Mobile development trends 2021: What should be implemented today to become a leader tomorrow?

New apps are popping up every day. Currently, there are close to 2 million apps in the Apple App Store and 2.87 million apps on Google Play.

The mobile app market is constantly evolving and will continue to grow in the coming years. According to Statista, the global mobile app revenues amounted to over $365 billion in 2018. Mobile apps will generate more than $935 billion in revenues via paid downloads and in-app advertising in 2023.

Without a doubt, it is not a big deal to build a mobile application. However, it is a big deal to make an application that will stand out in the app markets. Staying up to date with the latest mobile development trends is one of the most important success factors of mobile applications.

Below are the top mobile app development trends you should follow in 2021!

Mobile Commerce

In recent years shoppers make purchases via mobile devices more than ever before. Obviously, purchasing products via mobile applications is easier, faster, and more convenient than via desktop applications.

Obviously, this trend will continue to grow in the coming years. According to Statista, 72.9 percent of all retail e-commerce is expected to be generated via m-commerce in 2021.

Like it or not, in the future you will need a mobile commerce app to stay competitive in the market. So, think about it!

Mobile Wallets

We no longer need to pay in cash or carry cards whenever we need to transfer money to anyone. All we need is a mobile wallet!

A mobile wallet is a mobile app that stores payment information from a credit card or debit card and allows to make payments. The payment process has never been smoother, quicker, and safer! So, it comes as no surprise that mobile wallet technology is currently so popular.

There are already many m-wallets available worldwide (Apple Pay, Google Pay, and Samsung Pay). So, it’s the best time to consider introducing mobile wallets into your app in 2021.

Building Mobile Apps for Internal Use

Slack, Microsoft Teams, Chanty, Blink, Skype…

These are just some of the coolest internal communication apps. An internal communication app or an intranet app is a platform where all employees, managers, or any other stakeholders can effectively communicate with each other.

With billions of employees working remotely because of the COVID-19 pandemic, keeping everyone in a team on the same page has never been so important. Luckily, companies can successfully operate throughout the pandemic with the help of internal communication apps.

If you’re planning to create an app for internal communication purposes, make a mobile app that is easy-to-use, practical, and user-friendly. Plus, don’t forget about these must-have features: push notifications, video calls/emails, a news feed, post sharing & commenting, file and document sharing, surveys/polls.

Motion Design

Appealing content, Brand recognition, Better Google search results…

These are just some of the benefits of using motion graphics design for businesses. Motion design or motion graphic design means graphics in movement. Today, motion design is everywhere — we see them in mobile apps, video games, social media, advertisements, etc.

In the past few years, motion design has become an integral part of any mobile design process. Motion design helps create easy-to-use and enjoyable user interfaces. Needless to say, incorporating motion design into your mobile app (if done correctly) will play an essential role in enhancing the user experience.

Augmented Reality

Have you ever heard about Google Maps Live View? Live View uses a phone camera and GPS to visually guide users exactly where to go. And this is of course possible thanks to Augmented Reality (AR).

Augmented Reality integrates digital information with the physical environment in real-time. The most popular example of Augmented Reality is, of course, Pokémon Go developed in 2016. According to Statista, Pokémon Go generated around $1.3 billion in revenue in 2018 (yes, you read that right).

The good news is AR can be used in a number of industries, including healthcare, manufacturing, education, retail, tourism, real estate. 

Voice Search

Hey, Google, what are the benefits of using voice search technology for mobile apps?

Well, today, voice search is increasingly becoming a new way of making queries on the Internet (simply because it is easier and takes less time than typing). According to Google, 27% of the global online population is using voice search on mobile.

One thing is clear: voice technology is on the rise and will continue to grow. So, if you want to stay ahead of the competition, you need to integrate this technology into your mobile app.

iBeacon Technology

Picture this: You Google a pair of gym shoes of a specific brand and model. Now you are on your way to the stores. Guess what? A beacon-enabled app shows the location of the gym shoes you’ve been eyeing. Nope, it’s not a dream — it’s the beacon technology.

A beacon is a tiny device that uses Bluetooth technology to send signals to other smart devices nearby. In plain English, once a smart phone user (who has already installed a particular mobile app) enters a beacon zone, he or she will start receiving beacon-based notifications.

Beacon technology helps businesses understand user behavior and improve user experiences. This technology has been embraced by a wide range of industries (hotels, stores, schools, hospitals, etc.).

Without a doubt, beacon technology will be one of the most in-demand mobile development trends in 2021. According to Statista, the beacon technology market will reach around $56.6 billion in 2026.

Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning

When thinking about artificial intelligence (AI), virtual assistants like Google Assistant, Siri or Alexa come to mind. However, AI systems are not just about voice assistants. AI is a revolutionary technology that influences almost all industries, including healthcare and medicine, education, science, marketing, retail and e-commerce, financial markets, and services.

According to Statista, the global AI software market is predicted to grow rapidly in the coming years, reaching around $126 billion by 2025.

The top AI technologies used in mobile apps include speech recognition, image recognition, text recognition, face detection, chatbots, and many more. For example, chatbots allow businesses to provide uninterrupted real-time communication with clients. Also, voice and face recognition have become a must for mobile app security. On top of that, ML algorithms can analyze customer data and behavior and recommend goods based on their preferences. Such a recommendation engine is used by Amazon and Netflix.

So, if you are planning to build a new mobile app, it would be a smart decision to apply artificial intelligence and machine learning.

Final Thoughts

The mobile app development industry is growing rapidly like never before. The competition in the app development industry will be more intense than ever in 2021. To stand out in the highly competitive market, and maximize your sales in the long term, you will need to focus on the latest technologies and follow the top mobile development trends that will dominate in 2021. Of course, not every trend in the list will suit your business needs. So, it’s important to analyze the latest trends and choose those relevant to your project.

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(Featured image by geralt via Pixabay)

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