The Impact of IoT on the Future of Mobile App Development
If you think mobile apps are solely for big names in the industry such as Walmart, Apple, or Bank of America, you are wrong. More and more small and midsize enterprises are getting on the bandwagon of mobile apps. Why? They are an integral part of the marketing strategy, enabling companies to interact with customers by creating a direct marketing channel.
According to a report by Sensor Tower, global consumer spending on mobile apps is estimated to reach $270 billion annually by 2025.1 In the race to be available to the consumer at all times, mobile apps present a unique opportunity that will definitely transform the e-commerce market. What is also changing the face of mobile app development is the incursion of crucial technologies such as Internet of Things (IoT). The number of IoT devices is estimated to reach 25.4 billion by 2030.2
To understand how IoT can change the face of mobile app development, it’s vital to know what exactly is IoT.
What is IoT?
Simply put, IoT describes a network of physical objects which are embedded with sensors, software and similar technologies with the purpose of connecting and exchanging data with other devices over the internet. These devices can be anything – from ordinary household items to sophisticated industrial tools.
Due to IoT, an IP address and its importance has become crucial. Hence, everything that has internet access can be connected to IoT.
Shaping the future of mobile app development
With the increasing popularity of open-source development, app developers are more inclined to share programs digitally. The introduction of IoT in mobile app development will provide developers with the kind of programs that makes it easier to create an application. The open-source development of mobile apps will also infuse transparency to the entire development procedure, leading to better cooperation and collaboration between developers.
IoT has led to the introduction of hybrid applications owing to its capacity of working on different devices and platforms. This has opened a way of mobile app developers to focus on building heightened user experience and increasing the strength of IoT so that users can interact properly with all multi-platform gadgets. Additionally. IoT has made it possible for developers to employ different coding methods. Moreover, the seamless infusion of a variety of coding techniques is leading to the birth of some of the best mobile applications in the world.
It is no surprise that the popularity of apps rests on how intuitive and interactive the user finds it. IoT opens a window of opportunity for developers to ensure that their app remains relevant and updated with the functionality associated with IoT. Furthermore, IoT holds the potential of creating futuristic and feature-rich mobile applications that would help tech enterprises to stay ahead of the competitive edge. IoT offers easy personalisation options for mobile apps as well.
You can also integrate IoT technology with emerging technologies such as machine learning (ML), augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR). Apps that showcases the introduction of these technologies can help to transform what the road ahead looks like for mobile app development. Additionally, IoT application development can ensure enhanced security for mobile apps and ensure that cyber attacks are kept at bay.
IoT will give rise to more innovations in the mobile app development ecosystem. The technology offers feasible solutions in identifying and fixing urgent problems with the processing of large amounts of data. With IoT, you can use mobile apps irrespective of place or time. Even when workers are away from the office, the developers can control the entire system. Simply put, the Internet of Things provides location independence.
Another recognised benefit of IoT is the lower cost of building mobile applications, or in other words, cost-effectiveness. The technology enables mobile app developers to infuse better, more innovative features without bearing huge costs.
Another immense benefit of IoT is that it can help a business access consumer behaviour and get more detailed insights about customer interactions. Mobile app developers can take lessons from this in their journey of creating a mobile app that addresses the concerns of the consumer.
Conclusion
The Internet of Things (IoT) is making everything more intelligent and simplifying our lives in the process. In the long run, the technology is uniquely poised to transform the ecosystem of the mobile app development as well. With embedded connection, IoT will infuse greater ability of interaction in mobile apps.
References:
2. https://www.statista.com/statistics/1183457/iot-connected-devices-worldwide/