Snapshot of IoT App Development Trends in the Year 2019 (and What to Expect in 2020)
IoT app development continues to gain traction and the numerous app development trends that spring up in the field on a yearly basis only prove this. Indeed, it’s evolving at such an unprecedented rate that it won’t be a surprise if it stays a consistent shining star in the mobile app development field for years to come.
Also, the fact that there are multiple trends arising in IoT app development alone serves to paint a vivid picture of just how much present-day technology relies on the interconnectivity of the things we have grown to rely on for business and daily life. Most of these, of course, hinges on mobile technology, which has become virtually ubiquitous.
This is also why it’s important for any app developer to pay close attention to these trends as well as the patterns that will arise in the succeeding years. That said, this piece serves as an outline of the trends that dominated 2019 and a preview of what’s expected to come in 2020.
IoT App Development Trends in 2019
These were the IoT trends that were predicted last year and pretty much came true. This serves as an overview of the said trends. Most of them are unsurprising, to say the least, as you will learn if you take the time to learn how and why this is the direction IoT in 2019 took and is still taking.
Better App Security
Enterprises want to have as much security as flexibility in functionality in their apps. IoT has been shown to be particularly vulnerable with regard to the former. Consequently, data security and cybercrime deterrents will always have to be improved over time, and this will inevitably trickle down into the mobile app development sphere as well. What’s good is that they are already gaining ground.
Obviously, companies still have to pinpoint the most vulnerable areas of the apps they are developing. In fact, numerous app development companies are actually already focusing on developing their own IoT mobile apps that ensure top-grade security over everything else.
Improved security is already evident in many IoT-based mobile apps nowadays, and this is only bound to make greater leaps in the coming years.
AI, IoT, and Improved Data Analytics
Another still on-going trend is the integration of AI into IoT. This is not at all a surprise since both are data-driven. Since data is bound to be at the forefront of the technology of the future, this mix is only appropriate. Both work in great synergy with one another as evidenced by their efficient data analytics capabilities, which will only give invaluable insights that will only ever deliver better, unprecedented quality services – not least of which is made possible through more powerful automation strategies.
Data-driven Enterprise App Development
It goes without saying that the rise of data-driven technologies like AI, IoT, and machine learning only paves the way for data-centric apps. Efforts are continuously being exerted to ensure that the data generated by connected devices will be well organized for enterprises to make better and faster decisions crucial for success.
That said, IoT app development is sure to place a higher priority on developing more advanced enterprise apps. A lot of enterprise apps are already enjoying the advantages it gives and this is only expected to become more sophisticated as developers harness what IoT technology can bring to the table.
Consumer-Focused IoT
This is a fairly obvious trend that is already being practiced by a lot of mobile app development companies out there. And, arguably, it is just so fitting to what IoT technology offers in general. Apps that increase productivity and make daily life easier as a whole with the help of the power of IoT are already being developed in great quantities. This initiative only unlocks the possibility of a “smart city”, which is one of the most promising trends that are expected to boom in 2020 and beyond.
IoT and Blockchain
Blockchain and IoT are another dynamic duo that works in great tandem with each other. Again, this is due to the fact that both can manage data excellently. In fact, this mutual coalition between these two budding technologies is nothing short of critical. This is because Blockchain has proven itself to be especially effective in addressing the security stumbling blocks IoT app development usually encounters.
AR and VR
The popularity of VR and AR among enterprises and the corporate world is without question. Already, smart connected devices are utilizing VR/AR that only ever boosts the immersive capabilities of these technologies, to the point that it can be considered as a wholly different experience on its own. More enterprises can start relying on, for example, when interacting with their customers, and this potential is already being actively explored and developed as we speak.
What Will 2020 Bring?
Since most trends, in general, last indefinitely, expect most of the 2019 IoT app development trends mentioned above to still be prevalent in 2020 IoT app development and following years. For one, IoT app security will always be a top priority and will never become irrelevant, as hackers and other safety and stability threats are also evolving in their own way.
Blockchain will greatly aid in security as well, considering the proven benefits of the decentralization of institutions, individual entrepreneurs, and consumers. Furthermore, big data and data-driven apps will still continue to flourish because that is where direction most prevailing present-day technologies are taking. Of course, these are just some of the seemingly long-lasting trends that are being slated as major industry impacters.
Here are other, more novel trends that you can expect to gain momentum come 2020.
- Rise of Smart Cities
As said above, the advent of smart cities is one of the exciting prospects in IoT that has potentially revolutionary effects on society at large. Greater utilization and organization of data will allow it to be easily accessible to citizens and private and public institutions and interexchange of data between the three.
- Personalized Retail Experience
Better, more personalized suggestions while shopping only lead to improved customer satisfaction. This is made possible with the help of IoT. With it, retailers will be able to readily offer customers the items that they intend to buy and give them discounts for continuous patronage.
- Energy Management
A greater push for energy conservation will result in a drive for better ways to ensure more topnotch resource management. In fact, most of the trends mentioned here are, more or less, headed towards that direction, especially since everything is now data-driven and data analytics is only bound to improve. Examples of its application include receiving notifications on your phone once the power threshold has been reached, and the ability to control temperature and other remote devices from your phone to ensure optimal power conservation.
Conclusion
The growth of connected devices is increasing exponentially, to the point that experts are predicting close to 75 billion devices will be interconnected come 2025. This is why future mobile apps will inevitably become the lens through which we can see how IoT technology will be implemented and, ultimately, dictate the norm. Arguably, it already manages to fulfill that purpose, and we are already starting to feel its positive effects. What’s certain is that the impacts of these trends will slowly unravel over time. For any app developer, it’s high time to start brainstorming newer ideas and methods of integrating these trends into their campaigns to not only gain a secure foothold on mobile app development but to also greatly contribute to its continuing advancement.
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This post was authored by Venkatesh C.R. If you want to sponsor or contribute an article please reach us at advertising@alltechevent.com
Author Details:
Venkatesh C.R.
CEO, Dot Com Infoway (DCI)
Bio:
Venkatesh is a serial entrepreneur with a distinct passion for taking nascent businesses to great heights. An early entrant in the mobile application technology, Venkatesh grew his flagship company, Dot Com Infoway (DCI) to be recognized as one of the world’s leading digital marketing, web, and mobile app development & marketing company.
