The State of Mobile App Development in 2024: What's in Store

App development continues to be an interesting and innovative space in the tech world. Phones and apps are not just a small part of our day-to-day, they are shaping how we live our lives, influencing how we communicate, work and relax. Mobile app development is constantly evolving with lots of exciting upcoming changes. In this article, we will explore various app development advancements that are worth looking out for in 2024. Additionally we will shed light on how you can utilise an app development agency, like Coderus, to transform these trends into real, tangible products.

AI and Algorithms

It’s no secret that Artificial Intelligence and Machine learning is everywhere now. With the invention of Large Language Models (LLMs) such as GPT-4 from OpenAI, with easy to use APIs, the landscape of mobile apps has and is undergoing a large shift. This is not only changing what we do with apps but how we interact with them. AI has so many amazing opportunities. Here are just a few of our favourites that we may see more of in the upcoming year.

One of the most popular uses of AI is chat bots. Gone are the days of trying to come up with the exact wording the computer will understand or waiting hours to get in touch with a real person. AI allows natural language to aid in application support, help and other tasks that used to require talking to a real person. Another great usage of this type of AI is learning. Applications such as Duolingo and Khan Academy are utilising these language models to make learning languages and explaining tricky concepts easy and accessible to everyone. Expect to see many different education apps start to adopt this technology.

AI is also extremely good at pattern and image recognition. App development teams are beginning to move away from manual content moderation and instead are using AI to help assist and save costs. Other apps let the users use image recognition to help with everyday tasks. Visually impaired people can now start to point their phone at certain objects and the app will tell them in natural language what is in front of them.

In recent years there has been a large focus on data in the mobile world. Apps and social media no longer show the most popular content to everyone but instead there’s a noticeable trend towards personalisation. Your feed is fully customised to your preferences and this is thanks to Artificial Intelligence and advanced recommendation systems. This technology works behind the scenes, learning from your likes, interactions and even how long you spend looking at different content. Moving forwards into the year ahead, this trend will no doubt continue to grow, marking a significant shift in how technology adapts to human behaviour.

In 2024 we can expect AI and machine learning to continue to push the boundaries of what can be done on mobile hardware. It is clear that this technology is not just a trend but marks a shift in the way apps are built and used, making them smarter, more personal and easier to use.

5G Connectivity

There’s always been buzz around 5G but up until now, it may have seemed like a distant promise instead of a real, useful technology. 2024 could finally be the landmark year where 5G gets more use. It will roll out into many more areas, bringing a large variety of much-anticipated benefits with it.

The technology is set to revolutionise how we use mobile devices and applications. With 5G’s ultra-fast speeds and low latency, it marks a new era of mobile connectivity. Although quicker downloads seem like one of the only benefits, 5G will allow for a variety of more sophisticated and high-bandwidth applications that were previously thought impossible.

5G will allow developers to include much more intensive features and visualisations in their applications. This includes advanced Augmented Reality features, better video streaming and 3D graphics. The world is accelerating to more data-heavy applications and 5G will allow for these to run effortlessly. 5G will also help with IoT based applications, where your phone could act like an interconnected hub for all your smart devices.

App Clip size increases for several years now and 5G will allow for better App Clip and Instant App Experiences. Want to find out more about App Clips and how they may improve your business or app? See here.

Augmented Reality (AR)

It can feel like Augmented Reality has been a bit of a buzzword in the industry for a while now. With large promises of radical shifts, AR has never really taken off but we believe that in 2024 the technology will become more than a buzzword. With the release of Apple’s Vision Pro headset, this could be the turning point for AR, shifting it from something we hear about in tech circles into a technology that is used by everyone, everywhere.

The Vision Pro is a premium AR headset with many different advanced features and experiences.? It uses advanced cameras, sensors, and displays to overlay apps and environments onto your surroundings. You can navigate and interact using eye tracking, hand gestures, voice commands through Siri, and a digital crown. People using the headset will no longer be constrained to the small screens in front of them. The entire space becomes a place for content and other experiences.

For app developers and businesses this means an industry change. With a large player like Apple really pushing the AR space, there is likely to be a much greater interest in developing AR apps and experiences. As the physical hardware only gets better, more and more companies will look to capitalise on the change, innovating many different areas such as retail, watching content and education. With the release of hardware, there is so much room for innovation in software and user experience.?

Overall, with the release of the Vision Pro along with other Augmented and Virtual Reality headsets, 2024 could be the year AR becomes a bigger part of many people’s lives, changing how we interact with the world around us.

Internet of Things (IoT)

While the Internet of Things (IoT) is an established technology, its popularity and application in our daily lives will continue to exponentially grow into 2024. The concept of many different interconnected devices all communicating and working together changes the way we interact with technology, making everyday tasks for both personal and business use more efficient and data-driven. IoT devices have such a variety of different applications, from remote monitoring of hardware to transforming healthcare devices and interactions.

