It is interesting and challenging times for android app developers. Users can expect newer technologies will lead to more interesting and functional apps.
App development is a thriving sector with 2.7 billion smartphone users across the world thirsting for apps and Google Play Store offering 2.8 million apps.
The app download figures are encouraging at over 205 billion apps, predicted to increase by 25% to 2022. 98% of apps may be available for free download and only 2% are paid for but that 2% represents a tremendous slice.
Even free ones are offered because there is value in it for app owners such as eCommerce stores offering free app downloads because they know free apps can be monetized, particularly with the help of latest technologies while the paid apps become even more attractive when they make use of the latest tech.
So, what are the trends in android app development for 2021?
10 Android Apps Development Trends in 2021
1# Instant apps and improved app architecture
Google is constantly at work to improve its architecture and guidelines for best app development practices. Future apps can be expected to have fewer bugs and be stable.
The trend is towards developing apps that offer instant try out prior to the installation process.
This way users need not install an app, find it not suited and then uninstall it. The apps run in the cloud.
We have Google to thank for providing features in its Android app bundle that permit development of such instant play apps.
2# Multi-platform development
Flutter, a Google product, lets developers build apps that work on iOS. Android app developers who have been eyeing the other side of the fence now have it easy.
Flutter lets developers come up with native Android and iOS apps with no need for JavaScript.
Kotlin/Native is another tool that will find increasing use in this year to produce standalone executables.
3# Android Enterprise
The fun is in free apps and money flows indirectly. Enterprise level apps earn money for developers.
Google focuses on helping android app developers monetize their talent by offering Android Enterprise comprised of APIs that facilitate enterprise mobility management.
4# Using AI and ML to build apps
It is logical for android app developers to try and incorporate ML and AI into their apps. However, smarter developers are going off at a tangent by looking to rope in artificial intelligence and machine learning in the development of apps.
App development could become cheaper but cost is a secondary consideration. AI could cut down time it takes for development, identify and iron out bugs and then test the app prior to deployment. App development could become cheaper but cost is a secondary consideration.
AI could cut down time it takes for development, identify and iron out bugs and then test the app prior to deployment. Android application development could become cheaper but cost is a secondary consideration.
AI could cut down time it takes for development, identify and iron out bugs and then test the app prior to deployment.
App development could become cheaper but cost is a secondary consideration. AI could cut down time it takes for development, identify and iron out bugs and then test the app prior to deployment.
App development could become cheaper but cost is a secondary consideration. AI could cut down time it takes for development, identify and iron out bugs and then test the app prior to deployment.
5# Blockchain
A smartphone is a private device and can be used for transactions and to enter into contracts.
The phone is also vulnerable since data stored can be hacked with ease. Blockchain addresses both matters in terms of providing greater security of key data and permitting transactions without interference of an intermediary.
6# Android Jetpack
The time may be far off when AI and ML will actually develop apps on their own though they are proving helpful. However, for most developers the pack to use is Jetpack.
This portmanteau includes libraries and tools, core foundation components and Kotlin expansions, architecture components, behavior components and UI components. Developers will be able to cook up apps with relative ease.
Jetpack also permits the app to run on various versions of android since it has backward compatibility. For some developers Jetpack may be more than enough since it has lots of features like benchmark, enterprise, security, view model and biometrics prompt, among others.
7# Enterprise mobile management
Money is in enterprise level apps and Enterprise Mobile Management (EPM). This is nothing new but for developers it is a vital tool along with APM that helps optimize app performance.
EMM is a boon for developers serving the enterprise market since it has app security and finances along with capability to permit BYOD incorporation.
8# 5G and affordable technology
5G is going to be more widespread in 2020 and then become the standard later on. 5G is 100 times faster than 4G. Couple this with the fact that today’s mobile processors have as many as 10 cores and phones have 8 GB RAM and 128GB storage.
AR, VR and 3D were waiting in the wings. 5G helps them fly. This is great for commercial and retail sectors as well as the gaming market of android apps.
Now throw IoT into the mix and it becomes interesting as developers have newer horizons in the form of home automation and industrial sectors to start milking.
9# Wearables, health, fitness
Statista study shows that wearables generated $ 33 billion and the potential is increasing in health and healthcare as wearables now incorporate a variety of sensors such as ECG and EKG.
Couple this with 5G and consider wearables as a type of IoT and you have immense possibilities in apps for individuals and apps for healthcare services.
10# Wallets
Blockchain will encourage not only one-to-one secure transactions and better encryption of personal data but also wallet apps.
Once users know that wallets are inherently securer since they employ blockchain they are likely to download such apps and make more use.
Benefits of android apps
An app is purposed to help users carry out specific functions and not be bloatware. This is one reason why users are downloading more apps. Two, you can include code to track user behavior and provide data, which data can be used for your marketing and analytics.
Apps keep customers captive in a way and engender loyalty. You could use beacon technologies to beam offers depending on location of the user.
The pointers all orient in one direction: android app development will remain a hectic segment and if you have an app developer by your side, you can leverage apps to grow your business.
Author Bio: Hiten Dudhatra is the Team Lead – Digital Marketing at Ecosmob Technologies Pvt. Ltd. He likes to share opinions on IT & Telecommunication industries via guest post. His main interest to write the content for android application development, Artificial Intelligence, Machine learning, VoIP technology.
