Staying on top of the latest development trends is absolutely necessary for companies looking to remain competitive in their industry. