With Google Play Store hosting over 2.5 million Android apps, paying attention to the trends in development seems to be an obvious thing. While this year saw a lot of technological fads in the field of development, there were some ideas that were above the ordinary, took apps to a different level, and they show no sign of slowing down. The upcoming segment discuss them, along with their amazing applications.
a. Android Instant Apps: Making Smartphones App-Less
It seems that Google has been taking its move towards app-less smartphones quite seriously. Formerly, with the Progressive Web Apps and this year with the Instant Apps.
In its I/O Conference 2017, Google made Instant Apps open to all the developers. And by now (August 2017), the company confirms that 500 million Android users have access to this instant apps.
How Instant Apps Work?
We have plethora of mobile app options in the Google Play Store and even in our smartphones. While some of the apps offer basic functionality, there are many that have multifarious features and facilities to offer. There are few drawbacks of such apps:
- They are comparatively large in size and takes up your smartphone’s space and memory.
- They sometimes divert user from the needed functionality, affecting the user experience.
Instant Apps proves to be an effective solution to work around the problem. One, because it does not require you to install the app in your smartphone and two, it only gives you access to the functionality that’s needed.
When you open the mobile browser (Google Chrome) or use the Google Now service for search, the app would be suggested accordingly for its functionality. If it’s an Instant app, a native app like experience will be rendered to users (even if the app is not installed in the smartphone).
Meanwhile, Android app developers don’t need to code twice for building an Instant app and a native app. The instant apps will use the same Android API, same project, and the source code as that of the native app. All that’s needed by a developer is to update the existing Android app and get the Instant App’s functionality added to it.
Moreover, Instant apps are helping brands to maintain their visibility on browsers; whilst giving them a native app like experience. With so many benefits associated, Instant apps seem to have a bright future, with user acceptability and the benefits that it offers.
b. Android App Security: Ensuring Data Integrity
Mobile devices are vulnerable to cyber-attacks and the most accountable reason for it is the app data. Since mobile apps have a lot of sensitive data stored in it, the focus has been shifted from device to data management. The user data is complex than ever, is huge, and can be easily offended. For organizing big data and ensuring it security, technologies are Blockchain has encountered acceptance and implementation.
If we look into the reasons for security breach, insecure storage, system information leak, insecure deployment, privacy violation, permission to access unnecessary data come out to be major culprits in this context. Hackers will continue to exploit user data. However, with measures taken to improve the security system, like more permissions to use an app, saving data on cloud etc.
c. AI, AR, VR: Makeover to the Android Apps
It is hard to impress the tech-world without Artificial Intelligence (AI). At a modest level, Virtual personal assistants (AI) are complimenting mobile apps. One of the very popular example of this is Google Allo. The instant messaging app is powered with machine learning (for smart replies), Google Assistant for search results, and many other competent features, making the chat system unique and secure. This makes us believe Gartner’s prediction that says:
“By 2020, "zero-touch" user interfaces will be available on 2 billion devices including smartphones and Internet of things devices.”
Next in the queue is Virtual Reality (VR). It has got its applications in almost every sector, including healthcare, entertainment, education etc. 360 degree videos, Google Earth, Orbulus are some of the examples that exhibits the potential of VR in Android apps.
Then, there is Augmented Reality (AR). From gaming world to productivity, AR integration into the mobile world is surely set up to make far-reaching changes. With apps like Amikasa (3D room designer), Google Translate, Inkhunter (tattoo checker), Snapchat etc., AR is proving to be the next big thing into the Android app world.
ALSO READ: A Look through the Bright Side of Android App Development
Ready to Implement Android Development Trends in your App?
Integrating the latest development trends into your application can give a sure boost to your business, product, or service. To get started with your Android app, compatible with latest OS (including Android Oreo), you check out our Android app development services.
