iOS application trends for 2023
With the release of the iPhone 14 and its enhanced features‚ changes are on the horizon for iOS. At hedgehog lab‚ we’ve been keeping our fingers on the pulse with iOS app development since day one.
In 2021‚ for example‚ we predicted a huge uptick in the popularity of wearable devices. Fast forward two years and now one-quarter of the US population owns a wearable device. Other developments have been slower taking shape. For instance‚ despite our predictions that Swift 6 would soon hit the market‚ as of January 2023‚ Apple only has version 5.7.3 on stable release.
So‚ with all this in mind‚ what can we expect for Apple app trends for 2023 and beyond?
iOS Mobile app development trends in 2023
The mobile app market has an expected compound annual growth rate of 8.6% between the years 2023 and 2033. To remain competitive‚ developers need to be aware of the following Apple app trends in 2023.
1. Increased use of machine learning and artificial intelligence in apps
The rise of technologies such as ChatGPT has only served to highlight the emergence of artificial intelligence. With a wealth of information at our fingertips‚ as developers‚ we are now poised to take actions through this.
For example‚ machine learning will analyse user behaviour to make decisions. These may be as critical as health decisions‚ for example a heart monitor recommending that its wearer see a doctor. In less extreme but no less convenient circumstances‚ this will improve retention rates through personalisation. Something as simple as voice and face recognition will improve app security‚ speed and processes and keep users engaged.
2. Continued growth of the on-demand economy
The pandemic catalysed a huge increase in on-demand apps – and the market is set to grow to $335 billion by 2025. This is more than just B2C services delivering essentials like groceries. It also comprises B2B services like transportation and banking‚ or even C2C like AirBnB.
As a result‚ developers need to be aware of users’ changing needs. These apps need to be dynamic – which calls for more personalisation‚ for example‚ tailoring notifications to order take-out food based on user buying patterns.
3. Development of apps that focus on personal productivity
Another upshot of the pandemic was remote working and collaboration tools‚ which in turn put the focus on personal productivity. As the modern-day workplace becomes more fragmented‚ users are more liable to become distracted – which is where personal productivity apps come to the fore.
These may include to-do lists‚ project management apps or even e-learning. A 2023 Apple app trend that we will continue to see is gamification‚ taking these learning experiences and pushing users to progress through to the next stage. Developers will need to focus more on progress bars‚ notifications‚ leader boards and feedback.
4. Increased use of augmented reality in apps
Things have come a long way since Pokemon Go. Now‚ beyond the use of enhanced gaming or shopping‚ we will begin to see augmented reality and virtual reality in everyday applications. In 2023‚ Apple is set to release a mixed-reality headset‚ which is likely to divide opinion following the performance of the Metaverse or Google Glass.
While we should expect there to be more impact on industries like retail‚ this novel technology will also become mainstream. For example‚ users may trust mobile apps to give them directions around shopping centres and airports. Developers have the chance to create immersive experiences‚ going beyond the gimmick and aiding people in their day-to-day lives with 3D models and augmented objects.
5. The continued growth of the healthcare industry
Beyond the features of Apple Health‚ we are seeing huge advancements in iOS apps for healthcare. The digital health market is set to be worth $639.4 billion by 2026‚ with huge advancements being made in all facets of healthcare.
This may be anything from booking appointments to monitoring heart rates. Developers should be cautious when handling user data‚ and setting expectations – for example‚ Apple’s ECG monitor explicitly states that it does not look out for heart attacks.
6. The expansion of the internet of things (IoT) and wearable devices
Industry 4.0 is no longer a burgeoning technology but an everyday staple of modern industry‚ including in sectors such as manufacturing. The modern-day supply chain is relying on real-time information‚ bolstered by data gathering and reporting on mobile devices.
As specialist IoT developers‚ hedgehog lab offers a wealth of experience in this area – monitoring devices remotely to cut costs and improve productivity. Developers should expect more activity in this area and thus focus on the best user experience possible.
In tandem‚ some of this may even expand to wearable tech devices‚ which will benefit from progress in 5G. Not only will these apps support sectors like healthcare; they can also enable us to do our jobs better. As developers‚ we should continue refining designs to make sure the user experience is watch-friendly.
7. An improved user experience through security‚ customisation and connectivity
The spotlight continues to shine on data privacy and security as iPhone devices evolve. For example‚ in the iPhone 14‚ we will have the elimination of physical SIM cards‚ as well as Lockdown Mode‚ dubbed the “most extreme cybersecurity update” in iOS history.
Cybersecurity should no longer be an afterthought‚ particularly with ongoing headlines around data breaches for even the most watertight organisations. Protecting user information and keeping them informed about their privacy settings will be top priority for iOS mobile app trends in 2023.
We’re also likely to see even more customisation – for example‚ in the latest iPhone model‚ users can totally customise their home screens right down to the fonts used. They can also alter their notification display with ‘Dynamic Island’‚ helping to keep distractions at bay.
Security goes beyond cyber‚ too. The newest Apple devices will focus on user safety‚ including crash detection and emergency calling. We will see this being integrated into more apps‚ so once again‚ we should be cautious with data privacy. This also overlaps into financial security‚ wherein Apple Pay integration will be even more prevalent – but not at the expense of user data.
Conclusion
The evolution of iOS has been fast-paced‚ accelerated by changing consumer trends during the pandemic and beyond. Consumers have expressed their concerns and Apple has listened – be this over personal safety or cybersecurity.
As developers‚ we should not abandon the principles of good UX‚ but we need to consider these additional facets. hedgehog lab stays one step ahead of these trends to keep iOS apps user-centric and engaging.
Are you looking to leverage new functionality in the Apple ecosystem and launch your iOS application in 2023? Contact our expert team today to see how hedgehog lab can help.
