Nearly 90% of the time spent on mobile devices today is spent on apps, mainly thanks to the pandemic and the significant time spent at home. However, technology evolves at a breakneck pace every year, resulting in new and more challenging mobile trends.

Undoubtedly, our society is increasingly dependent on mobile devices and mobile applications. And technological improvements boost the development of new solutions and the enhancement of existing ones.

Keeping up with the latest mobile app development trends can help you build a popular app, attract more users, and make them use it regularly. More importantly, you will deliver new solutions based on your users' pain points and better meet their needs.

1. 5G

5G is 100 times faster than 4G, changing how we develop and use apps. 5G will improve the functionality of mobile apps, resulting in new developments. Your developers, partners, and customers will see a significant shift in using 5G-capable mobile apps. Here are a few things to look forward to:

• Data transfer between devices and smartphones will be faster and smoother, so 5G will enable developers to build new features without impacting app performance.
• Video streaming apps will see significant improvements with higher resolution, lower latency, and faster speed. 
• 5G will open the door for Augmented- and Virtual Reality, as incorporating these technologies into apps will be easier.
• Mobile payments will be faster and more secure because of the rapid processing of biometric data for identification.

2. IoT-Enabled Apps

We are surrounded by Internet-connected devices from smartphones to wearables and sensors to voice-controlled smart home gadgets. The Internet of Things (IoT) has evolved into much more than a fad. It has become an integral part of our daily lives, with a projected value of $594 billion in 2022.

Following the footsteps of Amazon and Google, companies such as Samsung, Xiaomi, Bosch, and Honeywell are rapidly adopting IoT technologies. Continuous supply chains in retail, smart homes and health insurance plans are no longer science fiction but have become real.

IoT, when integrated with the cloud, opens opportunities for new business apps and smart services such as DataBase as a Service (DBaaS), Sensing as a Service (SaaS), and Video Surveillance as a Service (VSaaS). Real-life apps in agriculture, healthcare, smart cities, smart metering and smart homes will acquire the combined IoT and cloud strategy.

3. AI and Machine Learning 

The global AI software market is expected to reach $126 billion by 2025. AI plays a crucial role in app development because it allows personalized app experiences tailored to the customer's needs.

Machine learning is another skyrocketing sector where we see dramatic changes. When machine learning utilizes deep learning, it can perform wonders in mobile app development projects by providing precious data and real-time insights. We anticipate the development of a wide range of AI apps leveraging predictive analytics and machine learning algorithms. Beyond enhanced personalized experience, app developers can allow AI to implement necessary actions unprompted by learning users' past activities and usage patterns.

4. Augmented Reality and Virtual Reality

The AR, VR, and mixed reality market is expected to reach $300 billion by 2024.

AR and VR technologies in app design in any industry allow developers to provide a more personalized user experience. Today, there are numerous examples where brands already leverage AR and VR to improve customer experience:

• Ikea deploys augmented reality to allow people to see how furniture will look in their home before purchasing it.
• Lenskart allows consumers to experiment virtually on glasses before purchasing them.
• L'Oreal offers a virtual makeup software that lets users see how their makeup will look on their faces.
• Google Maps now includes a feature called "Live View," which allows users to see the direction in real-time on real-world imagery.
• Not to mention Apple and Meta bringing significant advances in AR and VR.

The development of AR/VR is predicted to transform the way mobile apps work by the end of 2026. Live concerts, virtual training simulators, learning methods and travel apps will be a few new application areas.

5. Blockchain

According to forecasts, global blockchain revenues will reach $39 billion by 2025. Blockchain integration solutions will alter how apps are developed and deployed.

Initially, blockchain technology was known for ensuring the smooth operation of cryptocurrencies. It is now a decentralized database (ledger) used in nearly any application, such as financial, retail, health apps, etc. The decentralized ledger facilitates the tracking of transactions between numerous parties that are shared with each stakeholder. As stakeholders are aware of these transactions, it makes the system transparent and increases its security by stopping fraudulent transactions and not allowing any changes.

Intelligent contracts, anti-piracy software, tools to moderate elections, and Blockchain as a service (BaaS) platforms will all make the trend more widespread in 2022 and beyond. We will use Blockchain to avoid fraud, particularly in mobile commerce and mobile payment.

6. M-Commerce and P2P Payment

The eCommerce sector generates $3.56 trillion of all annual sales, with mobile accounting for 72.9 percent of these transactions. 

Following the COVID outbreak, we noticed a massive shift in our lifestyle. Everyone has begun to rely on mobile apps, from huge retailers to small enterprises and individual consumers. Businesses had to adapt to this trend by developing eCommerce apps rapidly. It's the only way they'll be able to endure the fierce competition.

Another significant trend is the uptake of peer-to-peer mobile apps. P2P mobile apps are becoming increasingly popular among businesses and individuals due to their convenience. Users can pay instantly, while peers or suppliers can get payments immediately into their accounts. There is no need for extra effort.

Here are some examples of peer-to-peer mobile apps that we've seen this year:

• Payment features are introduced in social media networks.
• Mobile operating systems with built-in payment systems. Android Pay, Apple Pay and Samsung Pay are just a few examples.
• Independent providers with their own payment systems.
• Peer-to-peer (P2P) apps that include a bank as a payment partner.
• Digital wallets for cryptocurrencies.

7. App Security

According to the Check Point Mobile Security Report 2021, at least one employee in 46 percent of firms has already downloaded a malicious mobile application. Businesses should be concerned about how much their staff relies on mobile devices.

As cybersecurity is directly tied to data protection and information privacy legislation, most organizations want to invest more in this field. By introducing a new feature called "Passkeys in iCloud Chain" at WWDC 2021, Apple took a big step toward a passwordless future. Whether you work in finance, retail, or healthcare, using facial recognition and other biometrics-processing technology will give an extra layer of security for your client's data and money. 

The mobile app development industry will likely change to a security-first approach from 2022, setting the groundwork for a successful DevOps strategy.

8. Super Apps

For years, mobile app development projects have taken the approach of one app, one purpose. However, things are changing now. Companies are moving away from single-purpose apps toward one-stop solutions solving multiple tasks.

Super Apps are extremely popular in Asia. Natural AI, developed by a California-based startup Brain Technologies Inc., is one exciting example. It aims to revolutionize how people use their phones by handling many tasks from a single app.

The thirst for super applications isn't as intense in the Western world because consumers prefer to try out several options before settling on one. In the end, though, everyone desires convenience.

Conclusion

With the COVID-19 pushing consumers and businesses to move more of their lives online, a new drive is underway to provide them with more personalized experiences. This digital shift is reflected in the mobile app development trends, which place a strong emphasis on user satisfaction. Incorporating relevant trends in your mobile app development roadmap can help you succeed in 2022 and beyond.