12 App Development Trends to Look Out for in 2022

The global mobile application market has grown rapidly over recent years and is expected to reach a value of 568.3 billion AUD by 2026.

Improvements in technology allow for more possibilities with apps in terms of functionality, performance, and productivity.

Each year advancements are made, and as we enter 2022, the potential has never been greater. Anyone looking to develop an app needs to stay up to date.

For a rundown of 12 app development trends to look out for in 2022, keep reading.

This isn’t a brand new technology, but the increased use of cryptocurrencies is making it far more popular.

The stand-out attribute of blockchain technology is the use of decentralized databases. The databases do not require a single service provider or company to function, which results in a far better level of security.

Decentralized databases cannot be modified by a single person, meaning a hacker is not able to get in and access sensitive user data.

Security is an incredibly important factor in the modern world. This technology is already in use for mobile wallets that use cryptocurrencies, as well as decentralized apps (DApps).

Samsung and HTC already manufacture devices based on blockchain technology, and more companies will likely follow suit very soon.

Broadband cellular networks are always advancing, and apps continue to improve with them. The latest generation is 5G, which was released a couple of years ago, but is still making its way to the majority of users.

5G is alleged to be capable of reaching speeds of up to 100GB/s, making it 1000 times faster than the promised speed of 4G. Qualcomm carried out research on this against LTE giving somewhat different results – 5G gave 90% of users download speeds of 100MB/s, compared to 8MB/s for LTE.

Not quite the same speed as promised, but still a significant increase from previous generations.

The latency is also lower providing a superior connection. On top of this, 2,000 devices all within a square kilometer can use the same network without any connectivity issues.

This huge increase in speed makes room for a lot more potential from future apps, as loading times will be essential of no concern.

Some examples of areas where this will give improvements are:

Like 5G, AR isn’t a brand new technology, but it has yet to really make its way into the mainstream. With that being said, a number of industry leaders are already implementing it into their services.

Science fiction movies and TV shows have provided people with a view of what AR may one day become. Because of this, advancements in AR technology are something that always garners interest.

AR is an excellent way for a company to provide a very personalized experience for users. Showcasing services and products is far more engaging than using traditional methods.

This integration into the business space is already giving a steady rise in the use of AR. Higher degrees of interaction benefits both the company and the customer.

Clothing companies, for example, can provide customers with a very realistic representation of how their product will actually look. Ikea has also begun using AR technology in its app in a similar way. Customers can use it to see how furniture will look in their homes before committing to a purchase.

Specifics like these make AR very appealing to users and show the potential it has.

One thing that has not changed over the years is the use of different platforms. Currently Android and Apple sit at the top when it comes to mobile apps, but Windows has plenty of users, and web apps also have several advantages.

For a company to reach the widest audience, taking advantage of as many platforms as possible is essential. This may require different apps, based on the nature of the app and the capability of various platforms. Sometimes a single app with various tweaks may be used across different platforms.

Large companies such as Facebook and Netflix already have apps across all of these platforms, providing easy access for all users. This is something to keep in mind when developing a new app.

This is something which has seen a significant rise in recent years and is only becoming more popular with time. There are many appeals of AI to customers.

Personalization is something that all customers enjoy. If they are using an artificial intelligence system that can recognize and identify them, it makes the whole experience more personal.

A voice assistant that can analyze the emotional state of a user builds on this. The app may then be able to carry out tasks more effectively.

Keeping the number of steps of an interaction down is ideal. The user can make a single request, and the assistant takes care of the rest.

There are a few examples of these amongst industry leaders:

There are also some smaller emerging AI assistants available.

For many people, using these apps has become second nature for things such as setting reminders, multimedia use, or just checking the weather.

This technology has come a long way in a very short time, and the next year has a huge number of possibilities.

Beacon technology is a way of observing physical interactions through mobile devices. Low-energy Bluetooth signals are used to communicate information for location-based searching and interaction.

It works as a connection between the online and offline world and enables companies to get a better understanding of their customers.

