In just a few short years, Over-The-Top services have grown from a niche streaming option, to one of the most popular ways to consume media. But what are OTT media services, and how do they work? If you’re like most media consumers in North America, and have a Netflix, Amazon Prime, or Disney+ subscription, you’ve already got some sense of what OTT does – even if you don’t know it.

You probably already know it’s got something to do with the internet, and it’s a way to watch your favorite shows. But how has it become so popular in such a short time, and how can it benefit media businesses?

If you’re looking to gain a better understanding of how OTT services work, why they’ve become so successful, and why more services seem to be popping up all the time, you’ve come to the right place. Here are 4 things you need to know about OTT media services.

1. What Are OTT Media Services?

Over-the-Top media services are online content providers that offer consumers streaming media as a standalone product. The term “OTT media services” often refers to video-on-demand platforms, but may also include services like audio streaming, messaging services, and even internet-based calling solutions.

The defining characteristic of OTT media services is that they sidestep more traditional media distribution channels. Often connected to “cord-cutting,” these services circumvent things like telecommunications networks and cable television providers. Essentially, as long as you have an internet connection, you can access all OTT media services have to offer.

The most common form of monetization for these services is subscriptions. However, some platforms offer in-app purchases or advertising in lieu of subscriptions.

2. How Do OTT Media Services Work?

Most OTT platforms can be accessed through any device with an internet connection. This includes computers, smartphones, tablets, smart TVs, and even gaming consoles. Consumers don’t need a subscription to a TV provider. However, depending on the OTT platform, a subscription to the platform itself may be required. This is how some of the most popular OTT media services, like Netflix and Disney+ operate. On the other hand, others, like Amazon and Peacock, monetized their apps through ads, or offering reduced-cost subscriptions with limited ads.

3. Why is OTT so Popular?

There are several reasons OTT media services have become so wildly popular. To begin with, from the consumer’s point of view, these services are fairly easy to set up and use. As mentioned before, all that is required is an internet connection and an app on an appropriate device. Furthermore, the cost of OTT services remains relatively small compared to traditional television packages. What’s more, cable and satellite TV providers know this, which is why so many are throwing their own hat into the OTT ring.

However, two critical concepts have started to pop up in the minds of consumers when they think about today’s streaming services: fatigue and overabundance. Today’s market is often considered oversaturated with so many platforms to choose from, yet none can fulfill all of any one person’s watching preferences.

That said, the freedom to choose what content to watch, whenever and wherever one chooses is extremely attractive. Additionally, a steady stream of new content with a high production value keeps users engaged.

4. What Are The Advantages of OTT?

Some of the advantages of OTT media services have already been mentioned, but there are several more – from both the consumer’s point of view, and that of businesses.

Consumer Benefits

Content

Traditional pay-TV, like cable or satellite, suffers from somewhat of a lack of content variety. This is due to their limited catalogs or the limitations of content bundles. OTT media services, on the other hand, can offer a wider variety of both licensed and original content, including video-on-demand titles, traditional, linear TV channels, and even live streams.

Price

Thanks to the overall reduced cost of deploying OTT infrastructure, prices also tend to be reduced. Subscriptions can be as low as a few dollars a month, or even free for ad-based services. This frees viewers from “either-or” choices. For less than the cost of cable or satellite TV, viewers can subscribe to a variety of services to meet their content needs. In fact, as of 2021, 75% of Americans are already subscribed to 2 or more OTT services.

Consumer Freedom

With so many options available today, consumers have gotten used to – and love – their ability to choose and control the media they consume. With OTT services, they can now decide exactly what they want to watch, when they will watch it, and what devices they will use. This higher level of consumer choice leads to improved content engagement, and engaged customers stick around longer.

Business Benefits

Simplified Delivery

With OTT media services, content arrives through an open network, without the need for any infrastructure investments or carriage negotiations. In addition, as discussed, users only need a compatible, internet connected device to view content. This all makes OTT services significantly easier to deploy, maintain, and upgrade than traditional media.

Flexible Monetization

As the provider of an OTT service, you have several options for monetization. Depending on your goals and content, subscription-based (SVOD), transaction-based (TVOD), or an ad-based model may be best for maximum user uptake.

Final Thoughts

There’s no denying that OTT media services have exploded over the last few years. Billions of dollars are being invested as you read this, with no signs of slowing any time soon. The fact is, OTT has incredible potential. Video streaming services are on the rise all over the world, with North America representing the most mature market. But Europe and Asia-Pacific are also seeing amazing growth as brands like Netflix, Disney, and HBO spread internationally.

While Over-The-Top services have been around for several years already, they obviously still have plenty of room to grow. The increasing diversity and competition among brands shows that the market is healthy, and will continue to increase in size. Many opportunities are still unexplored, and clever businesses still have time to make their mark.

Clearly, OTT represents a major part of the future of media. With the right developers in your corner you too can tap into this expanding market.

Keep Reading:

• Why is OTT Authentication Important for Security and Conversion?
• How to Leverage Big Data Streaming Analytics for OTT Content Personalization
• How 5G Apps are Changing Mobile Application Development

Low cost, easy to use and install, and incredibly effective, beacon technology has become a popular way to engage with customers – especially in retail and marketing.

Picture this: you step into a store to look at their shoe display, and suddenly you get a notification on your smartphone. You check it and discover a 20% off coupon for those brand-name sneakers you’ve had your eye on, just for you! That’s just one example of the power of beacon technology.

Beacons aren’t new. In fact, they’ve been around since 2013, when Apple released their iBeacon. While usage has grown slowly, demand has reached record levels. Indeed, according to reporting from Allied Market Research, the global beacon market generated $3 billion in 2020, and is expected to top out at $103.94 billion by 2030.

But what is beacon technology? How does it work? And what benefits are driving this rise in demand? Let’s discuss.

What is Bluetooth Beacon Technology?

Put simply, a Bluetooth beacon is a tiny, wireless, battery-powered radio transmitter. This minuscule radio transmitter can be “discovered” by mobile devices within a certain distance. The beacon, however, cannot “see” the devices in return.

One of the advantages of beacon technology is that it doesn’t require an internet connection, yet broadcasts within a short radius. Receiving devices, like smartphones, can then act as something of a middle-man that uses the information transmitted by the beacon to perform some task.

The distance beacons can transmit is usually between ten and thirty meters of indoor space, and creates a connection between the physical and digital worlds. This is achieved by forming a communication bridge between the device, a user’s smartphone, and the user themselves.

The goal of beacon technology is to allow businesses to automate some processes, and, more importantly, improve user experience and interactions. This is thanks to the fact that beacons are a part of the Internet of Things (IoT). IoT is the connection between enabled devices and machines to gather and transmit data without the need for a human-to-human, or even human-to-computer interaction.

How Does Beacon Technology Work?

Beacons transmit data packets which are then picked up by compatible devices, like smartphones. These data packets can be either self-contained, or act as triggers for events on the receiving device. These events might include push notifications, app actions, prompts, etc.

Many beacons utilize Low-Energy Bluetooth, or BLE, as their transmission protocol. BLE uses the same radio spectrum as Bluetooth Classic (2.400 – 2.4835 GHz ISM band), but uses different channels. In fact, BLE utilizes three primary advertising channels, which help make it faster for devices to connect, and reduces the time a listening device scans for the signal.

In theory, a Bluetooth beacon works at a maximum distance of less than 100 meters. What’s more, the latency can be up to 6 milliseconds from a non-connected state. The actual range and response time in real life depends on a variety of factors, including the beacon itself, and what process it has been programmed to achieve. Most beacons can reliably transit to about thirty meters, provided no physical obstacles lie in the path of the signal. In real-world usage, you can expect a reliable range of between two and five meters. Of course, the higher the range, the faster the battery dies.

Some beacons work with Wi-Fi, which may offer a wider range depending on where the emitter is located.

The Benefits of Beacons

Beacon technology offers an impressive range of applications, especially when it comes to retail. Let’s take a look at some of the most prominent.

