The application development market continues to grow and evolve, and this year brings many new developments. Whether you are an app developer or you are thinking of creating an app for your business. The trends can help you decide how and where to target your efforts in terms of success.
In this article, we will dissect the main trends in mobile application development that will mark 2022. Here we go!
- What is mobile application development?
- Why should you consider incorporating 5G technology?
- How can you benefit from the rise in mobile commerce?
- How important is it to implement AI and machine learning?
- What is beacon technology and why should we take it into account for application development?
- Why is wearable integration so important?
- Why did the use of instant applications become popular?
- What makes foldable devices part of the future?
- How important is the use of blockchain in application development?
- How to develop a mobile application in 2022?
1. What is mobile application development?
Mobile application development means the set of processes and procedures involved in software writing for small. For example, wireless computing devices, such as smartphones and other handheld devices.
Similar to web app development, mobile application development has its origins in more traditional software development. However, a key difference is that mobile applications will often run specifically written to take advantage of the unique features of a particular mobile device.
For example, a gaming app might get written to take advantage of the iPhone’s accelerometer. Or a mobile health app might get written to take advantage of a smartwatch’s temperature sensor.
Today, the two most prominent mobile platforms include Apple’s iOS and Google’s Android. Apple’s phones and tablets come preloaded with essential apps, including a full web browser and Apple’s App Store. Android devices also come already preloaded with comparable apps and you can download and install more through the Google Play Store.
2. Why should you consider incorporating 5G technology?
The adoption of 5G continues to advance at a rapid pace and will continue to do so in the coming years. Thus, by 2022 we will see many more mobile applications trying to take advantage of this technology and the higher connection speed it provides.
5G will change the way apps get developed and used by providing higher throughput speed, faster data transfer, and lower latency. Mobile application developers will find it possible to create new functionalities without affecting the app’s performance.
If we talk about application development, this technology represents a revolution for industries. Such as gaming and a great opportunity to stream higher quality video, integrate AR/VR into apps more easily, add more interconnected IoT devices and make mobile payments faster and more secure.
3. How can you benefit from the rise in mobile commerce?
If online shopping was already an upward trend in app development, the pandemic has boosted it even more. More and more people choose to shop online, which has led to many retailers opting to develop their mobile apps to provide a better shopping experience.
Mobile commerce (m-commerce) differs from e-commerce in that purchases take place via a mobile app rather than a website. Companies are improving their engagement and conversion rates and revenue by developing native apps or PWAs for their business.
In addition, thanks to technological advances, shopping on smartphones has become easier and easier, making m-commerce gaining ground over e-commerce. Because m-commerce allows users to make their purchases whenever and wherever they want, without having to wait at home in front of a computer. Without a doubt, m-commerce will be one of the trends in mobile application development that we should pay close attention to this year.
4. How important is it to implement AI and machine learning?
Mobile application development has been using Artificial Intelligence for facial recognition for some time now. However, in recent times companies are realizing that their benefits go far beyond that. Thanks to AI, they not only reduce the time and costs of developing applications but also improve security and provide a better user experience.
Artificial intelligence has transformed cybersecurity by enabling online payment solutions to use facial recognition and biometrics to identify and protect users. In addition, algorithms that analyze user behavior help detect fraud, suspicious activity, and information leaks.
Other fundamental uses of AI in mobile applications include image recognition, voice assistance, and natural language processing and data analysis. It can also find its way into chatbots and other formulas for personalizing the user experience.
5. What is beacon technology and why should we take it into account for application development?
Beacon technology (sensors or beacons) emerged in 2013, but has been gaining in importance in recent years and its market continues to grow in the coming years. They include large shopping malls, airports, museums, hospitals, hotels, festivals, and banks, among others. It has great potential for marketing strategies and providing a more personalized shopping experience.
Beacons consist of small wireless devices that communicate with a smartphone over short distances via Bluetooth. It provides a technology that connects the online and offline worlds. Through it, companies can better understand users by monitoring their behavior in their physical stores. While users can receive real-time, location-specific promotions and alerts, as well as make mobile payments.
Beacon technology relies on relatively small transmitters that transmit bluetooth signals at regular intervals in their environment. They were not designed as receivers but merely act as an impulse to the receiving device. The beacons stay passive and transmit only the data required for identification and location. Signals delivered at short intervals create a region of signals. Mobile app developers should keep this technology in mind in 2022 to develop apps that integrate well with it and its uses.
