The worldwide smartphone sale has been on the rise, whereas PC sales continue to decline. A large percentage of modern users prefer smartphones and tablets to desktop/laptop computers. Also, most users access and check their mobile devices frequently throughout the day. But users spend over 80% of their digital media time on mobile apps. The mobile apps help developers to connect and communicate with users efficiently and consistently. Several studies show that users spend more digital media time on their five most favourite apps. Also, a large percentage of users abandon mobile apps after one use. Hence, the developers must explore ways to improve user engagement and prevent user abandonment while making mobile app development strategy. They can easily keep the users engaged by building the app according to existing and emerging trends. At the same time, it is also important for the app developers to fine-tune mobile app development strategy according to changes in smartphone use.

Understanding Impact of Change in Smartphone Usage on Mobile App Development Strategy

Users Do Not Put their Mobile Devices Down

Several studies show monthly mobile time surpassing monthly TV time and online time. Many users access and check their mobile devices frequently. Likewise, most users don’t put their smartphones or tablets while performing routine tasks. With people spending more digital time on mobile app, the developers explore ways to engage users and persuade them to use their apps frequently. While developing a new mobile app, the developers focus on user experience and engagement to capture user’s digital media time.

Users Consume Media within Apps

Most users nowadays access websites on their smartphones and tablets. But sharp decline is being noted in browser usage. The modern users prefer native mobile apps to browsers. They even consume media through apps on a regular basis. While developing mobile apps, the developers have to explore ways to make the app deliver relevant and updated information to each user. At the same time, they need to enable users to consume media from various sources directly within the app.

Users Explore Ways to Download Apps for Free

The digital media time spend by users on mobile apps keep increasing. But the choice of mobile apps differs from one user to another. Most users prefer free apps to paid apps. Likewise, many users explore ways to download paid apps for free. Hence, the developers have to explore ways to generate revenue while making the app available as free downloads. They allow users to download the app without incurring additional expenses. But the developers generate revenue by implementing various app monetization options – in-app purchase, in-app advertisement, mobile ads, subscription, freemium and virtual currency.

Customers Use Mobile Devices for eCommerce and mCommerce Transactions

Several studies show a consistent increase in worldwide eCommerce and mCommerce sales. But most customers nowadays access web stores on their mobile devices. Also, they prefer eCommerce and mCommerce apps to conventional web stores. With more and more users using their mobile devices to perform pre-purchase research and indulge in digital commerce transactions, it has become absolutely essential to have a mobile strategy in eCommerce application development. the developers embedded digital commerce functionality into their mobile apps. Many developers update their existing apps to facilitate eCommerce and mCommerce transactions. Also, the new mobile apps come with built-in functionality to accelerate eCommerce and mCommerce transactions.

Customers Opt for Contactless Payment

The latest mobile devices come with pre-installed mobile wallet apps. The users also have option to choose from several mobile wallet apps according to their mobile devices and platforms.  The mobile wallets enable customers to make payment without using their debit/credit cards and online banking. Popular mobile payment apps like Google Wallet, Visa payWave and MasterCard PayPass even use near field communication (NFC) technology to facilitate secure, fast, and contactless mobile payment. The growing popularity of mobile wallets makes it essential for developers to create apps that support contactless payment. Also, the developers need to ensure that app allows users to choose from a myriad of mobile payment options.

On the whole, a developer must monitor the changes in smartphone usage to make his mobile app popular and profitable. But the way people use their smartphones and tablets keep changing from time to time. The mobile app developers must keep the mobile app development strategy flexible enough to accommodate the changes in smartphone usage.