The digital world is changing every day, and so is the way we create software. Mobile App Development is one of the fastest-growing fields in the tech industry today. New trends and ideas keep emerging now and then to keep things interesting. If you are planning to start a mobile app development business in 2022 or want to update your existing mobile app project with new trends, here’s an insider guide for you. We have made this blog post as a quick reference for all new and seasoned app developers out there who want to stay updated with the latest mobile app development trends. Keep reading to know more.
1. Key Performance Indicators for Mobile App Development
There are a few KPIs that app developers need to be mindful of before initiating a project. Here are the most important KPIs for mobile app development that you should be looking at: –
User Acquisition: The number of users who visit your app and make an in-app purchase or subscribe to your service is the user acquisition metric. You can drive more traffic to your app by distributing your app to various app stores, advertising your app, or partnering with influencers.
User Retention: The number of users who return to your app after installing it is the user retention metric. You can retain your users by providing them with a positive experience while using your app or by offering them unique and engaging content.
User Engagement: The number of users who interact with your app on a daily or weekly basis is the user engagement metric. You can increase user engagement by adding interesting and engaging features to your app.
User Value: The total value of goods and services purchased using your app is the user value metric. You can increase user value by adding more features to your app or by increasing the subscription or in-app purchase fee.
2. Voice User Interface (VUI) Apps
Voice user interface or VUI is an app that uses voice-recognition technology to communicate with users. The entire app gets operational solely by vocal commands. Although VUI apps are not entirely new, many expect their popularity to increase significantly soon. That is because more and more people are using voice-activated devices like Amazon Echo, Google Home, and Apple Siri.
Voice-activated devices are particularly useful in situations where one cannot use their hands or eyes. For example, a blind person can use a voice-activated device to navigate through menus or read out messages or emails. Similarly, a person who is driving can use a voice-activated device to make calls or send text messages. People of any age group or profession can use VUI apps.
3. Mobile-Only Working Environment
A large number of businesses are expected to switch to a 100% mobile-only working environment in the future. The main reason for this is the rising cost of desktop computers and laptops. The popularity of smartphones and tablets is growing rapidly and businesses have found that it makes economic sense to go mobile-only. Besides, businesses have also seen a significant drop in employee productivity when using desktop computers.
4. Meaningful Ads and Sponsored Apps
Mobile ads are expected to become more meaningful and useful in the coming years. More and more app developers are integrating artificial intelligence (AI) technology into their ad-creation process. With AI-powered ad-creation technology, advertisers can create personalized and relevant ads. Besides, app developers are integrating other technologies like augmented reality, computer vision, and natural language processing (NLP) into their ad-creation process.
With these technologies, advertisers can create highly engaging ads that are useful to the user. New types of mobile ads are also expected to be introduced in the near future. For example, app developers can create sponsored ads that integrate with the content of an app. With sponsored ads, the user gets to enjoy the app without noticing the presence of ads.
5. Augmented Reality (AR) Games and Apps in Mobile App Development
Augmented reality or AR is a technology that overlays digital images over real-world images. With AR, people can view digital images in their real surroundings using special devices like smartphones or headsets. AR has been in use since the 1980s, but it has only recently become popular with the advent of AR-enabled mobile apps.
AR is expected to grow even more in the coming years and beyond. AR-enabled games and apps are already very popular among tech enthusiasts. More and more app developers are integrating augmented reality into their apps. As a result, augmented reality apps are becoming more advanced and interesting. However, augmented reality is not just limited to games and apps. It can be used for a variety of purposes like product visualization, art creation, and education.
6. Real-Time Communication in Apps
Real-time communication has been in use in the software industry for many years. However, it is expected to become more popular and useful in the coming years. Many businesses and organizations already use real-time communication or chat apps like Chatbot, Facebook Messenger, and Skype for internal communications. Now, more and more enterprises are integrating real-time communication into their mobile apps. With real-time communication in apps, users can communicate with each other or with computer interfaces. Similarly, real-time communication is useful for creating a more engaging and interactive app experience.
7. Blockchain Integration for Transparency and Trust in Mobile App Development
Blockchain technology has been in use for several years. However, it is only recently that it has found application in the software industry. Blockchain is a decentralized system that allows secure information sharing. It is highly transparent and tamper-proof, making it a perfect solution for building trust among customers.
Its decentralisation is the major benefit. This feature makes it almost impossible for attackers to breach the system and hack the data. Besides, blockchain offers high scalability, making it an extremely useful technology for real-time apps. The best part is that blockchain is an open-source technology. Anyone can use it for free. Furthermore, it is expected that the demand for blockchain-based apps will grow in the coming years.
To conclude, Analyzing market trends can help mobile app development companies understand how to keep their products competitive. By satisfying all consumer demands and gaining competitive advantages, updated features, and advancements keep mobile devices relevant. It can be difficult for these firms to recognise the need for change in their sector. So, the best approach is to research mobile app development trends and learn what consumers want from mobile apps now.