Top 10 Trends to Watch for Android App Development in 2020 by Sandeep Agarwal

With the advent of advanced technologies, the conventional way of living has transformed. People utilize the latest gadgets that add value to their day to day life and the smartphone is one of such devices. 

According to Statista, the number of mobile phone users across the world is supposed to pass the five billion mark by 2019. In the second quarter of 2018, 88 percent of all smartphones sold to end users were phones with the Android operating system, the same source stated.

These numbers prove that Android is the biggest mobile app development platform. With Android app development, companies can reach out to a large user base, increase sales, and generate revenue. Through frequent technology updates, Android allows businesses to develop highly functional, secure, flexible, extensible and scalable apps in order to meet the ever-changing market trends. 

Lots of innovations are happening when it comes to Android app development trends. This post covers ten leading trends that may disrupt the mobile app industry. 

#1. Artificial Intelligence (AI) 

Introducing Artificial Intelligence in Android apps, businesses can improve user experiences by enabling customers with personalized offerings. The technology allows businesses to understand customers’ behavior, journey, product preferences, and many more details. With the data-driven approach, companies can formulate a better strategy for customer engagement by responding to their demands quickly. 

E-commerce businesses develop Android apps with AI to explore endless business opportunities, address clients’ specific needs, and generate adequate revenue. Harnessing the potential of AI, organizations can develop chatbots, advanced analytics systems, and machine learning techniques to deliver the best user experiences.

#2. Internet of Things 

An IoT based Android app creates a convenient environment for users to connect to IoT enabled devices. According to Statista, the number of connected devices worldwide was 15.41 billion in 2015 and it is expected to grow to 75.44 billion in 2025. It is an almost 60 billion increase in IoT enabled devices. 

Being the leading OS, Android will be the biggest partaker in this trend. It will be the preferred choice of businesses and developers for IoT app development. The mixture of IoT and Android apps can build IoT for Home, IoT for Workplace, IoT for Enterprises, and more.

#3. Augmented Reality (AR) & Virtual Reality (VR)

The cognitive technologies enable users with immersive experiences by augmenting digital elements on the real world and creating a completely artificial environment as per their requirements. Building highly interactive AR and VR solutions using Android app development services, helps businesses elevate the user experience by offering them lifelike visual experiences. 

Lots of businesses are using AR and VR applications for marketing, product demonstration, sales, process learning, maintenance and repair, and more. The enterprise-oriented use cases of AR and VR involve training of products and process, on filed assistance, and so on. 

#4. Cloud-based Android App Development

To address customers' increasing demands and expectations, developers have started creating highly complex and feature-rich mobile apps. As the latest Android apps come with a lot of design elements, features, and functions, they require more space on the user's smartphone. 

With cloud-based Android applications, developers can seamlessly run data-driven apps, as cloud technology allows for real-time data loading, management, and processing. The essence of cloud-based Android apps is their innate behavior to easy access anytime and anywhere. 

#5. Android Instant Apps

Google Play Instant allows users to use an app or game without any installation process. Android Instant Apps are stored and operated from the cloud, so users need not download them. The key benefit of such apps is that they do not take up extra space on the user's smartphone. Also, users can eliminate the clutter of unnecessary applications on their mobile devices. 

Recently, Google has launched advanced features for Android developers to help them in developing small applications faster and allow users to use them without installing it. Android App Bundle, a new app publishing format of Google, brings businesses a step forward to develop Google Instant Apps quickly. And, 2020 will witness the success of Android Instant Apps for sure. 

#6. Chatbot

Chatbot is a very popular technology across the business world. It allows companies to provide intelligent responses to customers’ queries, enabling them with the required information, boost sales, and increase revenue. Brands can deliver a better customer experience through instant messaging and close communication quickly through chatbot solutions. 

Integrating chatbot in Android apps, organizations can reduce operational cost by cutting down efforts and resources for customer support service. According to Gartner, twenty-five percent of customer service and support operations will integrate chatbot technology across engagement channels by 2020.

Soon businesses may tie up with an experienced mobile app development company who offers a complete range of Android app development services to build an application with Chatbot.

#7. Blockchain

Blockchain came into the limelight with the rise of cryptocurrency. Recently, it has been observed that a Blockchain Wallet App launched on Google Play Store and reached millions of downloads in a very short time span. It proves that the technology is trending and innovative Android apps with Blockchain will get a good response from customers as well as developers. 

These days, blockchain has gained more popularity over cloud applications due to its adequate security and viability. The technology keeps track of customers digital transactions and ensures the security of clients’ information. 

#8. Kotlin

Kotlin is a highly popular programming language that allows the sharing of code between different platforms. It allows developers to build native apps with native instruments and libraries. Thus, developers prefer Kotlin over Java for Android app development. 

The language runs on a JAW and now it is compilable to a native binary through LLVM based backend. This capability can be used to write code for iOS or even other platforms such as Windows, Mac, etc. Moreover, Kotlin allows programmers to create and share the code for business logic, presenters, repositories, etc. 

#9. In-app Search 

When users open a mobile app, lots of information and offerings are available on different screens of the application. It becomes a challenge for users to find the specific information that they are looking for. In-app search capability of Android apps helps users find exactly what they need. In-app search will stay as a trend for the long term as it is something users expected and demanded. 

#10. Android App Security

In the past, Google was receiving many complaints about breached app security. The apps were accessing users’ personal data without their permission. To address this issue, Google released an Android update with a newly updated security breached app. Now, Android developers are integrating a permission module in the applications to make users’ data more secure. The apps will ask for the user’s permission before accessing his or her personal information. Users have the right to allow or deny any permission. 

Wrapping Up

To rock in 2020 and beyond, businesses have to consider all these Android app development trends to meet the frequently changing digital era. Incorporate emerging technologies in your Android app to deliver fast-paced, unified experiences and address customers expectations. Many more Android app development trends will come and go, but being a business owner, you need to evaluate the right set of technologies that help you seize opportunities and gain a competitive edge.

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About the Author: 

Being a CEO of the Android App Development Company - Credencys, Sandeep helps clients bridge the execution gap with services including: Consulting, Design & Architecture, Product strategy, software development, DevOps, Managed Services. With a motto of ‘Go Digital’, Sandeep delivers an Extraordinary Customer Experience to every client. Connect with Sandeep at [email protected].