The mobile app industry continues to evolve at a rapid pace. And with the increasing reliance on smartphones, businesses must stay atop the latest mobile app trends and implement them.
Thanks to new technologies like 5G, blockchain, and edge computing, mobile app development in 2022 and beyond will be much bigger, faster, and more secure. 

In this article, we will discuss the latest mobile app trends that you can leverage to give your customers a memorable experience and stay ahead of the competition. Let’s get started!

#1- 5G Technology

5G has been making buzz for a while. However, we can expect a complete rollout of 5G technology this year. Although, technology companies, especially smartphone makers, have already launched 5G-compatible devices. 

This means that we can soon expect mobile app developers to leverage the capabilities of 5G to provide a wholesome experience to users. 

Unlike 4G, 5G has a latency of less than one millisecond. When compared with human reaction time, which is around 300 milliseconds, 5G almost feels instantaneous. 

That said, here are some ways 5G will affect mobile app development:

  • Latency will reduce from 50 milliseconds in 4G to 1 millisecond in 5G. 
  • The performance of video streaming apps will improve significantly due to low latency. 
  • Integrating AR and VR will become easier, again thanks to increased connectivity speed.
  • The higher radiofrequency and shorter wavelengths of 5G will help developers with precise geotargeting and geofencing. 

#2- AR and VR

Augmented reality and virtual reality have been there for some years now. However, going forward, especially with 5G, we can expect more and more app developers to leverage AR and VR to provide a better experience to users. 

For instance, the launch of Metaverse has increased the demand for VR apps that allow users to join the virtual world. 

On the other hand, AR allows users to see how the product looks before purchasing. The most prominent example of this is Ikea. It uses AR to let customers know how the furniture will look in their home before they even buy it. 

#3- Edge Computing

The advanced version of cloud computing: edge computing will change the way mobile app developers design apps. For starters, edge computing brings the cloud near the user and processes some of their computational needs locally or at the nearest station (i.e., edge of the cloud). 

When edge computing is widely adopted, smartphones will become a part of the cloud, removing potential latency issues. This also means that other smart devices like autonomous cars, IoT, and wireless will all leverage devices powered by edge computing. 

Gartner predicts that by 2025, 75% of enterprise-generated data will be created and processed at the edge. Another report indicates that mobile consumers will account for 21.7% of the overall infrastructure edge power footprint by 2028, the highest among other consumers.

#4- Blockchain

Thanks to the crypto boom, almost everyone has heard the term “blockchain.” However, it has come a long way and is now applicable in virtually every industry, including mobile app development

The primary reasons blockchain will be adopted widely in mobile app development are its secure record-keeping and data sharing capabilities.

For instance, during the peak of the pandemic, hospitals started using blockchain to monitor the storage of COVID-19 vaccines and ensure their speedy distribution. 

We are also seeing a surge in currency converters that use blockchain technology to secure digital identity and track digital assets & loyalty programs. 

In 2022 and beyond, we can see more and more apps leveraging BaaS (Blockchain as a Service) to prevent fraud. 

#5- Apps Optimized for Foldable Devices

Currently, foldable devices don’t have a significant market share in the smartphone industry. However, things are changing. According to Statista, 50 million foldable devices will be shipped in 2022. The numbers are big enough for businesses to ignore. 

However, developing apps for foldable devices could be challenging. Since foldable devices offer two screen sizes (half and full) to users, app developers need to consider how their app will look and perform on both screens. 

At the same time, you will need to consider how your app will look when a user is using multiple apps simultaneously (using multi-window). 

Thus, developing apps keeping screen sizes in mind will become the norm in 2022. Businesses ignoring foldable devices while developing apps will soon be overtaken by their competitors. 

#6- Wearables

Be it wireless headphones or smartwatches, wearable devices are everywhere. According to Statista, the number of connected wearable devices is forecast to reach more than one billion by 2022. 

In 2021, we already saw a major improvement in the wearable apps industry. For instance, Apple launched WatchOS 8 Update that brought new features, such as better wallet access, a redesigned interface, and more watch faces for Apple smartwatch users. 

Google also released a new wearable operating system named the WearOS platform that works with Samsung’s Tizen software. It aims to make it easier for developers to create wearable apps. According to Google, this system will ensure smoother animations, better customization features, and 30% faster startup times. 

These developments clearly indicate that wearable technology is one of the important mobile app trends in 2022 and beyond.  

Summing Up

Every year we see some new trends in the mobile app development industry. In 2022, we can expect app developers to leverage 5G, AR & VR, and edge computing to enhance the performance of their apps. We will also see a rise in mobile apps using blockchain to enhance security. 

Are you ready to leverage the latest mobile app development trends? Sofort Solutions is the leading mobile app development company in the UK. Whether you want to implement 5G, AR, VR, edge computing, blockchain, or create apps for foldable devices and wearables, we have experts to do that for you. Let’s connect!

 

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