Transform Your Mobile Apps With 2024's Leading Development Trends!
The mobile app industry is an ever-evolving landscape due to the emerging technologies and trends. You can see several transformative and game-changing mobile app development trends that will dominate the industry.
With the increasing importance of these mobile app development trends, understanding and simply staying up-to date with all these trends can lead to new opportunities in the industry!
Evolving Mobile App Development Trends
Implementing these mobile app development trends does not only promise to enhance the app functionality but also fosters user engagement and loyalty.
Stay with us to know what’s rolling out for 2024!
AI In Coding
Just within a year, you can already observe the vast changes of AI models such as the ChatGPT and Github Co-Pilot. Such evolution has also brought us AI Code tools to transform coding by writing boilerplate code, improving code format without changing its functionality and fixing bugs. AI coding tools are developed to assist developers in generating code snippets to identifying potential bugs and security issues.
With the constant evolution in AI models, AI-powered code generation and code completion tools can help mobile app developers to write code faster to save more time. AI algorithms can also improve code quality by assisting developers to analyse mobile app codebases, security vulnerabilities and performance issues. Through this, developers can address these issues in the early stages of the developmental process, resulting in high-quality mobile apps.
AI coding tools is one of the mobile app development trends that potentially increases one’s productivity. Continuous training and skill development for developers will also be crucial to effectively leverage AI in coding while retaining a deep understanding of programming principles and best practices.
Remember that AI can be a great tool but may suggest wrong code. Hence, developers must still cross-check the code, ensuring seamless code integration for the developed mobile apps.
With high gigabit-level speeds and ultra-low latency, developers can now utilise this technology to develop mobile apps that leverage Internet of Things (IoT) to enable communication between various devices and sensors. Furthermore, immersive experience such as augmented/virtual reality experiences can also be improved without performance issues.
If you are a student wanting to practice or use AI for coding, you can get a free copy of Github Student Developer Pack and learn to ship software like a pro!
AI Features In Apps
Microsoft has recently released Co-Pilot+ PCs featuring the Snapdragon X Elite with an NPU capable of 45 TOPS (tera operations per second). We are sure this trend is extending to 2024’s top-tier smartphones, which will come equipped with more powerful mobile processors and NPUs. This advancement enables powerful AI features to be directly integrated into the operating system, allowing processing to be done locally instead of relying on the cloud.
Google recently launched Gemini Nano, a model designed to run on smartphones, which now includes image recognition alongside text processing. Starting with the Pixel phone, applications using Gemini Nano with multimodality will be able to understand sight, sound, and spoken language. Apple is expected to unveil similar advancements at Apple WWDC24.
Mobile app developers can leverage these AI capabilities through the new SDKs in upcoming versions of Google Android and Apple iOS. Developers should evaluate which modules in their apps could benefit from AI integration. For instance, a CRM app might use AI to auto-generate personalized reply messages. Similarly, a news app could summarize articles to cater to users with short attention spans and provide the ability to ask follow-up questions. This thoughtful integration of AI can significantly enhance user experience and functionality.
5G Adoption
The adoption of 5G technology brings significant improvements to mobile app development by providing faster download and upload speeds along with ultra-low latency. This enables more efficient execution of complex tasks and seamless streaming of high-definition media content. Applications in augmented reality (AR), virtual reality (VR), real-time gaming, and remote device control will particularly benefit from these enhancements.
With 5G subscriptions expected to exceed 5.3 billion by 2029, developers can now build mobile apps that leverage this advanced network technology. This allows for the creation of applications that were previously limited by the capabilities of older networks.
The low latency also support the Internet of Things (IoT), allowing better communication between devices and sensors. Additionally, AR and VR experiences can be significantly improved, offering smoother performance and more immersive interactions. This evolution in network technology ensures that mobile apps can deliver richer, more responsive user experiences.
Foldable/Flip Phone
Foldable and flip phones are gaining popularity, with brands like Samsung, Huawei, Xiaomi, Google, and Oppo releasing new models annually. Samsung launched the fifth generation of the Galaxy Z Fold on August 23, while Huawei’s Mate X3 was released on April 24. We can expect another wave of updated devices in 2024. Although Apple has yet to release any foldable devices as of April 2024, it seems likely they will join this trend soon.
This shift means mobile apps need to deliver excellent experiences in both folded and unfolded modes. In narrower portrait mode, apps should be optimized for ease of use, while in unfolded mode, they should take advantage of the larger, mini tablet-like screen. For flip phones, developers need to decide whether their apps will support the small external screen when the phone is closed or require the phone to be open for full functionality.
Developers and UI/UX designers must now prioritize creating adaptable interfaces that smoothly transition between different screen sizes.
Super Apps
Super apps such as Grab in Malaysia, WeChat in China and Gojak in Indonesia offer a wide range of services within a single app to provide a one-stop-shop for users. Super apps are expected to continue to rise in the coming years. Although the adoption of the super app model has been relatively slower in the US and Europe, super apps are gaining popularity in Asia, Latin America, and Africa.
