7 Mobile App Development Trends for 2021

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A mobile-first environment is no longer a debate of the future, but a reality of today.

Mobile apps are not only the most popular way to access web services, but they are also now a primary method of product discovery.

In fact, mobile app development has grown in popularity to the point where it has become a vital cog in the wheel propelling the digital economy.

With that in mind, it’s important for brands and marketers to understand the implications of the current landscape and what they need to do in order to remain competitive.

In that spirit, here are seven mobile app development trends you should be aware of in 2021 and beyond:

1) Artificial Intelligence (AI)

AI is going to play an increasing role in our lives as developers start integrating AI into their apps more and more. This trend is expected to see increased adoption rates by 2021 with many developers incorporating chatbots and natural language processing (NLP) into their apps.

For the average business, this means incorporating AI into their mobile app in order to enhance the user experience.

For example, chatbots can be used for customer service reps to quickly provide solutions to your customers, but also be used for lead generation campaigns.

After all, people are more likely to share their information if they don’t feel like they are being pushed and AI provides a more engaging experience.

Other applications for AI in mobile apps include:

Personalizing the user experience based on their interests and preferences.
Optimization of workflows to increase user retention.
Improved data collection and analysis to make more accurate business decisions.
Machine learning will allow for better data analysis and application insights while deep learning is going to see a rise in use to further enhance the user experience.

2) Virtual events streaming

Virtual event streaming apps such as Zoom allow you to stream conferences and events from around the world, in real time without having to attend in person.

One of the trends made popular by the Covid-19 pandemic was the ability for people to stream conferences and events from across the globe. People were able to connect with their favorite speakers, exhibitors, sponsors, and other attendees from any location.

And while virtual event apps are nothing new (they’ve actually been around since the early 2000’s) they are still very much in their infancy and set to explode as people look for more ways to engage with content.

In the future, we’re going to see more and more events incorporate this ability for attendees who can’t make it to the event location. This is also going to be useful for marketers who are looking for new ways of engaging their audiences with different types of content.

In short, virtual event streaming apps are going to be a huge opportunity for marketers and business owners alike as it will allow them to expand beyond the geographical limitations of their physical location.

This will allow them to reach a larger audience, gain new leads and build better relationships with existing customers.

So for instance, rather than requiring employees to physically travel for meetings, companies can simply send out a link for everyone to watch the meeting virtually.

3) IoT

The Internet of Things (IoT) is going to explode in popularity, thanks largely to the success of smart home devices and wearables.

Here’s how it works: IoT-enabled devices are able to share data with each other via the Internet, allowing them to connect and function together. Users would be able to control devices through mobile apps on their smartphone.

For example, you can set up a smart light bulb and then control it from within the app on your smartphone.

The benefits of this are numerous. Convenience, cost savings, and added safety are just some of the benefits that IoT brings to users. Adoption rates are expected to increase by 2021 as more people look for ways to save time and money, while also being able to automate their daily tasks.

4) Wearables

One of our favourite mobile app development trends is wearable technology, with fitness trackers being the most popular.

Wearable tech allows you to monitor your health and fitness levels, which in turn allows you to make more informed decisions about your lifestyle and how it impacts on your health.

While we’re already seeing some of these wearables being used on the job, they’re expected to see an even bigger surge in popularity as more people look for ways to improve their health and fitness levels.

However, the big difference between this year’s wearables to those of just two or three years ago, is that the focus has shifted from just fitness trackers to a more holistic approach.

In other words:

People are looking for wearable devices which can monitor and track a much wider range of factors such as: sleep levels, heart rate, body temperature, and even perspiration levels.

This way, users can better understand their overall health and what they need to do in order to improve on it.

5) Mobile Wallets

The likes of Apple Pay and Google Wallet have been around for a few years now, however they’re still not as widely used as expected.

That is going to change in the next few years, however.

Mobile wallets are set to explode in popularity as they offer consumers more security than physical credit cards and also allow them to track their spending habits.

Once users get used to the idea, they’ll wonder why it took so long for them to come around in the first place.

Mobile wallets allow users to pay for purchases directly from their mobile device, so there’s no need for them to take out their physical wallet and swipe a card.

In the future, we’re going to see more banks looking for ways to integrate mobile wallets into their mobile banking apps, which will give consumers even more convenience when it comes to paying for purchases.

6) Enterprise Mobile apps

Mobile apps solve problems.

And when it comes to the workplace, there are a whole host of problems that need solving.

Enterprise mobile apps help businesses address some common challenges, including:

Productivity – When employees are able to communicate and collaborate with each other more efficiently it breaks down barriers between teams. This in turn results in improved workflow and productivity.

Customer engagement – mobile apps allow businesses to build stronger relationships with their customers by offering them a convenient way to interact with the business.

This will be one of the mobile app development trends that isn’t going to go away anytime soon, so get on board now.

Now imagine if you could build an app for your business that allowed employees to communicate and collaborate with each other more efficiently, while also allowing customers to instantly interact with your business?

That’s what enterprise mobile apps do, and they’re quickly becoming the norm as businesses look for ways to improve their workflow.

All of this results in happier employees, customers and ultimately: increased bottom line.

Subsequently, working with reliable app developers, who have the expertise and knowledge to build enterprise apps, is going to become a priority for businesses over the next few years. Why? Because that’s the only way you can guarantee quality and success without having to worry about wasting valuable time, resources and money.

7) AR and VR

Augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) are two of the most exciting mobile app development trends that have blown up over the past year or so.

AR and VR allow users to experience a new reality that’s different from their own, whether it be through gaming, entertainment or even education.

These are some of the mobile app development trends that have already made a huge impact on society and they’re only expected to grow in popularity in 2021.

For instance:

AR and VR are expected to play a huge role in the way we work, learn and communicate with one another.

Employers will be able to train new employees more easily by using AR and VR.

For example, they can simulate real-life situations that are likely to arise in the workplace and show employees how to handle those situations.

Education is going to benefit from AR and VR as well, as students can learn about history and other subjects in a new interactive way.

What’s more, VR can also help people who have to undergo medical procedures that require anesthesia feel a little more at ease. VR can simulate experiences that make them feel like they’re in familiar surroundings and this will help to reduce their anxiety levels.

The application possibilities for AR and VR are endless, so it’s one of the mobile app development trends that you can expect to grow in popularity over time.