Track In-Store Movement

One of beacon technology’s most incredible applications is its ability to create a united online and in-store experience. Beacons can be used to track customers’ in-store movements, which allows you to send them targeted information and discounts based on the products they are near – and presumably browsing.

This can help improve conversion rates, and it’s not hard to understand why; a customer is more likely to use a discount for an item if they are in that item’s section of the store.

A prime example of this is Macy’s. The department store has been using beacon technology since 2016. When a customer visits the store and opens the Macy’s app on their smartphone, the app connects to the nearest beacon and recognizes where the smartphone is in the store. If the customer is in the shoe department, for example, the app will remind them of the shoe brands they have already liked online. This targeted information, provided at just the right time, can help convince the customer to make a purchase.

In-Store Navigation

Speaking of department stores, many are so large they can be overwhelming. How often have you spent time wandering aimlessly around a store looking for what you came in for, only to get frustrated and leave without it? Beacon technology is an ideal solution for this common problem! With the combination of a mobile app and strategically placed beacons, you can provide customers with a real-time indoor map of the store.

A real-world example of this comes from Target. Back in 2017 the big box retailer began using beacon technology to provide a “GPS for your shopping cart” function. In practice, this means in-store customers can use the Target app to create a shopping list. From there, the app lets them see where their items are located, and where they are in relation to them. As they move about the store, their position in the app changes in real-time, helping them hone in on what they want.

While the most obvious application of this is for retail, it can also be applied to any large venue. Imagine how much easier it could be to find your way around hospitals, stadiums, or airports.

Proximity (or Out-of-Store) Marketing

Another benefit of beacon technology that is widely used is proximity marketing. Beacons installed in shops, event venues, or even public places can allow businesses to track the location of their customers. With this real-time information in hand, it’s easier to notify users that they are near your shop, or provide a targeted deal to bring them in. Additionally, this offers the chance to do something more complicated, like send messages related to sales, discounts, loyalty programs, and competitions. Even brands that you carry in-store can themselves push product discounts to draw customers in.

By using beacon technology, you have the ability to personalize your out-of-store marketing, and improve your potential foot-traffic. Now, with smartphones in virtually every pocket, proximity marketing will undoubtedly continue to grow.

Asset Tracking

Asset tracking, sometimes called asset management or asset visibility, is a core component of any Real-Time Location System (RTLS). It allows you to know the exact location and condition of your assets. This, in turn, lets you locate them quickly on site, keep track of their flow and usage, and make better, data-driven decisions regarding replenishment, purchases, or efficiency.

Of course, when it comes to asset tracking a long battery life and strong signal stability are critical. The signal performance in particular will have a big impact on the accuracy of your tracking efforts. Furthermore, you’ll need to prioritize the lifespan of your hardware. This will save you the time and effort of replacing them more often than is necessary.

Additional Beacon Technology Benefits and Uses

• Contact tracing.
• Occupancy monitoring.
• Loyalty programs.
• Mobile ticketing.
• Advanced data gathering.

Final Thoughts on Beacon Technology

It’s difficult to predict just how popular beacon technology will become. The technology itself isn’t exactly new, and has experienced some setbacks. That said, the recent rise in its popularity is undeniable.

However, one indisputable advantage beacons offer is their relatively inexpensive price tag, especially when compared to other technologies. That means any business of any size can adopt – and adapt – the technology with very little risk.

In the end, beacon technology can help you gain a better understanding of your audience, while also supporting and complementing your existing marketing. In other words, beacons help you find new, exciting, and targeted ways to communicate with your mobile app users.

Keep Reading:

• Mobile Commerce: Definition, Advantages & Disadvantages
• Why You Should Add Voice Search to Your App
• 9 Amazing Trends in Wearable Apps

Now, smartwatches, belts, clothing, eyewear, and even implantables are beginning to saturate the market. Indeed, the wearable technology market is predicted to reach $380.5 billion by 2028.

With so much potential in the wearable technology market, the challenge for developers of wearable apps is to stay ahead of the trends, and deliver the best experience possible. With that in mind, let’s take a look at nine of the key trends that are driving wearable app innovation today.

IoT Integration Goes Mainstream

The Internet of Things, or IoT, is fundamental to interconnected devices like wearables. The IoT is what connects devices and allows for the free flowing exchange of data we use for smart living. But IoT does much more than connect wearable devices. From oil companies to retail and transportation, IoT is slowly permeating industries of all kinds.

This mainstreaming of the integration of IoT devices offers an incredible range of opportunities for wearable apps – especially when it comes to healthcare. Some recently released healthcare IoT devices include:

• Wearable glucose trackers.
• Remote asthma monitors.
• Bluetooth equipped tracking apps for cancer patients.
• Wearable defibrillators.

Fitness tracking and home automation are also areas seeing an explosion of IoT devices. Tech giants like Apple, Google, and Amazon have weighed in with smartwatches and -speakers.

In order to capitalize on these opportunities, developers of wearable apps need to integrate IoT into their products.

Sensor Technology Improvements

Wearable apps rely on sensor technology for a variety of tasks. From allowing certain functionalities, to aiding in data collection and personalization, sensor technology is a critical aspect of wearable devices. Once again, the healthcare industry is a great place to look for examples of this. Today, sensor technology is used in heartbeat monitors, blood pressure measurements, and even calorie counting. Similarly, fitness wearables use sensors to track users’ pulse and how many steps they take in a day.

As this technology continues to improve, developers will be able to use them, and the data they gather, to improve user engagement and enhance their app’s user interface and experience.

GPS Gets a Boost

GPS and other location-based services have become a critical element of wearable apps and devices. Devices like smartwatches and fitness trackers already collect and utilize location data. Additionally, as GPS improves, more and more industries have incorporated the technology. One example is courier and logistical services. Now when you order dinner through a delivery app you can track its path to you in real time.

Another exciting example of where GPS and wearable apps are heading is retail. As GPS technology improves and is integrated into more wearable devices, expect retailers to attract customers by implementing location-based marketing techniques.

Introduction of Beacon Tech

While we’re on the topic of location-based technology, beacon technology has helped improve the user experience of many wearable apps. Basically, beacons are low-cost, low-energy Bluetooth transmitters. These tiny gadgets broadcast signals to nearby devices. Beacons offer the advantage of effective and easy connectivity with electronic devices close in proximity. Through this connection they can share information and aid in location-based searching.

While this technology is already widely used in smartwatches, the number of devices utilizing it is expanding. That’s because beacons provide more robust and precise location data when compared to GPS. As a result, mobile app development companies would be wise to emphasize the use of beacon technology in their wearable apps.

Artificial Intelligence

Artificial Intelligence, or AI, has made a name for itself across app development and corporate industries in recent years. By aiding in automation, interactivity, and personalization, AI has changed the way users interact with their devices, conduct business, and even go about their lives.

Now, AI has the potential to offer this kind of fast-paced, automated, and personalized solutions to wearable apps. Through the elimination of errors and bugs, and by providing time-efficient and effective services, AI will continue to improve the quality of wearable apps.

Customized Functions

When compared to smartphone apps, wearable apps need far fewer resources. It’s not difficult to understand why; smartphones have powerful hardware and lots of memory. This means smartphone apps can have a lot of bells and whistles – in other words, extra functionality. However, since a wearable app must rely on far less memory and processing power, it must be restricted to its core purpose.

For this reason, customized app functions will give users more freedom, while allowing developers to stay laser focused.

Incorporating Contactless Payment

Another opportunity wearable app developers have is the incorporation of contactless payment. With the growing use of Google Wallet and Apple Pay, wearable apps can provide a new way to make online payments.

The incorporation of contactless payment methods into wearable apps could have a major impact on a variety of industries, especially mobile- and eCommerce, and banking. Indeed, the global contactless payment market is expected to reach nearly $18 billion by 2025.

