Back in 1997, when the first in-built mobile app, Snake, was introduced, the mobile app development industry has gone through a number of evolution phases since then and there are no signs of slowing down. Whether it is about leveraging emerging technologies in mobile app development or catering to diverse consumer demands, mobile app trends have constantly been changing over time. 

Among all the factors behind the success of the mobile app industry, staying updated with the latest trends remains the most crucial aspect. As industry insiders, we constantly research new patterns in the mobile app development industry to gain an edge in this competitive environment. 

There is one thing for sure: mobile app developers must keep up with the new trends to serve their clients better. The same goes for businesses ready to level up their brand with mobile app development. 

So, do you know the future of mobile app development? Are you ready to embrace the future trends in mobile app development? Even if you’re not, you should at least know its impact on your everyday life. This blog will list down the top emerging technologies in mobile app development and how they are impacting us in a better way. So, come on, let’s get started!

Did You Know?

• The trend for AI-specific apps is predicted to continue its upward trajectory in 2024 and beyond. According to a report by McKinsey last year, AI could potentially increase corporate earnings by as much as $4.4 trillion annually. (Source: Designli.co)
• Similar to AI, virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) are also experiencing significant growth. The AR/VR market is projected to exceed $38 billion this year alone and reach over $58 billion by 2028. (Source: Designli.co)
• A particular study revealed that apps enhanced with AR technology had a purchase rate approximately 20% higher than apps without AR features. (Source: Designli.co)
• The value of the blockchain market is anticipated to reach around $20 billion this year, a substantial increase from $1.57 billion in 2018. (Source: Designli.co)
• The total number of Internet of Things (IoT) devices is estimated to reach 30.9 billion by 2025. (Source: Designli.co)

Top 15 Emerging Technologies in Mobile App Development to Follow in 2024

Below, we have listed 15+ future trends and predictions in mobile app development and how they are impacting businesses and end-users. 

1. IoT-enabled Mobile Apps

While the Internet of Things (IoT) isn't a new concept, the surge in mobile usage across various industries and fields has opened up a world of possibilities for IoT. The technology refers to the expanding network of internet-connected devices, offering users convenience and automated control. The prime examples of IoT-enabled mobile apps and their use cases include

• Smart rooms with voice-controlled features like automatic showers or blind controls.
• Sustainable practices and resource optimization with IoT-advanced rooms
• Keyless door locks

These mobile applications allow users to remotely control their home's thermostat, lock or unlock their front door, and connect to their home security systems. Household appliances like refrigerators can also be connected to these mobile apps.

In 2023, the worldwide IoT market reached a value of $318 billion, with software, including mobile apps, accounting for $226 billion of that total. As per Statista, by 2025, the revenue generated from IoT-related technology is expected to surpass 1.6 trillion.

2. Apps For Foldable Devices

It seems like just yesterday when I had a flip phone. The evolution of mobile phones over the past ten years has been remarkable, with touch screens dominating the scene. However, there’s more to the story. The emergence of foldable devices is one of the biggest discoveries in recent years. In 2019, we witnessed the launch of innovative foldable smartphones like the Samsung Galaxy Fold, Huawei Mate X, and the revamped Motorola Razr.

These cutting-edge smartphones offer a unique feature - they can fold to adjust the screen size according to the user's needs. For instance, one might prefer to keep the device folded for calls but unfold it for a larger screen experience while watching videos.

This new trend poses an interesting challenge for app developers, resellers, and content creators. They need to ensure their apps can adapt seamlessly to the changing screen dimensions as the device folds and unfolds.

Currently, foldable devices represent a small fraction of the total smartphone market. However, this is set to change. A 2019 study by USA Today revealed that 17% of iPhone users and 19% of Android users are keen on owning a foldable phone.

Statista's data indicates that around 3.2 million foldable phones were sold in 2019, and this number is projected to skyrocket to 50 million units by 2025. 

3. 5G Technology

As mentioned earlier in our mobile app development guide, the advent of 5G is set to significantly influence mobile app trends in 2024. This technology stands to revolutionize how mobile applications are developed and used. In 2021, the number of 5G connections was approximately 3.5 times that of 2020, and this figure tripled between 2022 and 2024.

The adoption of 5G will significantly enhance speed and efficiency. It's anticipated that 5G will reduce latency tenfold while also increasing network efficiency and traffic capacity. When compared to 4G, 5G could be up to 100 times faster, depending on the mobile network provider.

The widespread adoption of 5G will enhance the capabilities of mobile apps. Developers will be able to incorporate new features into apps without compromising their performance. During the app development and testing phases, developers and mobile app resellers should also take advantage of the speed offered by the 5G network.