Big corporations must consider whether transforming their app into a super app aligns with their business goals and capabilities. Not every business needs a super app, nor do all have the financial resources and technical expertise to develop one. Creating a super app presents numerous challenges for mobile app developers, backend developers, DevOps engineers, cloud architects, security specialists, database administrators, network engineers, system administrators, data scientists, UI/UX designers, testers, and marketers.
UI and UX designers need to develop interfaces that can manage multiple services without overwhelming users. This involves crafting a seamless, intuitive experience that facilitates easy navigation across diverse functionalities.
Mobile app developers must ensure the app’s performance remains smooth and responsive despite the added complexity, requiring robust optimization and testing strategies. This shift towards super apps demands a multidisciplinary approach, integrating various technical and design skills to meet the high expectations of modern users.
Mobile Security
As the use of mobile phones and apps escalates, securing sensitive data and user privacy has become a crucial factor. To safeguard information, businesses can start protecting their data and customers’ privacy by implementing advanced security protocols such as biometrics and two-step authentication.
Mobile developers need to integrate comprehensive security measures against cybersecurity threats. This includes addressing issues such as jailbroken/rooted devices, dynamic attacks, and maintaining the credential integrity of an app’s ecosystem. It is essential to combat reverse engineering attempts, re-publishing or tampering with apps, running applications in compromised OS environments, and preventing malware, fraudsters, and cybercriminal activities.
Businesses can consider using Mobile Device Management (MDM) software solutions that allow organisations to monitor, manage, and secure mobile apps remotely. MDM solutions help IT admins enforce security policies, configure devices, and distribute apps on smartphones, tablets, and laptops.
By incorporating these advanced security measures, businesses can ensure a robust security framework across all devices.
Cross-Platform App Development
Cross-platform app development refers to the process of building software applications that are compatible with multiple mobile operating systems from a single codebase, rather than developing separate apps for each platform like iOS and Android. This approach is popular because it allows developers to save time and resources by writing the code once and deploying it across various platforms, ensuring a wider reach with less effort and cost.
Three popular frameworks for cross-platform development are React Native, Flutter, and .NET MAUI (Multi-platform App UI). Developers must evaluate these frameworks based on performance, compatibility, native feature access, programming language, learning curve, community support, platform support, UI flexibility, security, platform limitations, and user experience. Each framework has unique advantages and challenges, requiring careful consideration to select the best fit for a project’s needs.
Cross-platform app development has significantly impacted mobile app development by increasing efficiency and broadening reach. These tools reduce development time, costs, and effort, while enhancing UX across all devices and fostering cohesive brand identity.
Further Reading:
Localisation
To reach more people from different regions, localisation has become increasingly vital in mobile app development. Supporting local languages is crucial. For example, apps in Malaysia commonly support English and Bahasa Malaysia, with some also offering simplified Mandarin. If an app is extended to Thailand, Thai needs to be added, and in Indonesia, Bahasa Indonesia is required.
One effective strategy is to use icons, images, or illustrations to convey meaning, reducing the reliance on text. Managing localisation can be challenging for developers. It’s essential to use localisation tools to streamline the translation process.
Tools like Texterify, a software translation and localisation SaaS solution, can help manage translations in a unified manner. Additionally, engaging a professional copywriter fluent in the local language ensures accurate and culturally appropriate translations.
Smartwatch Integration
Statistics show that the number of smartwatch users is expected to reach 230.85 million by 2028. Leading contributors to the market include Apple, Garmin, Google, Huawei, Samsung, and Xiaomi. Developers must evaluate whether their existing smartphone apps should be extended to smartwatches.
When extending apps to smartwatches, developers need to determine which functions are suitable for this platform. Additionally, they must carefully design the user interface (UI) and user experience (UX) to fit the smaller screens and unique interaction methods of smartwatches. By doing so, developers can ensure a seamless and effective extension of their apps to this rapidly growing platform.
Low Code/No Code Platforms
Low-code and no-code platforms enable app design and development using drag-and-drop methods. These platforms are accessible and useful to non-technical users who want to develop mobile apps. The drag-and-drop features consist of pre-built components that help users construct apps quickly with fewer errors.
The need for deep coding knowledge is significantly reduced due to the intuitive drag-and-drop interfaces, shifting the focus towards UI/UX design. Consequently, the demand for specialized developers may decrease. As this trend continues to rise, developers might need to adapt by leveraging these platforms to expedite the mobile app development process.
While the upfront cost for low-code/no-code development platforms may be lower, additional fees may arise from periodic updates, increased user counts, or when seeking advanced functionalities not natively provided. Mobile app developers must evaluate what makes the most sense for their company: going native, using a cross-platform framework, or adopting a low-code approach.
In summary, the top 10 mobile app development trends in 2024 is able to drive technological advancements and evolve user expectations. Staying ahead in this rapidly evolving landscape requires a keen eye on these trends, ensuring that mobile apps not only meet but exceed the demands of the modern user.
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