Powerful Data Collection

It’s no secret that wearable technology has made it easy to collect the most relevant data regarding users’ shopping experience and overall customer behavior. Now, wearable apps have the power to target specific audiences and gather pertinent data quickly. Application development companies can then use this data to provide a more customized or personalized experience.

As wearables like fitness trackers, smart eyewear, and other body-mounted gear become more and more prominent, they will generate mountains of useful data. With more to analyze and learn from, data collection and usage will become more robust and more refined. This in turn will create new opportunities for both developers and businesses.

Data Security

With all this data, security concerns are sure to follow. In fact, users are far less likely to trust a company twice if the handling of their data even looks suspicious the first time. So, as the threat of cyber attacks and data breaches grows, wearable app developers need to implement – and continuously improve – data security measures. This reassures users while providing an extra layer of protection for your business interests.

The Future of Wearable Apps

These are just some of the most popular trends we expect to see in the world of wearable application development. The potential of wearable apps and devices is undeniable. As the technology matures and grows into new industries more trends and opportunities are sure to arise. But knowledgeable and experienced wearable app developers are ready to handle the challenges with creative and unique solutions.

What is Mobile Commerce?

Mobile commerce, often called m-commerce, refers to any financial transaction that is completed through a mobile device like a smartphone or tablet. In essence, this is the next logical step in ecommerce. This is because it allows users to buy and sell goods and/or services from virtually anywhere, as long as they have a mobile device and an internet connection.

That said, m-commerce is more than simply an evolution of ecommerce. In fact, it’s also helped many industries grow, while also spawning new businesses and services, including things like:

• Mobile money transfers;
• Mobile banking;
• In-app purchases and contactless payment;
• Electronic tickets and boarding passes;
• Purchase and delivery of digital content;
• Location-based services;
• Mobile coupons, loyalty cards, and marketing.

Mobile Commerce vs eCommerce

While ecommerce and m-commerce are very similar, there are a few key differences. Let’s peel back these layers a bit to get a better understanding.

By definition, ecommerce refers to basically all commercial transactions that take place via the internet. M-commerce, on the other hand, refers specifically to those digital transactions that take place on smartphones. So, if you’re browsing a shoe website on a desktop computer and make a purchase, that’s ecommerce. If you browse and purchase from that same website on a smartphone, that’s m-commerce.

In a nutshell, m-commerce basically allows consumers to access online shopping platforms, browse, and buy, all as seamlessly and conveniently as possible through a mobile device.

Types of m-Commerce

Mobile commerce covers a lot of different kinds of transactions, however they can all be sorted into three categories.

Mobile Shopping

The mobile shopping category is where m-commerce and ecommerce are the most similar. Mobile shopping is now available through mobile optimized websites, apps dedicated to shopping, and even social media platforms like Instagram.

Mobile Banking

Again, mobile and online banking are very similar. However, when it comes to banking through a mobile device, some transaction types can be limited – or even restricted. Furthermore, most mobile banking is done through a dedicated app.

Mobile Payments

M-Commerce mobile payments refer to all payments made through a mobile device. This includes even things like using an app to send your half of the restaurant bill, or Google or Apple Pay to make purchases while shopping.

Advantages of m-Commerce

Once, not long ago, developing a mobile app and switching to a mobile-friendly platform was prohibitively expensive unless you were a big company. However, as the cost of mobile app development has decreased, companies of all sizes have been able to reap the rewards.

Let’s take a look at some of the most important benefits any sized business can enjoy if they switch to an m-commerce system

Improved User Experience

Ecommerce represented a giant step forward in how we shop. Allowing consumers to browse and buy from their computer, instead of stepping into a physical store, gave them access to a much wider range of products. It also gave consumers the ability to compare prices at a glance.

Now, mobile commerce has given us even more freedom; consumers can do everything they could on a computer with the smartphone they carry everywhere. What’s more, thanks to the nature of m-commerce, it offers specific user experience capabilities ecommerce simply can’t:

• Mobility: The portability of laptops cannot be disputed. However, people don’t carry laptops around with them everywhere they go. And even if they did, most need WiFi or an ethernet cable to connect to the internet. On the other hand, no one leaves the house without their smartphone, and as long as there is a signal, there is internet access.

• Reachability: Apps that take advantage of m-commerce can send users push notifications. This means retailers can reach a wider range of consumers who have already proven they are interested in the products. Additionally, they can reach these customers any time, with targeted offers.

• Location Tracking: With the aid of WiFi and GPS technology, online retailers and m-commerce apps can locate users and send them personalized and location-specific content and offers.

Incredible Growth Capacity

Mobile commerce has already been around long enough to have amassed a large user base, but there is no sign of slowing growth.

In 2021, retail m-commerce sales reached $359.32 billion. This was a leap of 15.2% over 2020. By 2025, retail m-commerce is expected to more than double 2021’s numbers, hitting $728.28 billion, and making up nearly 45% of all retail ecommerce sales in the US alone.

Omnichannel

The goal for most retailers is to achieve a truly omnichannel experience. This means they can sell their products to consumers both in a brick and mortar store, and online through a variety of platforms; an ecommerce website, a mobile commerce app, Amazon, Instagram, etc. This helps create a seamless, more enjoyable user experience, and provides a united message across all platforms.

Additionally, a true omnichannel experience is all about speaking to your customers in their language, wherever they are – and making it as easy as possible for them to buy from you. That makes mobile devices perfect for omnichannel commerce.

Customer Data

One area where mobile commerce is especially valuable to businesses is data. M-commerce has the ability to gather massive amounts of consumer data, allowing you to gain better insights regarding your customers’ journey.

With in-store retail, your customer arrives, browses, makes a purchase, and leaves. Practically no information can be gathered from this interaction for analysis.

On the other hand, with mobile commerce, your business connects with your customers from the moment they visit your digital store – be it an app or website. Data regarding the products they consider, what they buy, and when they buy can be gathered. All this gives you a better picture of who your consumers are, and what they are interested in.

Disadvantages of m-Commerce

As with any emerging technology, there are still some downsides to mobile commerce. However, with a little research and effort, even then disadvantages can be overcome.

Extremely Competitive Environment

As mobile commerce has caught on, a great many businesses have begun investing in it. That means, if you start implementing m-commerce today, you’ll have thousands of competitors on day one. To gain a competitive edge, you’ll need a clearly defined market or niche market.

Continuous Optimization

One of the most obvious differences between desktop and mobile is the size of the display. With desktop computers, you get a nice, big screen, and content can spread out. However, on a mobile device, the view must be compressed to fit everything. That said, when done with skill, a mobile display can be easy to navigate and offer a positive user experience. However, if done poorly, the process becomes frustrating, which causes users to leave – and not come back. Furthermore, it’s not enough to simply make your desktop website accessible on mobile devices; mobile users have come to expect a separate, unique experience.

Creating that separate experience can be challenging, as tablets and smartphones are used differently. Smartphone users tend to use apps rather than searching for a website in a browser. Generally, tablet users do the opposite, spending more time in browsers. Additionally, mobile commerce through smartphones is expected to reach $553.28 billion by 2024 and tablet m-commerce is expected to make $64.06 billion in 2022.

In order to get in on this massive market, you’ll need to continuously optimize your m-commerce platforms for multiple devices, display sizes, and user behaviors to ensure the best possible user experience.

Price Comparisons

One of the side-effects of the growth of the mobile experience is that users can now compare prices across multiple stores in an instant. With just a few taps of a finger, customers can find out how much similar products or services cost at your store, and five others. Often, users will search for the least expensive product for the highest value.

The best way to contend with this issue is to know where you match up against your competitors. Watch out for when the competition adjusts their prices, in either direction, and be ready to react.

Customer Security

In today’s increasingly digital world, privacy and security is a growing concern. Everyone wants and expects their data to be safe, and remain in the proper hands, but the fear it won’t be is pervasive. Therefore many customers don’t completely trust that their data is safe when shopping online.