4. Apps for Wearable Devices

The rise of wearable technology has been a consistent trend for some time now. It's not necessarily a revolutionary development, as we've been familiar with devices like smartwatches, fitness bands, and trackers. However, these wearable gadgets have yet to fully realize their potential.

Although we're not witnessing a dramatic annual surge, the growth remains consistent. The evolution of wearables has already started to reshape the landscape of mobile app development, and this transformation will remain.

In 2024, an increasing number of mobile applications will be designed with wearables in mind. Users will be able to download a myriad of apps straight onto their wrist-worn devices.

We are only at the dawn of exploring the possibilities of integrating wearables with mobile apps. The forthcoming years promise to be remarkably forward-thinking in this domain.

5. Beacon Technology

Beacon technology has found its place across various sectors, from retail and healthcare to hospitality, enhancing the functionality of numerous mobile applications. The emergence of beacon technology in mobile apps started in 2013, and since then, considerable improvements have been made.

One critical use of beacons is monitoring consumer behavior in stores. For instance, if a user spends significant time in a specific aisle, the beacon can detect this and trigger a push notification in the app, potentially leading to a future sale related to those products.

The primary advantage of beacon technology is its role in proximity marketing, which significantly enhances the user experience within a mobile app.

As per data from Statista, the beacon technology market is witnessing a compound annual growth rate of 59.8%. It's projected that by 2026, the market value will skyrocket to $56.6 billion, a figure that is over ten times the $519.6 million value recorded in 2016.

6. Mobile Commerce

The mobile app market has been on a steady rise for years and shows no signs of slowing down. It's clear that everyone, from big sharks to individual creators and personal brands, is tapping into mobile apps as a lucrative revenue stream. 

Mobile e-commerce capabilities are a key selling point for mobile app resellers when pitching to clients. It's becoming increasingly common to see businesses launching their own apps to boost sales. 

While we're not quite there yet, we're nearing an era where having a mobile commerce app is essential to remain competitive. Everyone selling online is up against e-commerce giants like Amazon. To stay in the game, you need to emulate the strategies that make these brands successful, and having an app is a crucial part of that. In 2021, a staggering 72.9% of all e-commerce sales were made via mobile devices.

7. Artificial Intelligence (AI)

Artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning have already made their way into mobile app development, but we're just starting to explore the full potential of these advanced technologies. 

When AI comes to mind, most people think of virtual assistants like Siri or Alexa. However, the applications of AI in app development extend far beyond this. 

Last year, Apple introduced Core ML 3, the latest version of its machine learning framework for iOS. This was designed to assist developers in integrating AI technology into their apps. 

The practical applications of AI in mobile app development include

• Recognizing images
• Detecting faces
• Classifying text and images
• Recognizing and classifying sentiments
• Recognizing speech
• Performing predictive maintenance

AI has the potential to make apps more intelligent and enhance their performance at every stage. From the backend development to the frontend user experience, AI is set to revolutionize how apps are developed in 2024.

8. Mobile Wallets and Mobile Payments

Mobile payment solutions such as Apple Pay, Google Pay, and Samsung Pay are gaining popularity. As per a recent study, mobile wallets were used for transactions amounting to $6.1 billion in 2019, a figure projected to escalate to $13.98 billion by the end of 2024.

In light of these trends, it's crucial for app developers to consider mobile wallets in their plans for 2024. The integration of wallet functionality should be a standard feature in any app that handles transactions. While this is not currently the norm, the adoption rate of mobile wallets in apps is expected to see a substantial increase in the near future.

9. Integrating AR/VR Features

The upward trend of augmented reality (AR) is set to continue into 2024, with mobile applications increasingly incorporating AR features for a variety of purposes.

The perfect example of an AR app is the popular game ‘Pokemon Go.’ However, the scope of AR has expanded and is now being utilized in more practical ways across various apps.

For instance, Google Maps introduced a "Live View" feature that allows users to view real-time, turn-by-turn directions superimposed on real-world imagery. The app can accurately determine the user's location by aiming their camera at buildings and street signs.

Virtual reality (VR) is one of the best-emerging technologies in mobile app development, particularly in the gaming sector. VR technology can be integrated with phones, apps, and wearable devices to enrich the gaming experience in fully functional mobile apps. For those in the relevant industries, these trends in VR and AR in mobile app development are too significant to overlook.

10. Chatbots

Chatbots, which have been in existence for over a decade, have seen significant advancements since their early days on platforms like AOL Instant Messenger in the late 1990s. Their popularity on mobile apps has surged, driven by consumer demand, and they are fast becoming the new norm for customer service.

