In 2018, feature ideation is a guiding force for any and all technological advancements. With the digital age at the forefront of everything we see and do, today’s industry experts are bringing unprecedented ideas to the table and revolutionizing our modern day mobile app experience.
Research from a 2017 study shows that between mobile web, desktop and mobile apps, consumers spend a whopping 54% of their time on mobile apps, with desktops hitting 34%, and mobile web trailing at only 9%. Given the average users spends an estimated 2.3 hours per day actively engaging with mobile apps, this begs the question of what caliber of innovation consumers and audiences can expect to see in the near future.
Augmented reality is a hot topic right now, and for obvious reason. In 2017, we saw Apple and Google launch platforms that will enhance the development of AR-based apps, and it’s likely that these resources will play a critical role in creating opportunities for brands to use creative AR apps as an ahead-of-the-curve mobile app marketing ploy.
Augmented reality and artificial intelligence arguably go hand-in-hand, and AI is another trending theme that’s disrupting the current capabilities of mobile apps. As we begin to see more and more apps optimize features like chatbots, behavioral targeting, one-of-a-kind customer experiences, and consumer personalization, it’s clear app development will continue to thrive on newfound definitions of customized calculations and precision like never before.
While the internal tech functionalities are a huge piece of the puzzle, we can expect to see innovation transcend the modern mobile app in other ways as well. We’re seeing the industry move in to a space where we can tangibly interact with wearable technologies, most notably in the form of a smart watch. The notion of synchronizing users with everything that lives in their mobile phone without the phone itself is groundbreaking, and will guide future innovations in the coming years. Furthermore, this type of thinking creates dialogue for how developers can continue to wow consumers and users with convenience and ease in unthinkable ways.
Cloud computing is another example of ideation that will redefine the way we interact with mobile apps. Backed by several benefits, cloud computing is becoming a leading solution for conveniently storing and securing data, plus it doubles as a way to ensure mobile apps are engineered to process heavy tasks. It also resembles a tool that prioritizes reliability, speed, security, storage, and user data analysis.
While on the note of security, it’s necessary to note that this is one facet of mobile app development that translates as a top priority of for developers. The exponential use of personal devices puts enterprise mobile apps at risk, which demands a more robust solution for securing the app’s code from the get-go. It also requires developers to rethink their approach in way of authorization and encryption practices.
The conversation surrounding the evolution of mobile apps and the ideation futures that play a key role in its progression is ever-changing, and the scope of it is vast. With instant apps, accelerated mobile pages (AMP), blockchain and cryptocurrency, mobile pay, face recognition, and highly personalized experiences tailored to each individual user, the possibilities are endless.