One of the main uses for this currently is within retail. A company can see how customers interact with their physical stores such as how often a customer visits.

Companies can analyze the information gathered and send customers ads that are catered to each individual.

Companies can also send notifications to devices when they are within a certain distance of a shop, or messages relating to loyalty programs, discounts, and competitions.

In the future, beacon technology could have other uses such as tracking doctors or patients in hospitals in emergency situations, or for tracking assets within the logistics and transportation industry.

Overall, the ability for companies to better understand their audience gives a lot of potential for 2022 and beyond.

The Covid-19 pandemic created a surge in the use of video-link technologies. With people working from home, and social distancing rules in place, video calls became a part of everyday life for a huge amount of people.

From work meetings to job interviews, and even general social interaction, the usefulness of video-link technology has become clear.

It seems as though the pandemic is receding now, but video communication will remain.

A few years ago the video of so many people working from home seemed almost impossible. It is clear now though that it is not just possible but actually comes with certain advantages.

While working remotely, communication is still essential. With more companies allowing employees to work from home, the need for high-quality video calls is still present and will be for the foreseeable future.

This means that the development of improved video-link technologies has a lot of promise. The use of such technology for medical services is becoming more popular. Patients can speak with doctors without the need to visit hospitals.

Shoppers can use the technology for online purchases. Buyers and sellers are able to more easily communicate.

M-commerce is growing in popularity in correlation with e-commerce. Note that m-commerce relates to purchases made through apps. Web page purchases fall under e-commerce.

Like video-link technologies, the Covid-19 pandemic played a hand in the growth of these.

As most shops were completely shut for several months, shopping online was the solution. M-commerce makes up 72.9% of e-commerce globally and is expected to generate $3.56 billion before the end of 2021.

Many businesses have already established e-commerce, so are now focussing on the promotion of m-commerce.

Foldable devices are seeing a slow but sure increase in popularity. It allows phones to have larger screens without a significant increase in the size of the device.

Samsung is the company best known for these devices, but other companies are beginning to follow suit. The increase in such devices presents an opportunity for developers to optimize apps for such devices.

The larger screens present new ways in which apps can be controlled and used, with a lot of potential to increase functionality and detail.

The most popular example of wearable technology is smart/fitness watches.

These use sensors to communicate information such as heart rate, calories burned, and the number of steps taken. This is then linked to apps to provide the user with whatever information they are interested in.

This has made health and fitness apps incredibly popular in recent years. With continued advancements in technology, apps are able to advance too.

IoT is the connection of physical objects with other devices over a network. These devices will often be machines with sensors, software, and other technologies, such as household objects or industrial tools.

There are currently over 10 billion devices worldwide using this technology, and it is expected to grow to 22 billion by 2025. Such a massive increase presents a lot of room for new and improved apps to interact with these devices.

In today’s world, the convenience of connection is very sought after. Products such as thermostats, cars, baby monitors, and kitchen appliances can all be monitored from a user’s smartphone.

This sort of technology is becoming cheaper and easier, while the quality of it is improving, making way for new possibilities:

IoT technology has become a part of everyday life, with plenty of room to grow. Beyond this, it also presents a lot of potential for many industries, such as manufacturing, automotive, and retail.

Instant Apps are an up-and-coming trend. It allows users to try apps before actually installing them. Most apps have several competitors that offer similar services, so it is beneficial for a user to be able to try different apps before downloading the one that is right for them.

This will likely become the standard across apps in the near future. Because of this, developers will need to put focus on making a good first impression.

If there are several competing apps, any that don’t offer this feature will be at a distinct disadvantage.

Mobile apps have gone from simple tools and games to programs that help almost every aspect of modern life. Both recreational and business use has increased massively and will continue to do so for years to come.

As that happens, it is important for developers to focus on the trends listed above, and have a good understanding of any app development tricks out there.

To remain relevant and provide the best products and services, keeping up with the latest development trends is essential.

EB Pearls is a leading digital agency with 15 years of experience in app development services. If you are looking for help with app development, web design, or e-commerce, we have you covered.

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