Despite the millions of apps available on the Apple App Store and Google Play Store, only a small percentage currently utilize chatbots. However, this is set to change in 2024. As chatbots are powered by AI technology, their responses are becoming increasingly human-like. This is one of the factors contributing to the continued upward trend of AI.

The global chatbot market is expanding at a rate of 24% annually. It was anticipated that in 2020, virtual assistants would facilitate 25% of all customer service tech interactions. To achieve this, it's crucial for chatbots to make their mark in the mobile app development sector.

11. Robust App Security

No matter whether you’re a startup or a fully-fledged business, you’re always vulnerable to cyber security threats. This threat is growing, with malware attacks targeting mobile devices seeing a 54% increase. Astonishingly, over 60% of fraudulent activities are traced back to mobile devices, and of this percentage, a whopping 80% is attributed to mobile apps.

From the perspective of app development, it's non-negotiable to compromise on security measures for your app. Similarly, if you're in the business of reselling apps, ensuring top-notch security should be a primary concern for your clients.

12. Predictive Analytics

Using advanced technologies such as machine learning, artificial intelligence, data mining, and modeling, predictive analytics has the power to anticipate future events based on data.

Major tech companies have been leveraging the power of predictive analytics for some time. Take Netflix as an example. The service provides recommendations for TV shows and movies based on a user's viewing history.

As we are in 2024, we expect to see predictive analytics become more commonplace across a broad spectrum of mobile apps. The main goal? To significantly improve the user interface and user experience within an app.

13. On-Demand Apps

The year 2024 is witnessing a surge in the trend of on-demand mobile app development. The success of apps like Uber has demonstrated the potential in this domain. 

Users are spending a whopping $57.6 billion annually on on-demand services. Here are some ways mobile apps are revolutionizing the on-demand industry:

• On-call doctors
• Food delivery
• Laundry services
• Virtual tutoring and coaching
• House cleaning services
• Pet care services
• Fitness classes
• Barber and beauty salon services

The scope for on-demand apps is virtually limitless. If you're a mobile app reseller, this presents a golden opportunity to expand your clientele. By incorporating on-demand features, your clients can enhance their apps with sophisticated functionalities, leading to increased profits for all parties involved.

14. Cloud Computing Integration

Cloud technology isn’t a new trend in mobile app development. The year 2024 will see a surge in the exploitation of cloud computing's vast potential for mobile development.

Cloud storage technology can enhance the functionality of mobile apps from the user's perspective. Instead of storing data directly on the user's device, apps can store data and perform intricate tasks on the cloud. This not only simplifies the development process but also offers a cost-efficient solution.

With 83% of enterprise workloads being cloud-based, it's crucial for your organization to stay updated with cloud computing trends in 2024, especially if you're developing business applications or apps for internal workforce use. 

15. Blockchain

Blockchain technology, initially associated with cryptocurrencies, has evolved significantly and found applications in various domains. It's projected to generate a revenue of $20 billion by 2024, indicating its substantial growth. 

Decentralized applications are gaining popularity. Over 70 million blockchain wallets exist, with mobile wallets being the most favored form. This data underscores the increasing number of blockchain wallet users.

Additionally, we're witnessing the use of Blockchain in currency converters for tracking digital assets, securing digital identities, and managing loyalty programs.

Looking ahead to 2024 and beyond, we anticipate the trend becoming more mainstream with the advent of smart contracts, anti-piracy software, election moderation tools, and Blockchain as a Service (BaaS) platforms. Blockchain can be leveraged to prevent fraudulent activities, particularly in mobile commerce and payment apps. 

Considerations for Implementing Emerging Technologies in Apps 

When implementing emerging technologies in apps, several factors need to be considered, including

• Target audience: Who are you building this app for? Will they have the necessary devices or internet speed to use the new tech?
• User experience (UX): Will the new technology make your app easier and more enjoyable to use? Or will it add complexity and confusion?
• Development time and cost: Building with new tech can be exciting but takes time and money to implement. Is it worth the investment?
• Security and privacy: New tech doesn't always have a proven track record. Make sure it can keep your users' data safe.

Implementing emerging technologies in mobile app development can be expensive, so it’s important to ensure it provides value for money. Remember, the goal is to improve your app, not just to use the latest technology.

Conclusion

The swift progression of new technologies in the field of app development has not just transformed the digital world but also opened up a plethora of opportunities for businesses and developers to craft engaging and comprehensive mobile experiences. 

As the landscape of mobile app development keeps changing, it's vital for developers and businesses to keep abreast of the most recent tech trends and adapt them to fuel innovation and digital change. That’s all in this list of emerging technologies in mobile app development! In case you have any query related to mobile app development, feel free to contact our expert today.