Smartphones are the new human life-line. They are enabling shopping, schools, markets, tuitions, groceries, office jobs, office meetings, etc. everything online these days and that too through simple clicks. A look around will definitely lead you to one or another individual using a smartphone at any given time. They are empowering our office times (virtual meeting apps, documentation apps, doc transferring and conversion apps, etc.), personal time (travel apps, dating apps, banking apps, etc.) and even our free recreational times (gaming apps, shopping apps, etc.). In short, ‘Where there is a need, there is a related smartphone app these days’.
There are majorly two application hosting platforms for smartphones: one is the Google Play store for Androids and the other is the Apple store for the iOS running smart devices. There were 3.3 million apps on the Google Playstore by 2019 and another 2 million apps on the apple app store. The current COVID situation is touted to bring in a further surge in these numbers as brick-and-mortar stores slowly begin to become unviable and smartphone viewership touches a new high.
How it all started?
It all began with an Idea of Steve Jobs in 1983, wherein he envisioned a world of software that would enable sturing of software packets through telephone lines. The phones with games led to smartphones with better games and music and some inbuilt apps on the iOS platform. The technology was then made public as it allowed other developers to create similar apps for smartphones. Google Play store (2008) was also launched and owing to the affordability feature and popularity of several android options, it soon progressed ahead in user, subscriber and application numbers.
What Lies Ahead?
The concept of ‘applications’ earlier involved gaming, system usage and then music. With constant evolution and mobile app development, it now involves everything including utilities, connectivity, communications, education, real estate, personalized services, home needs, etc. Even Government records can be accessed using dedicated apps launched by the Government itself. Applications are thus the present and the hopeful future of mobile usage unless some better and more focussed technology takes over. Let us now analyze some of the mobile app trends that we think would be ruling this roost for some time:
- Artificial intelligence: All applications capture data from the user smartphones and thus, require certain permissions to ensure smooth utility. Artificial Intelligence draws patterns from this data and analyzes it to understand the user mindset and choices. Inclusion of Artificial Intelligence in application ensures that the application is customized and personalized for the products and services that the user is on a lookout for. The major tech companies, like Amazon and eBay, are integrating these AI algorithms into their various product and marketing developments to strategically secure users further into their brand ecosystems.
- iOT: We are practically surrounded by a host of smart technologies and devices all around us. A smart television, smart curtains, smart light, smart fans, smart A.C’s and what not. iOT or internet of things technology basically creates an ‘internet-like’ network of these smart devices to make them easy to use from one access point for the user. In a lifestyle, wherein the individuals are constantly burdened with life stresses and attention grabbing objects; this technology makes life easier and lifestyle much in control for the user. In fact, technology products like Alexa and Google Home are on top of this chain, culminating this technology with artificial intelligence for a completely customized user experience. They are AI-backed virtual assistants that have the prowess of further operating the IoT devices, with or without the requirement of user intervention. This is the future of how things are meant to be in the coming times.
- Smart Wearables: First came the computer, then the laptops, then the smartphones and a host of other smart devices with processors like Touchpads, etc. Technology has now entered wearables that do not require carrying of separate gadgets for a technology-rich user experience. A smartwatch like a Fitbit can today record footsteps, heartbeats, calories burnt, sleep patterns of a user, even without the user noticing it at any time of the day. These wearable devices are further easing life for the millennials.
- Commercial Apps: This a market aspect that is nowadays on a full bloom for businesses the world over. Every business has an app and mostly every other app is a business in itself. With various secured payment gateways and platform options, especially with contactless deliveries these days; they are the new market norm all around. Even social media apps have transformed into marketing platforms that decipher user requirements through AI.
- Connectivity Apps: Some of the Social media platforms (Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, etc.), messaging apps (WhatsApp, messengers, etc.), video calling apps( zoom, hangouts, etc.) are bringing mankind closer. Life, especially post-COVID seems meaningless without them. These platform apps hold immense prowess as opinion influencers, mindset changing, high subscriber platforms. They have become the most sought tool for businesses and leaders and individuals worldwide to look for opinions, reviews and analyze people’s mindset. They are here to stay, in one form of technology or another.
Also Read: Best Photo Viewer App for Windows 10 in 2021
What is the Future?
Instant Apps are the touted future of the apps. A common app nowadays is required to perform several functions, not to mention the huge memory size and processing power they take up for smooth functioning. These apps are based on the brand and the business they are concerned with. For instance, the Amazon app looks up for the desired product, its variations, various sellers, delivery options, etc. Instant apps are micro-apps that would feature in just one of these services at a time and would not require a separate app installation every time. Thus, a customer could easily invoke one instant app, for one function; enabling customizations at all levels.
The future of mobile apps may in fact see no apps. As more and more conglomerates and businesses look for single uniform technology entities across various platforms and market options; it is this unification technology that seems to hold the key.
Conclusion:
Mobile Apps are the latest technology solutions that are helping users, viewers and businesses access the mobile markets. But, at the end of the day; they are a form of technology. So, a better, more accessible and easier to use technology might replace them in the coming times. But, with their current usage numbers, this time does not seem to be coming in pretty soon.
Also Read: Top 10 Reasons Why Python is Good for Artificial Intelligence
