2019 has been a good year for the development of mobile applications. With the arrival of the latest version of Android OS and Apple's iOS 12, smartphones are being updated with the latest technology.

Continuous innovation is synonymous with more opportunities for application developers and goes hand in hand with the rise of new trends among app users.

In this article, we will cover some of the most important mobile app development trends to keep in mind for this 2020.

The Internet of Things Win More Ground

The latest advances in the field of the Internet of Things (IoT) have allowed us to control different devices using our smartphones. The result of this is smart homes, smart buildings, smart transportation, smart healthcare, and many other innovations.

The Internet of Things will offer more opportunities in the development of apps to accelerate operations, reduce costs and improve cybersecurity. In 2019, more than 8 billion IoT devices will be used, and this figure is expected to increase even faster.

AR and VR take over New Industries

In recent years, Augmented Reality (AR) and Virtual Reality (VR) have revolutionized the mobile application development industry . Especially in the entertainment industry, games and social networks, they have seen their popularity increased.

In 2020, both technologies are expected to become popular (even more), in various sectors such as healthcare, engineering, retail, or real estate, among others. According to Statista, the global RA and RV market will increase dramatically from € 23.4 billion in 2018 to about € 181 billion in 2022.

forecast of the size of the market AR and VR- trends the development of applications for mobile

Forecast of the size of the global AR and VR market from 2016 to 2022. Source: Statista

More Apps On-Demand

On-demand applications (on demand) are already a classic among new trends, but as they move effortlessly with each technological progress, they are always a trend for the future. If you look at the current market, there are endless ideas for on-demand applications that allow you to launch a new product or service easily and efficiently.

The point is that we want to be taken care of faster than ever in our daily lives, which leads us to all kinds of “Uber-style” app services, such as cleaning, shopping, paying parking fees, ordering a taxi, etc. The pharmacy app development solutions are on the rise and many entrepreneurs are tapping on this new solution.

Growth of Artificial Intelligence

Leading applications such as Siri, Cortana, Alexa or Google Assistant also make it easier for us every day. Tasks such as reading, sending messages or searching for information on the Internet are assumed by the Artificial Intelligence (AI) capabilities of these applications.

In addition to individuals, companies also notice the benefits and convenience of AI. During this year, the number of applications in the form of chatbots and personal assistance will probably increase. Even the International Data Corporation forecasts that the AI ​​industry will establish a new benchmark by increasing € 67.3 billion by the end of 2022.

 The rise of Android Instant Apps

Instant apps were introduced by Google in 2016 and, after two years, they continue to grow in popularity. To make a small summary: instant applications are native applications that you do not need to download or install on your phone to use them. They are smaller in size than normal apps and provide the basic functionalities of a website.

In 2020, communication companies and publishers, in particular, are expected to benefit more from the rapid return on investment (ROI) of instant apps. A known example is the most recent Vimeo report, which shows that the session rate has increased by 130% since the instant app option was added.

 The Influence of Apps for Wearables

A recent update of CCS Insights shows that the number of wearable devices (wearables) will triple worldwide in 2020 compared to 2015. The technology that can be used now goes beyond counting the number of steps you take, or of measuring your heart rate. Think of health applications that help control disease or condition through your smartphone.

With the growing demand for wearable devices such as smartwatches, fitness watches or portable cameras, the development of wearable applications will undoubtedly also receive a boost. In addition, the demand for wearable application developers to create innovative health applications is also growing.

The Mobile Payment method

The way consumers buy and pay has changed a lot in recent years. As a result, the payment method changed from cash to card and, now, it has been passed to mobile payment applications such as Paytm and Google Pay.

The preference for m-wallets (mobile wallet) is growing, although neither providers nor consumers have fully adopted the technology. Possible reasons are not associated with the mobile wallet itself, but people remain loyal to traditional payment methods.

However, most banks now offer the option of making mobile transfers, so the use of mobile payment apps is expected to increase over the next year. In fact, the Business Insider figures show an annual growth rate of 80% between 2015 and 2020.

The AMP sets the new standard

Last year Google launched the Accelerated Mobile Pages (AMP), and that only a few companies have taken advantage of so far. AMP is a shorter version of HTML that helps with high-performance processing and faster page loading. You can watch the following video if you want to know more about AMP:

In all likelihood, 2020 will be the year in which the AMP will become the new standard, and mobile charging speed will be considered a priority for both new and existing websites.

Conclusion

Applications are increasingly part of our daily life. From simply ordering food to controlling household devices. The possibilities are endless.

Since we are getting more and more used to paying for all online purchases with paid applications and easily, the focus on privacy and security is also increasing. In 2020 attention will be paid to this when we take the next step in the development of mobile applications with these trends.