10 Mobile App Development Trends You Need To Know

By Author: alanwats
Total Articles: 34
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Developers, designers, and business owners who want to take advantage of new opportunities in the mobile app market should stay up-to-date on current trends in mobile app development and design in order to develop their own apps and other mobile applications that stand out from the crowd. In order to help you keep your finger on the pulse of this ever-changing industry, here are 10 current trends that will impact mobile app development and design in 2022:

1) The Rise of Progressive Web Apps
Progressive Web Apps are becoming more and more popular for one simple reason: They provide a seamless experience for users. As mobile apps grow in complexity, developers have turned towards Progressive Web Apps.

It’s true that native mobile apps still offer a smoother experience than their web-based counterparts—but PWAs are getting better and more complex all of the time. And, most importantly, they can be used on multiple devices.

This means you can use your PWA on your laptop as well as your smartphone (just like you can today with traditional mobile apps). If it sounds too good to be true, wait until ...
... you see where Progressive Web Apps are headed next.

2) Chatbots as Front-End Applications
Chatbots are a hot trend in mobile apps, but they don’t need to be stand-alone software products. They can also serve as your front-end interface for mobile apps and web applications. For example, instead of downloading an app, a user could query a chatbot and have it retrieve relevant information or provide helpful services.

With companies like Google building support for chatbots directly into their platform, it’s clear that these automated assistants will play an increasingly important role in mobile app development trends moving forward.

3) Blockchain Will Change Mobile Payments Forever
While mobile payments are growing, they still represent a small portion of overall transactions. That’s because there is often confusion surrounding these services, and many mobile users aren’t sure which one will work best for them.

However, blockchain technology has made its way into digital wallets—and with it comes an ease of use that traditional players can’t match. Blockchain technology means no more passwords or login IDs; everything happens with a simple scan of your face or fingerprint.

This not only simplifies transactions but also makes them more secure than traditional methods. Blockchain-based systems have already been tested by companies like Microsoft and Mastercard, so don’t be surprised if you see more widespread adoption in mobile payment solutions in the future.

4) Augmented Reality in Apps
Since 2015, consumers have come to expect mobile applications that support augmented reality (AR). With AR, users can interact with 3D graphics and animated characters. Mobile app developers should consider augmenting their apps with AR functionality.

Some examples of AR in action are Snapchat, WhatsApp, Pokémon Go, and Facebook Moments. As long as there are lots of new smartphones on store shelves with advanced camera features (facial recognition, higher resolution cameras) apps will continue incorporating those features in an effort to stay on top of new trends and cut through a crowded market.

Mobile app development trends for 2022 will be much more dependent on AI than AR functionality because AI makes it easier for software engineers to code highly specialized applications for very specific audiences such as medical professionals or road trippers.

5) Moving from Cloud Services to Function-as-a-Service
New trends are emerging in mobile app development, away from legacy cloud services and more toward Function-as-a-Service. The advent of serverless architecture has been welcome news for developers. More efficient processes, lower costs, and better resource allocation have led companies like Amazon, Google, and Microsoft to make huge investments in FaaS technologies.

It’s unlikely that we’ll see a shift back to cloud services anytime soon; with such an enormous push forward in FaaS technologies over recent years, mobile app development will continue on its trajectory toward serverless architecture through 2022. That’s not saying that there isn't still any use for cloud services—there certainly are. But FaaS is clearly where innovation is headed for most organizations.

6) Voice UI Control Through Inbuilt APIs
Voice UI, which is made possible through inbuilt APIs like Google Assistant for Android, enables users to control devices without having to touch or press any buttons. People can change music, get answers and operate a wide range of connected devices with just their voice.

Voice UI also puts an end to clumsy typing on tiny keyboards so users no longer have to worry about typos when using messaging apps and other mobile services. In 2022, Voice UI will be used in almost all apps as developers realize its potential and add it to their app development projects.

7) User Experience Optimization
User experience optimization has become a top priority for mobile app developers in recent years, as more and more users have come to expect intuitive design and seamless functionality. Fortunately, app makers have a wealth of resources available when it comes to perfecting their products, from A/B testing software applications to pinpoint user preferences through behavioral analytics.

As a result, high-quality apps are quickly outpacing low-quality alternatives—which is why UX optimization could mean big things for your business moving forward. Sure, you might not be an app developer, but that doesn’t mean you can’t maximize your company’s digital experience for users; web designers can help optimize online portals with minimal hassle using tried-and-true design strategies.

8) Machine Learning in Real-Time
The advent of cloud computing, combined with mobile app development trends like big data analytics and real-time insight, is pushing forward in-app machine learning capabilities. In fact, one particular application saw a 4x increase in click-through rates when they introduced chatbots and predictive analytics.

Plus, AI advances are allowing businesses to analyze user behavior with advanced algorithms that can detect buying signals (e.g., a spike in urgency) and highlight relevant products/services based on past purchases, usage patterns, and real-time information.

With all of these possibilities at our fingertips—not to mention virtual reality and augmented reality apps—the landscape for mobile app development is changing rapidly.

9) B2B Ecommerce Adoption Through Mobile Wallets
Mobile wallets will be key in B2B eCommerce adoption. Mobile payments are a huge advantage for any type of business, especially B2B because you can use them to receive payments from clients.

The user experience is much more convenient when your customers don’t have to sign up for payment methods or wait days before receiving a confirmation number. Just look at what PayPal offers and it’s easy to see why mobile payments will become even more mainstream in coming years.

10) Global Reach with Location Tracking & Mapping
Location tracking uses Global Positioning System (GPS) technology to determine where users are physically located and it allows users to check-in at specific locations.

This type of functionality is particularly useful when it comes to sharing information on social media or interacting with other members of an online community.

The app provides geotagging functions that allow people who use your service or product to share photos with friends as well as find out what’s nearby by simply scanning QR codes with their camera phones.

Conclusion
There are many mobile app development trends available today. These can range from start-ups looking for that innovative and next big idea, to major brands hoping they will be able to outdo their competition with a new look or an update on an existing product.

There are many mobile app development companies following these trends and if you want a mobile application you can check out such companies.