What could 2017 hold for app development?

The boom in global smartphone numbers has led in turn to a surge in the number of apps. Google Play houses 2.2 million apps, while Apple’s App Store has a mammoth 2 million apps – and this won’t slow down anytime soon. Gartner predicts  that more than 268 billion downloads will generate US$77 billion worth of revenue in 2017

Today, apps are no longer built just for smartphones. They’re needed for wearables, connected homes, smart cars, IoT-enabled devices, and much more. Heading into 2017, this presents a huge opportunity for entrepreneurs and consumers; the space promises to be very exciting indeed. Cloud-based apps and services have become more important in 2016. The ability to share and sync data in real time with servers and other devices has driven many innovations.

But it’s now time to look forward. Here are some key mobile app development trends to watch in 2017.

1. Location-based services (LBS) will continue their rise

Photo credit: choko/Wikimedia.

With the availability and ease of use of GPS on all mobile devices today, location-based services (LBS) will begin to evolve further and give users real-time information or deals based on their whereabouts. Several key areas where LBS can be implemented are indoor mapping, location-specific payment portals, retail offers, security features, navigation, and travel and tourism.

Leading tech giants have recently made huge purchases in the LBS space, and Beacon technology is also becoming increasingly popular. Since the service drains battery power pretty fast, hardware advancements in this particular area can also enable developers and businesses to flourish in 2017.

2. Augmented Reality (AR) will be integrated into utility apps

Photo credit: Wikimedia.

Apps that use Augmented Reality (AR) have long been viewed as gimmicky or promotional. But over time, a significant number of apps have started putting AR to use. With the addition of wearables to the picture, AR tools can be used more effectively and productively than ever before. In that context, recognition of words or phrases is something that can be capitalized upon in messenger apps and the like. If someone sends a video, text, or audio with a particular catchphrase, a related actionable item can pop up.

For instance, detection of the word “cab” can trigger a taxi-sharing app; detection of the word “coffee” can open a calendar to set up an appointment. Other possible integrations: social media syncing, location tracking, or product links.

3. Android Instant Apps will become a common trend

The “run-only-as-needed” concept could change the app industry.

Google recently announced its Instant Apps feature, which enables Android apps to run instantly. Such apps don’t need to be downloaded or installed; they can run with a single tap. The “run-only-as-needed” concept could change the app industry.

Imagine conducting a search and then having a related app turning up on the results page that can be run instantly without installation. No need to wait for it to download, no need to use data to install it and best of all, no usage of precious memory space on the phone to store it. Such apps are, generally, preview versions with a few advanced features missing. But they’re perfect for a quick insight and experience.

4. Embedded AI within apps will become the norm

5. IoT app integrations will continue unchallenged

6. Application security will be more important than ever