What Does The Future Holds For the Companies Developing Mobile Apps? Here's why Developers should always keep the future and the current trends in mind in order to create a sustainable app
By Harnil Oza
Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.
You're reading Entrepreneur India, an international franchise of Entrepreneur Media.
A mobile app development company will spend so much of their time fretting about the current trends that they often neglect to consider the trends that are hiding just around the corner. A top notch mobile app development company cannot simply be focused on the present. They must also consider the future.
There are more than a few trends that are going to define the future and a mobile app development company would do well to consider all of them. The number of smartphones that are in existence is well over 1 billion and will only continue to rise. Search engine apps, social media apps and gaming apps have already staked their claim to their piece of this growing pie.
While the trends that are associated with the aforementioned apps are currently defining the present, they are not necessarily going to define the future. A forward thinking mobile app development company needs to be focused on tomorrow so that they can maintain their grip on the pulse of the world around them.
With that being said, it is time to take a closer look at the trends that are going to loom large going forward.
Enterprise mobile management
Businesses are going to be searching for ways to streamline their processes in the years to come and enterprise mobile management is a key aspect of the proceedings. Enterprise mobile management can be used to assist a business that is looking to get the most of their security and financial management.
Top app development companies that are only creating products for the individual user will miss out on these developments. The developers that create enterprise mobile management apps that allow for a greater level of scaling are the developers that will be able to capitalize on this trend.
Application Performance Management
No longer do mobile app developers have to rely on the same outdated information as before. Thanks to Application Performance Management tools, the proper metrics are being provided so that companies have the chance to measure the app's performance in a more meaningful way.
User behavior is monitored by these tools and this offers both the developer and the client the chance to tailor their actions accordingly. Business processes need to be aligned with performance and in order to learn more about the features that provide the best results, APM must be used during the app testing process.
The Increased Importance of Interfaces
A mobile app development company needs to be fully aware of the increased importance of truly interactive interfaces in the future. The average app user is no longer as easy to please as they once were and they expect a certain level of usability. Users want to be able to interact with their apps in a meaningful way.
That is why developers need to be willing to add the layers that are going to allow them to stand apart. Can the users of the app interact with the information that is being presented in a manner that will keep them coming back? This is a question that developers must answer in the years to come.
Motion Sensors
As smartphones become more and more complex, they are being equipped with mobile sensing abilities and app developers would do well to take advantage. When it comes to providing certain goods and services, companies need all of the knowledge that they can get. Apps that allow them to receive the information with relative ease will only become more important.
Apps that rely on motion sensors are going to be used in various gaming contexts and they can also be used as a means of preventing theft. As more and more apps rely on the exploitation of precise information to provide goods and services, motion sensors are only going to take on added importance.
The Rise of M-Commerce
Many experts who make their living by observing financial trends have predicted that we are not far off from an era where the average person is not using the wallet. One day, we will have the ability to make purchases without even having to swipe a credit card or a debit card. As M-commerce continues to become a more feasible reality, apps that are designed to assist the consumer are pivotal.
Mobile purchases are going to increase and a mobile app development company must take the time to be fully aware of the apps that are designed to make these transactions easier. Soon, we will live in a world where cash and credit cards are no longer needed. Companies need to be ready for this transition as soon as possible.
Interconnected Objects
The Internet of Things may not have seemed all that feasible a few years ago but it is here and it is spectacular. It is believed that at least 26 billion devices will be interconnected by the time 2020 has come and gone. This places the onus on mobile app developers to come up with the tools that we need in order to take full advantage of the brave new world that we find ourselves in.
As humans enjoy their newfound ability to communicate with all of the objects in their home with the use of a tablet or smartphone, the apps that allow them to do so are going to become vital. A developer with an eye towards the future would do well to consider this fact. Learning everything there is to know about the Internet of Things is a must.
Wearable Tech
This is a market that is poised to explore as more and more industries consider the benefits that it has to offer. As it turns out, there are no shortage of companies and businesses that are going to benefit from wearable tech. The percentage of wearable tech devices that are shipped each year continues to rise.
These developments create a whole new world of opportunities for all of the app developers out there who are looking to make a name for themselves. Apps that combine with this form of technology to deliver valuable information will stand alone in the coming years.