Revenue generation statistics predict that Mobile App Development and software development will rope in more than $900 billion by 2022. The figure was at a mere $365 billion in 2018. A staggering 156% increase over less than a decade is a remarkable feat, rarely seen in other fields and development industries.

Not just that, but the number of smartphone and tablet app users will increase exponentially alongside Mobile App revenue generation. In 2018-2022, gadget users spawned from 194 to 299 billion. A hundred and five billion more people have started using mobile devices since 2018, and the curve will expectedly traverse only upwards. It is no surprise that 89% of smartphone users spend their time on different mobile apps for 6 to 8 hours a day.

What these figures essentially mean is that the time is right. Developers have no better opportunity to invest their resources in viable and profitable App Development projects than in 2022. 

Following are some of the top trends in mobile app development that are likely to shape 2022 and the near future.

5G

The fifth generation of mobile networks is nearly here. Everything we know about how phones connect our world today and everything we expect not. The transition process from 4G to 5G is promising and lucrative: expenditure on 5G infrastructure will surpass $2.3 billion by the end of this year. As the forecast says, the market share will rise to $600 billion by 2030.

5G services aim to deliver mega Gbps data speeds to an average consumer (100 GB/s data transfer speeds), bring together apps, devices, and appliances in a never-before-seen integration, and provide firm reliance, reliability, and latency (reduced from 50 milliseconds to 1 millisecond.)

With a change in the system, devices need apps that are optimized to run on the new interface. 5 G will make app user interfaces faster, smoother, and more efficient. Mobile app development will develop ways to bypass factors affecting app performance due to high speeds and network reliability. We also see efforts to make app payments smoother and more accessible with 5G networks.

OS and mobile app development projects such as Google’s Android 11 experimented with 5G feature tweaks. The OS now has a 5G network detection capability, meteredness detection, and estimated network bandwidth.  

Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning

We all took to FaceApp to see what we might look like when we are 50. Sure, it was fun, but it was a powerful artificially intelligent software that predicted with an accuracy score. If that seems like a one-time example, do not worry. We have all used our Google Assistants and Siris to get things done via our phones. All of that comes under the umbrella of AI and ML.

Due to their promised practicality, AI and machine learning have to be the most sought-after innovation. Our handheld devices incorporate both the functionalities of AI and machine learning, however rudimentary. A wide gap needs bridging, but it can only happen when mobile app developers make their user interfaces fast and adaptive. 

The use of AI does not end with an app’s functionality but with connectivity and communication. We see Facebook Messenger chatbots used by many retail clothing businesses to answer general questions effectively. Google has also incorporated its navigation Ai to help commuters see real-time traffic situations. The integration of such AI devices has proven to increase customer satisfaction and engagement directly.

The mixture of AI and ML can also help us reach efficiency in predictive analysis. In this prediction technique, a semi-conscious entity looks at the past and present trends at incredible speeds to better predict the future.

Augmented Reality

We use Snapchat filters every time we are out with friends and want our group selfies to bomb. Our reality is manipulated to a certain degree using computer inputs, and the resulting outcome is what we call augmented reality, or AR for short.

Its usage is not limited to some goofy filters alone, but we already use AR in graphics, GPS overlays, sound and video bits for infotainment, and much more. Even though AR was in use as far back as 2000, the real fame to claim happened when Microsoft HoloLens came about in 2015. As its popularity garnered attention, many mobile app development projects are now utilizing app AR experiences using various smartphone features and delivering an integrated user experience that emulates the experience of using an actual AR device.

AR is also being used in the gaming industry as headset consoles to simulate a real-life-like feel during gaming. Pokemon GO and Doodle Lens are some of the most popular AR mobile games. 

With the introduction of metaverse and NFTs, AR is turning a new leaf and leaving the confines of a smartphone alone. You can now use AR in a virtual setting without connecting to a phone. AR has a long way to go; some experts are already calling it the future of mobile app development. 

Internet of Things (IoT)

We hear the word “smart” thrown around for gadgets and tech. You might have listened to a friend telling you that the microwave they recently installed is “smart.” What does that mean, exactly?

Internet of Things (IoT) is the idea behind this “smart-ization” of daily life appliances. It strives to make an ecosystem where machines can communicate with each other (on their own if they can) to generate a better lifestyle. We see this appliance upgrade in devices such as smartwatches, and smart home appliances like fridges and ACs, etc. 

This year has been particularly great for wearable IoT devices. Apple’s WatchOS 8 update brought many new and exciting features, including improved workout routines and mindfulness, fall detection update, fresh Portrait watch faces, better access with Wallet and payments, and messaging options. 

Even Google’s annual 13 I/O developer conference announced that they have come up with a way to incorporate Samsung’s Tizen wearable platform with their smartwatches. Collectively, the new merger provides a user with 30% more sped-up apps on the devices. 

What Future Holds

These are just some of the trends where mobile app development makes strides to make the user experience better. Many other technologies under research and experimentation trials have promising aspects but have yet to prove their worth. 

Overall, making phone apps compatible with ever-changing software and interface mediums will make the apps remain relevant, pull in more new users and get their word-of-mouth marketing done.

If you need some guidance as an app developer, it’s better to go to a reputed software development company and check their efforts to build innovative apps.

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