With mobile dominating the Internet by 2021, there’s no better time to start developing mobile apps for your business. So, you might as well make sure you’re following the right trends. This is something every business needs to know about, so give us a few minutes to show you what 2021 holds for mobile app development.
With the backdrop of the 2020 Covid-19 pandemic and the new paradigm it has created, the mobile app industry is evolving to meet current and future needs.
Mobile will continue its dominance in 2021 with all other technologies converging to meet the demands of mobile, including IoT and AR/VR.
And with over 6 billion smartphone users in the world more and more people are using mobile apps (Statista).
There are huge changes taking place in the app development world and for businesses to survive within their niche, they need to know how to adapt with these trends.
Leading mobile app development companies have a clue about what are some of the major factors and forces that drive these app development trends. They also know how it can help your business grow exponentially in the coming years.
Let’s have a look at seven hottest mobile app development trends for 2021:
Contents
Augmented Reality (AR) and Virtual Reality (VR)
If you’ve been paying attention to the current mobile app development trends, you know that augmented reality and VR are on their way to becoming an integral part of how we interact with our smartphones.
With the success of Pokemon Go and the AR/VR headset market, it’s no wonder that these technologies are being adopted at a rapid pace.
Currently, AR has been used by brands in various ways, including as an augmented display for their products and services, to showcase new products or experiences, or to offer interactive experiences for customers.
While VR on the other hand has been more focused on entertainment, with its immersive quality creating a world of cinema and gaming. Brands have used it for marketing campaigns, as a sales and promotions tool to engage with customers.
But that’s not all – in 2021 AR/VR will be used to create an immersive shopping experience and as a customer service tool. For instance: customers can use AR when designing a new home or to buy clothes interactively.
Additionally, both AR and VR are also being used in the medical field – for example, surgeons use AR in surgeries to guide them through the complex procedure.
And AR is also being used for educational purposes, bringing a world of information and entertainment into the classroom.
Pushing for more innovation Apple introduced ARKit – a new framework for developing augmented reality applications on iOS. And Google is also getting into the game with ARCore
What this means: The potential of these technologies are huge and as mobile app developers, you should be looking to explore these features and incorporate them in your next project.
Beacon Technology
One thing is sure: mobile apps are supposed to make our lives easier. With the help of beacon technology, they can do just that by helping us find exactly what we’re looking for in an instant.
So, let’s say you’re looking for a nearby restaurant. With the help of beacon technology, you’ll be able to find it on your map and get directions with just one tap.
Beacon technology is also being used to help people find their way in airports and malls, as well as offer them personalized information when they visit a store.
And while the technology is being primarily used for retail, it’s also been integrated in many other industries such as healthcare and education.
Some mobile app developers are even using it for advertising, as well as to offer in-store discounts.
The future of beacons is looking bright, as more companies are jumping on board and expanding its use.
Cross-Platform App Development
When it comes to apps, there are many different platforms to choose from – iOS, Android and Windows. But most mobile app developers agree that cross-platform development is the way to go.
The idea is that you’ll be able to create a single codebase for your app, which will work across all platforms without any changes.
The benefits it can provide includes: saving time and resources; improving customer’s experience with your app by offering a seamless mobile app browsing, viewing or purchasing process; and improving your brand’s reputation.
We’ve seen big players in the industry like Alibaba, Facebook, Pinterest, and Snapchat to name a few, adopt this approach.
And while cross-platform development is not for everyone, it’s definitely worth considering if you’re looking to expand your mobile app’s reach and take your app idea to the next level.
It’s a trend that is growing steadily as mobile app developers are adopting this approach and delivering apps to their customers on multiple platforms. It’s essential that you work with qualified app developers who are up-to-date on trends and who can offer you the best solutions for your particular needs.
Internet of Things (IoT)
We love this trend! The Internet of Things is a system that consists of everyday objects and devices connected to the internet, which allows them to send data back and forth.
You’ll see it everywhere around you – from your fridge, to lamps and even toys. And with the help of mobile apps developers, all of this data collected is being used to help you more efficiently.
For example, if your kitchen starts running low on groceries – with the help of the IoT a notification would be automatically sent to you to order more.
And if your car is low on fuel, it will automatically send the nearest location where you can refuel.
You’ll agree that IoT is a great way to make our lives easier!
This is a trend that’s here to stay and will only continue to grow, which means as a business the time to embrace it is now.
Mobile Wallets
Make mobile wallets part of your mobile app development strategy.
As more and more people are making purchases through their mobile devices, it only makes sense that the next step is to make it more seamless to pay through your phone.
Mobile wallets are doing just that by replacing the need for cash and credit cards, while also being safer and more convenient.
It’s becoming so popular that many people are ditching their wallets completely in favor of a smartphone, and it brings with it many benefits.
For example, you’ll be able to store a virtual credit card and use it for in-store purchases without having to worry about fraud.
And if your phone is lost or stolen, you’ll be able to lock it and delete the data without having to worry about credit card numbers being stolen.
Mobile wallets are a trend that’s not going away anytime soon, and as mobile app developers we have to make sure our apps are ready to accommodate for this.
M-Commerce
While it is vital to have a strong online presence that offers mobile users the opportunity to purchase products or services, it’s just as important for your business to create an app so that you can sell your products or services to a mobile user.
Mobile users are not only using their smartphones as phones but also for shopping, banking, and other things.
And with mobile commerce apps, which are a line of business applications that allow for mobile transactions on a retailer’s site or app, you’ll be able to reach a bigger audience.
Mobile commerce apps allow for features such as: in-app payments, loyalty and rewards programs, integration with social media, and making the checkout process more convenient.
In fact, according to a BussinessWire’s recent article “mcommerce sales are projected to make up more than 50% of all ecommerce sales.”
Business owners have an opportunity to seize the day and make this trend part of their strategy.
Wearables
Before now, wearable devices were limited to fitness trackers and smartwatches, but they’re quickly becoming a part of mobile app development.
And with the help of mobile app developers, the future is looking bright for wearables.
This trend has been growing steadily and it doesn’t show any signs of slowing down.
In fact, Consumer Technology Association (CTA) predicts that wearables will generate “a record-breaking” $487 billion in revenue this year (MobileHealthNews).
There are many benefits to this trend, especially in the world of health and fitness.
Fitbit, for example, is a company that specializes in fitness wearables and has seen substantial growth in recent years. In healthcare, doctors and nurses have begun using wearables to monitor their patients’ vitals.
And now, wearable devices are being focused in other areas as well – such as industrial design and manufacturing, in the emergency response sector, and more.
As more and more people become aware of the benefits, this trend will only continue to grow.
Wrapping Up
In this blog post, we’ve outlined some of the top trends that will continue to shape mobile app development in 2021.
These are all trends that will continue to grow so it’s important for businesses and would-be app owners to consider these when developing their strategies.
At the heart of it all is the quality of the app.
Mobile apps are no longer just a way to have your business accessible on a smartphone, but it can be an essential tool for success.
