Top 10 Mobile App Development Trends To Look For In 2020

As we bid farewell to a wonderful technological decade that revolutionalized mobile phone technology, we enter into a promising and futuristic decade fueled by Artificial Intelligence and 5G technology. It’s kind of obvious then to check out the upcoming and latest mobile app development trends that are set to dominate 2020 and years to come.

In view of the crucial role mobile apps play in businesses and in our daily lifestyles, these trends are critical to business growth. Even if we assume a slow mobile acceptance rate (which, I know, is silly), these trends are sure to change the face of online selling and buying processes.

For instance, companies like Ikea with their Augmented Reality apps are taking the competition to a whole new level. They have demonstrated that superior user experience is the key to attracting new customers and retain existing ones. This makes yet another case to develop an eCommerce mobile app for your business. 

As per Statista, mobile apps will account for $581.9 billion in revenue in 2020.

Revenues from Artificial Intelligence will double up to $118.6 billion by 2025.

On the basis of intensive analysis, we have prepared a complete list of the top 10 mobile app development trends that are set to dominate 2020 and years to follow. 

1. Instant Apps
2. Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning
3. Blockchain
4. Internet of Things
5. 5G Technology
6. Beacon Technology
7. Augmented Reality and Virtual Reality
8. Accelerated Mobile Pages
9. Mobile Wallets
10. Wearables

So, without further ado, let’s begin.

#1. Instant Apps

They have been developed to combat downloading and low storage problems. As the name suggests, they can be instantly accessed without downloading them. That makes them a better option as compared to native apps as many users aren’t interested in downloading the app.

As of now, there are few instant apps available on the Play Store, which makes them a preferred choice for creating a niche market for app developers.

Hollar and NYTimes were able to increase their conversion rate from 20 to 27 percent with instant mobile apps.

#2. Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning

As of now, AI and ML are dominating mobile app development trends. They are fast picking up on identifying user preferences, providing user-specific suggestions, and simplifying online businesses. We are en route to becoming smart apps economy from the smartphone economy. 

Worldwide spending on Artificial Intelligence will be nearly $98 billion in 2023 – IDC

#3. Blockchain

As a novel breakthrough with diversified applications, blockchain technology offers tremendous opportunities in improving the user experience of mobile apps. Already used by many payment apps, blockchain is more than bitcoins and can be effectively used in developing Decentralized Mobile Apps or DApps.

A decentralized Mobile App is a mobile application that is neither owned nor controlled by any one person. This makes it less prone to virus attacks. Moreover, the app cannot be shutdown.

#4. Internet of Things

Dubbed as game-changing in the mobile app development framework, IoT is not a new concept and has been around for quite some time. with the emergence of connected devices, it is obvious mobile apps will witness transformation in this field.

According to Statista, the number of IoT-enabled devices will reach 30.73 billion by 2020 

What we’ll possibly witness is the rise of IoT-enabled Apps. Take for instance a scenario where you have forgotten to lock your house. Now with IoT, you can remotely lock your house with an IoT-enabled mobile app.

#5. 5G Technology

With the introduction of 5G in the latter half of this year, mobile apps will have to go transformation to adapt to the ultra-fast telecommunication services. In fact, the future of mobile apps will witness a spurt in demand for sophisticated multi-purpose mobile apps.

5G will not only boost connectivity, but it will also significantly improve user experience and apps not keeping pace with it will disappear. Hence, a lot will be riding on the shoulders of app developers to integrate the latest technology with the mobile app.

#6. Beacon Technology

Beacon technology has immense scope in marketing. Beacons use Bluetooth technology to relay signals when the user is within the range of the object or the place. 

Suppose you like a pair of shoes online but want to try them personally before purchasing them. While on the way to the store, your mobile app will start sending notifications if any other store nearby has the same shoes. Isn’t that great?

#7. Augmented Reality and Virtual Reality

AR and VR are dominating app industry trends for some time now. What is interesting is that 2020 and the coming years will witness the proliferation of AR/VR apps like never before. With the introduction of ARKit by Apple and ARCore by Google, AR/VR integration will take center stage in iOS and android app development. 

Thus in 2020, AR/VR integration will be one of the top mobile app development trends that will set the ball rolling for the next round of competition in the virtual world.

Worldwide, AR and VR technology markets will rise from $27 billion in 2018 to $209 billion in 2022 – Statista

#8. Accelerated Mobile Pages

Accelerated Mobile Pages or AMP can be understood as the mobile version of HTML. The purpose is to make websites more mobile-friendly. This will boost the loading speed allowing developers to build heavier websites.

This will eventually pave the way for greater engagement leading to reduced cart abandonment, lower bounce rates, and increased interaction. With AMP, mobile applications will be judged on the basis of mobile application optimization.

#9. Mobile Wallets

With increased penetration of eCommerce and improved security infrastructure, the demand for online payment options is bound to rise. Biggies like Google and Apple have already launched their mobile wallets like Apple Pay and Google Wallet.

In times to come, mobile wallets are poised to become the preferred mode of online payment. As, such, the demand for Mobile Wallet Apps is not going to halt anytime soon. It makes sense then to invest in developing mobile wallet apps.

Mobile Wallet accounted for $4,296 billion of transactions in 2018 and will increase to $13,979 billion by 2022.

#10. Wearables

Wearables have taken user experience and level of interaction to a new level. In a market driven by superior user-experience, as such, the demand for wearables is bound to increase. According to Statista, the number of wearables is projected to reach 929 million by 2021.

Clearly, wearable technology will give enough boost to mobile app development for integrating wearables with the mobile phone. The dominance will be maintained by health and fitness apps as most of the wearables as of now is build around the theme of a fit and health-conscious customer.

Conclusion 

There are millions of mobile apps at the app store and with these latest mobile app development trends, they are geared to a transformation. With this, the competition among mobile app developers is bound to get stiffer in 2020.

If you happen to be an entrepreneur, now is the right time for you to develop a mobile app for your business. Already, many businesses are reaping the potential of a mobile app in combination with the latest technology. It is time for you to accept the change and move with the pace.