The ever-changing mobile app development industry is growing and evolving rapidly, and new trends keep emerging every year to the delight of app designers and users alike. Here are some of the most exciting mobile app development trends we can expect to see in 2021
1) Augmented Reality
Augmented reality is a reality in which elements from virtual space are blended with elements of actual real space. In other words, it is a mix of virtual and real worlds to produce an enhanced version of reality, rather than a representation of an object or environment whose only difference from real life consists in its virtuality.
2) Virtual Reality
Virtual reality is still a relatively new field, and developers are still figuring out how it will fit into our lives. What we do know is that VR technology will continue to grow more accessible, allowing users across all ages and backgrounds to experience worlds, unlike anything they’ve ever seen before. In addition, as mass adoption grows for virtual reality headsets like Google Cardboard and Samsung Gear VR, as well as augmented reality apps from companies like Snapchat and Instagram, developers will be given even more opportunities to innovate in these fields.
3) Voice Search
Over time, voice search will continue to grow in popularity as more users turn to their smartphones for answers. The widespread adoption of AI assistants like Siri and Alexa will also help fuel growth, as consumers become accustomed to asking questions that are then acted upon with little or no user intervention. This evolution is already beginning; Google has already released a tool called Cloud Speech API that allows developers to incorporate speech recognition technology into web apps.
4) Artificial Intelligence (AI)
AI is one of the most disruptive technologies of our time. That’s because it promises to change everything about how we interact with technology—from how apps are developed, to how they are used, and even how developers work. The broad term artificial intelligence refers to systems capable of performing tasks usually associated with human intelligence, such as decision-making, language processing, and visual perception.
5) Cloud Integration
Cloud integration has been around for some time now, but many developers are still missing out on some of its incredible potential. Cloud integration allows users to connect applications in real-time, even if they aren’t hosted on an integrated platform. This allows users unprecedented access to data that is only available when using multiple programs together. Just be careful not to confuse cloud integration with cloud storage—although they often go hand-in-hand, it is important not to conflate them.
6) Customized Brand Experiences
Creating customized experiences for customers will help you stand out in today’s competitive market. Millennials, Gen Zers and even Baby Boomers are all looking for personalized solutions to problems, so give them what they want by creating custom tools that help them get what they need.
7) Big Data Analytics
According to Gartner, By 2017, big data will be a top-five initiative for most major corporations. Big data can be used for mobile app development in several ways. To put it simply, mobile apps store and process an enormous amount of information—we’re talking petabytes here. The same information needs to be collected, stored and managed efficiently so that companies don’t go broke paying storage costs.
8) Progressive Web Apps (PWA’s)
Progressive Web Apps (PWA’s) are a step in the right direction, marrying offline-first principles with new and shiny front-end technology. A PWA is an app that doesn’t require installation and runs in a browser like Chrome or Safari (via HTTPS). To utilize caching and push notifications, PWA’s have to be hosted on a custom domain as it can’t share cookies or local storage from your browser.
9) Cross-Platform Development
The idea that we can create applications for more than one type of device is called cross-platform development. People used to scoff at such a notion, but today it’s commonly accepted as a part of many companies’ marketing strategies. A few years from now, we might even be viewing cross-platform development as commonplace.
