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by Iryn Ureta | Mar 19, 2018 | 24 comments
There has been much talk of various technologies destined to come our way and make it into our daily lives. Below is a short list of the top mobile app development trends that you’ll be hearing a lot more about this year.
Internet of Things (IoT)
We are on the verge of a smart-home assent. Imagine a world when everything we do in our lives is connected to the internet and each other and to other devices. From smartphones and computers to your home’s doors, windows, lights, air conditioners, watering system, kitchen appliances and more. All of these devices can be in constant communication and be controlled by users remotely. IoT is one of the mobile app development trends for 2018 that makes this level of home automation become a reality.
Here are some smart home innovation ideas/devices that will change the way we live:
- Smart Outlets – Using an internet connection, you’ll be able to turn devices on and off remotely from anywhere around the world. Set automation rules and monitor power consumption in real time.
- Smart Fridge – Enjoy the convenience of voice-activated controls in adding items to your shopping list. See what’s inside your fridge anytime, anywhere, as well as check on expiry dates. Get recipe ideas based on your fridge’s contents.
- Smart Door Locks – Your locks offer both security and flexibility. Not only will it allow you to come and go as you please. I will also monitor who enters and leaves your home while you’re away.
- Wireless Home Energy Monitors / Energy Monitoring – Lets you monitor your energy usage in real time.
- Wi-Fi Lighting / Lighting Automation – Allows you to control more than just lighting (it also includes music, movies, and more). Turn on or off multiple rooms or the entire house with one tap. You can also set it to turn off automatically when the room is unoccupied.
- Temperature Control: A/C Controller – Remotely control and monitor your air conditioning system. Set your ideal temperature such that it’s ready by the time you get home.
- Flood Prevention: Water Valves Controller – Avoid water damage from a supply line or burst pipe by having your valves and pipes constantly monitored.
- Water Usage: Sprinkle Controller – Water your garden and yard based on the actual weather and soil conditions.
But IoT is not just for the home. “McKinsey predicts the economic impact of IoT will reach US$11.1 trillion a year by 2025” (PTC, 2018). Organisations, therefore, are already changing their business models to incorporate IoT technology. And reap the rewards of their investment and foresight. From devices measuring vast crops and field conditions to machine monitoring equipment, all providing real-time information back to base.
Virtual Reality (VR), Augmented Reality (AR) and Mixed Reality (MR) Apps
Going beyond gaming and entertainment, AR, VR and MR apps are modern mobile app development trends in the market today. VR allows users to immerse into a virtual, but at the same time, a seemingly genuine environment.
- Examples: A virtual 3D tour of an interior of a building which is still under construction. Or a new way to learn or experience new things. It’s been successfully used to help overcome phobias or to reduce the onset of dementia.
AR is a mix of the real world with the overlay of the virtual. It is effectively adding layers of information or computer-generated images on top of a physical environment.
- Examples: A buyer visiting a store can review the characteristics of a given product just by pointing their mobile device at it.
MR is like a combination of VR and AR. MR utilises a headset, such as Microsoft’s HoloLens to blend the real environment with a computer-generated environment. Allows the user to effectively interact with the real world without the need to hold a device in their hand.
- Example: A totally untrained operator could be sent to fix a machine, or replace a faulty part, merely by following various on-screen prompts that are overlayed directly on the real-world object.
Accelerated Mobile Pages (AMP)
Accelerated Mobile Pages or AMP for short, effectively support web applications in a way that enables quick loading on all mobile devices – resulting in a reduced bounce rate and a better user experience.
Artificial Intelligence (AI)
AI or Artificial Intelligence will make a spot in both the development approach of mobile apps and in improving their capabilities. By way of advanced analytics, machine learning capabilities and cognitive interfaces into complex systems, users can obtain deeper insights available to them. From a practical perspective, AI will assist customers to make better buying decisions and help speed human-to-computer transactions.
Cloud-based Apps
With increasing use and demand for cloud technology, Mobile App Developers look forward to designing more cloud driven mobile apps. It has become a lot easier to access your data from anywhere around the world. Cloud-based web and mobile apps like Google Drive, OneDrive and Dropbox are attractive and useful. Allowing most enterprises to easily store and share enterprise files and data across any device and across the planet.
Mobile Payments
Going digital, customers are now highly engaged not only in online shopping but also with Internet banking. Using Credit or Debit cards to pay bills, reservations, and other transactions through both web and mobile applications. From E-commerce, customers are increasingly shifting to M-commerce – that is, mobile commerce (the ability to transact directly from the mobile device).
A mobile app is indeed making a great impact in today’s industries and business sectors. Therefore, it is important to keep up with the leading mobile app development trends. Thus, to deliver up-to-date products and services to promote business growth and customer satisfaction.
The Mobile Apps Man is an app development company that can help take you on this journey.
great blog