Did you know?
It is difficult to find a company often mobile phone users with one of them at least not having an Android-powered device.
You can try finding one.
And we have never seen any smart device that has no app installed on it. Apps are everywhere.
In fact, according to TechCrunch in 2017, the average person uses 9 apps on their mobile phone each day.
The fact that we have come so far, from the earliest Android versions to this era of improved smartphone functionality only points to one thing
The future of the Android App industry is really going to be bright in 2018.
And right now, we can only watch out for the latest Android app development trends that will improve the user experience.
Whether you hire an Android programmer to build your business’s app on the operating system or you are an app developer, you will be excited to learn of these top trends for 2018.
Let’s get going!
9 Android App Development Trends Likely To Dominate in 2018
1.The Rise Of Chatbot Android Apps
Ask any tech oriented person and they will tell you that we are stepping foot into the full Chatbot era.
Industries and businesses who rely heavily on messaging and close communication with clients will seek to harness the power of bots to ensure maximum app functionality and a better sales experience.
Okay.
So what about those who say that chatbots will spell doom for Android mobile apps?
Here’s what we think,
Image Source: Drift
Just when people believe that the rise of Chatbot on social media messaging platforms will reduce the impact of the apps, we foresee a close alliance between the duo in 2018.
Services such as booking hotel rooms and flight tickets, buying movie tickets or placing an order can be easily completed using an app that has chat bot integrated.
Hence, to avoid the social media hassle and stand out as unique, individuals and firms can embrace custom android app development to build an app that has Chatbot and other distinct app features that satisfy their business needs seamlessly integrated.
That will be a multipurpose and fully functional app!
2. The Growth of Google Instant Apps
Google’s heavy integration with the Android operating system and Android tech support is a reason why their Instant App vision will be realized pretty soon on the platform
Maybe you haven’t heard
Google Instant App is a new feature already running on the latest Android versions – Android 5.0 (API level 21) through Android 8.0 (API level 26)
It is an innovation that allows smartphone users to access and explore apps on Google Play Store without installing them on their devices.
With just a tap – Android users can enjoy fast, high performing, beautiful and smooth working apps without worrying about the app consuming storage spaces on their mobile devices.
Here is the best thing about Google Instant Apps
Image source: campaignlive
You do not need to build an entirely new app to get your app to include this feature.
An upgrade to your existing app version to include this feature can be done without any fuss.
To be a part of this innovation, you can speak with an Android app programmer and they will get you on track in little or no time.
Dootloop (Real Estate), Jet (Shopping), One Football (Soccer), Hotpads (E-commerce) Crossword (NYT) and Realtor (Real Estate) have all recorded improved engagements and conversions by developing Android Instant apps.
Also, the trend of having Instant Apps available on all Android mobile devices, version 8.0 to 4.1 is a prospect that we predict will come to reality in 2018.
3. In-App Payments With Google Pay
After not so good performances with Google Wallet and Android Pay, new improvements were made to this Android app native payment gateway just recently and it is now labeled Google Pay.
Adoption of this traditional payment system across new and existing mobile apps is a trend that will continue into the foreseeable future.
So, what do you need a Google Pay In-App feature for anyway?
Google Pay is a secure and easy payment gateway for Android users to pay for in-app and tap-to-pay purchases. Users who have a payment method such as credit card or PayPal attached to their Google account can simultaneously pay for other mobile purchase without fuss.
Android version 4.4 Kit Kat and above supports this in-app update and just recently, it was made available for Android wearable version 1.53 and 1.54.
The integration of Google Pay with the already existing app and new app built by Android programmers is a trend that we’ll have to live with in 2018.
Now, E-commerce and Fintech apps will be early adopters of Google Pay while we predict that it will gradually trickle down to other industries as time goes by.
Google Pay’s performance in 2018 will unanimously prove if the decision to unite and rebrand Google Wallet and Android Pay worked out.
4. Improved Security For Android Apps
While we have been thrilled by the exciting features that the Android operating system has to offer and its smooth sailing app development experience, there is definitely one area that Google has continued to work on.
-More secure apps
Over 700,000 apps were ousted from Google Play Store in 2017 for all the wrong reasons and this trend will continue until a time when we have no fake and copycat developers again – We’re not sure of that happening anytime soon.
So Google in 2018, will continue to sniff out and throw out malicious apps from the store.
Also, the API integration required for developing Instant Apps is a strategy that will enable Google to easily spot these apps that does not deserve even a single installation.
This simply means more security for apps and Android devices.
Hold on,
If you are going to embark on a custom android app development project, do well to ensure that the Android programmer has an impressive record of developing secure and robust mobile apps. Request to see a client testimonial page, as well as samples from previous reputable projects.
