It’s 2016, and we have a whole new world of new apps exploring the capabilities of your mobiles. The smartphone market is ever growing with new models of phones being released each year. This has provided Android app developers a great opportunity to launch their apps and earn huge income. The trends in app development changes each year becoming all the while more exciting and challenging. The trends of 2015 and market research give a picture of the lines of development that are going to stand out in 2016. Here are some of them.
1. Cloud-driven apps
The link between cloud computing and mobile was established in 2015. Cloud backing helps developers to present their apps in small sizes. It can also be used to sync apps on various devices like wearable Apple watches. Apple has more than 10,000 apps for their watch.
2. Security
A Gartner report published in 2015 showed that 3 out of 4 apps cannot pass basic security requirements. This area of safety will continue to fetch the attention of any android app development company through 2016. People will always look for safety of their personal information, data, and financial transactions.
3. New height of Internet of Things (IoT)
By 2020, more than 50 billion devices will be interconnected using the smart way bringing revenue over $300 billion for IoT developers. Wearable devices like Google Glass and Apple Watch will provide the opportunity for integrating more advanced features in mobile apps in 2016.
4. Lucrative Enterprise mobile apps
About half of the apps available on Google Play or iStore is aimed at improving activities of enterprises. A global survey in 2015 by Vision Mobile stated that 43% of android app developers engaged in enterprise app development earned a salary of $ 10,000 per month. No doubt it is going to feature in the trends of 2016.
5. Mobile health
With smart gadgets and sensors being used in medical field, mobile health was one of the top trends in 2015. This is predicted to grow in 2016 entering regular health care channels dedicated mobile health app stores.
6. Escalating cross-platform apps
The barriers between platforms had already been broken. Apps which can be used across a number of platforms are gaining popularity. 2016 will see android app developers use their skills to develop more cross platform apps.
7. Extensive Swift programming
The new programming language from Apple called Swift makes it possible to write reliable codes from the beginning. It had been downloaded more than 11 million times in its first month of introduction. This programming will draw more developers in 2016.
8. Location technology
Beacon is a GPS-based technology that changed our business marketing and shopping experience. This trend will flourish in 2016 through Beacon location tracking.
9. Smart wearable
2016 is waiting for a new invention after iWatch and Google Glass. The trend will continue to make these into standalone mobile devices with increased feature and functionalities.
10. E-commerce
This has been on the top of the list of trends for many years. Many e-commerce giants have closed down their website and operated only from apps. 90% of people use smartphone or tabs to access e-commerce shops. This will be another sought after trend in 2016.
11. Short time apps
Certain apps are created for a special event and do its business in that specific time. Fox News Election HQ 2016 is an example of such a program. This will be popular in 2016 involving media, entertainment, sports and retail.
12. Augmented reality apps
Once just a feature of science fiction movies, Augmented Reality (AR) has become a reality through mobile in the past two years. Games and apps like iOnRoad, Sky Siege and myNav use this system to engage their customers. AR will be under development in 2016.
13. 3D printing apps
With the availability of numerous 3D printers, the related market is expected to grow into a trillion-dollar market in the future. Apps which make 3D modeling and printing possible will grab a large market share in 2016.
14. NoSQL databases
The introduction to cloud computing, many companies have chosen NoSQL for its capacity to scale rapidly. It will surely win more patronage in 2016.
15. Smart appliances
Smart machines, cars, and medical systems will make a huge business influence through 2020. Android app developers will be looking at supporting these smart machines breaking the restricted number of platforms.
16. Artificial intelligence (AI)
Industry giants including Google, Facebook and IBM, are increasingly investing in AI. There are many Android and iOS apps based on AI. 2016 will see many Android app development companies battle it out for the best AI-based app to provide their customer a unique experience.
If you’re a developer, do take a note of these trends. They will help you to design an app that can fully explore the phone’s capabilities and deliver the best user experience possible. Remember, that smartphones like the Samsung Galaxy S7 has heart rate sensors within the phone itself. Or that iPhone 6S has the Force 3D touch features. You can put these capabilities to innovative uses with your app. And users would love to explore the new features that they otherwise would not with a competitor app. Sounds interesting, right?
Author’s Bio:
Ritesh Patil is the co-founder of Mobisoft Infotech that helps startups and enterprises in mobile technology. He loves technology, especially mobile technology. He’s an avid blogger and writes on mobile app development.