The Future of Cross Platform App Development in 2023
With the widespread adoption of mobile devices as gaming platforms‚ productive hacks and even business tools‚ the pressure is on for developers. As ever‚ the rivalry between Android and IOS rages on. At the turn of 2023‚ the two operating systems towered over competitors such as Samsung and Windows Phone‚ accounting for 97% of market share combined.
To capture the widest market‚ developers are increasingly turning towards cross platforms‚ wherein the same apps can be built for multiple platforms using the same code base. In practice‚ we see this in frameworks such as Flutter – which is our product of choice here at hedgehog lab.
Cross platform app trends in 2023
Of course‚ while developers may turn to tools such as React Native or Ionic‚ the key is identifying the purpose of each one. React Native‚ for example‚ may offer an aesthetically pleasing user experience‚ ideal for highly interactive apps. Flutter‚ meanwhile‚ has faster iterations – ideal for gaming.
To identify the best frameworks for cross platform app development in 2023 and beyond‚ we need to consider use cases. Future cross platform app trends will determine how best to leverage this software‚ with user experience at the helm.
1. Artificial intelligence and machine learning
Artificial intelligence and machine learning will be a central component of cross platform app development in 2023. While it will quicken the pace of the development itself‚ it will also improve the user experience.
Done right‚ AI will transform the user experience thanks to chatbots‚ facial recognition and enhanced personalisation. This will keep businesses online 24/7‚ and improve customer satisfaction. We’re already seeing AI and ML taking centre stage across a variety of apps from finance to healthcare and travel.
How will this impact my app?
When building for multiple platforms‚ developers should consider the implications for users’ welfare – for example‚ data security when tracking health trends.
2. The impact of 5G
By the end of 2023‚ 5G is expected to have been deployed throughout the United Kingdom‚ reaching 68 per cent of the UK population. The technology will revolutionise cross platform app development thanks to its high speed and low latency.
How will this impact my app?
Looking ahead‚ 5G will afford developers more creativity in terms of augmented reality and virtual reality‚ which in turn will be used across retail‚ healthcare and gaming sectors. Likewise‚ as the 4G network becomes more strained‚ it will be a welcome alternative for end-users: thereby increasing app retention rates.
3. Data security
Cybersecurity continues to be a concern for mobile app developers‚ particularly as one in four mobile applications has a serious security flaw. Coupled with a renewed dependency on user data – including bank details‚ NAP data and health statistics‚ there has never been a more pertinent time to focus on data security.
How will this impact my app?
A common misconception around cross platform mobile app development is that it is less secure than native. While native apps have all the built-in security features of a given platform‚ that does not mean cross platform is more vulnerable.
Rather‚ developers need to take an extra step. These security measures are similar to web application development. Choosing the right framework‚ such as Flutter‚ is a great place to start. We should also schedule regular updates and be mindful of code theft. With the right development teams‚ there’s no reason why cross platform apps can’t be just as secure.
4. On-demand apps
On-demand apps formed some of the biggest growth markets throughout 2022‚ both for B2B and B2C. For example‚ on-demand workout apps and wellness programs accounted for half of all spending across the App Store and Google Play.
We should expect this to continue rising as users turn to on-demand‚ dynamic functionality. From simply buying groceries to improving logistics‚ on-demand apps are set to grow.
How will this impact my app?
Again‚ developers should turn to speedy frameworks here‚ such as Flutter. By cutting down response times‚ developers can increase the popularity of these apps.
The takeaway: what’s next for cross platform app trends?
The benefits of using reputable frameworks like Flutter include utilising native components. This can create a more fluid user experience and improve security – two key considerations for 2023 cross platform app trends and beyond.
Mobile apps are predicted to generate more than $935 billion in revenue throughout 2023. As the market becomes more competitive‚ time is of the essence. Cross platform allows developers to save time and costs‚ as explained by Peter Bryant‚ Lead Mobile Developer at hedgehog lab. “Successful mobile app executions feel native but express a brand. Flutter enables that from one codebase.”
For more information on cross platform mobile app development‚ speak to the hedgehog lab team today.
