Mobile app development trends you must know in 2020

Preface

In today's Internet trend, it is not enough to just have a mobile device. The development of mobile applications has gradually become diversified and mixed. The popular applications that shined in 2019 may not be so popular in 2020. If you just master the correct mobile application development strategy, it will not guarantee the success of the mobile application. You need to learn more about the latest mobile application development trends. So what aspects do you need to understand and pay attention to?

This article will explain in detail some technical trends that need attention, which is only for our reference to the future development direction of mobile applications. These technologies will help developers get promotions and salary increases in the future. I hope everyone will take a serious look at it.

First, let me quote a picture published by net solutions, which describes the development of mobile applications. It can be seen that the development of mobile applications has gone through five stages, namely: mobile website, native app, mobile web app, hybrid app and micro app.

Today, mobile is fundamentally changing business models, operating models, and markets at an astonishing pace. By 2021, mobile application market revenue is expected to reach $693 billion. However, according to Gartner's previous forecast, 9,999 out of 10,000 mobile applications fail.

So what aspects should we understand and pay attention to? Net Solutions has provided us with a relatively complete report through years of data sample accumulation and analysis, which is only for our reference to the future development direction of mobile applications. It is roughly divided into the following parts, please see the detailed introduction below:

1. Build foldable apps

With Samsung launching a foldable OLED display, Google is ready to use this technology on Android to improve the smartphone experience. Google officially announced support for foldable Android phones in 2018 through its "screen continuity" API.

According to Samsung, hundreds of popular Android apps have been optimized for the Galaxy Fold, including apps like Amazon Prime Video, Twitter, Spotify, Facebook, VSCO, and Microsoft Office.

As "foldable phones" will be the next popular development trend in 2020, developers need to develop a strategy for mobile applications that can run seamlessly on foldable devices. Foldable devices can provide larger screens, which also means that larger screens mean more space to provide detailed immersive experiences, and then using multi-windows, users can perform multiple tasks at the same time. Video and game applications can maximize the use of space and stunning visual enjoyment of foldable devices by simply increasing the screen size, or use the extra space to provide additional information and controls.

2. Machine Learning (ML) and Artificial Intelligence (AI)

Everyone knows the famous mobile app FaceApp, which became an overnight sensation due to its brilliant use of artificial intelligence (AI). It adds filters to users' photos to show what they would look like when they were younger and older. As of October 2019, the app had grossed $1 million.

AI and ML have been the trending technologies over the past few years.

Recently, popular mobile apps like Replika, Cortana, and Google Assistant have delved further into this area to see glimmers of success. In fact, when deep learning joins hands with ML, it can do wonders for mobile app development projects by providing valuable data and real-time analytics.

In fact, Apple launched Core ML 3 at WWDC 2019, the latest version of a machine learning model framework to help iOS developers embed AI intelligence into their applications. Therefore, in the future, these technologies such as machine learning (ML) and artificial intelligence (AI) are worth studying in more depth and properly understanding their functions and many components so that they can be used in more business scenarios.

3. The rise of chatbots

More than 50% of buyers want more DIY, custom service tools to speed up online purchases. Chatbots are a perfect way to expand this category of customer relationship management.

As of now, there are about 2.5 million apps in the Google Play Store and about 1.8 million apps in the Apple App Store. However, you will be surprised to find that only a few apps have deployed chatbots to facilitate better UI/UX services. Starbucks is one of them. They released an app called "My Starbucks Barista" where you just tell the app what coffee you want to order and the app will automatically place the order for you.

It is expected that by the end of 2020, 80% of businesses will use chatbots, and users will find answers quickly and accurately, which is a real business opportunity to integrate chatbots into your mobile applications. In 2020, the integration of chatbots with mobile applications will develop from the initial basics to a fierce level.

4. Wearable App Integration

Wearable technology is gradually gaining ground across the globe. According to Statista, the number of connected wearable devices reached 453 million in 2017 and is expected to reach 929 million by 2021. As technology advances, we can expect wearable applications to soon become an essential part of our daily lives.

Apple recently announced its WatchOS update at the WWDC conference. Apple Watch apps will no longer require companion iOS apps and will have their own App Store. This clearly marks the rise of wearable technology. With apps that run independently of the iPhone, Apple has upgraded the stature of the Apple Watch to a standalone device that users can use for their digital needs.

In other words, app developers and businesses should be ready to deliver apps that provide a great digital experience to users on the Apple Watch, giving them a clear advantage over those who don’t.

5. IoT-enabled mobile apps

The network of interconnected smart gadgets is known as the Internet of Things. And in 2019, brands like Amazon and Google have taken full advantage of the technology and stepped up their IoT game with the launch of the "Echo" line of devices and the Google Home Voice Controller, respectively.

Additionally, Google's $2.1 billion acquisition of wearable device company Fitbit and its partnership with home security camera maker Nest show that the company is rapidly adopting IoT technology.