You can overcome this fear by letting your customers know what security measures you have put in place. Add the logos of the security system you utilize to reassure them that their data will remain safe. Be as transparent as possible with how you are complying with all regulations governing how you collect and share your users’ information.

Conclusion

There’s no denying that mobile commerce is on the rise. Every day, more consumers learn that m-commerce is the most convenient and efficient way to shop online. That means that brands that keep up with emerging mobile commerce trends will be positioned to offer the best user experience possible. Carrying through on a well thought out and properly structured mobile commerce strategy, which may include an m-commerce app or website, can drastically improve your conversions and ROI.

Keep Reading:

• 5 Ways to Conduct Better User Experience Research
• An Introductory Guide to Customer Journey Mapping
• 3 MVP App Examples That Are Now Massive Successes

To stay ahead of your competitors, and keep up with your users’ expectations, now is the time to add ML and AI to your mobile apps. Here’s what you’ll need to know for a successful implementation.

The Difference Between AI & ML

Artificial Intelligence

Artificial Intelligence, or AI, is a general term for any technology that uses logic, “if-then” rules, decision trees, and machine learning to give the appearance of human intelligence.

Machine Learning

Machine Learning, or ML, is a single aspect of AI. ML is a set of methods that allow for automatic identification of patterns in data. Those patterns are then used to predict future data or to help perform further decision-making.

Data, in the form of images, text, or voice, allows ML to answer questions. The data is provided to the ML system first, and then answers, called “labels,” are provided from the system. The algorithm then “learns” from each data set to make predictions, also called inferences.

Benefits of ML & AI Mobile Apps

There are many reasons to implement ML and AI technologies into your mobile apps. Here are some of the most common.

Reasoning

AI and ML are powerful tools that add the ability to reason to your mobile app. Consider apps that provide driving directions, like Google Maps. If you’ve used apps like this to travel to the same location more than once, you’ve likely noticed that it provides different routes based on traffic conditions. This is the essence of how AI works: it uses basic reasoning skills powered by real-time data to provide the best solutions.

Improved Personalization

The strength of AI is its ability to evaluate data from a wide range of sources. This includes, for example, data sources like social media, search terms, and credit ratings. This data can then be used to provide tailor-made recommendations to each user’s device.

ML provides answers to questions the AI needs to offer those recommendations, like:

• Who is the user?
• What are their preferences?
• How much money do they have?
• What vernacular do they use to describe products?

Advanced Search

All user data, including typical, routine actions, can be accessed through search algorithms. This, combined with behavioral data, can be used to enhance the search function within your app. This provides better and more contextual results, while making searching easier and less time-consuming for users. Furthermore AI and ML can aid in the implementation of gesture search or voice search to improve your app’s performance even more.

Data Mining

One of the key advantages of ML is that, in general, the algorithms it provides get better over time. This ability to learn and improve allows for the effortless gathering of data, and the identification of connections within those data sets.

Improved Security

ML powered AI mobile apps provide more efficient and secure app verification. Furthermore, this enhanced security acts as a powerful marketing tool. Users have the opportunity to use biometric data as a verification step. Recently, facial recognition has seen a jump in popularity. And for good reason: it improves security while also speeding up the login process. Additionally, it helps protect data from other, unknown sources.

Fraud Prevention

Fraud is a concern shared by all industries, but it is of particular interest to banking and finance professionals. Machine learning is especially useful here, where it can reduce loan defaults, fraud checks, credit card fraud, and more. Moreover, it provides the ability to analyze an individual’s risk, as well as their ability to repay a loan.

Additional Benefits

In addition to all these benefits, adding AI and ML to your mobile app also provides:

• Faster completion of repetitive tasks;
• Enhanced accuracy and completeness;
• Improved client experiences;
• More intelligent interactions with users;
• Better retention of users.

How to Integrate ML & AI into Your Mobile App

Integrating AI and ML into an existing app is a major change. As such, it requires a massive shift in the way the application functions. Here’s how to update your app.

Identify the Kinds of Problems ML/AI Mobile Apps Can Solve

Before you invest in ML/AI mobile apps, you must first understand what these systems can do. Both ML and AI are potent tools and are capable of supercharging your existing solutions, but only if you understand them first.

To better grasp the efficacy of AI mobile apps:

• Consult with AI experts, online resources, and other information;
• Improve your knowledge by exploring existing tools and technology.
• Explore case studies from your industry to see how others have successfully implemented AI and ML into their products.

Know Where AI & ML May Improve Your App

Once you have a better understanding of what ML and AI mobile apps can do, it’s time to identify the key problems in your app that need to be solved. Different industries – indeed, different businesses within the same industry – face different and unique problems. That said, some of the most common problems that arise are data-based insights, customer service, recommendation systems, and security systems.

Once you feel you’ve identified areas where ML and AI can improve your app, consider running a market analysis and see if similar applications have worked – or not.

Map Out Your Plan & Budget

Your next step is to roll out your plan for ML/AI implementation. A key aspect of this implementation is deciding how much you want to pay for it. Your budget will impact how much can be done. If you have no financial constraints, you may be free to completely revamp your app all at once. However, regardless of your budget, it’s best to formulate a staged plan for your ML/AI integration. That’s because once you have your problem areas identified, and your budget worked out, you will be able to prioritize your changes.

Data Integration & Security

At this point you should have a better understanding of how AI mobile apps work, have identified where they can improve your app, and have a plan and a budget for implementation. But it’s not time to start just yet. Instead, you now must consider your data.

For machine learning to operate at its best, it requires well organized data. Old data, which may be organized differently, can have a negative impact on the efficiency of your ML/AI mobile app. For this reason, once you have your plan in place, you’ll need to focus on your database. Ensuring your data is well-organized will help keep your app performing at its peak in the long-term.

This step is also the perfect time to consider security for your ML/AI mobile apps. In order to maintain the integrity of your user’s data, you’ll need to integrate security measures.

Implementation

Finally, now that all your budgeting, planning, and pre-processing is complete, it’s time to begin your implementation and deployment. Your team will need to take extra care during this step to test all your changes before they go live to your users.

Additionally, it’s recommended that you consider adding a strong analytics system during your deployment. This can help you analyze the impact adding ML and AI to your app has, and provide insights for future updates.

Supporting Aids

Lastly, it’s wise to choose robust supporting technologies and digital solutions to back your app. This means data storage aids, security tools, backup software, optimization solutions, and more. Ensure that each is future-proof to keep your app working consistently. Without proper supporting aids, it’s possible for your app’s performance to decline significantly over time.

Conclusion

There’s no doubt that artificial intelligence and machine learning are the future of mobile app development. This is because AI mobile apps offer a more personalized user experience, more advanced services, and more revenue for your company. Furthermore, implementing ML and AI solutions now, while the technology is still young, will put you on the cutting edge and ahead of your competitors.

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What is Enterprise App Development?

Voice search may still be in its earliest days, but the technology is improving at an incredible pace. As a result, it won’t be long before voice search technology revolutionizes not only the way we search the internet, but how we interact with our devices. You can stay ahead of the curve by integrating voice search technology now.

Here’s why it’s a good idea.

The Importance of Search

A search function is a valuable part of applications across industries. As such, developers spend a lot of time and effort making them work properly. The goal, of course, is to not only get users to search, but more importantly, find what they are looking for. Even if you have something unique to offer, it won’t do your business any good if users can’t find it.

The Difference Between Traditional Search & Voice Search

Search bars are so easy to recognize you no longer need to label them. Simply add a small magnifying glass icon and your users will understand. With that in mind, it’s important to remember that voice search is not just a search bar paired with a speech-to-text system. Using an approach like that will only lead to a poor user experience.

In fact, users use voice search differently from traditional search; in general, voice searches are usually expressed in natural language, and are often longer than their typed counterparts. For example, imagine a user is looking to purchase a stereo system for their car through your app. Typing “Sony DXS-M5511BT Stereo” into a search bar is natural – but saying it out loud is far less natural. Instead, this user might simply say “Sony car stereos.”

