8 Trends in Mobile App Development in 2022

Incorporate 5G technology

The adoption of 5G is advancing at a good pace and will continue to do so in the coming years. Thus, in 2022 we will see many more mobile applications trying to take advantage of this technology and the higher connection speed it provides.

5G will change the way applications are developed and used by providing faster throughput, faster data transfer, and lower latency. Mobile app developers will be able to create new features without affecting app performance.

This technology represents a revolution for sectors such as video games and a great opportunity to broadcast higher quality streaming videos, integrate AR/VR in apps more easily, add more interconnected IoT devices, and make mobile payments safer and faster.

Harnessing the rise of mobile commerce

If online shopping was already an upward trend, the pandemic has boosted it even more. More and more people are choosing to buy online, which has led many businesses to choose to develop their own mobile applications to provide a better shopping experience.

Mobile commerce (m-commerce) differs from electronic commerce (e-commerce) in that purchases are made through a mobile application instead of a web page. Companies are improving their engagement and conversion rates and their revenues by developing native apps or PWAs for their business.

Without a doubt, m-commerce will be one of the trends in mobile development that we should pay attention to this year.

Implement AI and Machine Learning

Mobile development has been using Artificial Intelligence for facial recognition for some time now. However, in recent times, companies are realizing that its advantages go much further. Thanks to AI, they not only reduce the time and costs of developing applications but also improve security and provide a better user experience.

Artificial intelligence has transformed app security, enabling online payment solutions to use facial recognition and biometrics to identify and protect users. In addition, algorithms that analyze user behavior help to detect fraud, suspicious activities, and information leaks.

Other fundamental uses of AI in mobile applications are image recognition, voice assistance, natural language processing, or data analysis. We also find it in chatbots and other formulas to personalize the user experience.

Use beacon technology

Beacon technology (sensors or beacons) emerged in 2013 but has been gaining relevance in recent years and its market is expected to continue growing in the coming years. They are used, among others, by department stores, airports, museums, hospitals, hotels, festivals, and banks. It is a technology with great potential to carry out marketing strategies and provide a more personalized shopping experience.

Beacons are small wireless devices that communicate with a smartphone over short distances via Bluetooth. It is a technology that connects the online and offline worlds. Through it, companies can better understand users, monitoring their behavior in their physical stores. While users can receive promotions and alerts in real-time and specific to their location, as well as make mobile payments.

Mobile app developers must keep this technology in mind in 2022 to develop apps that integrate well with it and its uses.

Integrate with wearables

Wearables are becoming more and more popular and the demand for mobile apps that integrate with this technology continues to grow. When we talk about wearable devices, we are not only referring to smartwatches, but to any portable device that can be worn on the body or on clothing, such as jewelry or smart glasses. Their ease of use, portability, and personalized information they provide has earned them the favor of users.

They represent a great opportunity for sectors such as sports and health. Consumers are increasingly concerned about their well-being and are taking advantage of the capabilities of these devices to monitor their health status. But its uses go much further. They apply machine learning to make predictions and detect diseases at early stages and use IoT to send signals in case of user need.

Develop instant apps

Another trend in mobile app development in 2022 is instant apps. Available on both Android (Instant Apps) and iOS (App Clip), they are applications with very good conversion rates, allowing users to try them without having to download and install them. They just have to click on a web link to start using the app.

They are applications specially designed to save mobile space and allow users to try different options before deciding on the one that best suits their needs. Also, they usually have a flawless UX/UI design.

They are mainly benefited by e-commerce and gaming companies, although they are also used by media outlets and news sites. Some messaging systems and social networks work in a similar way.

Take advantage of Blockchain

Blockchain technology has been present in mobile applications for some time, making transactions more secure and providing greater data protection. But its uses continue to grow, making it one of the key trends in mobile app development in 2022.

It is used in products such as cryptocurrency wallets, currency converters, or smart contracts and is particularly useful for preventing fraud in mobile commerce and mobile payment apps.

Adapt to folding devices

Companies like Samsung, Huawei, and LG are betting on foldable and dual-screen devices and forecasts suggest that their demand will grow in the coming years. This is not just an opportunity for phone manufacturers, but also for developers, who must be able to create mobile applications that take advantage of the particular features of these devices.

One of the main changes brought about by these devices is a larger screen size, which developers will be able to take advantage of to provide more immersive experiences to users or display additional information. Likewise, the applications will have to be flexible and be able to adapt perfectly to the screen when it is folded or unfolded.

Without a doubt, it will be one of the aspects to take into account in mobile development in 2022.

How to develop a mobile application in 2022?

The pandemic has accelerated digitalization and companies try to provide unique experiences to users through their applications. In this article, we have compiled and analyzed the main trends in mobile application development that will mark 2022. There are many more innovations that will influence this year in the sector, but we believe that these eight are the essential ones for your digital initiatives to be successful this year.