Top Mobile App Trends in 2021
Tags: mobileapp, apptrends, blockchain, cloudnative
Published: 2021-09-10 11:16:13

The recent technological developments have impacted mobile app trends in a big way. The technology urges businesses to meet new consumer demands. Today, in 2021, consumer behavior is a lot different than 10 years ago. Add to that the lockdown of pandemics and you will see not only technology has changed but the world itself.
Read this article to keep up with top mobile app trends in 2021. We will talk about:
* Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning
* Wearable Devices
* Internet of Things
* Augmented Reality/Virtual Reality
* Beacon Technology
* Chatbots
* Mobile Payments / M-wallet
* Cloud-Based Technology Mobile Apps
* Blockchain Technology
* 5G Technology.

Before we kick off with the list let's see what Statista says.

*According to Statista, some $693 billion will be generated from mobile app development in 2021 and this number will reach $935 billion by 2023.*

The prospects are quite promising. So, let's look at what you should specifically focus on.
## Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning
The market is flooded with virtual assistants, chatbots, and AI-based photo effects on smartphones. Consumers want their products and services to be super easy and AI enables companies to offer easy-to-use products and services while reducing operational costs.
What are [AI](https://addevice.io/blog/how-to-build-an-ai-app/) and [Machine Learning](https://addevice.io/blog/machine-learning-app-development/), after all? At a basic level, they recognize patterns. E.g., they can recognize patterns in data, words, phrases, and images. This is how AI applications are built. Examples are Google’s “G Suite”, Office Graph, and Delve of Microsoft.
## Wearable Devices
Wearable technology is a popular trend in the mobile app industry. The market is flooded with wearable devices like smartwatches, head-mounted gear, and footwear. To keep up with the current market demands, you need to look at [wearable market trends](https://the-tech-trend.com/future/the-best-wearable-technology-trends-in-2021/). The largest consumer is North America as the chart shows.
![Alt Text](https://dev-to-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/articles/h10tletzgqmmm0iewmog.png)
## Internet of Things
And here we come to the [Internet of Things (IoT)](https://dzone.com/articles/iot-world-today-why-do-we-need-to-build-iot-projec). By IoT, we basically mean interconnected devices. IoT connects devices and allows data exchange for smarter living. Here are some good examples of IoT devices.
* Connected cars
* Smart home security systems
* Autonomous farming equipment
* Activity trackers
* Health monitors
* Smart factory equipment
* Shipping container and logistics tracking
 