This difference has clear implications for voice search and how it pertains to user experience.

Benefits of Adding Voice Search

When compared to traditional search and search filters, voice search has a few benefits.

Synonyms

One of the challenges of graphical user interfaces is that there needs to be some sort of button for every function. For example, if you want your users to be able to search by category, users must be able to see each category. Due to this, you’ll need to decide which categories are most important, and decide on specific names for each of them.

Consider this scenario: you sell licensed clothing. You’ll need to decide if your users will find band tee shirts under the category “shirts,” “tee shirts,” “graphic tees,” or “band tees.” Subcategories are always an option, but creating a category hierarchy only leads to clicking and searching – not the best user experience.

Voice search doesn’t suffer from this limitation. Instead, you can define an unlimited number of synonyms for your categories and products. By simply saying what it is they’re looking for, users can be immediately directed to the proper product.

Seamless User Experience

Creating an app is one thing, but making it popular with your users is something completely different. In order to ensure the popularity of your application, and add necessary value, you must offer something unique. One way to do this is through the implementation of voice search. The technology is still relatively simple, yet it has already been embraced by the public. This is thanks to many factors, including the technology’s flexibility, as well as its speed. Indeed, according to a study done by Stanford researchers, users can speak up to three times faster than they can type on a mobile device. That means voice search can provide results faster than most people can even type their inquiry into the search bar.

Consequently, with such technologies in place, users get better, faster services and a unified response to user queries.

Better (And More Enjoyable) User Interactions

One of the biggest advantages of adding voice search to your mobile app is enhanced personalization and a direct line of communication with users. Voice search provides an easy-to-use channel that represents the fastest and safest way to communicate. Perhaps more surprisingly, not only do users find voice search helpful, they enjoy using it!

Artificial Intelligence

Another advantage to adding voice search to your mobile app is how it supports compatibility with artificial intelligence (AI). This in turn, creates a variety of possible advanced options. Indeed, choosing to add voice search strategies offers users seamless – and highly advanced – interactivity. Consider devices and applications such as Alexa, Siri, and Cortana.

Why You Need to Add Voice Search to Your Mobile App Development

Even beyond these benefits, there are more practical reasons you should add voice search to your mobile app development process, now.

Voice Search Tech is Constantly Improving

Many so-called “smart” technologies advance slowly; thanks to the sophistication of these technologies, it takes time to make updates. However, this is not true for voice search. In fact, voice search technology advances every day. This is especially true when you pair voice search with AI, which gives it the power to learn and improve all on its own.

Voice Search is Now Common

Voice search is now everywhere. In fact, according to recent reporting from Siteefy:

• Almost 50% of people search for products with voice search.
• 24% of adults in the US have at least one smart speaker device in their homes. This is expected to increase to 55% in 2022.
• 29% of smart speaker users have three spart speaker gadgets.
• 20% of smart speaker users use it multiple times a day.
• Voice search use increased 3500% between 2008 and 2016.

These numbers will only increase as the technology improves and users become more familiar with it.

Voice Search Offers Inclusivity and Accessibility

Finally, voice search offers a way for users to interact with your app apart from their hands. This creates opportunities for disabled people, or others – like older adults – who may have difficulty with “traditional” app interfaces.

Additionally, if you add voice search, you have an opportunity to connect with users who may not be native speakers of your primary language. In fact, you can apply as many languages as you see fit to your voice search. Many bilingual people find information easier to understand when it is presented in their native language.

In Conclusion…

Most businesses want to grow strategically through the implementation of technology. This urge has driven countless companies to migrate to the digital world so they can reach out to their consumers in new and exciting ways. Choosing to add voice search is one such way, and trends suggest it will be a significant factor in how people find content online. Chances are it will never replace traditional search in the near future, but it does already offer many advantages today.

As the world becomes more and more digital, it’s critical for businesses to understand how to adapt to how their users are searching, in addition to what they are searching for. Voice search is one way to do that, and an experienced mobile app development team can help you implement it.

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Developing Apps For Foldable Devices

Hottest Trends in Mobile App Development for 2022

If you have any interest in developing an app for foldable devices that can provide an even better experience than smartphones, there are a number of important things to consider.

What Are Foldable Devices?

Generally speaking, when someone refers to a foldable device, they’re talking about a smartphone (however, foldable tablets may be available soon as well) with a display that can unfold into a double-size full screen. These devices offer significantly more space for consuming content, reading, gaming, and more. The fact that the device is foldable also makes it more convenient to transport.

These new mobile devices rely on the use of a flexible OLED display. Such displays are so malleable, users can interact with the phone by twisting, bending, and folding the display like paper. This, in turn, offers developers an opportunity to get creative with their designs.

Types of Apps For Foldable Devices

Foldable screens are more than simply a gimmick – they’re here to stay. This is thanks to the multiple benefits and use cases they provide. Current apps for foldable devices tend to fall into one of three categories:

Media Apps

Applications for internet browsing, news, social media, and entertainment have been seen as a priority for foldable device app developers. That’s because this technology is perfect for users who like to multitask. With a foldable device, users can have multiple windows open; they can watch a video while simultaneously posting to social media and messaging a friend.

Productivity Apps

In another win for multitaskers, productivity apps for foldable devices utilize the extra display space to present more and varied information. Team and task management apps can be adapted to allow for both multi-tab and full-screen viewing on foldable devices.

Software Development & Testing

When building or testing the development of a mobile app, it’s advantageous to be able to see the code, the output, and the development tools all at once. It’s for this reason that a lot of the focus of app development for foldable devices has been on development environments, frameworks, and testing software.

The Future of Apps For Foldable Devices

Of course, with the foldable device market set to hit $29 billion, with 27.6 million devices, by 2025, the breadth of apps for foldable devices is set to explode as well. And thanks to the advantages of the larger screen, apps can be more innovative with their UX and UI.

Of course, before you jump straight into developing apps for foldable devices, it’s of critical importance to understand the unique design and technological considerations.

Developing Apps For Foldable Devices

Design Considerations

Folded & Unfolded States

One of the unique features of foldable devices is that they have two states: an unfolded and a folded screen.

Consequently, the unfolded screen, often called “tablet mode,” is ideal for a more immersive experience of any given application’s functions. Furthermore, the additional screen space offers developers more room to add context, secondary functions, or incidents within the app.

That said, a device in its folded state must still function as any smartphone would. That means developers need to optimize apps for both one and two hands.

One- & Two-Handed Apps

The nature of a foldable device’s dual states means the design team has some decisions to make. For example, what aspects of the UI and UX do they intend to modify for the folded and unfolded states? Designing apps for foldable devices means you’ll need to optimize the screen for use by the thumb and fingers for both states of the device.

Seamless Screen Continuity

Thanks to the functionality of foldable devices, it is a certainty that users will constantly switch between the folded and unfolded states. Therefore, you’ll need a development team that can handle making the screen transitions between these states seamless. Any large modifications to the applications continuity when switching from one state to the next will interrupt the user experience. That means any changes need to be kept to a minimum and should be based on location, features, and screen size.

Multi-Window Performance

One of the most unique aspects to developing apps for foldable devices is the opportunity for multi-tasking. Apps for foldable devices have the freedom to run multiple tabs functions at the same time. Consider giving these windows the ability to interact with each other via drag-and-drop, receive updates (e.g. when a change is applied to one window, it is immediately shown in all windows), send alerts or notifications, etc.

Technical Considerations

Multi-Window Functionality

Of course, with multi-window performance a design priority, multi-window functionality must also be a technical priority. Previously, most smart devices allowed only one or two apps to run at once, and paused the functionality of any others. In order to allow users the flexibility of accessing more apps simultaneously, you’ll need to opt-in the multi-resume feature. This allows multiple apps to function at once, without pausing any, and delivers an uninterrupted experience.

Application Continuity

As you might expect, application continuity refers to an app’s ability to seamlessly transition from the folded state to the unfolded state of the device. The key technical consideration here is to make sure the app resizes appropriately when switching between states. Developers must ensure the app resizes using dynamic resizing.

