How is The App Industry Changing With The Speed of Light?
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It would be inaccurate to state that mobile app development has reached its maximum potential. Apps surfaced onto the virtual landscape a few years ago, and since then, they are maturing with every passing day. You will be surprised to find a huge variety of apps with similar functionalities.
The reason is the increasing use of smartphones across the globe. If you take a look around you right now, we are sure you will find most people have their eyes glued to screens. It is evidence of the growing popularity of smart devices.
Studies reveal that ten percent of people check their phones every four minutes. These days, people are not only using phones to make calls. Instead, they are using them to access apps, games, and web portals. This is good news for all those aspiring developers out there. If you are willing to introduce an app in the market, now is the time to do so.
However, before jumping onto the bandwagon, it’s wise to study the current state of the industry. What are the monetization strategies? Which one will work for you? How dynamic is the industry? What do the experts forecast for the future?
Having all the information prior helps you to make an informed decision. In this article, we will examine some of the biggest app development trends for the upcoming days. Let’s have a look:
AR and VR Apps
Augmented Reality and Virtual Reality tech have improved over the past few years. Apps like Siri and Alexa are making lives easier. Not only that, but this technology is also penetrating into other applications. Major global brands like Apple and Google are investing staggering amounts in integrating AR and VR into apps. These include business, education, games, and ecommerce applications.
Consider the example of Pokemon Go. It was the most widespread game in 2017, with more than $2 billion of revenue. This is strong proof that the public is quite interested in AR and VR technologies.
Artificial Intelligence Apps
Companies like Amazon and Google show a keen interest in developing artificial intelligence. By integrating these algorithms into apps, they expect an enhancement in user engagement. According to a report, artificial intelligence can increase user engagement on an app by 53 percent.
Features like voice search and instant recommendations increase customer inclination to these apps. For example, apps like Zomato use automation to display fine restaurants near your location. Besides this, AI enables the app to provide a more personalized experience to the users. Apps like Amazon Go track users’ behavior and anticipate their desires.
Check out AI and Customer Experience – All Set to Overtake Human-to-Human Conventional Interactions to know how businesses can make the most out of AI applications.
Wearables
Creating software for wearables is one of the biggest app trends in the present era. There are more than 300 wearables right now. These vary from a simple Bluetooth earphone to the latest Apple Watch Series.
Google is also putting a fair amount of effort into the design and manufacturing of the Pixel Watch. All of these devices need an application to run. And developers are coming up with new ideas every day. Watches are the most popular among the wearables, but there other gadgets like glasses that have integrated AI algorithms.
Chatbot Apps
Chatbot apps are bringing about a great difference in user experiences. Unlike regular apps, they have a chat interface. This is where the user practically has a conversation with an app. They have an intuitive interface that enhances the overall experience of the users.
According to a report by Grand View Research, the worldwide chatbot market will reach $1.23 billion by 2025. This means an annual growth rate of 24.3%.
The reason for the growing popularity of chatbot apps are the benefits that tag along. They make customer interaction more lively and engaging. They act as a friend of the user by recommending new things and customizing the app according to their taste.
Enhanced App Security
Another major factor that singles out recent apps from the past is the improved app security system. Consider the example of Airg spams free apps and others where the developers are crafting incredible security algorithms. By inserting improved digital barriers within their apps, they can provide a better service to the users.
Progressive Web Apps
Progressive Web Apps are the next level of mobile web applications. They do not have roadblocks like those in usual mobile websites. For instance, they do not need a constant Internet connection, nor do they rely on the speed of the server.
Rather, they bring about a native experience for the users. Features like home screen launcher, push notifications, full-screen modes are part and parcel of such apps. Apart from this, these applications have a much better speed. They also consume less data than the ordinary mobile website.
The best part is, the progressive web apps do not need installation. Plus, they cater to multiple operating systems.
Changing Monetization Strategies
As the industry is exploring new realms, the process of revenue generation is also changing. Previously, there were two main monetization strategies. These included in-app purchases and subscription models. But nowadays, developers are diving into new streams of revenue generation. These include:
- Crowdfunding: Developers present the idea of their app on platforms like Kickstarter. After putting forth the ideas, they request donations. Solid ideas receive a warm welcome and generate big amounts of funding. Such as the tech startup Shadow. It is an incredible example of successful crowdfunding.
- Sponsorship: Users perform the role of the advertising sponsor at a certain fee. A particular percentage of this fee goes to the developers. An example of the sponsorship model is Runkeeper. It is an app with 45 million users.
- Advertisements: These apps are free. They contain ads that generate revenue for the developers. As the number of downloads increase, the revenue of the developers also rises.
Parting Thoughts
The explosive growth in the mobile app development sector is unstoppable. Developers must work out strategies to offer a user-friendly experience. In case the app stays monotonous and neglects the experience of the users, there is a chance of it going down the drain. Therefore as the industry progresses, it is important to keep a close watch on how your app facilitates the user.
We hope you will figure out a strategy to improve your app by implementing one or more of these trends. If there is anything you want to add, feel free to let us know.
Evie harrison is a blogger by choice. She loves to discover the world around her. She likes to share her discoveries, experiences and express herself through her blogs.
Find her on twitter: @iamevieharrison