Top 10 Mobile Technologies Making Waves in Early 2022

Biometrics has officially become a staple in the mobile app world. With sensitive data security on mobile devices remaining a hot issue, apps are equipped with more advanced technologies to ensure their protection. In this regard, biometrics is gaining popularity. These features are effective measures for authentication and safeguarding reliable data. According to Statista, the global biometrics technology market has been steadily growing in recent years. They predict revenue to rapidly increase, from $36.6 billion in 2020 to $68.6 billion in 2025.

Mobile devices and apps are leveraging mobile technology as a security measure for their users. The most common biometrics used in apps are: fingerprints, facial recognition, voice recognition, signature recognition, face identification. Other apps are integrating fingerprints and other biometrics along with two-factor authentication to enhance security. Expect to see more devices and more mobile apps using biometric technology in the future.

App Security remains the hottest issue for providers and consumers alike. As users are entrusting and managing sensitive information on their smartphones and other mobile devices, they need excellent security measures. A growing priority in future mobile development is paying more attention to creating built-in security features in applications. Blockchain is clearly the main technology to be used to ensure data protection.

Businesses need to prioritize mobile security to safeguard user information and ensure that all transactions are secure. This is because some users hesitate to use payment apps due to security concerns and lack of trust. With many mobile companies relying on mobile payments for profit, mobile security expectations will be a top priority for these businesses. Consumers will feel safer when conducting these transactions.

The trend in the mobile industry has been focusing on mobile artificial intelligence since 2017, when Apple allowed developers to integrate the voice assistant Siri into their apps. This has encouraged the adoption and integration of artificial intelligence and machine learning algorithms into applications across various domains. Specifically: Chatbots and virtual personal assistants in service industries; Personalized advertising and recommendations in E-commerce; Motion and face detection apps for surveillance systems;...

Currently, various mobile apps can recognize voice commands, analyze text and image data, predict user behavior, and provide forecasts, recommendations, and decisions. There is fierce competition among smartphone developers, who want to pack their devices with as many AI and ML elements as possible.

Today, mobile apps are no longer a luxury reserved for market-leading companies but a tool that most small businesses need to connect with customers or employees in real-time, even on the go. Using an app, any business can streamline its operations, attract more customers, and leverage detailed analytics. As a result, companies benefit from improving user experiences and increasing sales.

This year, many small companies operating in industries such as tourism, entertainment, healthcare, food services, beauty, and fitness will opt to develop mobile solutions. Mobile apps are no longer exclusive to giant corporations. Any business in any industry needs to have mobile device apps. It doesn't matter whether your company is large-scale or small-scale. Small business owners are recognizing this trend and starting to develop. In fact, about 50% of small business owners plan to develop a mobile device app.

There's nothing secretive about mobile device applications tracking user locations. In fact, users are granting them permission to do so. Whenever you download and use a new app, you'll receive a notification requesting access to your location. Some apps won't even function unless you share your location with them. For instance, if you're using a ride-sharing app like Uber or Grab, you won't be able to connect with a driver unless the app knows exactly where you are.

But now, location-based services are taking a new direction. Companies are demanding your location even when they don't need it. They're using it to enhance their marketing efforts. In fact, 70% of apps share user data with third-party services. It's easier to target users from a marketing perspective if you know their location. For example, businesses are using geofencing to make more money.

The transportation industry is actively integrating mobile device applications, undergoing significant transformations as a result. There are two types of mobile solutions for transportation: For consumers - route optimization apps, car rental apps, monitoring public transportation schedules, traffic tracking, and parking information systems; For businesses - fleet management solutions, utility monitoring systems (fuel theft prevention is particularly essential), optimized delivery scheduling solutions,...

Applications for train, bus, and airplane schedules are things we've become quite familiar with over the past few years. But now we're seeing many companies emerging with a mobile app for unique transportation methods. Apps being mentioned include Lime Bike and Bird. With Bird, users downloading the app can locate electric scooters in their area. Scooters are unlocked and started using the app. This field demonstrates immense app development potential, thus ensuring growth

There are increasingly more apps integrating augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) features, and this trend is here to stay. According to ResearchAndMarkets, the mobile augmented reality (MAR) market was estimated to reach 10.7 billion USD in 2020. By 2027, it's forecasted to rise to 230.6 billion USD. AR/VR apps bring remarkable opportunities by enhancing the real world environment with digital objects, thereby improving user experiences.

A few years ago, AR and VR technologies were primarily used in gaming apps and marketing campaigns for entertainment and impressing customers. Nowadays, the mobile world is leveraging augmented and virtual reality for more practical purposes such as object measurement, navigation, education, interior design, etc. Furthermore, smartphone manufacturers have been and are enhancing the production of AR-supportive devices: by a very cautious estimate, by 2021, there are over 500 million iOS devices and over 1 billion Android devices capable of experiencing augmented reality.

Many consumers will utilize mobile technology to enhance and optimize the ultimate experience within their own homes. Mobile technology alongside IoT devices enables users to ensure comfort and security for their homes. And the trend for smart homes is burgeoning due to advancements in the IoT industry. Statista predicts that the global smart home market will be worth around 53 billion USD in 2022.

Hence, smart homes represent a vast niche market for mobile technology. With just one app, homeowners can remotely adjust temperature, humidity, ventilation, control water and electricity consumption, monitor surveillance systems, and more. Users can control temperature and adjust thermostats from their devices, even when they're away from home. Many companies and consumers will embrace this trend in the coming year.

The emergence of wearable devices and their expanding use cases has opened up numerous opportunities for businesses. Developing mobile applications for wearable devices is one of the fastest-growing industries because these apps ensure closer connectivity between brands and users. When a wearable device is integrated with an app, customers are more willing to use it because they have more opportunities (e.g., personalized data analysis and recommendations).

Currently, apps for smartwatches and fitness tracking devices are the most widely used solutions. But in the near future, more apps will be designed for other mobile devices, such as smart glasses or healthcare devices. All these devices will be connected and used with mobile applications. Their wearable mobile technology can be monitored and accessed through their apps. Users can view things like how many steps they've taken in a day, heart rate, and other trackable information.

Today, e-commerce is one of the fastest-growing markets globally, and mobile shopping is a leading trend. Hence, the demand for mobile payments is increasing. According to Business of Apps, there has been a significant increase in the number of users of mobile payment apps in 2020 - 2.3 billion people compared to 1.4 billion people in 2019. This is mainly due to the pandemic and people avoiding cash payments.

In addition to many banking apps, the most widely used payment apps include Apple Pay, PayPal, AliPay, WeChat Pay, and Zelle. In Vietnam, the most popular online payment apps are Momo, ZaloPay e-wallet, Shopeepay e-wallet, etc. These apps allow users to make financial transactions faster, easier, and from anywhere, contributing to the explosion of mobile commerce. In 2022, the trend of developing e-commerce apps for mobile payments will continue.