Some developers believe this step can be skipped, as many systems can resize apps automatically. This, however, is flawed thinking. In reality, there is no guarantee your app will switch to the proper size, aspect ratio, or configuration if you leave it to resize automatically.

Testing Screen Ratios

Starting with Android 10, and all subsequent Android operating system releases, a wide range of aspect ratios are now supported. When considering apps for foldable devices, it’s important to remember that they differ greatly from the long and thin displays standard to non-foldable devices. For this reason it is important to test your app’s screen ratios with as many screen dimensions as possible.

Application Testing

Finally, the most critical step is to test your app’s functionality. It is vital that you inspect your mobile app before launch to guarantee it looks and functions as it should on a foldable device.

Consider testing your app’s:

• Configuration changes from folded and unfolded states;
• Multi-window view and multi-resume view;
• Resizing and screen ratios.

Closing Thoughts

While foldable devices are still relatively new, it’s already clear they are bringing plenty of changes with them. There’s no denying this technology holds incredible potential, and if applied properly, may have a revolutionary impact on a variety of industries. Now is the perfect time for companies and development teams to get ahead of the innovation curve.

In the end, the development of apps for foldable devices is based on already-existing mobile app development best practices. That means that development teams with experience building responsive apps will have no trouble adapting their skills for foldable devices.

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IoT Examples for 2022

Wearables

Wearable technology is a general term that refers to an extremely wide range of electronic devices. This broad category includes smartwatches, rings, glasses, shoes and clothing equipped with sensors, a plethora of accessories, and even technology tattooed on the skin or implanted into the body.

Not only are these devices likely the most recognizable examples of IoT devices, their demand has recently exploded. Now, many big names companies – including Samsung, Google, and Apple – have invested heavily in developing wearables. Devices like these use a combination of software and sensors to collect information about the user.

While wearables are used for many purposes, the most common are health, fitness, and entertainment.

Vehicles

Other commonly recognized IoT examples include connected cars and driverless vehicles. Connected cars use fast transmissions to improve driver response time through better and more robust vehicle communication. These vehicles use a unified connectivity platform called Cellular Vehicle-to-Everything (CV2X). This network is divided into four categories; Vehicle-to-Network (V2N), Vehicle-to-Infrastructure (V2I), Vehicle-to-Vehicle (V2V), and Vehicle-to-Pedestrians (V2P). Connected cars use this network, onboard sensors, and internet connectivity to optimize their operation and maintenance, as well as passenger comfort.

Additionally, autonomous, driverless vehicles also utilize the IoT. These vehicles use the power of IoT connectivity to update their driving algorithm based on driver data. In order to take on all the driving functions, autonomous vehicles need a constant flow of data collection and processing. This data includes variables like traffic conditions, the path taken, how to effectively navigate around an obstacle, and so on. All this data is shared wirelessly to the IoT system.

Smart Appliances

Another of the most common and well-known IoT examples is the smart home appliance. This is a broad area that includes a wide range of appliances, including smart refrigerators and thermostats. Smart appliances help save users time by granting control over the internet. Devices such as these aim to help you schedule, monitor, and improve your daily life. In fact, with smart appliances integrated into the home, you can now play an active role in every aspect of your home – whether you’re sitting in your living room, or half a world away.

Connected Healthcare

The next of our IoT examples is the Connected Healthcare System. The idea here is to connect healthcare systems and smart medical devices to aid in ones well-being. Combined with these smart medical devices, the Internet of Medical Things (IoMT) can provide powerful, high-quality medical services. This system supports and monitors critical data – data that can help make more informed clinical decisions.

The power of IoMT devices is that they monitor patients remotely. Smart devices, including wearables, can report events, like asthma or anxiety attacks, and emergencies, like heart failure. One example of a health wearable is a Continuous Glucose Monitoring system. Systems like these utilize a tiny glucose sensor, safely placed under the skin, to record data. This information is then relayed to the monitoring device – usually a smartphone – via radio transmission.

Barcode Readers

Modern, IoT empowered smart barcode readers have become a powerful tool for inventory management. These readers support an AI-based digital signal processing, and feature cloud data connections. Such devices make managing any inventory easier, and enhance the operations of logistics, warehousing, retail, and more.

What’s more, IoT barcode readers can also be used by customers as a part of their shopping experience. A shopping cart integrated with an IoT barcode reader utilized its AI-based sensors to detect products in the cart. This saves time at the checkout, creates a better customer experience, and tracks inventory accurately.

Supply Chain Management

Due to recent global events, the supply chain has become a major topic of concern and discussion. However, IoT devices have already begun revolutionizing supply chain management by making it much easier to know exactly where and how goods are stored, and when to expected their arrive at a specific destination. Smart supply chain management is constantly improving its predictions through smart routing and continuously updating algorithms.

IoT devices attached to packages offer immediate “after-incident” facts utilizing RFID and GPS. This allows for monitoring of a packages’ speed of movement and offers improved predictions regarding how goods will travel through the supply chain. IoT devices can also track other important parameters, such as humidity, temperature, exposure to atmosphere, light intensity, and more. What’s more, these devices can trigger other administrative tasks, such as supplier payments or further shipping. All this information allows for more informed supply chain decisions.

Industrial IoT

The Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) involves all the computers, individuals, and devices that allow for intelligent industrial operations by utilizing advanced data collection and analysis. This often results in business outcomes so meaningful, they’re transformative. The IIot has broad reach beyond the consumer and enterprise IoT market. In fact, the automotive industry, agricultural industry, and oil and gas industries each utilize IIoT applications in their own ways.

The IIot takes all of the advantages of the IoT and elevates them. This is most easily seen in industries where the stakes are high, and human error can be disastrous. In fact, in situations involving significant industrial hazards, IIoT can reduce human employees’ exposure to unsafe environments.

Agriculture

Our next IoT examples is related to smart agriculture. With a growing population, farmers today face many problems, but smart IoT devices are now available to help ease their burdens. Smart agriculture utilizes IoT devices to enhance many farm related activities. For example, devices monitor soil moisture levels, as well as soil nutrients, determine when the best time to harvest is, and can create fertilizer recommendations based on real-time soil conditions.

A few other real-world examples of IIoT for agriculture include:

• Silo Stock – Sensors placed in silos can detect weight, temperature, and humidity, as well as warn of leaks.
• Greenhouse Automation – Greenhouse sensors provide real-time information on greenhouse conditions and can alter them based on optimal setting.s
• Environmental & Weather Data – Smart IoT devices detect and report on real-time conditions.

Smart Cities

Some cities have begun actively consolidating IoT deployment across as many aspects of city management as they can. This holistic view is turning them into smart cities. This integration often includes a connected traffic management system, as well as city-run smart buildings that utilize a vast array of IoT devices and appliances. What’s more, smart cities may also incorporate private smart buildings, and may tie into smart grids to monitor an even larger IoT environment. This, in turn, provides an incredibly robust, real-time views of each significant element impacting any given jurisdiction.

Although the concept of the smart city is much more ambitious than smaller IoT deployments, the objective remains the same: to collect and analyze real-time data and provide insights for better decision making and more efficient, effective, and safer communities.

Smart Grids

As with most of our IoT examples, the concept of the electrical grid is something most people are familiar with: the means by which power is supplied to communities. A smart grid differs from this concept in one important way – the flow of data is two-way thanks to digital communications technology.

A smart grid relies on a connection with all the utility’s assets, such as substations and meters. This interconnectedness allows for constant monitoring of the demand and supply of electricity across the grid. That means the smart grid can detect, act, and react to a range of changes across multiple issues. Not only does this allow for more efficient use of energy, it also provides better access to energy across the entire grid. 

Closing Thoughts

IoT is already transforming many industries, and the pace of change is only accelerating. Advancements in technology will push consumer desire to incorporate more IoT devices into their everyday lives. What’s more, the advantages for enterprises can be found across every vertical and in a wide range of organizations.