As the demand for IoT gadgets and systems increases, the need for IoT-enabled applications will also increase simultaneously. Continuous supply chains in retail, smart homes, and savvy health insurance plans are already a reality and a future development.

6. Augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR)

A classic example of the early use of AR technology is "Pokémon Go", for example: one of the Pokémons in it might be a temporary storm in the eastern coastal area.

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AR and VR technologies are not only used in high-quality gaming applications, but are also widely used in other business scenarios.

Technology giants such as Apple and Google are already innovating a plethora of new use cases using AR. For example, Google is about to introduce a new AR feature for Google Maps that will show people real-time route guidance instructions, helping them identify routes and directions. In 2020, AR integration will become one of the essential mobile app development trends that will shape the mobile industry by creating a seamless experience for users.

7. Mobile Wallet

Given the popularity of smartphones and users' willingness to switch to smart watches, mobile wallets such as Apple Pay and Google Wallet will definitely develop in the future, and the demand for mobile wallet applications will grow in the future. At the same time, big brands such as Samsung, Apple and Google are using mobile wallets to provide users with a safe and convenient currency transaction and bill payment platform. Judging from the domestic situation, the future mobile wallet is very likely to be led by Alibaba and Tencent, and occupy a considerable market. However, it must be said that the mobile wallet function is a good development space in the future.

8. Mobile app security draws more attention

In 2018, Facebook's stock price fell 8.5% due to the discovery of a user data leak involving Cambridge Analytica. This was followed by the #DeleteFacebook movement, which even received support from WhatsApp founder Brian Acton. Later, there was the Uber hacking scandal, etc. After such incidents, companies will conduct more data protection and information privacy management in their pursuit of cybersecurity.

The best minds in the industry will have to up the ante to remove the uncertainty surrounding mobile apps. Even Apple, when it announced at WWDC 2019, tried to address security concerns by introducing a new feature called “Sign in with Apple.” This feature was introduced with the goal of combating illegal data sharing during app login.

In 2020, the mobile app development industry will move towards a security-first approach, laying the blueprint for a robust DevOps strategy.

9. Beacons

Beacon technology has been around for a while, and in 2020, it will become even more powerful. Beacon-based notifications are increasingly helping many businesses and industries connect with their customers in a highly relevant way.

The following figure shows the entire process of beacon technology:

You can see it in more contexts: beacon-enabled airports, mobile payment beacons, automated personal beacons, etc. The use of beacon technology can help make virtual tours more personalized and information sharing smoother and more secure.

10. Instant App

2016 saw the birth of Instant Apps. Instant mobile apps are smaller than regular apps, user-friendly and highly convenient as they can be used without downloading.

Here are some apps that use Instant Apps:

Instant apps are not only popular among users but also among iOS and Android developers as they help them achieve higher conversion rates compared to regular mobile apps. As users continue to demand better user experience and shorter loading times, eliminating the waiting time required for installation, instant apps will be a popular development trend in 2020.

11. Cloud storage development

In the UK, 54% of businesses continue to run projects without cloud-based solutions, so cloud architecture is still considered the trend of the future.

Cloud technology plays a major role in building Android instant apps. Moreover, iOS devices also use cloud databases for some applications. Cloud computing integration helps mobile apps to store large amounts of data efficiently and perform complex tasks with cost-effectiveness and additional security. Streamlined operations, reduced hosting costs, better storage and load capacity, and increased user retention are a few of the many advantages of developing mobile apps on the cloud.

12. Cross-platform development

More and more commercial applications are emphasizing timeliness and the convenience of development. In my opinion, the development of cross-platform technology will only increase, especially in recent years, we can see the rapid development of cross-platform technology. Flutter in 2019 is the biggest highlight. This is a brand-new cross-platform technology launched by Google. At present, many large companies have begun to try to use Flutter for application development. Other companies are also starting to work on Flutter development. 2019 was the year of Flutter, and 2020 is still the same. Flutter is currently available for Android, iOS, and Web (beta version). I believe that there will be a formal version in 2020, and then Flutter can be used to develop three platforms. As for Desktop, it is only a preview version, and it can only be used on Mac OS. There is no news about other desktop versions. In 2020, the new system Fuchsia developed by Google will soon launch an official version. At that time, Flutter will be more popular as a tool for writing UI. It is worth looking forward to it.

There are already countless mobile apps available in Google Play, Apple App Store, Windows Store, and Amazon App Store. With all these mobile apps in the works, the mobile app industry will continue to grow at a rapid pace.

Therefore, to stand out in the competitive mobile app development space, it is very important for Android programmers to keep up with the latest trends and technologies.

Emerging mobile application platform development technologies, growing backend platforms and microservices, coupled with new hardware capabilities, will continue to lead the development of mobile applications and will further promote the "big front end".

At present, affected by the epidemic, some people have started working from home, and many others are simply sitting at home with nothing to do.

Improving your skills is a great way to pass the time, and you can also gain growth and a great sense of satisfaction.