The world of mobile app development is constantly evolving . Every year, new trends and technologies are emerging and transforming the way mobile apps are built and used.

The main factor which decides whether an app is successful or not is how much the app corresponds to the demands of modern consumers. Staying up to date with the latest trends & features is the main reason why apps like Uber Eats or Instagram are on top and stay on top throughout the years.

According to a study by Google, 80% of smartphone users are more likely to purchase from companies with mobile apps or sites that help them easily answer their questions.

Business owners ready to take their brands to the next level should definitely consider the latest mobile app development trends & features before thinking about their app concept.

What are the biggest trends in app development for 2020? Here is our top 10 list of the most impactful trends in the world of mobile apps for the coming year.

Wearable devices and smart watches

These days, a majority of young adults are using some sort of bluetooth device like ear pods, or a smart watches.

Watches trackers, and fitness bands have been popular for quite some time , but this is only the tip of the iceberg. In the coming years, wearable devices will improve immensely and will move from being niche products to being very popular with the masses.

According to a study, the total number of wearable users connected to the 4G network in 2017 was 526 million. In 2022, this number is expected to reach 900 million active users.

In 2019. Apple announced that the app store will now be available directly on the apple watch which means most major apps will start including features to integrate with wearable devices.

In the coming years, we can expect a major leap in the quality and quantity of smart watch ready apps.

5G Technology

5G will definitely transform the way apps are used and developed. What does tthe implementation of 5G mean for mobile app development?

App’s speed and efficiency will improve enormously, giving the opportunity for developers to create new features which were only imaginable a few years ago

In fact, 5G is expected to boost network efficiency and capacity in a major way. Compared to 4G, 5G will be up to 100 times faster, depending on the mobile network operator.

The penetration of 5G will allow developers to add new features to apps without negatively affecting an apps speed or performance.

Mobile Commerce (M-Commerce)

M-Commerce has been growing at an exponential rate in the past few years and taking over a major part of the market in 2020.

Most major companies nowadays understand that mobile apps are the future of online marketing. All the new features they provide are changing the way people shop and the way they interact with businesses.

In the next coming years, we will reach a point where you need a M-Commerce app to stay competitive.Think about it: Almost every retailer nowadays must compete with ultra efficient shopping apps like Amazon and Wish. To stay competitive, businesses must replicate what made those brands successful: a simple, fun and engaging online shopping experience.

By the end of 2020, more than 70% of total ecommerce sales will come from mobile devices. Apps play a significant role in the current and future success of mobile commerce.

Internet of Things (IoT) App Integration

Internet of Things app integration is becoming more and more accepted by modern consumers and even required in certain instances. Touchless technology is on the rise, and users are now very familiar with bluetooth, mobile data, QR codes and everything IoT related.

Modern consumers are becoming more and more optimistic and comfortable with the idea of using technology to improve their everyday life.

The IoT describes the growing network of devices connected to the Internet, providing convenience and automated control to consumers. Mobile apps are now being integrated in every part of the household like the thermostats, the locks, the security system, the lights etc.. Most important household appliances like refrigerators, coffee machines, televisions can now also be connected to mobile apps and controlled from mobile devices.

IoT integration is on the rise in many industries, particularly household devices, automobiles, healthcare and the service industry.

Beacon Technology

Beacons have been used in proximity marketing to and integrated with mobile apps since 2013.
What are beacons ?
Beacons are small, wireless transmitters that use low-energy Bluetooth technology to send signals to other smart devices nearby.

Beacons are used for ‘’proximity marketing’’ to basically enhance the customer’s experience while shopping.

Here is an example of beacons used with mobile phones: Shop owners can set up beacons in their stores that connect with a user’s smartphone via Bluetooth (if the app is installed on their phone). When a user passes by a beacon, they will instantly receive a push notification about a certain product or promotion in that store.

Beacons can also be used to track buyer behavior while shopping. They can provide important data about the way a customer walks through the store and if they spend more time in particular isle or in front of a particular product display.
According to Statista, in 2016, the beacons technology market was valued at 519.6 million U.S. dollars. It is to reach about 56.6 billion U.S. dollars in size in 2026 (10 times more)

Artificial Intelligence (AI)

Artificial intelligence and machine learning have been used extensively in mobile apps for a few years (The best example is Siri or Alexa). But this is only the beginning stage for this technology.

AI features that can be incorporated into mobile apps:

• Image recognition
• Text and image classification
• Face detection
• Sentiment recognition and classification
• Speech recognition
• Predictive maintenance

AI can improve the performance of apps in many ways by making them smarter, more interactive and more connected to the ‘’real world’’. From the backend development process to the frontend user experience, AI will change the way we think of mobile apps in 2020.

Mobile Wallets

Mobile Commerce is on the rise and being implemented more and more into online businesses and also into physical stores. Mobile wallets like Apple Pay, Google Pay, and Samsung Pay are now accepted pretty much everywhere and are becoming the norm.

In 2020, wallet integration will become a standard feature for any app that processes transactions. This feature makes it easier and more convenient for users to shop on apps.

In 2019, transactions worth $6.1 billion have been made form mobile wallets, which is estimated to reach $13.98 billion by the end of 2022.

Augmented Reality (AR)

AR is only in its beginning stages, but examples like Instagram or SnapChat’s filters are proving it’s one of the most appreciated new trends in mobile apps.

Another good example of AR in mobile apps is Pokemon Go, which had a immense success and paved the way for many other similar gaming apps.

A more practical example of AR is the newest apps by major cosmetic brands like L’Oréal that use this technology show what a particular makeup or haircut looks like on the user’s face.

AR technology is still young and will offer app developers and content creators countless opportunities to innovate in the coming years.

To Conclude

In the next few years, only those who embrace this change will be able to keep doing business.

These up and coming trends show one thing: businesses must evolve to stay up to date with the demands of modern consumers. Mobile device integration with everyday life is now widely accepted and even appreciated.

At Yamm Software Inc., we find creative ways to integrate new technology into practical mobile apps. We specialize in ioT connected apps, beacon technology and m-commerce store.

If you have an app idea or a clever way to leverage one of these features to enhance your business or any aspect of modern day life, book a free 30min consultation call with one of our project managers to discuss and potentially develop your app.