The constant innovative developments brought to the Android platform by both Google and individual contributors aim at pushing forward user experience for mobile users within very short timeframes. Mobile applications are expected to be more versatile, attractive, and quick in delivering results than the average website, especially if said app will be used to compete with other businesses.
Enterprises have already begun to acknowledge that they need to keep up with the latest trends in Android app development by being technologically savvy enough, considering that there are well over 3 billion smartphone users worldwide and that number is only expected to grow in the future. Here, we take a look at the trends that stand out in the current development space.
Instant Apps for Android
Instant apps allow a user to use them without having to sacrifice space on their phones as they need not be installed. The Android Instant Apps SDK and App Links Assistant allow developers to build instant apps either from scratch or convert existing apps into instant ones. Besides being a storage saver, these apps are compatible across gadgets, easily shareable, save users time, and have pleasant UI/UX. Developers are encouraged to be creatively minimal in their design approach for such apps, with a prerequisite being that they should first manage unique device identifiers such as IMSI, IMEI, MAC addresses, build serial numbers, etc.
Blockchain
Thanks to blockchain technology, decentralized app development is now possible with the added benefits of better transparency and security. D Apps (decentralized apps) run transactions on the blockchain by making use of smart contracts. As blockchain allows for reliable, tamper-proof data records despite being open-source, they represent a new paradigm for Android app development. Secure authentication coupled with faster cryptocurrency payment options and non-duplicable smart contracts make developers – especially those working in the finance and banking sectors – increasingly invested in building apps and solutions that focus on taking advantage of blockchain.
Chatbot Apps for Android
A growing trend in Android development is the need for voice integration with Google Assistant and other chatbot-enabling services. This allows potential users to access apps quicker and more directly. Google Assistant integrations are also being increasingly adapted to be used to control IoT smart devices and other home devices that can be enhanced by digital voice integrations. Chatbots are now being used primarily, however, to deploy customer care and marketing services. Chatbot technology is constantly being touted for its potential for real-time customer interaction, customer retention, and customer satisfaction. Their user-friendliness provides users with a better user experience, hence turning into a new area of focus for UX developers.
AI/ML Integrations
Projects that were deemed unachievable in previous years have been developed and revolutionized by using AI/ML models that help boost developers’ productivity by deploying, automating, testing, and coding via self-learning techniques. With the growing rise in demand for on-demand applications, it has been found that supporting technologies such as Big Data processing, process automation, and data analytics stand to benefit immensely from AI/ML integrations.
Apps for Wearables
While the latest wearable devices mainly involve fit bits and smartwatches, it is expected to change in the near future. Android app development for wearables is one of the latest and burgeoning trends in the space, with many tech firms developing their own operating systems with feature-rich interfaces. Besides the currently used health apps and notifications features, different apps are expected to grab market share in the future. Android Studio is now the go-to option for developers to incorporate and test out different watch face/screen shapes and sizes, Wi-Fi connectivity, wrist and swipe gestures, navigation features, and button clicks. It is interesting to note that wearables are touted to become increasingly popular in the healthcare and sports industries.
Beacon Technology
Beacons are essentially devices that transmit signals in order to connect with mobile devices in a particular (usually short) range. This technology is highly attractive to businesses as it can be used to send notifications regarding special offers, services, venues of interest, and more. Push notifications are proving to be an effective marketing strategy, but beacon technology strives to transform this to an opt-in strategy which is useful for many industries. Beacon tech is also gaining popularity thanks to its capabilities over the cloud and not just on a particular site. This, coupled with the fact that it can be used to help businesses connect with customers on a contextual basis, has made beacon tech a fast-growing trend in recent years.
Apps for Foldables
With the revolutionary advancements in foldable devices, primarily brought about by Samsung Electronics, market share and demand for the same is only expected to rise, and many companies will look forward to developing their own foldables in the upcoming years. App developers have an exciting opportunity to innovate and pioneer in this relatively new space, with Google launching official foldable support on Android smartphones using the Screen Continuity API. Brands such as Amazon, Spotify, Facebook, Twitter, and Microsoft have also optimized their Android applications for foldable use.
Internet of Things (IoT)
IoT is without a doubt among the most popular trends that constantly invites breakthroughs and contributions from firms and individual developers. With the provisions in Raspberry Pi, Android Studio, and Android SDK, developers that do not even have expertise in embedded system design can now dabble in creating IoT-based apps for mass consumer use. Internet of Things is expected to greatly revolutionize industries such as healthcare, hospitality, manufacturing, smart home development, self-driving cars and traffic controls.
Final Thoughts
Android app development has always grown at breakneck speeds, and when one considers these futuristic trends, it is not expected to slow down anytime soon. These trends are further made possible thanks to the growing advancements in 5G technology and the like. Businesses need to take full advantage of these trends and invest in them for greater returns in the coming years. With the potential for revolutionizing entire fields and industries, Android app development trends will most definitely proliferate and result in mass adoption by both customers and enterprises alike.
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