At Zudu, we know that nothing stands still for long in the world of app development.
Indeed, Apple and Google release annual operating system upgrades, new hardware unlocks new possibilities for developers and businesses, and Facebook issues a new version of its social networking app at least once per week on the App Store.
As a small or medium-sized business, you need to be able to keep up with the changes in the app development world or face the risk of a competitor eating into your customer base.
Today, we’ve put together five major trends that are set to change app development in 2019 and beyond.
Read on if you want to create a cutting-edge mobile app that is engaging, full of unique features and functionality, and adds an additional revenue stream to your business…
5G technology has been on the cards for a number of years, but it’s finally going to enter into the mainstream in 2019.
Although the majority of us are going to be stuck with 4G speeds for a couple of years yet, EE and its parent company BT have announced plans to begin a 5G rollout in 2019, starting in Edinburgh, London and Manchester before launching Phase 2 in Newcastle, Glasgow, and Liverpool later in the year.
Most phones are not 5G-ready just yet, but the next iPhone and Galaxy phone are expected to include 5G modems for the first time.
5G is up to 100 times faster than 4G speeds, allowing us to jump from average data speeds of 45Mbps to 1,000Mbps.
For developers and businesses, this unlocks a whole host of exciting new opportunities, allowing you to stream high-definition content to users on the go, connect with IoT (Internet of Things) products and technology, and create more advanced applications and technologies that push the boundaries of modern consumer hardware.
Augmented reality certainly isn’t a new trend in the app development world, but the tech has, to date, been limited to high-end devices and companies with money to spend.
In 2019 and beyond, however, businesses will be able to take advantage of more accessible augmented reality tools and the rise of augmented reality hardware.
iPhone XS and Samsung Galaxy S9 are two of the most popular phones today, and both offer augmented reality capability and a bunch of built-in AR tools designed to make it easier for developers to build experiences.
Thanks to ARKit on iOS and ARCore on Android, it has never been easier to develop unique augmented reality applications that don’t cost the earth. Get experimental with your apps.
Whilst we always recommend working with a reputable app development company to create an app for your business, it’s interesting to see the rise of app builder platforms, which allow novices to build their own basic business app.
What does this mean for the wider app world?
Well, it puts an increased pressure on developers to go above and beyond and create truly unique apps and experiences that cannot be found out-of-the-box.
It will also increase the number of apps available on the App Store, meaning you’ll need to work harder and use app store optimisation techniques to keep your custom app atop of search engine results pages.
Last year, we talked about Android Instant Apps and predicted that they would become more popular in the app development world. And they have.
These small applications are similar to web apps, in that they don’t need to be installed and offer the same functionality as a mobile website. One of the reasons why they have grown in popularity is because they can be opened instantaneously and linked to from social media and email marketing campaigns.
In 2019, it’s time to embrace hybrid apps, cross-platform apps, web apps, and Instant apps as part of your strategy, but see them as an extension of your core app product, rather than a replacement.
Use an Instant App as a ‘taster’ or ‘free trial’ to core app, and you’ll be able to encourage more people to download your app and increase engagement as a result.
In February, Apple told major developers to stop using intrusive analytics tools that record screens and measure clicks, taps, and swipes.
Several weeks later, the company removed ‘market research’ applications from Facebook and Google that paid users a fee to offer them the ability to track app history, private messages, and location data. As the Facebook privacy scandal and the General Data Protection Regulation has brought data and privacy to light, consumers are becoming increasingly concerned about handing over personal data in apps.
As a business with a custom app, it’s your responsibility to increase the security of your apps and implement functionalities designed to give users more control. Face ID authentication on a banking app, for example, can increase trust and show your customers that you care about their personal data.
Update your privacy policies, empower users to manage their sensitive information with care, and you’ll become known for your strong stance on data privacy.
Technology is moving faster than ever before and it’s up to you to keep up.
Whether you’re a small business owner with an e-commerce app or a growing organisation with a need for a cutting-edge smartphone application, staying on top of the latest trends will help you to find more customers, keep current ones engaged, and maximise profitability within your app.
If you’re looking to build a next-generation app with these trends and more in mind, you can depend on the app development experts at Zudu.
We specialise in productivity, e-commerce, entertainment, and communications, and build apps that help you to capitalise on lucrative market opportunities and head ahead of the competition.
Call +44 (0) 1382 690 080 today.