All of this sounds great, and while IoT provides the hardware and data, it’s the companion application that unlocks the true potential of IoT. Companion apps allow you to set up, monitor and make decisions based on the data collected from IoT devices. Moving into 2024, companion apps are going to make huge leaps forward, allowing users to control their devices in new and innovative ways. This is where Coderus comes in. Specialising in app development, we focus on ensuring the seamless integration of IoT devices along with elegant and great application interaction.

Advanced User Experiences

With all these big features and large sweeping changes entering the mobile space, it’s easy to forget some of the smaller upcoming user experience (UX) details that make using apps fun, engaging and useful to many different people.

Microinteractions are becoming more popular in all your favourite apps. These are small, yet powerful, moments within an app that enhance the user experience. Think of the satisfying haptic feedback you get when you complete a task, or the animation that plays when you refresh a page. Microinteractions don’t just make apps more engaging; they make them feel alive and responsive to user actions, enhancing the overall feel of the app. They also help with usability and can help guide users on how to use the app or what different actions mean. They can emphasise CTAs, guide a user on where to look for different functionality or just add moments of fun to people’s day.

Apps are now beginning to customise themselves as you use them. By leveraging big data and machine learning, apps can predict needs and provide suggested actions before users even ask for or know they need them. Mobile apps are becoming more context-aware, adjusting their behaviour and layouts depending on the user’s situation or preferences. Examples we may see of this include suggesting a playlist a user often plays at different locations, predicting your order at your favourite restaurant, or placing actions at your fingertips when you need it.

We predict that in 2024 that accessibility will take centre stage. Inclusivity in tech is so important and many developers may leave accessibility as an often forgotten-about extra. This may no longer be the case with UX professionals designing for accessibility in mind. Apps are now becoming more usable and inclusive to everyone, no matter their physical or cognitive abilities. App interfaces will be able to scale effectively to accommodate different font sizes, designers are becoming increasingly mindful about colour contrasts and readability and voice over is becoming supported in more and more apps. In app settings further extend these accessible features, allowing users to fully customise how apps work for them.

Privacy and the Environment

With increasing concern over digital security and privacy, apps are incorporating more transparent and user-friendly security features. This includes clearer privacy policies, easier control over data sharing, and more robust security measures that don't compromise the user experience.

Apple and Google are giving developers more opportunities to disclose what data is collected by different apps, allowing users to make more informed choices before downloading them. Features such as the App Store privacy manifests and Play Store Data Safety give a list of all data collected and transported and what that means for users. It was the assumption that before users didn’t really care what happens to their data but people are starting to realise their privacy is important and could be considered a fundamental human right.

In 2024 mobile developers are navigating a complex balancing act between user privacy and the effectiveness of data-driven content and recommendation systems. On one hand, the convenience and value added through algorithmic content based on user data is undeniable. However this reliance on user data brings to light the need for strong privacy protections. Users are increasingly aware and concerned about how their data is used, demanding transparency and control over their digital footprint. This has led developers to innovate in ways that respect user privacy while still harnessing the power of data. Many different techniques are emerging like differential privacy, where user data is anonymised and aggregated to protect individual identities, and the option for users to opt-out of data collection, are becoming more prevalent. The goal is to strike a delicate balance where recommendation engines can function effectively without compromising user trust and privacy and many of these changes are likely to be seen in 2024 with developers wanting to gain users’ trust.

Climate change is something many people are passionate about. It’s a growing concern and being green in a variety of different areas can greatly help our planet. This even extends to mobile apps and app development. In 2024 we can expect to see trends of apps with more sustainability focused features. Developers are increasingly integrating eco-friendly practices into their app designs and functionalities. We're seeing a rise in apps specifically designed to address environmental issues, from promoting recycling and waste reduction to supporting reforestation and wildlife conservation initiatives. Additionally, the development process itself is becoming more sustainable, with efforts to reduce the digital carbon footprint through optimised coding practices and energy-efficient app operations. App size can help reduce energy usage along with technologies such as smaller App Clips. These trends reflect a growing awareness of environmental concerns within the tech community and a commitment to leveraging technology as a force for positive environmental change. They also help gain users’ trust that apps can do good things for the planet.

With many users looking at these topics before considering using an app, it is important to hire developers that know and understand the importance of good privacy and security practices. Many clients are looking to agencies with ISO certifications in these areas and at Coderus we pride ourselves in our ISO certifications and workflow processes to maintain great app quality, security with a focus on our environmental impact. See more here.

Final Thoughts

As we wrap up our exploration of the mobile app landscape in 2024, it’s clear that this year is marked by significant technological advancements. From the rise of 5G connectivity enhancing app capabilities to the integration of AI and machine learning for personalised experiences, the mobile app industry continues to evolve at an unprecedented pace. The push towards more immersive experiences through AR and the seamless integration of IoT in our daily lives are not just technological advancements; they represent a shift in how we interact with the world around us.

In conclusion, 2024 is shaping up to be an exciting year for the mobile app world. As technology continues to advance, it will be fascinating to see how these developments unfold and how they will further enhance our digital experiences. Have an app idea or would like to learn more about services we can provide your business? Get in touch.