We tried to predict what 2021’s trends Android Development would be like by taking a chance on 5G technology, AI, and blockchain technology. As it turns out, our forecast was correct. Today, we try to look at what the popular mobile app has to offer this 2023 and beyond!
With over 2.5 billion active users spanning over 190 countries, Android proves to be a popular platform, according to Business of Apps 2022 statistics. And with new technologies emerging every day, it’s no wonder that the demand for Android app development is always on the rise.
So, we recommend keeping an eye out for what’s happening in the industry. To help you think ahead of the competition, check out these android app development trends:
1. Instant Apps
Instant apps are not Android new technology per se, but they are becoming increasingly popular. Users of instant apps can access a part of the app without downloading it first. This is especially useful for one-time use apps, such as a parking app or a coffee shop finder.
E-commerce businesses, in particular, can benefit from instant apps by providing their users with an instant experience of their products. For instance, a traveler can book a hotel room or order a taxi without having to download an app first.
Why should you hop in with this trend? Users are more likely to use a readily available app without installing it first. In addition, it eliminates the need to design a separate mobile website, which can be time-consuming and costly.
In other words, these apps offer a better user experience and are more likely to be successful.
Developing Android Instant apps require the same source code and APIs as a regular Android app. This means that there is no need to develop a separate codebase for an Instant App. For developers, this is a huge advantage because it saves time and development resources.
2. Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML)
Smartphones today use AI and machine learning algorithms to provide a better user experience. This is done by analyzing user behavior and providing them with recommendations and even personalization.
We’ve seen it find its way into the mobile app development industry. Virtual assistants such as Siri or Alexa spring to people’s minds when they think about artificial intelligence. But there are also chatbots, voice translation, smart predictions, and aligning content according to visitors.
Social networks are using AI to provide better content recommendations to their users. Google is also reportedly working on an AI-powered operating system that will power future smartphones.
Aside from personalization, AI development is a trend that is also being used for security purposes. For instance, Android’s Face Unlock and Iris Scanner use AI to recognize a user’s face or iris. This is to make sure that only the rightful owner of the device can access it.
Furthermore, this trend reaches the business industry! Many enterprises use AI to automate repetitive tasks such as image tagging, translations, and fraud detection.
In a survey conducted by SnapLogic, 81% of 400 office workers across the U.S. and U.K. believe AI improves their overall performance at work. And 68% of them call on their employers to deploy more AI-based technologies to execute their tasks.
3. Augmented Reality (AR) and Virtual Reality (VR)
While both AR and VR development have been around for a while now, they are expected to make a big splash in the coming years. This is thanks to the continuous development of hardware and software technologies that are needed to support these applications.
We’ve seen a lot of examples of augmented reality, especially in the gaming industry. Games such as Pokemon Go and Harry Potter: Wizards Unite use AR to bring their virtual world into the real world. This is done by overlaying graphics on top of the user’s view of the surroundings.
Furthermore, virtual reality creates a completely immersive experience by transporting the user into a digital world. With a VR headset, you can interact with other users in the digital world powered by Android development.
IKEA, Lowe’s, and Target are some of the retailers that use AR to give their customers a better shopping experience. For instance, IKEA lets its customers place virtual furniture in their homes to see what they would look like before making a purchase.
It’s one of the Android app development trends that is expected to grow in the coming years. This is because it can be used in various industries such as education, healthcare, real estate, gaming, and the dating scene!
4. Normalizing 5G Technology
From smartphones to tablets, Android devices are expected to be 5G-enabled among iOS devices by the end of this year. This mass adoption of 5G is one of the Android development trends that will shape the future of mobile app development.
What is 5G? It is a fifth-generation wireless technology that offers higher speeds, lower latency, and more capacity than 4G. For an Android mobile app, it offers:
- App functionality improvement that allows developers to add features without compromising the app’s performance
- Easy integration of augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR)
- Increased speed and more security for mobile payments
- Enhanced mobile streaming
This trend will change how we interact with our Android devices and the apps that we use. We can expect to see more 5G-enabled Android devices in the coming years as the technology continues to develop.
For now, we anticipate the latest Android app development will impact app developers to create sophisticated apps that require less time to load.
5. On-demand Apps
Airbnb, Uber, and Netflix are all examples of on-demand apps. These apps have changed the way we live and work by providing us with access to services that we can use at our convenience.
The on-demand economy is expected to grow even further in the coming years. This is thanks to the continuous development of new technologies that make it easier for on-demand services to be delivered.
Aside from the on-demand mobile apps that exist today, there are opportunities for:
- Healthcare: on-demand doctor appointments, prescription delivery, and mental health services
- Food and drink: meals delivered to your doorstep, grocery delivery, and alcohol delivery
- Home services: on-demand housekeeping, laundry, and repairs
Why start thinking about these on-demand apps? Because they offer a great way to provide value to your customers. With an on-demand app, you can make their lives easier by giving them access to the services when they need them.
6. Beacon Technology
Introduced in 2013, beacon technology has been one of the most popular Android app development trends. And we can expect to see this trend continue to grow in the coming years.
What is a beacon?
It is a small, wireless device that uses Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) to transmit signals to nearby devices. When a user’s device comes within range of a beacon, it can trigger an action.
For instance, beacons can be used to send push notifications to users about special offers or events happening near them. This is how many businesses have used beacon technology to increase foot traffic and sales.
