A number of reports have indicated a gradual decline in the popularity of mobile app, along with a steady increase in the popularity of mobile apps. Unlike mobile websites, apps enable businesses to exercise more and better control over user experience. Many businesses will invest in mobile app development in 2015 to get higher returns. But nowadays user experience has become the most important rule in mobile development. So the mobile apps need to be conceived and developed by keeping in mind the user experience.

No business can launch a popular app without following the most recent trends in mobile app development. The mobile app development trends keep changing frequently. There are also a number of factors that can change these trends instantaneously. But trends will help the developer to choose the most relevant technologies, and decide the best features and functionality for the app. That is why; it is important for both app developers and marketers to understand some of the most important technology trends that will affect mobile application development in 2015.

12 Technology Trends That Will Affect Mobile App Development in 2015

1 – Wearable Devices
The new mobile devices always transform the app landscape completely. Both businesses and developers start developing apps for these new devices to get higher and instant returns. Both Apple and Android have announced their plan to launch smart watches and similar wearable devices in 2015. Apple will also launch the new WatchOS for these series of wearable objects. That is why; more and more developers will build apps by targeting these new devices and mobile platforms. Also, the mobile application development plans of most organizations will soon focus on the smart wearable objects along with conventional devices like smartphones, tablets and phablets.

2 – Cross Platform Technologies
Like mobile web, the popularity of the native apps is also declining gradually. Most businesses nowadays prefer developing applications by targeting multiple mobile platforms. The cross-platform mobile apps help business to eliminate the impact of frequently changing market share of major mobile operating systems. At the same time, it becomes easier for them to reach out to more users regardless of their choice of OS. Most developers will use cross platform tools and technologies that enable them to create the mobile app for several platforms using a single programming language and the same code base.

3 – Cloud-based Mobile Apps
The massive popularity and adoption of cloud computing has completely changed the way modern users store, access and share data. Many developers have already started using mobile cloud computing to store and integrate application data in a more efficient way. Mobile cloud computing further helps developers to synchronize both content and application state across multiple devices. Thus, it becomes easier for the user to access the content and information without relying on a single device. Many organizations will gradually switch to mobile cloud computing to avail benefits in terms of cost and security. So the number of cloud-based mobile apps is expected to grow steadily in 2015.

4 – Internet of Things
Internet of Things aims to create an environment where physical objects will be connected to the internet, and exchange data with each other seamlessly. The machine to machine communication will completely change the conventional mobile app designing and development techniques. Many analysts feel that the Internet of Things will unfold over next few years. But many enterprises have already started investing in Internet of Things projects. So the new age mobile apps must be designed for the connected environment to keep the users engaged.

5 – Micro-Location Technologies
Always developers look for smarter ways to create apps that deliver location-relevant content to users. Earlier developers find it a daunting challenge to identify the exact location of the user accurately. But the micro-location technologies like Beacons, geofencing and location-based WiFi services have enabled programmers to identify a device’s location on a micro-local scale. Apple further allows developers to use the iBeacon technology for both iOS and Android applications. So most programmers will take advantage of these new micro-location technologies to boost their apps’ popularity by delivering location-relevant content to each user.

6 – App Analytics
The decline of mobile web makes it essential for enterprises to launch mobile apps. But each enterprise has to continuously track and analyze its performance to make it popular. So most businesses will require tools to monitor and assess the performance of their applications. Along with developing a mobile app, developers also need to create tools for monitoring and analyzing its performance. In 2015, mobile app developers have to build tools that help enterprises to collect relevant information, valuable insights and actionable tips. These tools will complement the mobile apps, while making it easier for businesses to make their apps more relevant and engaging.

7 – Growing Popularity of HTML5
The declining popularity of native apps will encourage more enterprises to build hybrid apps. More and more developers will use HTML5 in 2015 to build cross-platform applications. Unlike conventional web technologies, HTML5 makes it easier for developers to create robust hybrid apps within a shorter amount of time. They can take advantage of the new elements off HTML5 to make the app deliver richer user experience without requiring any third-party tools. Also, they can create innovative apps for major mobile platforms using the same HTML5 code base.

8 – Apple’s New Programming Language
Despite the massive worldwide market share of Android, most developers prefer developing iOS apps to get higher returns. In 2014, Apple announced a new programming language called Swift for iOS app development. Apple recently made the programming language open source, and announced Swift 2 with several new features. So most iOS developers have to learn Swift, and use it for creating apps for iOS and WatchOS. The new programming language will have a huge impact on mobile app development in 2015. Many developers will soon switch from Objective-C to Swift. At the same time, they will also look for development tools that support the new programming language.

9 – Multiplayer Mobile Games
There are many developers who launch new mobile games at regular intervals. But often developers simply create a variation of hugely popular digital games. In 2015, these developers have to create games that run on both conventional and latest mobile devices. At the same time, they also need to build multiplayer mobile games. They can even keep the games more engaging by adding features like social interaction and social media integrations. The game developers can further take advantage of the cloud to update the games without any hassle. On the whole, the developers have to adopt a completely fresh approach to build next generation of mobile games.

10 – Integration of Parallax Scrolling Effect into Apps
To achieve higher download numbers, the app must keep the potential users interested and engaged. That is why; most new age apps are designed with eye-catching UX (user experience design). The developers can further boost the user experience by integrating parallax scrolling effect seamlessly into the application. In addition to improving the app’s user experience, the integration will further result in longer user engagement. Many programmers will take advantage of the parallax scrolling effect to create more attractive UX.

11 – Mobile Payment Methods
With more and more people accessing web on their mobile devices, businesses have to emphasise on mobile commerce. There are many popular web stores that encourage users to buy products or services through their mobile apps. The growing popularity of mobile commerce will make programmers use the best mobile payment methods to enable users to pay in a quick, convenient and secure way. Many analysts have already predicted that mobile wallets and similar mobile payment methods will gradually replace conventional bank-based payment methods. So most new age app will take advantage of these mobile payment methods to deliver richer user experience.

12 – More Focus on App Security
Gartner has predicted that over 75% of existing mobile apps will fail in 2015 due to security reasons. However, several analysts feel that the percentage is exaggerated. The prediction still highlights the significance of security in mobile app development. As modern apps are designed with features to store users’ sensitive information, it becomes essential for developers to protect them from various security threats. In 2015, security and encryption technologies will be used widely by app developers. At the same time, the apps will also be tested thoroughly to eliminate security gaps arising due to various reasons like misconfiguration and defects in the data flowing through the device.

Along with monitoring the latest mobile development trends, the developers also need to gather information about the upcoming version of iOS, Android and Windows Phone. They must take advantage of the new features and functionality provided by the latest version of the mobile operating system to create apps that deliver distinct and richer user experience. However, they also need to use the latest technologies to reduce development time and cost, along with enhancing the app’s compatibility with many devices and platforms. The upcoming releases of these major mobile platforms will also have a huge impact on mobile development trends.