Mobile app development is one of the booming areas of tech right now. The coronavirus pandemic has
presented many opportunities for apps to help individuals, healthcare providers and governments – all
around the world. Here are five of the main trends that are shaping the future of mobile app development.
1. Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning
Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning have actually been around for longer than many of us realise.
In fact, the concept goes back as far as the 1950s. It has now evolved beyond simple number crunching
and has the ability to talk to human users and learn from their interactions. These human interaction
elements are where Machine Learning comes in: AI programs are now capable of amassing vast amounts
of data and adapting to it independent of further input from programmers or operators.
In the field of mobile app development, AI is powering more intelligent chat-bots and virtual assistants,
providing personalised learning experiences by customising study packages. It is boosting the ‘offline
gaming’ industry where players compete alongside computer generated companions and opponents.
Another example is ‘Duplex AI’ by Google which can make calls using a ‘human’ voice and conversational
techniques that it learns from you.
2. How ‘Internet of Things’ integrates with apps
The integration of the Internet of Things (IoT) into more applications is likely to be a major trend in the
coming decades. Using IoT can enable apps to connect with a multitude of other devices. For example,
smartphone applications are now being used to control electrical appliances (mostly in the home) such as
central heating systems, fridges, radios, TVs and lighting. The 5G network will significantly increase the
opportunities to develop mobile IoT-enabled applications particularly as the sensors to which they can
connect are falling in cost.
Going forward, the IoT will centralise control systems for numerous devices – with everything accessible
from a mobile phone.
3. Wearable devices
The number of ‘connected’ wearable devices is expected to exceed one billion by 2025: they will simply
become a familiar part of everyday life. Wearable sensors and other devices will create all kinds of
possibilities that will help shape future mobile app development. So far, most mobile apps integrated with
these devices are used as fitness trackers and health monitors. These devices can also potentially take
some of the functional burdens off the smartphone itself – freeing them up for calls, texts, and emails.
4. Virtual Reality (VR) and Augmented Reality (AR)
VR and AR capability in mobile devices will create enormous new opportunities for app developers,
especially in combination with IoT sensors. This has been particularly evident in the gaming sector
(Pokemon Go) but is also being used in training (medical, engineering, aviation), fashion retailing, design
and architecture. The lockdowns in 2020/21 have accelerated adoption of, VR/AR which are increasingly
utilised for numerous product launches, presentations, and pre-construction planning.
As VR/AR becomes more realistic and mainstream, mobile apps will utilise them in some exciting and
innovative ways. VR headsets will probably become a common sight in non-gaming environments. Tech
giants Google and Apple are busy developing several AR and VR application platforms.
5. 5G Wireless technology
5G technology is intended to help everything run quicker, allowing faster communication between devices
and networks. 5G is expected to be up to 100 times faster than 4G and this will allow apps and devices to
send/receive real-time data. Mobile software development companies in Bristol will soon be utilising
this hyper-speed to make apps that can do more and work faster. 5G will also allow for improved graphics
in multiplayer gaming, boost user-interfaces, allow for more AR-based apps and increase the speed of
updates.
Mobile software development companies in Bristol
The trends discussed above are those most likely to define the future of mobile app development. If there is
another curveball like the pandemic, mobile apps will be a growing part of the solution. Mobile software
development companies in Bristol are at the forefront of these new developments and attracting some of
the best talents in the country.
