The Future of Android App Development
Read this article to know what is hot and upcoming in the field of Android app development. Which languages to choose, how to move towards cross-platform frameworks and how to use the best technologies to have an increased user engagement on your Android app.
Android currently has the highest mobile operating system market share in the world at more than 76%. With such a domineering hold over an exponentially growing industry, Android is set to push boundaries even further. That's why software development companies always keep an eye on the latest updates and new features released by Android.
Here are some new trends in how the green tech giant will continue to forge milestones.A Bright Future For Android
Cross-Platform Initiatives
Android has expanded its avenues for developing apps with technologies such as Kotlin and React Native. Kotlin is a language long used by Android programmers for code-sharing. It runs on a Java Virtual Machine (JVM) and compatible with JavaScript allowing greater flexibility in coding. Meanwhile, React Native fuses native code development with React, a top-quality JavaScript library for the creation of improved user interfaces. With tools such as these two, Android provides more options for mobile app development while easing the migration of existing codes into other platforms.2. Increasing Use of Chatbots
The concept that led to the creation of today's "chatbots" can be traced back to the Turing Test conducted by Alan Turing in 1950. It was based upon the principle of the "imitation game" or a computer talking to a human. Since then, the interfaces of chatbots have become more integrated and complex. Gartner predicts that they will be used by 25% of worldwide customer service operations by 2020. For Android, chatbot creation and usage will expand due to the presence of tools and apps such as Dialogflow (formerly API.ai), Replika, SimSimi, and Wysa.3. Increased Engagement Between Companies And Users
According to Peter Wellens, the CEO of Chestnote, there will be less demand for mobile apps due to their existence as basic commodities for the past five years. Indeed, innovation budgets are focused on centralizing existing apps, as well as providing new features. Furthermore, artificial intelligence will continue to boost interactions with users through suggestive solutions from businesses.4. Enhanced Security
Android and other software development companies are focusing on data protection and soon will become more integrated with blockchain technology. Considering the exponential rise in usage of mobile apps for healthcare, education, banking, and entertainment, it is inevitable that blockchain-based apps will be the key to the future. In fact, Android has already developed a Blockchain Software Development Kit (SDK) for the creation of more secure mobile apps and further expansion into blockchain territory.
Meanwhile, in Android Pie Google has also introduced the "Android Protected Confirmation", based on the concept of "Trusted UI". This idea comes as a hardware-protected user interface for performing essential transactions outside a device's primary operating system (OS). It aims to protect users from scams, fake apps, and other compromising features within an OS.5. Android App Bundle
Google has rolled out a new more interactive delivery model for app publishing, called the "Android App Bundle". This format allows for a smaller app size and faster delivery. It also comes with little to no refactoring of the existing app code and reduction of device memory space. Android will soon standardize its devices to use this new formatting model.Key Takeaways
The future of mobile technology apps is promising with new trends and more features.
Cross-platform initiatives allow for more choices in app creation while remaining convenient for developers using different code libraries. Chatbots and AI will provide more leeway in interactions across Android users. Greater security can be expected as well due to blockchain technology use and more advanced security features such as the Android Protected Confirmation. Lastly, Android devices will benefit more memory space from the Android App Bundle.
