The world of mobile app development never stands still. No matter the operating system on which you want your apps to run, you always have to take into account new technology innovations and consumer trends that will affect the success of your app.
That’s no different in Android app development. So if one of your New Year’s resolutions was to develop an Android app, here are three trends you need to keep in mind to make sure that your audience will love your app as much as you do.
1. Application Security Matters
Security is a definite concern for all operating platforms. When discussing iOS trends late last year, we noted an often-cited Gartner survey that predicted no less than 75% would fail basic security tests through the end of 2015. That’s a dire situation, and you do not want your audience to question whether your app will keep their information safe. As soon as that happens, your success will be significantly compromised.
Fortunately, Google is keeping up. The company released Android Marshmallow 6.0 in late 2015, a new version of Android OS that includes significant security updates across the platform. Users now have increased control over what apps can access, which should lead to significantly less privacy invasions.
Of course, simply trusting Marshmallow to handle security for you is not enough. To remain competitive, your app should include security and privacy measures that ensure your audience’s information remains private. That’s especially important considering the second trend:
2. Mobile Payments
2015 was the year Android joined Apple in including its own payment option for mobile device users. The service works almost identically to its Apple counterpart: save your credit card(s) on your phone, and simply tap your phone at a terminal to choose your payment.
A few weeks into 2016, it looks like this will be the year mobile payments become an accepted and widespread payment method for consumers. eMarketer predicts that mobile payments will triple in the United States this year alone, as more users become aware of the increased convenience offered by this option and more businesses integrate mobile payments into their systems.
Are you expecting to use your app for e-commerce purposes? If so, including an option for your users to make the payment directly from their mobile device should be one of your top considerations. Doing so will help ensure that your app remains relevant, helpful, and functional for years to come.
3. Rapid App Development
This trend is particularly interesting as it relates to app development. Increasingly, consumers expect companies to have an app, which means that the urgency for companies to develop an app is increasing at a faster pace. That, in turn, means that companies like yours want and need apps developed quickly and efficiently.
The good news: that’s possible. Thanks to development tools provided by Android, developers can build and update well-functioning frameworks for their customers. But in reality, this rapid development is only possible with a particular app development methodology: agile development.
Agile development means your developer will not tackle the project in a linear fashion, but begin to work on multiple pieces at once – allowing for increased flexibility, testing, and a faster timeline. If the need for rapid development continues to increase, as many experts predict, you should look for developers that subscribe to this agile philosophy.
Like its Apple and Windows counterparts, Android app development is constantly changing. But thanks to the studies and intelligence available from a wide number of research firms, we can predict with reasonable accuracy what will happen in this year and beyond, which helps you develop an Android app that will stand the test of time. To get started on your new app, contact us today!