In 2022, we’ve already seen beacon technology being used in airports, museums, and retail stores. According to a Statista report, the beacon market is predicted to reach $56.6 billion by 2026 and is currently growing at an annual rate of almost 60%.
There are many potential applications for beacon technology. Some of the most common use cases include:
Indoor navigation
Beacons can be used to provide indoor turn-by-turn directions.
Proximity marketing
A cutting-edge technology that allows businesses to send targeted messages and advertisements to customers based on their location.
Asset tracking
Beacons can be used to track the location of high-value assets, such as inventory in a retail store.
Customer engagement
Beacons can be used to engage with customers and gather data about their behavior.
It will only be a matter of time before businesses pick up on using beacons in their own android phone for development to interact with their customers.
7. Wearables
Smart devices are getting smaller and more wearable. In fact, many of the devices that we use today can be considered wearables, such as fitness trackers, smartwatches, and even clothing.
Wearable devices are becoming more popular because they offer a convenient way to access information and perform tasks without using our hands.
The use of wearables is expected to grow in the coming years as technology continues to develop. So, to get ahead of the competition, what wearable apps should you develop?
Some ideas include:
Fitness and health-tracking apps
Apps that track your fitness goals and provide you with health information.
Productivity apps
Apps that help you stay organized and productive, such as to-do lists and calendar apps.
Communication apps
Apps that allow you to stay connected with others, such as messaging and VOIP apps.
Entertainment apps
Apps that provide you with entertainment, such as games and video streaming apps.
Wearable devices are not just for the younger generation. In fact, seniors are one of the fastest-growing groups of wearable users.
There are Android apps that can track chronic conditions for seniors. Diabetes patients can use these apps to track their blood sugar levels and stay within a healthy range.
Another reason why seniors are adopting wearable devices is for safety purposes. Many wearable devices on the market offer features such as fall detection and emergency call buttons.
8. Apps for Foldable Phones
Mobile app development trends for foldable devices are expected to follow the demand for wearable apps. You read that right, foldable phones are coming back, and we’ve seen it from Samsung’s Galaxy Z Flip 4 and Fold 4.
Foldable phones offer a new way to interact with our devices. They provide a larger screen size while still being portable. The market for these devices remains steady with newly updated models.
Foldable phone shipments skyrocketed in 2022, with shipped worldwide reaching 13.5 million. International Data Corporation predicts total foldable shipments worldwide will reach 41.5 million units by 2026.
Foldables, in the future, can become two-in-one devices that can replace both a phone and a tablet. So how can you take this to your advantage?
Start working with software developers that can design user interfaces to adapt to various screen sizes and dimensions. Flexibility will be key for foldable phone app development.
Additionally, take advantage of the larger screen size by developing apps that are heavy on visuals, such as video streaming and gaming apps.
9. Internet of Things (IoT)
Implementing the IoT (Internet of Things) is one of the most significant technological advances in recent years. Thus, it’s no surprise to see it in the latest app trends for 2023.
What is IoT?
IoT is the network of physical devices, vehicles, home appliances, and other items embedded with electronics, software, sensors, and connectivity that enables these objects to connect and exchange data.
It’s not new technology because, in today’s digital world, we see IoT in smart devices such as thermostats, lights, and doorbells. But IoT is not just limited to the consumer market.
Various industries, such as agriculture, automotive, healthcare, manufacturing, and retail, are taking advantage of this app development trend. Implementing this in your business lets you gain more insight into your products using analytics and data processing to create new business models.
Small business owners can use this to their advantage. IoT can help you optimize your resources, improve customer service, and create a more efficient workplace without breaking the bank.
Furthermore, we can expect more and more hybrid apps with enhanced UX to be developed, incorporating the advanced coding capabilities of hybrid platforms and allowing users to interact with multiplatform development for different devices.
10. Blockchain and AI Meet in the Metaverse
We all saw the trend in blockchain technology from 2020 to 2022. Well, it looks like we’re about to see more of that with AI in the metaverse.
What is Metaverse?
Metaverse is a user-generated, persistent virtual world where people can interact with each other and digital objects using avatars. It’s basically like the matrix, but instead of being trapped in a virtual world, you can choose to enter or leave the metaverse at any time.
The metaverse is powered by blockchain technology. This 3D virtual space offers gamers an infinite number of settings to explore. Given the popularity of metaverse games, it is likely that mobile gaming will follow suit.
On the business side of this app development trend, metaverses built on the blockchain let users purchase digital and real-life products. It offers security, transparency, and trustless interactions between users. This is perfect for businesses that need to store sensitive data or conduct transactions.
Additionally, companies can hold virtual conferences or product launches in the metaverse. Valdé Beauty, for example, held a digital product launch in the metaverse where the audience interacted using avatars that can dance, clap, and blow kisses!
The future of Android is bright, with many upcoming features and announcements from Facebook and different startups working on virtual dating apps in the metaverse. How does a first date sound in the metaverse?
Let’s Start on Your Mobile App Development!
Trends in Android development are always changing, so it’s important to stay updated with the latest trends.
If you’re looking for a reliable team of app developers to help you with your app development needs, look no further!
As a software development company, StarTechUP is always keeping up with the latest trends in Android app development. If you’re looking to develop a new app or update your current one, we can do it for you!
For both iOS and Android app development, we use the latest technologies and trends to create high-quality mobile apps that are not only aesthetically pleasing but also functional.
Contact us today to get started!
