Mobile App Development Trends in 2019

Mobile app development has been on the rise for a decade now. As opposed to what was assumed, it was not a dream which fizzled out, but a trend which shattered the glass ceiling. According to Statistica, there were 2.1 billion smartphone users in the world (in 2016) and the revenue generated by mobile apps was about 60 billion dollars. By the year 2019, it is believed that the number of smartphone users will be 2.5 billion if not more.

Source: https://www.statista.com/topics/1002/mobile-app-usage/

Mobile app culture is something all smartphone users have got accustomed to, from their wide range of virtual or augmented reality to location based services. They are used on a daily basis for something as simple as ordering groceries to booking cabs to even planning vacations. These apps are not only efficient but also customize preferences as per each user. ​

The past year alone is said to have witnessed about 27 billion mobile app downloads. This upward trend of mobile apps has made the developers come up with renewed novelties to keep up with the current trend and user’s interests.
The year 2019 will witness innovation of existing apps, going a notch higher and giving the mobile developers more mobility to focus on app niceties. Let us take a look at which mobile app development trends will enrich the realm and directly impact the industry in the following year:

Native Vs. Hybrid App
What is a native/hybrid App? A native app is a smartphone application created for a specific mobile operating system. A hybrid on the other hand would work on all systems. They are said to be web apps in native paper.
For example: In 2010, the user experience for Uber app was different for an android user and different for an iOS system user.
Some iOS experts believe that native apps will dominate the market and grow as opposed to hybrid technologies. There are some ‘native only’ features which are added by companies like Apple and Google to their respective operating systems. This limits the technical entry points (like fixing bugs) for hybrid apps.
User experience could suffer with hybrid apps as they cannot offer all the features due to software compatibility issues. But native mobile apps are created for a specific platform and would not face this problem as they are augmented using the systems core programming and application performance interface (API).
Is a native app preferred over a hybrid app? This deliberation will likely see a leaning towards native apps as it will provide the ultimate user experience among other things.

Importance of Marketing
Marketing campaigns play a significant role in the success of any product and it is the same with regards to mobile apps. Most developers focus only on app features, making sure it’s unique and appeals to the key demographic. They do not pay as much heed to a marketing campaign to promote the app and unfortunately this would work negatively in the apps favour.
In such cases a user might try a new app but might not be a repeat user i.e. will only use the app once. It is possible that the app might be used for a short period but when the novelty wears off, the user, will move on to other apps. The value for a mobile app is not only in finding new users but also in retaining old ones. Marketing companies will play a chief role to ensure the same.
Some experts believe that there will be more investment in mobile engagement campaigns and this will be a prime strategy in 2019. Engagement platforms will help to include and absorb old users and will also ensure additional in-app purchases.

Role of “Moment-Marketing”
We have grasped the important role played by marketing for mobile apps in the points above. However getting the right message in front of the right consumer at the right time is also a crucial factor in any campaign. Personalization of the web or mobile experience has been seen for the past decade. This element is critical as it helps users receive more specific and not generic communications. 
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In order to engage users, marketers have to react to key customer moments driven by offline triggers like TV and so on i.e. Micro-moments (term coined by Google in 2015). Real world customer intent is yoked with mobile as a natural gateway.  More and more companies are going for specific contexts to interact with users, vibrant offers, and coupon redemptions.
2019 is said to be the year, where new steps will be taken in targeting specific personalized campaigns to certain audiences based on the user’s daily habits and choices.

OTT (Over the top) Development
Over the top (OTT) content includes audio, video and other media content broadcasted or streamed over the internet. Globally the OTT market has seen a huge swell of users which is expected to reach over 300 million by 2019.
Some examples OTT apps are:

• Netflix
• Amazon Prime
• Hulu
• HBO Go
• Viewster

The mobile app development market already has the necessary infrastructure in place to harness OTT and reap the benefits. All a user would require is WiFi, TV, smartphone or a tablet. Analytical companies are looking into targeting features which will be more refined and tailored as per the user. Marketers will pay more attention to their users’ needs and understand their desires before creating messages specific to them.
Using OTT marketing means having access and being able to tap a larger audience. Any mobile app developer who would want to succeed in the coming year would need to evolve with the markets requirement and can do so by developing this strategy.

Augmented Reality (AR) and Virtual Reality (VR)
Augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) technology has grown exponentially in the past few years. Mobile enterprises have even developed their own software and apps in hopes that it will benefit their own companies. For example:

• Apple has created ARKit
• Google has created ARCore

Apples goal is to be recognized as the leader in AR and ensure its benefits are spread across all iOS devices. Wearable devices like the Apple watch is a prime example for what these apps can do! It is not only the fitness industry which is using the wearable devices, but also the healthcare industry.
Pokemon Go is one of the best examples of an app using AR and VR to engage its users. Developers predict that the revenue generated by these creations could be well over 200 billion dollars in the next few years. Social media apps offer AR integrated filters which can be used to digitally enhance or change the user’s image.
Developers are constantly creating more apps which benefit from this technology and it will certainly help the users practically not just digitally. This software makes it possible to edit photos, design 3D presentations, and study the solar system and so on. Some mobile applications already using these technologies are Google Arts and Culture, SketchAR, GoPro VR and so on.
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Apart from the points mentioned above, cloud technology (back-up), low-power sensors, location mapping (GPS), smart objects (watches or shoes with sensors), artificial intelligence (Siri and Alexa) are some of the age old apps which would also be tweaked and improved in the upcoming year. Mobile app developers will be creating new ways for users to have a more custom-made, real-time involvement where they can share their experiences and use the apps as seamlessly as possible.
As the New Year comes in we can look forward to the new and improved mobile apps created by some of the finest developers. If you need any more information on the rapidly growing industry of mobile app development and the expected trends in 2019, you can contact the App Scoop mobile app developers : https://www.app-scoop.com/contact-us.html