5. A Future On The Clouds
Sounds adventurous, right?
Well, we tip cloud-based apps as the future of the Android development industry especially for businesses who deal with large amounts of data that needs adequate security.
In 2018, developing secure and easy to access cloud-based apps to store crucial data will be a trend that Android programmers will have to cope with.
Image source: F5
What is the need for cloud-based apps?
Here’s simply what you should know.
Cloud based storage apps allow users to send their personal data to a cloud-hosted server, which stores the information and allows for easy access later.
You know Facebook, Gmail, Instagram and Google Drive, they are the most notable cloud-based apps.
This technology is truly remarkable because –
- It reduces the cost of data operation and management
- It is more secure than other storage processes. A data from rapid scale suggests that 94% of businesses saw an improvement in data security after switching to the clouds.
- It offers flexibility and allows the business owners and data operatives to focus more efforts on reaching business goals and satisfying clients.
- It provides quick data recovery in cases of data disaster
For all these right reasons and more, Android programmers will have to spend more time on building Android cloud-based app for businesses.
If your organization deals with large data, then you should be interested in exploring this opportunity. You can hire a custom android app development company to help you figure out exactly in what ways your business can benefit from owning a cloud-based mobile app.
We know it is the future and want you to be a part of it.
6. The Kotlin Era on Android
Unless you are an android programmer, we do not expect that you perfectly understand how Kotlin, a new official programming language for Android is a new trend for 2018.
This new language is the perfect fit for developing apps that serve up a wonderful experience at the user-end and is already fully supported on Android Studio 3 as an IDE package.
Related Article: 8 Most Common Mistakes To Avoid While Outsourcing To Mobile App Development Company In 2018
All the features of modern programming languages are swiftly combined by Kotlin while its Android development extensions mean that programmers can fully flex their strengths to build feature-rich and crisp running apps.
Did you know?
Popular apps such as Pinterest, Uber, Coursera, and Flipboard all has Kotlin codes embedded at the back end.
As more Android development companies adopt Kotlin codes for custom app developments, we are in for a fine app treat in 2018.
7. Increase in On-Demand Native Apps
Who does not want to get more work done in little or no time, straight from their Android devices?
This trend is a guarantee that Android programmers with Android Tech Support will have to spend more time in the future working on apps that serve very specific purposes such as
- Ordering an Uber ride
- Booking event facilities
- Hiring a salesman
- Purchasing bitcoins
- Requesting food delivery and perhaps
- Hiring an Android programmer
In simpler terms, the desire of mobile users to achieve more with little or no stress will fuel the need for more on-demand apps.
Developers get ready!
8. Blockchain and Android
A little less than five years ago, there were only a few numbers of blockchain related mobile app on the Google Play Store.
Related Article: 12 Tips To Consider While Choosing The Android App Development Company For Your Project In 2018
That was a time of transition which allowed people worldwide to meet with and then gradually accept the blockchain technology. Of course, there are still skeptics but, blockchain will have a huge say in the Android app industry in 2018.
Did you know?
The blockchain wallet, a mobile app used to send and receive digital coins, has racked up over 1 million downloads on Google Play Store till date and we predict that usage of apps with similar features will increase.
Here is why,
According to Statista, there were over 21 million blockchain wallet users worldwide in 2017 and with mobile usage undoubtedly on the increase, our predictions cannot be wrong.
Right now, there are thousands of blockchain related app on Google Play Store and as more organizations understand the benefits of the blockchain technology, these numbers will continue to rise.
Android programmers will lose future jobs if they do not level upon their knowledge of blockchain and what it can be used for.
Just before we round up on this,
The prospect of using the blockchain technology to develop more viable and secure apps is an exciting trend to keep an eye out on as well.
Remember cloud-based apps?
Blockchain technology will have a way of keeping data stored on clouds more secure. Both are on clouds!
9. Google Surprises
Google’s near monopoly on the Android Operating system, its impressive record for springing up innovative changes to the technology and an excellent Android tech support are just a few reasons why we cannot rule out surprises in the near future.
There are very few companies in the tech industry who can boast of this ability.
The launch of Android 8.0 Oreo along with its super improved user experience in 2017, earlier than expected, is evidence that Google can spring up improved changes that Android users will love at any time.
It is not hype, the guys at Google are really dedicated to creating a more pleasant Android experience and that will not stop in 2018.
Rounding Up
Google and Android App developers are constantly seeking for new ways to improve user experience and that is the drive that will bring about the achievement of the Android app development trends that we have revealed in this post.
So, the next time you hire a programmer for your new or existing custom android app development project, we recommend that you bear these trends in mind.
You do not want to build only for now, but also for the future.
