Standards in mobile app and web development change almost every month. Thus, developers need to keep their eyes on popular approaches, techniques, and features across industries to ensure they offer the best solutions to clients. Here are 7 trends that are attracting attention. 

Mobile app development trends 

• Development for wearables
• IoT integration 
• Predictive analytics 
• Use of (AI) Artificial Intelligence and (ML) Machine Learning 

1. Wearable devices 

The penetration of wearable gadgets is on a constant upward curve since the beginning of 2020. Devices like fitness trackers, smart health watches, ECG monitors, blood pressure monitors, biosensors, etc. are proving crucial in fighting the coronavirus pandemic. 

The growth in the use of wearables has led to a change in smartphone app development. There are several Android and iOS apps specifically built to work with wearable devices. From healthcare, music apps, the automobile sector, to communication and home security, firms want their smartphone applications to work with wearable devices efficiently. 

By 2022, more than 1.1 billion wearables are expected to be connected to the internet. Thus, apps for such gadgets indeed make it in the top mobile app development trends.

2. Integration with the Internet of Things (IoT)

The Internet of Things (IoT) network consists of devices that collect and exchange data with gadgets in the same system. 

IoT based healthcare apps, smart home systems, security apps, and intelligent automobile applications are gaining popularity, as a result of which, the demand for IoT integration in iOS and Android app development is rising for the last few years, with the increase in the number of smart devices that are being connected. By 2023, the IoT mobile app and software development market will reach the $143 billion mark. 

3. Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning

Both AI and ML technologies are already being implemented in app development. However, there are considerable changes in the way in which they are used.

App development has moved far beyond virtual assistants. Now, AI tech is used in applications to assist users in image and face recognition, sentiment and speech recognition, predictive maintenance, text and image classification, etc. Ridesharing apps like Lyft, Uber, and others have implemented a combination of AI and ML-powered features in apps to determine the ride’s distance and price.

The development of AI-based cybersecurity features is on the rise, and more Android applications will implement the same as prices are set to reduce further. To assist developers in implementing AI tech, Google and iOS have released dedicated machine learning frameworks.

4. Predictive analytics tools in mobile apps

Predictive analytics tools can help forecast events when combined with Machine Learning, Artificial Intelligence, and data mining.  

Netflix happens to be one of the first giants to leverage predictive analytics in its movie recommendation feature. The technology helps analyze data and recommend shows, documentaries, and movies to users as per their previous actions. 

Most importantly, predictive analytics also helps developers in adjusting screen content according to the operating system and devices that are popularly used. Studying problem areas in an app with a clear, statistical-based picture and predictive analytics helps understand why users abandon the application.

Web development trends 

• Voice search 
• Web assembly 
• Chatbots 

5. Voice search 

Voice search tools in the form of digital virtual assistants have been around for several years now. Even basic feature phones powered by KaiOS offer primary voice search assistants. AI-powered digital voice assistants are gaining popularity with each passing day due to the ease of use and affordability. Thus, businesses want their web properties to be optimized for voice search. 

Stats indicate that more than 50 percent of the internet searches may be performed with virtual voice assistants within the next two years. 

Structuring web content to answer direct questions remains crucial. Besides providing quick answers at the top of each page, web properties also need to offer seamless navigation, content with subheadings and bullet points, and superb page loading speed. A reputed website development company can help you ensure your website remains voice search-friendly.

6. WebAssembly 

Many powerful apps and popular games are available only with a native desktop application because heavy calculations may slow down due to JavaScript limitations. But the entry of WebAssembly has changed it all. Now, even web applications can be designed to provide a native-like experience. 

WebAssembly enables developers to convert code from any programming language into a bytecode that works with any browser. 

Put simply, performance-critical areas can be written with Kotlin/ C#/Rust/ C/C++, etc. and executed with WebAssembly in the browser. Native applications can run on the browser without compromising on the performance. 

The technology works with most browsers like Opera Mobile, Chrome, Safari, and Microsoft Edge, etc. Businesses that offer music apps, training and education applications, web games, and 3D mapping apps happen to be the early adopters of WebAssembly. 

7. Chatbots as an additional channel for consumer support 

Chatbots have been gaining popularity as a tool that enables companies to help consumers even after working hours. However, they proved to be a lifesaver for several firms when call centers were forced to remain shut during the COVID-19 pandemic related lockdowns. 

ML, AI-powered chatbots become smarter with every query. Studies have pointed out that 69% of customers prefer using chatbots due to their ability to answer questions instantly. Bots are set to become the foundation of consumer engagement by 2025. So, chatbots make it in the list of top web development trends.