A Look at the Hottest Trends in App Development
In today’s age of rapidly evolving technology, few industries have managed to thrive as much as the app development sector. Since the start of the decade, new applications for newly discovered uses have been emerging every other second to meet the demands of an ever-expanding pool of mobile and computer users. Even more impressive is how effectively the app sector has changed and adapted to shifts in public preferences over the years. From powerful desktop-based programs to intuitive mobile and web applications, developers have consistently and successfully proven themselves as valuable members of the digital community.
We’re now almost waist-deep into 2018, and going by the new trends cropping up in the tech world, it is seemingly that time again for app makers to refresh their strategies and get ahead of the brewing competition.
Below are some of the most significant technological advancements that are shaping the app development scene today.
The Internet of things (IoT)
Thanks to IOT technology, the interaction between non-IT products and digital sensors is now a reality, and users can now control pretty much any device remotely using portable devices.
IOT has been increasingly gaining traction in recent years, and app developers are looking into the best ways to leverage the trend. In areas like the medical field, for instance, the real-time management of a critical medical condition is a concrete example of what’s possible in an intelligent environment. Through sophisticated applications, IoT devices can now syndicate data and provide relevant monitoring information in hospitals.
The Neuropace neurostimulation device, a gadget that is surgically implanted in a patient’s skull to invisibly and autonomously monitor seizures in epileptic patients, is proof of the enormous potential of IoT. We can argue that with the surge in the implementation of IoT, more applications will emerge to manage these devices.
Blockchain
When Blockchain came into the picture, the concept formed the basis for the provision of digital information which is infinitely replicable with provenance. As a ledger system that records and manages transactions using cryptography — blockchain, the technology behind the bitcoin, is arguably the most notable trend in mobile payments today. Blockchain creates a system where the exchange of value can happen without the need for third-party infrastructure. Using cryptocurrencies like bitcoin, it is now possible to send and receive money through a transparent and secure network at virtually no cost.
Unsurprisingly, the blockchain and cryptocurrency explosion has given rise to a new breed of computer- and smartphone-based payment applications. Apps such as Bitpay, Gliph, and Fold enable their users to make seamless peer-to-peer transactions over the blockchain.
Blockchain technology may still be in its early stages of development, but more applications enabled by platforms such as dApp Builder are undoubtedly on the way.
Mobile Payments
The significance of being able to complete monetary payments with nothing but the smartphone in your pocket cannot be undervalued. It is because of this simple fact that a new era of digital transactions is steadily drifting into the picture, disrupting the traditional payment landscape that has existed for years on end.
According to Forrester Research, mobile payments in the US are estimated to grow from $52 billion in 2014 to $142 billion by 2019. The entry of tech giants like Apple and Google into the scene has given the mobile payment arena significant momentum, and the simplicity and security their apps offer have enabled them to achieve tremendous success. With the current scan and pay system introduced by Visa and American Express also gaining traction, it’s conclusive that more payment apps are on the way to compete with existing ones and positively impact on service provision to consumers.
Cloud computing
Cloud computing has been integral to the development of data processing, backup and storage solutions in recent years. Currently, “the cloud” powers exceedingly useful IT structures, within which resources are retrieved from the internet through web-based tools and applications, as opposed to direct connection to servers.
Studies from business management consultant firm Forrester indicate that the cloud computing market is anticipated to reach $191 billion by the year 2020. Cloud-based apps such as Google Drive and iCloud enable individuals to store files online, synchronize them across devices and share them with other users. Moreover, through services such as Google Docs, professionals can perform simple document processing tasks while on the go, maximizing productivity.
Cloud-based applications offer users the striking appeal of accessing their data anytime, anywhere, and with any internet-enabled device. It’s evident that more and more app developers will embrace the power of cloud computing in the coming years.
VR and AR
Virtual reality (VR) and Augmented Reality (AR) are technologies whose sole purpose is to blur the line between the real world and a digitally created environment. They make use of visual, auditory, olfactory and haptic cues to give users immersive experiences that make digital media exciting, engaging and memorable.
Despite initial prophecies of doom from some pessimistic experts, virtual reality has been flying high since its re-emergence in 2016. Although high-end PC-based VR technology remains far too expensive for the average enthusiast, mobile VR is thriving, thanks to remarkable, cost-friendly gadgets like Google’s Daydream View and Samsung’s Gear VR. As one of the most exciting trends in the mobile scene, virtual reality offers a promising opportunity for app developers. In online retail, for instance, VR apps are being used to give customers a more realistic shopping experience
Augmented Reality may still be a relatively new concept, but with Apple launching ARkit and Google’s ARCore already in the market, we now have two rock-solid platforms for the development of AR-based apps. According to Digi-Capital, by 2020, AR/VR could hit $ 150 billion with AR taking around $ 120 billion and VR $30 billion. Tech innovators and marketers have adopted AR and VR as a way to provide compelling experiences for their target users, and as a result, some truly creative apps are on the horizon.
The headways above are just a few drops in a sea of tech trends that are already taking root in app development. As 2018 progresses, it will be fascinating to see how developers leverage existing and emerging technologies to keep up with the tide.