## Augmented Reality/Virtual Reality
These two words are so popular today. Unlike VR, which [generates massive amounts of data](https://www.vxchnge.com/blog/virtual-reality-data-storage-concern) and is not connected to the real world, AR connects users to real life. Imagine watching a video of how coffee is roasted while purchasing a bag of coffee in a supermarket. Sounds cool, isn’t it? This is augmented reality.
A perfect example is Ikea’s design lab, Space 10. Today, the users of the Ikea’s Studio app can capture the entire 3D room plans and redesign them, including everything from windows to wall colors and rugs.
## Beacon Technology
After Covid-19, users of all ages rely more on mobile apps. Since beacons function with a Bluetooth beacon app, the technology is in huge demand. [Bluetooth beacon apps](https://www.blemobileapps.com/beacon-app-development-services/) help governments, and health officials deliver services while holding back the spread of the virus.
Many companies are using wearable bracelets that enable employers to track and maintain social distancing in workplaces.
This is the list of industries that use beacon technology:
**Education**
![Alt Text](https://dev-to-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/articles/3m1q39bdccqynekvydcn.png)
**Lifestyle**
![Alt Text](https://dev-to-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/articles/nt2ibccj0inafrl0epas.png)
**Shopping**
![Alt Text](https://dev-to-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/articles/farfq4p0wcs3b5245pgn.png)
**Entertainment and events**
![Alt Text](https://dev-to-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/articles/k0hc7k6or9gn340z66i6.png)
## Chatbots
According to [Business Insider](https://markets.businessinsider.com/news/stocks/global-chatbot-market-anticipated-to-reach-9-4-billion-by-2024-robust-opportunities-to-arise-in-retail-ecommerce-1028759508), the global chatbot market is anticipated to grow up to $9.4 billion in 2024. The forecasts say that already in 2021 80% of businesses are expected to have some sort of chatbot automation. ([Outgrow](https://outgrow.co/blog/vital-chatbot-statistics))
As the market grows, so are the mobile applications that are developed to automate business processes.
![Alt Text](https://dev-to-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/articles/ea8rj6p0sw8f79lphmds.png)
Given the wide array of usage of chatbots,  it is likely that this industry will become the driving force of business communication. 
The task of mobile applications is to deploy sentiment analysis to train chatbots with more human-like capabilities.
This trend is going to have business acceptance as businesses can reduce customer service costs by up to 30% with chatbots, [Chatbot Magazine](https://chatbotsmagazine.com/how-with-the-help-of-chatbots-customer-service-costs-could-be-reduced-up-to-30-b9266a369945?gi=a810b9f78562) says. Instead of employing a customer service agent 24/7, they can deploy chatbots to answer routine requests. Powered by AI, bots can even change passwords, show balance, schedule an appointment, etc.
## Mobile payments/M-wallets
Just like with chatbots, mobile payments are expected to increase in volume as e-commerce establishes itself as a major form of the sales transaction. Mobile payments are expected to grow to [$12 billion](https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/global-mobile-money-industry-report-2020-to-2024---diversified-regulations--policies-across-regions-and-limited-network-coverage-in-developing-regions-challenge-the-industry-300995493.html) by 2024. Even before Covid-19, the demand for merchants to make mobile payments was extensive. Today, as the behavior changed for online shopping, mobile payments are accordingly growing.
Prior to COVID-19, mobile payments were gaining in popularity By 2021, it is projected that online payments worth [$161 billion will be made in the United States only](https://www.emarketer.com/content/apple-pay-dominance-drives-mobile-payment-transaction-volume?_ga=2.73431696.343232891.1598273404-1106804176.1594135339). Globally, this number is expected to [grow to $12 billion by 2024](https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/global-mobile-money-industry-report-2020-to-2024---diversified-regulations--policies-across-regions-and-limited-network-coverage-in-developing-regions-challenge-the-industry-300995493.html).
With this trend gaining extensive acceptance, mobile wallets are also gaining in popularity. This is, in effect, a virtual app where you link your debit or credit card to make digital payments. The users need to download an app on their mobile device and link an authorized debit or credit card.
According to a recent [Speedpay Pulse report](https://www.speedpay.com/images/uploads/Speedpay_Pulse_Mobile_Trend_Report.pdf), more than half of US shoppers prefer mobile wallets saying it is the fastest payment option.
## Cloud-Based Technology Mobile Apps
Cloud technology is not new in the mobile app industry. It is still growing and you need to keep an eye on this trend. It is an easier way of storing data and performing complex tasks on the cloud rather than storing information on the user's device. Cloud computing has a wide range of opportunities and is expected to dominate the market. By the end of 2021, [83% of enterprise workloads](https://www.mindinventory.com/blog/mobile-app-growth-statistics-2020/) will be cloud-based.
## Blockchain Technology
[Blockchain](https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/how-create-your-own-cryptocurrency-addevice/) technology is a rising trend in mobile app development. Transparency and app security are two features that attract businesses. Today Blockchain procedures disrupt the old time-consuming processes allowing automation to penetrate into a digital transaction. Blockchain is surely a game-changer in the mobile app development industry.
## 5-G Technology
And lastly, we talk about 5-G technology. Could you ever imagine that millions of GB of data could be instantly transmitted to an endless number of users? So, undoubtedly, 5-G is a powerful trend in mobile app development and many industries are adjusting to the new technology. It concerns not only consumers but tech enthusiasts, businesses, and developers.
## Conclusion
If you want to succeed in your business, you need to keep an eye on the tendencies in the mobile industry. A lot of companies have already started employing some of these technologies. These trends are relevant to 2021. In 2025, they may be already outdated as the world and technology are changing so fast. Treat these trends as the bible of your business and make sure your mobile app development company is on the go.
You don’t need to deploy all the trends but you need to have an understanding of where the world is going so you can adapt accordingly.