
Integrate With the Cloud
The use of cloud storage has come a long way in recent years, particularly in app development.
Cloud storage essentially negates the need for excessive storage of documents and files on one’s phone. Instead, apps can sync with the cloud, freeing up space and ensuring the security of the user’s files.
Cloud integration should be a priority for any apps requiring storage. It isn’t just a boon for storage itself, it also ensures you’re working with user’s existing methodologies.
Blockchain Isn’t Just for Currency Anymore
Blockchain development is typically associated with the creation of cryptocurrencies but the technology has more far-reaching possibilities than bitcoin.
Blockchain allows for the decentralization of data. Because a blockchain is a series of time-stamped records of data managed by a cluster of computers, it means the system is essentially democratized.
What does this mean for mobile applications? Decentralized Mobile apps or DApps are applications that aren’t owned by any one person. This means they’re impossible to shut down and they don’t experience any downtime. It also means their development can be collaborative, which is a game-changer for app development.
Make Your App Ideas a Reality
The best app ideas can always benefit from savvy research. And what are trends but the cream of the research crop? Web app trends are a great way to stay modern, fresh, and relevant. So you can take your app idea from concept to reality.
Looking to up your SEO game? Here are 5 SEO tools to improve your rankings
