12 Mobile App Development Trends to Watch in 2019

2019 is shaping up to be a busy year for mobile app development. Let’s take a look at what you can expect in the coming year!

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The shift from accessing the internet on desktops and laptops to browsing on smartphones has been rapid. According to We are Social’s Global Digital Report, the number of smartphone users worldwide exceeds 5.135 billion. Unlike what skeptics predict, mobile app development is not a bubble, nor is it an impermanent trend destined to run out like an iPhone battery running on iOS 11.

Mobile applications are something we have become accustomed to in our culture, as they exist as location-based applications, developed within the scope of extensions and virtual reality. In fact, according to Statista, by 2020, mobile applications are expected to generate $188.9 billion as global revenue.

With more speed and momentum from the above statistics, 2019 could bring an even brighter future for mobile app development. We’ll either see entirely new trends or huge upgrades from the products that users are already using.

As 5G network trials get underway around the world, the world of app development is set to see a revolution. As I write this, the integrated chips that power our smartphones are improving, and in 2019, they will become a bit more expensive, giving mobile app developers more room to play with app complexity. Fans of augmented and virtual reality can already feel the adrenaline rush.

1. Accelerated Mobile Pages with AMP and EMM

AMP (Application Performance Management) listings were integrated into Google Search in 2016, and since then developers haven’t looked back.

By instilling this content in the application framework, developers have been able to use this simplified HTML version to achieve better user experience and retention, with Facebook Instant Articles being one of many success stories.

These monitoring tools and metrics, which help resolve bottlenecks and improve overall performance, will become a staple in 2019.

2. Machine Learning and Artificial Intelligence

Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning have penetrated deeply into mobile applications more than we may have realized. AI manifested itself in the form of chatbots. In fact, Siri is one of the biggest proofs that Machine Learning and Artificial Intelligence are a perfect fit for mobile applications and are now an inseparable part of them.

The growing demand for machine learning and artificial intelligence for virtual assistants and chatbots is what we are watching and this is what 2019 will bring for us.

3. Rising demand for wearable devices and IoT

Thanks to Apple, affordability constraints are out of the question. App developers are and will seek to develop apps for wearables, primarily smartwatches.

Currently, it’s mainly the watch and fitness industries that are looking to smartwatches, but a few big names like Zomato and Uber have invested in wearable app development. Though like most, they’ve only scratched the surface.

2019 promises to bring more wearables — watches, fitness bands, activity trackers, and more.

4. Chatbots will be complete

According to Statista, the global chatbot market is expected to grow to $1.25 billion by 2025 – an increase of more than $1 billion from 2016. One can simply infer that chatbots are now a part of digital reality.

Chatbots will now work as virtual assistants in mobile apps (and they are already in action). Thanks to advances in AI, it is now easy to integrate chatbots in apps without the need for complex coding.

A rather interesting infographic from Digital Commerce shows that up to 50% of B2B buyers prefer self-service CRM. Chatbots are the new way to extend this customer relationship management.

5. Augmented and virtual reality will impact mobile strategy

Pokémon Go may be a temporary storm on the East Coast, but AR and VR are here to stay. With revenues expected to exceed $200 billion by 2020, developers are poised to create amazing mobile app experiences in AR and VR, and as compatible hardware hits the market, we can’t wait to get the party started.

6. Mobile Wallet/Payment Gateway

Frictionless payment methods are what customers demand from all the apps they use. There has been a gradual but significant change in the way users prefer to shop. We are slowly moving from cash to credit/debit cards, mobile wallets, and digital currencies.

As a result, mobile commerce has successfully become the most popular shopping model. Therefore, for businesses to be able to create an excellent application experience, integrating payment gateways and providing secure and encrypted mobile wallets (such as Amazon Pay, Google Wallet, PayPal, etc.) will become the main products in 2019.

7. More companies will invest in cloud integration

It took years, but the world is finally waking up to the possibilities offered by cloud computing and integration. Streamlining operations, reducing hosting costs, increasing storage and loading capacity, and improving user retention are just a few of the many advantages of developing mobile apps through the cloud.

8. Instant Apps Are Coming Soon

In 2016, instant apps were introduced - native mobile applications that are smaller in size than usual apps, user-friendly and very convenient, as there is no need to download them. As the name suggests, they are instantly accessible without any download.

Instant Apps are indeed a welcome trend in 2019 as users continue to demand better user experience and shorter loading times, thereby eliminating the waiting time required for installation.

9. Mobile app security gets extra attention

Yes, we know this is nothing new, but with Uber coming out of the metaphorical closet and embracing hacking, and even Facebook and Google admitting their security breaches, app developers will be looking to invest more in cybersecurity as it directly ties in with users’ data privacy and protection laws.

The best minds in the industry will have to let go of the uncertainty surrounding mobile apps.

10. Beacon Technology

Beacon technology has been around for a while, and 2019 will make its presence even stronger.

We are probably seeing beacon-based airports, mobile payment beacons, and even automated personal beacons more than ever before. So the trend will be to create more usable apps that handle beacon technology and make virtual guides and personalized information sharing smoother.

11. Predictive Analytics that Impact Mobile UI/UX

Mobile apps will transform from being a mere utility to an integral part of the workflow. Giants like Facebook, Google, and Apple are already using AI to enhance the customer journey of their app UI/UX using predictive analytics, and 2019 will witness advancements in this space.

12. On-demand apps are rising in popularity

What was once termed as an inevitable bubble in the mobile app development space is now the future. As the industry embraces the on-demand business model like an old friend, one can expect UI/UX enhancements, mobile commerce facilities, predictive analytics, and business bots to fuel the growth of Uber and Zomato-like apps in 2019.

in conclusion

At the risk of sounding like a cliché, one cannot stress enough that smartphones are the future, considering how the trend of mobile app development has captured users worldwide over the past 3-4 years. As we usher in another year, curiosity and excitement are the focus of some of the best brains in the business, looking forward to the future of mobile app development.