In fact, regardless of industry, IoT deployment typically includes ROI such as:

• Lower operational costs;
• Improved productivity;
• Enhanced output;
• Improved safety;
• Increased security;
• Better quality control;
• Strengthened understanding of real-world activities.

Capitalizing on the opportunities the IoT offers requires necessary skill and expertise to set you apart from the crowd.

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VR Defined

Before we dive into how VR application development works, it’s important that we define our terms. VR technology works as a sort of science fiction teleporter, which brings users from their own environment into a fully immersive simulated one. While it does not physically transfer people to another space, it does give the user that feeling.

This differs from augmented reality (AR), where additional information is laid over the real world. One wildly popular example of AR is all the filters available for video conferencing apps. It is also different from mixed reality (MR), where both digital and real-world objects exist in the user’s perception at the same time. One such example of MR is from education; the Microsoft Hololens has been used by Western Reserve University in Ohio to teach anatomy to medical students. With VR, the entire environment is virtually simulated. The most obvious example of VR are the plethora of games available for platforms like the Meta Quest 2. These games create a 100% virtual environment for gamers to explore. 

How Does it Work?

A variety of devices can provide a realistic VR experience, but the most direct approach is with a VR headset. These devices, while all somewhat unique, each react to the movements of the user’s head and eyes. In other words, when you turn your head to the left, the display moves accordingly.

To enhance this further, a stereoscopic display creates a 3D simulation. Compared with more familiar 2D technology, 3D stereoscopic displays have an increased number of pixels. This helps to give even more depth and definition to the image and environment. Basically, the technology in each VR headset helps trick your mind into perceiving the virtual world in the same way it perceives the real world, thus creating a fully immersive experience. Some headsets take this a step further and incorporate additional sensory information like sounds or touch.

Of course, interactivity is what really makes VR truly immersive. Users should have the ability to control their navigation through the simulated space. The idea is to give them the feeling that they are in control and can move about and interact with things, as if they were actually there.

The VR Application Development Process

Mobile application development companies are already at the forefront of improving and disseminating the use of VR technology. This is largely done through the integration of VR application development. VR has proven to be one of the hottest app development trends and has already been embraced by many large companies. Big businesses like Sony, Meta, and Samsung have already created VR enabled devices and apps, for example, Meta’s VR social platform Horizon Worlds.

No matter the industry, VR application development follows a similar path.

Step 1: Define App Concept & Goals

Before diving into the “how,” it’s first important to address the “what.” The most important step in creating a VR app is to define clear goals for what you want your app to achieve. It is only once you know what you want to build that you can start to answer the question of how you’re going to build it. Without clear goals and parameters, you’ll never have a clear vision. Without a clear vision, you can’t create a cohesive and precise VR experience.

When defining your app’s goals, it’s critical to look at your app from the point of view of the user. What will they expect? What do you want them to experience? At this stage, features that create an immersive and compelling experience must be considered.

Step 2: Platforms

Once you have a clearly defined concept and goals for your app, it’s time to begin the actual development process. The first part of this process is to choose an appropriate platform and a software development kit (SDK). Choosing a platform is an essential part of the development process and can have direct influence over app adoption rates. This, in turn, has a big effect on revenue.

Consider these questions when deciding on a platform:

• Are you developing for Android, iOS, or both?
• Which devices are you considering?
• Are you developing your VR app inside VR providers, like Oculus, or will it be stand-alone?

 Some VR platforms, like SteamVR, XboxVR, and Oculus Home provide a complete set of VR development tools. If you choose one of these platforms and utilize their tools, you won’t need any further software installation.

Step 3: VR Engines

Another critical element to VR application development is the selection of an appropriate engine. Often referred to as “game engines,” engines store all the data that users will see and interact with in the virtual environment. What’s more, engines render all the virtual images, and provide the input methods users will ultimately use. The most popular VR engines include Unreal Engine 4, Unity, Google VR, and Amazon Sumerian.

Many of today’s engines are available to use for free. Additionally, some engines are easily integrated with specific software SDKs and multiple application programming interfaces (APIs) can be used to customize the engine to your app’s specific needs.

Step 4: Hardware

When it comes to mobile VR application development, there are two main categories for the types of devices available for experiencing VR:

• Handheld VR viewers: These devices are quite basic and do not offer a head strap. That means the virtual environment is experienced by attaching the mobile device to the VR viewer and holding it up to the user’s eyes. This style of VR hardware has only one point of input – the smartphone itself. Cardboard-compatible designs, like Google’s discontinued Google Cardboard, are an example of this.

• Wearable VR Head-Mounted-Displays (HMDs): HMDs are more technologically robust than handheld VR viewers and often include some form of controller for improved input. They allow a smartphone to be inserted into the headset, offer strapping in different forms, and include features to enhance the VR experience.

 Deciding on the kind of hardware you want to use to run your VR app is critical. Generally speaking, it’s preferable to choose an option that is battery-efficient and comfortable to use.

Step 5: Designing & Prototyping

As with other applications, VR app development involves a lot of design. After all, what good is a VR environment if it doesn’t look good? When it comes to designing a VR app, it’s wise for developers to consider prototyping the VR experience. This aids in testing concepts and systems, and validating the app’s original goals.

Additionally, prototyping helps test that your virtual environment accurately conveys a sense of scale, uses all the hardware’s sensors correctly, has an accurate user viewing position, and more.

Step 6: Distribution & Monetization

Finally, every VR application needs distribution, marketing, and a way to monetize it. This will depend largely on your budget. Distribution in Apple’s App Store or Google Play is nearly free, but app marketing will remain a major consideration. Social media marketing has a low publishing cost, but you may want to consider paid social strategies to improve reach.

When it comes to monetization, there are five mainstream strategies:

Paid (One-Time)

A time-honored and common practice in mobile apps of all varieties is the paid model. Users pay a fixed cost for the app, up-front, regardless of how much usability they get out of it. This strategy is very common in VR gaming apps. This model also allows for a trial period for users to try it out before committing to buying. This style of monetization is great for apps with a lot of brand recognition and high user ratings.

Freemium

The freemium model is a well known strategy for companies that seek to attract users to their services. Under this model, users gain access to some of the app’s basic features, but must pay a fee to access more advanced (and exciting) features.

Subscription

Overlapping with both paid and freemium models, subscriptions provide companies with ongoing transactions. The cost of the subscription is often smaller than the one-time cost of a paid model. However, in order to maintain subscribers, features and app offering may need to be continuously updated.

In-App Advertising

In-app ads have proven to be an effective monetization model. Very simply, developers offer advertisements within the virtual experience and then get paid for it. While this is very common in VR apps, the potential for it is only beginning to be realized. A virtual environment may offer a lot of both overt and subtle advertising opportunities.

In-App Purchases

Today, the in-app purchase model is generating massive amounts of revenue by allowing users to buy both virtual and real-world products from within the app. Products range from virtual tools for use in games to physical articles of clothing. However, when considering this option it’s important to keep in mind that app publishers often must pay a commission on in-app purchases to app-store owners. These commissions can be expensive and difficult to understand.

When deciding which of these models will work best for your VR app, it’s best to focus on the kind of app you want to produce, as well as the audience it is for. It may also be wise to see which model competitors are using as well as staying abreast of the latest monetization trends.

The Costs of VR Application Development

The cost of VR application development is highly variable. In the end, how much development costs is dependent on the kind of content you want for your virtual environment. Applications can be built with simple 360 degree videos, or within fully computer-generated worlds. Ultimately, the scale and complexity of the environment is the biggest driving force behind development costs.

In Conclusion…

With the strides made in technology and the increase in user adoption rates, VR application development is both tempting and profitable. But in order for your company to see that profit, it is important to make sure a proper development strategy is in place. Once you’ve identified the issues you wish to address, you’ll be able to implement a useful solution, and then monetize it.