6. Why is wearable integration so important?
Wearables are becoming increasingly popular and the demand for application development companies that integrate with this technology is growing all the time. When we talk about wearable devices, we are not only referring to smartwatches, but to any portable device that can be worn on the body or clothing, such as jewelry or smart glasses.
They represent a major business opportunity for industries such as fitness and health. Consumers are increasingly concerned about their well-being and are taking advantage of the capabilities of these devices to monitor their state of health. But their uses go far beyond that. They apply machine learning to make predictions and detect diseases in their early stages and use IoT to send signals in case of user need.
Wearable manufacturers have become more and more concerned with enhancing the precision of their products. Which drives the different types of categories of wearable devices. First of all, the quality of the integrated sensors is an indispensable factor in defining the reliability and usefulness of the product.
The precision of these sensors is improving day by day, which translates into more accurate measurements. Also, the rapid advances in terms of miniaturization, allow manufacturers to integrate increasingly smaller sensors and thus reduce the size of the devices, as is the case of the Spire Health Tag or Oura Ring.
7. Why did the use of instant applications become popular?
Another trend in application development in 2022 is instant apps. Available on both Android (Instant Apps) and iOS (App Clip), these are apps with very good conversion rates, allowing users to try them without having to download and install them. They only have to click on a web link to start using the app.
These applications have been specially designed to save space on the cell phone and allow users to try different options before choosing the one that best suits their needs. In addition, they usually have an impeccable UX / UI design. E-commerce and gaming companies benefit the most, but they get the most use from media and news sites as well. Some messaging systems and social networks work similarly.
Mobile applications are the direct access to get data within a smartphone. However, users will always look for the best possible experience and prefer the quickest and easiest option. Some users report having to install an infinite number of applications that they will only use for a short time, which fills up memory and slows down the performance of their smartphones.
Currently, applications are installed on Android using a file with an APK extension. These files can be downloaded from the Google Play Store or manually from a personal computer. An Instant App can be downloaded from a website and loaded quickly.
8. What makes foldable devices part of the future?
Companies such as Samsung, Huawei, and LG are betting on foldable and dual-screen devices and forecasts indicate that their demand will grow in the coming years. This is not only an opportunity for phone manufacturers, but also for developers. Who must be able to do their reasearch and create mobile applications that take advantage of the particular features of these devices.
One of the main changes brought about by these devices is larger screen size. Which developers will be able to take advantage of to provide more immersive experiences for users or display additional information. Likewise, applications will have to become more flexible and able to adapt perfectly to the screen when it folds or unfolds.
Some folding devices are a bit bulky at first, especially when folded. They are heavier than conventional cell phones. Some weigh more than 270 grams. Several manufacturers are trying to reduce the size and thickness of these terminals.
Brands are relying on operating system manufacturers and application developers to get the most out of the new foldable displays. Although these manufacturers may be true titans of technology, the key to success lies primarily in the hand of Google with its Android operating system or Apple with iOS.
9. How important is the use of blockchain in application development?
Blockchain technology has been present in mobile application development for some time now, making transactions more secure and providing greater data protection. But its uses continue to grow, making it one of the key trends in the development of mobile applications in 2022. It finds use in products such as cryptocurrency wallets and currency converters.
Is especially useful for preventing fraud in mobile commerce and mobile payment apps. It translates as blockchain. Blockchain is a set of technologies that allow for a secure, decentralized, synchronized, and distributed record of digital transactions. Without the need for third-party intermediation.
Each of the data blocks was protected and linked to each other, allowing the participation of certain users (each one associated with a block). Thus, the transaction is not verified by a third party, but by the network of nodes (computers connected to the network), which also authorizes by consensus any update on the blockchain.
To exemplify, we can think that company A wants to send money to company B. When doing so with blockchain, the transaction is represented as a block of data. Which is transmitted to each of the parties that make up the network. The latter must approve the validity of the transaction. The money is moved and the block will be added to the chain, thus generating an immutable and transparent record.
10. How to develop a mobile application in 2022?
The pandemic has accelerated digitization and companies are trying to provide unique user experiences through their apps. On Connect Tech, we have compiled and analyzed the top trends in mobile app development that will mark 2022. We also invite you to learn more about our services!
There are many more innovations that will influence the industry this year, but we believe these are all essential to making your digital initiatives successful this year. Remember that over the years the digital era will continue to evolve and improve for the better. Therefore, it is best to always be aware of the latest technologies.
Would you like to develop a mobile application for your business? On Connect Tech we offer you our experience and talent to help you. Contact us at +971 43 316 688 or write us at contact@connectech.dev. We make great ideas possible!
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