App Development is a dynamic industry that constantly evolves via transformative trends. Numerous top mobile app development companies in the USA focus on the latest trends. However, staying updated and constantly revamping apps based on these trends is essential and complex. Therefore, app development companies and developers must navigate the landscape to discover ‘What’s new!’.
We can not help you with the development bit. However, we can help with the trends you need to know in 2024. In this article, we have tried to cover the key considerations and the trends that need to be followed in 2024. So, let’s begin!
How is app development different in 2024 compared to the previous year?
App development in 2024 needs to undergo substantial evolution compared to previous years. This change needs to be driven by rapid technological advancements and evolving user expectations.
It is important to understand that the seeds sown in 2023 will become a tree of expectations in the current market. For instance:
- There will be a heightened focus on technologies like AI and ML.
- Facilitation of advanced development frameworks and APIs.
- Further expansion of AR and VR domain.
- 5G becoming a standard technology
- Dominance of cross-platform development technologies
- Shift towards sustainable and ethical development practices, etc.
Key Consideration to Develop an App in 2024
Development of any mobile application requires careful assembly of the required technology, client requirements, SDLC (Software Development Life Cycle), and key considerations (in general).
With each year and the technology becoming more evolved, these key considerations also evolve. Here are some for you to follow:
- Emerging Technologies: Stay up-to-date with the latest technologies in high demand in the market. For example, artificial intelligence, machine learning, generative AI, blockchain, etc.
- User-Centric Design: Prioritize UI/UX (user interface/user experience). To do so, understand your target audience, conduct testing, and create intuitive and innovative interfaces. For example, if you are developing an app for old people, the flow of the application and the elements used should cater to old people.
- Security and Privacy: With the increase of internet connectivity worldwide, we are becoming more connected. This means the number of cybersecurity attacks is bound to increase. Prioritize implementing encryption, having a secure authentication process, and industrial best practices to safeguard user data.
- Cross-Platform Compatibility: Users are ideally spread in iOS, Android, and Web segments. Ensure that the frameworks or technologies can facilitate cross-platform development.
- Performance Optimization: User experience demands fast and responsive apps. Optimize your app performance by minimizing load times, optimizing code, and leveraging technologies like caching and CDNs (content delivery networks).
- Personalization and AI: Implement personalization of content using AI algorithms. This would tailor content and recommend it per the user’s behavior, which would help increase engagement and user satisfaction.
- Accessibility: Ensure that your application follows accessibility standards like WCAG (Web Content Accessibility Guidelines), screen reader compatibility, keyboard navigation, etc., to make the app inclusive and compliant.
- Data Analytics: Implementing analytics would help you gather insights to cater to user behavior, preferences, and app performance. This information can be used for updates, improvements, and marketing strategies.
- Sustainability: Currently, most good development firms are considering the environmental impact of their application. This includes energy consumption, data usage, and sustainable practices.
App Development Trends in the Year 2024!
One dynamic aspect of the app development industry is the ever-changing trends. To put a nail on these trends that will see more light in the year 2024, we have explained the most common ones below:
Camera Focused- Apps
The rise in camera-focused apps will be a major trend in 2024. This trend is driven by several factors, such as:
- Popularity of platforms like TikTok, YouTube, and Instagram.
- Smartphone cameras that can provide professional-level features like portrait mode, night mode, zoom, etc.
- Increased usage of video conferencing and live streaming capabilities for various use cases (work, education, etc.).
Some of the stats that further reinforce the increased integration of this trend are:
- About 44% of marketers use short-form videos, often considered the number one format for consistent ROIs.
- Video marketing on ‘X’ (formerly known as Twitter) increased from 54% to 69%.
- Video traffic will account for around 80% of all data by 2028.
Higher Use of Low-code and No-code App Development
Many people from the industry speculate about the impact of low-code and no-code apps on traditional development. However, the applications made via this process aren’t complex. They require basic implementation with basic features.
Other reasons behind the increase of this trend in 2024 are:
- These platforms empower individuals with little to no coding experience to build applications.
- Traditional development is slow and expensive.
- Shortage of skilled developers.
Some of the stats associated with this trend are:
- Gartner predicts that the revenue generated by low-code platforms will reach $124.97 billion in 2024 from $100.68 billion in 2023.
- Gartner predicts 70% of all new applications will be low-code or no-code technologies.
- In 2024, most non-IT professionals will create IT products and services using about 65% of low-code/no-code technologies.
More Focus on Audio-based Social Media Platforms
The world has seen a significant interest in audio-based platforms. Here are the reasons why:
- Access to hands-free, low-bandwidth experience in comparison to videos.
- It is easy to consume audio content while multitasking.
- Audio offers a more personal and intimate feel in comparison to text-based platforms.
- The younger generation prefers audio-based communication with platforms like podcasts and audio chats.
- With the video market saturated by players like TikTok and Instagram, audio offers a fresh avenue for startups and entrepreneurs to explore and innovate.
Stats highlighting the increased adoption rate of this trend:
- The music streaming industry is projected to reach $29.60 billion in 2024.
- Number of podcast listeners is expected to increase from 464.7 million to 504.9 million in 2024.
- Last year the total number of voice assistant users was 125.2 million.
Mobile-First Banking
Mobile Banking is not the future but the reality of the present in the financial services industry. This is the reason the approach of development has transcended to mobile-first in the majority. Therefore, let’s try to find other reasons behind the domination of this trend:
- The total number of smartphone users worldwide has reached 6.93 billion in 2024.
- Shifting consumer preferences that demand convenience, immediate access, and the capability to control mobile banking.
- Established companies and fintech startups locking on mobile-first strategies.
- Easy implementation of security parameters like biometric authentication and advanced security protocols.
Stats illustrating the dominance of mobile-banking first trend:
- Out of 89% of participants, 97% of millennials preferred mobile banking services.
- The estimated number of mobile banking users in the USA is expected to increase from 197 million users (in March 2021) to 217 million (in 2025).
- Mobile Transactions will cross $2 Trillion by 2027.
Top Mobile App Development Companies in the USA that Follow Current Trends!
Some trends are bound to change the industry yearly, while some perish. It makes them competitive and gives their clients a winning chance. Some of the companies that one should follow for the same are:
Note: We mentioned these companies from the USA as the country is often considered the epicenter of app development efforts.
- Appinventiv
- Glorium Technologies
- SolveIt
Conclusion
Year-on-year, the realm of apps always looks both similar and different. It is because of the development methodologies, technologies, industry focus, etc., of which some stay in line with the previous year. However, some stray away from it. This trajectory is set by various factors, such as advanced technologies and their usability to address the current consumer.
Staying up-to-date with the latest trends will help you develop a keen focus on ‘how to develop?’ and ‘what to develop?’ for maximum traction. With this article, we intended to tell you about everything important that will help create captivating apps and understand the market’s pulse.
