5 APP DEVELOPMENT TRENDS THAT WILL SOAR ABOVE THE REST IN 2016

2015 was an exciting and transformative year. It was just in October that we took a look back and covered the Top App Development Trends of 2015. We are seeing clear evidence that some of our predictions are gaining momentum as we head into the New Year.

Right now, we are at the epicenter of an information and technology boom. The tech world is experiencing exponential growth in both apps and connected things. End users are engaging products and applications more frequently and differently than before. Smartphones are just a “dumb box.” However, with apps, smartphones and smart technology become life changing.

Let’s dive a bit deeper into some of the specific app development trends that are emerging above the rest.

Internet of Things (IoT)

It is predicted that there will be 50 billion connected devices in this world by 2020. That’s six connections per every living person on Earth. Today, we’re just getting started. For example, the connected home went mainstream in 2015, with smart refrigerators, smart security systems and even smart door locks.

For every connected thing, there needs to be an application powering it. Therefore, developers need to be mindful of what hardware apparatuses a “chip” can go into and how it could benefit someone to track and manage that thing remotely. The task at hand is to transform IoT science projects into marketable products. Developers will be tasked with creating that critical link in 2016 and beyond.

Enterprise App Development

The lines that separate our work and personal lives are blurred. In fact, there is likely a virtual line in our smartphone sandboxing the two. At the same time, apps are quickly becoming a part of our workplace lexicon. Does any of this sound familiar? “Let’s Webex it. “Can you Dropbox that?” “I’ll Echosign your contract tonight.” “Did you notate that in Salesforce?”

Today, enterprise apps are vital. Certainly, app developers have reaped the rewards. In fact, 43% of mobile enterprise app developers make over $10,000 a month, compared to 19% of consumer app developers. There will continue to be a strong market for applications that solve business issues and that keep workers connected, productive, safe and efficient.

Be sure to review The Core Principles Behind Enterprise App Development to further assess this opportunity.

Faster Mobile Development and Growth in Cross-Platform Tools

End users want choice. They want a multitude of apps to be available to them on a multitude of devices. The power of the end user control is driving forces like BYOD in the workplace. It is also increasing the need for apps to be available across Android and iOS. Today, an app must be available and work flawlessly across platforms and devices in order to thrive.

To top it off, ideas for apps must be executed quickly and rushed to market. Therefore, cross-platform development toolsets will continue to step up to fill in the need for bringing apps to market quickly, effectively and broadly.

In 2016, expect to see cross-platform tools evolve and grow. Click here to review additional considerations regarding cross-platform app development.

Security

Unfortunately, security concerns also gained traction in 2015. There were many high profile cases throughout the year of companies that were impacted by a data breach, compromising their customer and employee records. Furthermore, 40% of larger U.S. companies are not monitoring new mobile apps for malicious malware and are simply releasing apps. The risk for infiltrating information through a mobile app is a real and imminent danger.

Security threats bleed over into the application layer for many of the same reasons noted earlier. The demand for apps, especially enterprise, to be rushed to market and implemented universally is growing. In fact, some reports indicate that an average app is exposed to at least nine different security vulnerabilities and that 75% of apps will fail basic security measures.

Couple these reports with the fact that Google and Apple are increasing their security protocols, developers are certainly going to have their hands full in 2016.

From data leakage to server side control errors, there are different ways for information to be exposed/threatened. Click here for a more in-depth review regarding the six major security challenges being faced by developers today.

Increased Focus on UX

From design to development, successful app teams have truly come to realize that with the increased expectations/standards of today’s users, the user experience must remain at the forefront. Ultimately, in order to create a more successful, likeable app, developers need to better understand the core principles of UX. This can be assisted by communicating clear expectations in the hand-off process from designers to development. For example, designers should try to share a variety of user stories with their developers (“As a user I want to…[user goal]”). Accordingly, developers need to take the initiative to collaborate further with UX designers. Constant clarification and transparency should be sought regarding the vision. Just as engagement is key for an app, it is also critical for UX designers and developers.

Without delivering the best end user experience, an app will quickly “die” and become replaced with other apps that actually did take the time to optimize the UX. It’s unfortunately a common fate of many apps. Yet, on top of strengthening communication between developers and UX designers, there is another solution that developers can implement in order to help prevent the death of their app. By leveraging UX app analytics via Appsee, developers can better understand how to troubleshoot errors in their app’s UX as well as recognize opportunities for optimization. Tools like Appsee are critical for getting the UX right.

As we head into next year, we encourage developers to keep these app development trends in mind and prioritize them. Developers certainly have their work cut out for them in 2016, yet it is sure to also be an exciting and enlightening year.

These are our specific predictions for the biggest things that will drive development in 2016. What do you think will be the next big thing? Leave us a comment, and let us know!