Mobile applications, and the required technology, seem to be an ever-increasing niche for software engineers and developers. Nothing evidences this better than to look at the growth in applications available in the Apple iOS App store. There are currently upwards of 7 million iOS & Android applications available. When launched in 2008, there were about 500 applications available, an increase of 1,000-fold annually. Applications range from music to dating services, invoicing and payment services, diary management, games, and augmented reality. New and updates to existing applications are driven by the market, which consists mainly of the approximately 5 billion smartphone users with internet access across the globe. 

Where is the current state mobile application market? Which mobile technology application trends are expected in the coming years? How are these trends expected to affect the mobile application market? 

Overview of the mobile application sector

Mobile applications are specialised software applications for use with smartphones, tablets, and laptops. The intent is to allow a direct connection to services and products available by simplifying internet connectivity, optimising views, and user customisation. The mobile application market includes applications for mobile health and fitness, music and entertainment, gaming, social networking, retail and e-commerce, and other purposes. The omnipresence of smart phones, rising use of artificial intelligence and machine learning, and increased use of and reliance on the internet have and expected to continue to drive demand and growth of mobile applications. As user interests change and technology evolves, users demand new or updated applications to incorporate their needs.

Mobile app technology is frequently used to hold and gain new market share by reaching targeted markets. Properly designed and targeted applications allow companies to reach target-markets effectively, resulting in a pull towards ideal growth. These applications must be constantly updated using the most innovative technology TechTeamz offers iOS and android application services by engineers on the cutting edge of technology. Our teams not only are up on the latest technology, but are well-versed in popular trends, expectations, and presentations, for example.

Recent mobile application technology trends for iOS

In recent years, development of technology and infrastructure has resulted in increased internet penetration, as the internet reaches rural areas. For example, there are different user wants and needs−driving mobile application technology trends. Mobile gaming, playing computerised games, has increased substantially in recent years and as gaming technology continues to improve users will also demand new or upgraded applications employing the new technology. Factors, related to the pandemic, have also brought about an increase in e-commerce, which, along with increased implementation of variable devices, has resulted in significant growth in the application market.

The recent trends for mobile apps which drove growth, immediately preceding and during the pandemic, include:

  • Payment applications, including mobile wallets.
  • Smart things, or the internet of things (IoT), continue to grow and thrive with more and more devices which communicate with other devices.
  • Cloud-based technologies, frequently booking a ride share or ordering takeout, are app driven cloud technologies.
  • Wearable technology, such as fitness watches and AirPods®.
  • Foldable technology. 
  • Augmented and virtual reality have also driven not only gaming developments but also educational and training applications.
  • Locator or beacon technology has exploded in recent years, beacons strategically placed tap into Bluetooth technology in cell phones to connect with nearby shops, museums, overnight accommodations, and other goods and services. Newer beacon technology allows for incorporating payment and AI technologies.
  • Artificial intelligence and machine learning have increased in popularity, with their presence often seen in customer service, marketing, IT and finance sectors.
  • Growth of the on-demand development model with heightened demand for the increased simplification of application development.
  • Predictive analytics uses past user data to process data from a variety of sources to identify problems before they occur and add increased functionality to applications.
  • Blockchain technology, more than just Bitcoin, this technology has been used to control a chain of custody or notarise ownership in a chain of custody, track digital and physical assets, provide cloud storage solutions, and secure digital identity.
  • The increased access to 5G mobile data, with increased network capacity, throughput, connection density, efficiency, and latency, is expected to drive the development of faster, more responsive applications. This is the same technology that our smartphones use for the predictive text feature.

Keeping up with mobile app tech trends is crucial to staying ahead in mobile application development. Many mobile trends not only affect the development and revision of mobile applications, but there are also interconnections and combinations of these technologies to add another layer of complexity. If you need assistance in the mobile application development space, TechTeamz can help!

Factors affecting mobile application development

Application development, which has already shown tremendous growth over the last 14+ years, has a projected growth increase of 30% over the rest of the decade. As 99% of the market share world-wide is android or iOS, companies and developers alike are often faced with the decision of which to employ for new development. Factors include:

Market share in relation to target market

iOS is more widely used in the US and Australia, while Eurasia and Africa have more android users.

Programming Language Skills/Exposure 

Android apps use chiefly Java or Katlin programming languages, iOS uses Swift Apple’s standard programming language; the result may be a learning curve for one or the other.

Salaries

Mobile app developers are an expensive prospect, with little difference in salary for iOS vs Android, making app development costly. Many are turning to firms like TechTeamz for outsourcing mobile application development and updates.

Hardware requirements 

Application development and the related software may have significant hardware requirements, which means investment in new machines, another great reason to consider outsourcing.

Development Tools

There are a wealth of integrated development environments and tools to consider when developing apps. Experienced developers will know which tools to use based on the project requirements.

Licensing and Membership Costs 

Developers must subscribe to or pay a fee for services, such as the Apple Development Program and Google Play Console, to have access to the platform. It is worth noting here; it is typically easier to get an Android app approved.

Since iOS offers a more controlled ecosystem, a more mature and user-friendly development tool, and a platform that leads in revenue generation, it’s often recommended beginning mobile app developers start with iOS.  

Interview of TechTeamz IOS developer

We spoke to TechTeamz Senior iOS Developer Miguel Ángel Alarcón, here he gives us some insight into why he chose iOS and what his job responsibilities are.

Q: What made you decide to specialize in mobile application development and why did you choose iOS rather than android?

A: When I finished my degree, which was just when smartphones were starting to come out and become fashionable. I saw a unique opportunity to get in at the time when everything was just starting. So I looked for a job in app development.

Why iOS? It was fate, in this first job I was hired to make an android app, I spent weeks preparing myself. And to my surprise, when the first day came, it turned out to be an iOS app. I had to get up to speed with iOS in record time. Since then I haven’t stopped developing apps with this technology.

Q: What do you enjoy most about working as an iOS developer?

A: What I enjoy most about working as an iOS dev is always seeing how users enjoy the apps I develop. It’s one of the most rewarding things there is for me.

Turning an idea into an app and having tons of users enjoy it is amazing.

Q: What types of things do you do on a typical day?

A:  I divide my working days into several parts. Planning, designing, developing and updating knowledge.

At the beginning of the day, I plan the tasks I am going to do. Then, like in the old school, I take paper and pencil and sketch out the architecture of the task to be performed.

And then we get down to work with the development. I must admit that I always like to accompany this part with some music. Time goes by very quickly, and that’s a very good sign.

And as always, every day to finish, it’s time to take a look at the latest news from the iOS development industry, because it’s an industry in constant evolution. You always have to be on the cutting edge.

Q: What advice would you give to other developers looking to specialise in iOS?

A: If you want to specialise in iOS, my advice is to start developing your own apps, without any fear. Start with small apps and then iterate to more complex ones. Don’t just focus on studying, practice is very important. You will learn a lot.

There is also a huge iOS community with a lot of material available to everyone.

Just develop it!

Mobile application development trends, and the expansion of technology and its capabilities, keep the mobile application space on flux. Companies and developers alike are constantly striving to improve the customer experience and outshine the competition, Without knowledgeable developers mobile application development is a daunting task and hiring knowledgeable staff is an expensive prospect. Even when the proper staff are available, they need access to appropriate software, hardware, and other tools necessary to develop revolutionary applications.

At TechTeamz, we have the resources to find the engineer with the exact right skill set you’re looking for, whether that be in mobile applications, JavaScript, wireless protocol, or other electronics engineering speciality.