The IT sphere is a fast-growing digital space where developers always need to be in touch with trends. Today we will take a look into the future of mobile app development industry and will talk about the Top 5 trends, give examples of successful cases from global brands.

TOP 5 Mobile Technology Trends

1. Artificial Intelligence (AI)

It is the basic trend of the future of mobile development. AI will be connected with the most applications, using technologies such as predictive analytics, machine learning algorithms, and analyzing the user behavior. You should look forward and consider AI in your development to keep up with the times and stay on track.

Functions:
trainings;
data collection;
analysis;
automation.

Mobile app development statistics show that the projected number of mobile users will grow to 7.26 billion worldwide in 2021. Global AI revenues could reach $ 156.5 million in 2021, according to a new forecast by the International Data Corporation about the future of mobile development.

COVID-19 and AI
The coronavirus situation has greatly impacted the world at large and mobile app development. Below are examples of how combining AI in mobile development can help society.

Aarogya Setu mobile app

Aarogya Setu, an application developed in India to control COVID-19. 50+ million users downloaded this application in 13 days after launching in stores. It was created by the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology of India to notify users if they were in contact with persons infected with COVID-19. This application is based on artificial intelligence algorithms and Bluetooth technology. It tracks location via Bluetooth and generates a location graph to check the distance to anyone with an infection. The future of mobile development will make humans' lives better.

After installing the application, he needs to turn on Bluetooth and data exchange. It must always be on for effective tracking. The data that the application can collect is transmitted to government servers. The app also provides instructions for self-quarantine. It is available on Android and iOS devices in 11 languages.

2. Augmented Reality (AR) and Virtual Reality (VR)

The systems are software that allows you to feel like a participant in all dimensions. The main goal is to introduce software that allows users to navigate in a virtual space and become familiar with its content. What is the future of mobile development in examples?

Nike
At Nike, customers can play football on the sales floor. Using VR technology, try out cleats and balls. Nike Fit helps clients to choose suitable shoe sizes. You just need to point your camera at your feet and the app will check your shoe size.

Pirch
Pirch, a California bathroom, kitchen and furniture store, invites customers to bake bread before buying an oven, wash clothes in a washing machine they like, and even take a shower to appreciate all the delights of a shower stall.

Adidas
The Adidas virtual showcase was installed not in the store itself, but outside the store. Such interactive advertising has significantly increased the flow of customers. According to the company’s research, 90% of people passing by the store stopped to touch the screen and see the models. And 25% of them, after working with a virtual showcase, went to the store. As a result, store traffic increased by an average of 15%.

Puma
Puma has introduced electronic mirrors in fitting rooms. They do client's photos in new clothes from all angles and show how the client looks from the outside, on the monitor in this store, or on the client's smartphone. According to a company representative, such innovations increase customer traffic in stores by 10%, and also significantly reduce the percentage of clothes returns.

It is significant for buyers to understand what it is like to use the product in real life and get all the benefits of online shopping. The stores get interactive virtual showcases. On the windows, the client can look at the assortment, compare the characteristics of the goods and understand where the item of interest is located. The virtual showcases can also attract customers to this store.

IKEA Place Mobile App

IKEA’s app will exchange the method of ordering furniture. The clients only needed to take a photo of the room. The application will gauge the area and provide recommendations on furniture for this place.

3. Motion UI

Motion UI is animation and transitions that visually make it easier to understand the functionality of applications and sites, to attract attention to important information.

Motion design implements elements:
page header transitions;
charts;
popup windows;
drop-down menus;
scrolling the page;
background.

4. Chatbots

Chatbots will be effective and smart assistants for businesses. They are starting to evolve into new websites, messengers, web browsers, and even mobile applications. Machine learning allows it to constantly learn and adapt to the demands that are set over time. Chatbots are becoming indispensable assistants both within corporations and in-building communications with customers. It is becoming the future of mobile app development.

Starbucks

Coffee Company Starbucks launched an app ‘My Starbucks Barista’ where customers can order a cup of coffee without a cashier.

English with Andy

Andy is your own English teacher. He can correct grammar mistakes, answer questions and help learn English in a fun way.

Lark — Fitness & Training Coach

The Lark app is the platform you use to communicate with your Lark coach and manage your information. It is included with your Lark Program. You can begin a Lark chat anytime by opening the app.

Joy chatbot
Joy can manage your mental health and feelings. You can tell him all your problems and thoughts. He will help you and give advice like own psychotherapist.

H&M chatbot
H&M Chatbot will help you to find your own style and manage outfits. You can buy clothes together. It's a new level of shopping.

5. Cross platforms

Cross-platform development is the development of applications for different platforms. It involves developing an original application on a native platform or in a specific environment, which will then be shipped to other native platforms. This process will save money and speed up development.

In recent years, the development of cross-platform technologies has become the future of mobile app development. Well-known companies like Facebook, Pinterest, Alibaba, and others have implemented this technology to improve their productivity.

“The future of mobile development is about simplifying everything: the cross-platform development for rapid validation of hypotheses, chatbots to simplify the consumer experience, mobile wallets, smartwatch apps, and virtual reality instead of fitting rooms. Times are changing very fast: being irrelevant is unacceptable, but keeping up with trends is necessary.” — iOS team lead Andrei Savich.

Conclusion

The future of mobile apps is changing fast. If you develop applications today and work with data from last year, you won’t be able to remain competitive.

You don't need to implement every trend in all your created apps. Our advice is to have a general understanding of how the market is changing and be adapted, keep up with the times and follow development trends. With the experience of our extensive research, we've outlined the top 5 app trends that will be the main in 2021.

The emergence of new technologies in our smartphones is a big development in the industry. You should select a trusted mobile app development company for this work. Our custom mobile app development includes innovative solutions that are available for iOS and Android, as well as Flutter app development. Check it out in our portfolio.

Originally published at https://solveit.dev.