It’s important to work with experienced developers who can answer any of your questions, successfully navigate implementation with headset integration as well as distribution and monetization strategies, and produce a VR app with an exceptional user experience.

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Enthusiasm for mobile and wearable devices has brought new attention to healthcare application development. What’s more, developers are capitalizing on opportunities in patient management, Electronic Medical Records (EMR), online consultations, appointment booking, health monitoring, and much more.

Based on what we’ve seen in the healthcare application development world, these are the trends we predict will have the most impact on healthcare in 2022.

Healthcare Application Development Trends to Watch For

Telemedicine 

Perhaps the most substantial healthcare app trend for 2022 is telemedicine. The basic technology behind telemedicine has been around for a while, but thanks to the influence of COVID-19, it is now experiencing a peak that may be long-lasting.

In addition, there are still many areas of the world where there is cellphone network access, but poor access to medical facilities. This is true even in some of the most developed countries. For example, 33% of Canadian patients “sometimes, rarely, or never get an answer from their doctor on the same day.” In the same vein, by some estimates the US will need an additional 275,000 nurses by 2030 to meet healthcare needs. Telemedicine is an ideal technology to fill this service gap by providing patients with immediate medical advice. What’s more, it makes healthcare more affordable.

And while telemedicine makes healthcare more convenient and less expensive for patients, it’s also a lucrative move for businesses: according to Fortune Business Insights, the global telemedicine market is expected to reach $266.8 billion by 2026.

Wearables & IoT

Healthcare apps with wearable technology and IoT integration have become extremely popular. This is no doubt due to the way they help prevent various health concerns and help maintain good overall health. These apps can also track and monitor physical activities like exercise.

Healthcare apps like these can help patients connect with their medical practitioners directly and instantly. Additionally, wearable devices with IoT connectivity can even monitor patients’ health on behalf of their caregivers. This allows them to offer assistance anytime, anywhere.

Wearables and IoT represent a massive opportunity for healthcare organizations and healthcare application developers alike. According to BusinessWire, the global wearable technology market is expected to reach $118.16 billion by 2028.

Remote Patient Management & Monitoring

There are many reasons someone may be unable to return to a medical facility as frequently as they need to. This is especially true for elderly patients or those with chronic illness. In situations like these, remote patient management (RPM) is a critically valuable tool. Now, patients can keep track of their health data on a daily basis. The information is recorded in a database system, and can then be monitored and analyzed by their physician.

This system allows for the management of patient data without the need for any human interaction. This saves on time and space, both of which are a premium in a hospital setting. In environments like this, equipment is busy, and testing even the most fundamental health markers can take some time. For these reasons, RPM has become a hot trend in the world of healthcare application development.

Cloud Computing

A key advantage to cloud computing is that it offers secure access, storage, and management of massive amounts of data. This means its implementation in the healthcare industry was an inevitability, where maintaining and protecting sensitive patient data is essential. Accordingly, the global healthcare cloud computing market is projected to reach $89.4 billion by 2027. That represents a CAGR of 17.8% from $39.4 billion in 2022.

Patients with access to cloud-based healthcare apps can retrieve, view, and save their data safely, with ease, from anywhere. As a result, doctors and patients can take full advantage of cloud-based apps to keep abreast of treatments and real-time health updates. What’s more, these apps encourage patient participation, which is essential for ideal treatment effectiveness.

Furthermore, cloud-based apps and services provide healthcare organizations with quick, easy, and global access to patients’ EMRs, insurance plans, billing information, and even research data.

Big Data

Healthcare organizations must tackle the herculean task of combining hospital records with all the data related to each patients’ health and medical bills. When it comes to finding a solution to this undertaking, nothing compares to the analytic prowess of big data.

Implementing and integrating big data in healthcare application development has a profound impact on healthcare organizations. For instance, big data analysis can help with resource management, EMR management, and predictive analysis. Overall, with the aid of big data, healthcare providers can offer more patient-focused services.

Artificial Intelligence

Speaking of processing immense amounts of data, artificial intelligence (AI) is set to make a big impact in healthcare. As a matter of fact, according to Precedence Research, AI in healthcare is expected to hit around $187.95 billion by 2030. That’s a CAGR of 37% from 2022 to 2030.

Healthcare application developers are already leveraging the power of AI to process the large amounts of data inherent to the healthcare industry, and draw conclusions from it. AI’s uses also now include facilitating and analyzing medical images like CT scans, tailoring treatments, and creating new medications.

Moreover, AI has the ability to make medical facility workflows more efficient. For instance, AI excels at automating routine paperwork and scheduling, activities often filled with human error. Additionally, AI predicts patient inflows and makes staffing corrections accordingly.

Perhaps the most apparent use of AI in the healthcare industry is coupled with the previously discussed telemedicine: chatbots. With the aid of AI, modern chatbots can act as virtual nurse consultants, make appointments, find nearby clinics, and access information regarding medication, symptoms, and medical tasks.

Blockchain & Electronic Medical Records

In a nutshell, blockchain technology manages databases made up of chains of data blocks. Each block contains information about the previous block in the chain. This chain of information makes it virtually hack-proof. Blockchain is most well-known as the technology behind cryptocurrency, but there are many more applications for it. Thanks to its decentralized nature, blockchain is ideal for the management of large amounts of data, no matter the business.

When it comes to the healthcare industry, blockchain has the potential to solve a variety of issues. In fact, the implementation of blockchain could save the healthcare industry as much as $100 billion by 2025 alone. This is because healthcare application development that utilizes blockchain technology can make better health predictions and diagnoses, provide excellent treatment at a sustainable cost, and significantly lowers the number of medical errors made in the analysis of EMR data.

EMRs, in general, benefit greatly from the implementation of blockchain. This technology makes patient data more secure, decentralized, and at a substantially lower risk of data fraud. Additionally, blockchain can establish the secure exchange of this sensitive and confidential data between a patient and their doctor.

Augmented & Virtual Reality

Today, “augmented reality” (AR) and “virtual reality” (VR) have become household terms. As with many leading-edge technologies, both are most well known in the entertainment and gaming industries. And while this technology has certainly seen success there, AR and VR have much more to offer.

For example, both AR and VR can be invaluable in medicine, especially when it comes to helping patients with visual impairments, depression, cancer, and even autism. What’s more, the technology helps medical students to study, demonstrates procedures for patients, and aids in the analysis of medical scan images. AR and VR also have advantages for healthcare organizations. Specifically, AR and VR tech are ideal for:

• Saving time and cutting staffing and operation costs.
• Interactive training.
• Providing more individualized therapies.
• Helping doctors communicate and connect with their patients more effectively.

According to Medi-Tech Insights, AR and VR represent an incredible opportunity in the healthcare industry, as the AR and VR healthcare market, valued at $1.5 billion in 2020, is expected to reach $5 billion by 2025.

Clinical Solutions

Finally, the best healthcare apps for both doctors and patients offer holistic clinical solutions. This covers a broad range of features, but often includes the ability to schedule appointments, receive answers to common health questions, exchange information between doctors and patients, and much more.

Furthermore, the best apps offer patients the ability to receive e-prescriptions from their healthcare providers. This in turn saves time and facilitates good communication. Mobile payment systems are another feature that are among the top trends in this area. Mobile payment offers a seamless transaction experience, even under emergency circumstances, no matter the time of day.

A holistic approach to healthcare application development, one in which patients can get reminders of appointments, pay bills online, and connect with medical staff, is a leading trend for 2022.

Wrapping Up

Today, healthcare application development services are in the middle of a massive paradigm shift. Healthcare mobile apps are becoming the new normal, and digital health is a priority. Mobile solutions for healthcare allow patients and doctors to communicate more efficiently and effectively, while also achieving better medical outcomes. Mobile health is the next step in improving overall efficiency, communication, and quality of care.

Today’s app developers should focus their attention on the needs and wants of both regular people and healthcare professionals to produce the best product. The technological trends we’ve discussed here can serve to make these apps even more powerful and useful for patients and healthcare organizations alike.

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