At Sprint Digital, we are always at the forefront of app trends and how we should look to the future to scale and shift our creations accordingly. The digital world moves fast, and to be left behind can mean a fall in business as you are out-paced by those in the know.

When it comes to custom software and app development, it can be tricky to predict the future – will a new trend surge out of nowhere and take us by surprise, or will new app trends slowly build up over time?

Here are some ways that the custom software and app development landscape is beginning to change, and may continue to change in the future.

We’ll See An Increased Use Of AI

It’s the topic on everyone’s mind at the moment. Artificial intelligence (AI) exploded in popularity seemingly overnight, and is now used from everything to generate artwork to write website content and more. As AI technology continues to advance, it’s possible that we will see more custom software and apps incorporating AI – for instance, Snapchat recently introduced a chatbot that can offer recommendations, answer questions and converse with its users.

AI can also impact custom software and apps by taking advantage of natural language processing, machine learning, and predictive analytics.

A Further Focus On Mobile

It can be hard to find a person that doesn’t own a mobile phone – which is why future app trends will continue to favour mobile users. Mobile phone apps are used for everything from socialisation to shopping for our weekly groceries, so it would not be surprising to hear that apps will be developed with mobile phone optimisation in mind.

Bigger And Better Personalisation

Personalising your favourite apps and software is not particularly new, but as technology grows, expect the levels of personalisation to grow. By using data and analytics cleverly, tailored experiences can be crafted to create more enjoyable experiences for individual users. Personalised recommendations, targeted advertising, and customised user interfaces will continue to trend upwards.

An Increase In Automation

Custom software and apps may incorporate more automation in the future, allowing businesses to streamline their operations and save time and money. This could include automating tasks like data entry, inventory management, and customer service.

Security At The Forefront

We’ve seen an increase in cyberattacks and data breaches within the last year, including Optus, Medicare and a number of private health funds. This is why new app trends will incorporate an even greater emphasis on security in the upcoming future. This could include incorporating more robust security features, such as encryption and biometric authentication, combined with existing features such as two-factor authentication. 

A Possibility Of A Rise Of Low-code/No-code Development Platforms

Low-code and no-code development platforms will become more prevalent, making it easier for non-technical users to build their own custom software and apps. These software tools allow users to build custom software, applications and websites without having to write complex code, usually using drag-and-drop components and pre-built templates. They offer a faster, more cost-effective way to build applications, enabling businesses to accelerate app development and get their app on the market quickly. However, these platforms may not be suitable for more complex applications that require custom coding or integration with legacy systems.

Designing New Apps To Integrate New Digital Trends

There are always new digital trends on the rise – from new cryptocurrencies to NFTs and everything in between, new app trends may skew towards these emerging and growing technologies. 

Custom software and apps will need to be able to integrate IoT, blockchain, and virtual reality, among other emerging app trends.

At Sprint Digital, we’re confident that the future of custom software and app development is full of potential for our clients. If you’re looking for custom software and app solutions for your business, get in touch with our experienced team today. We’d love to work with you to create an app you’ll love to use.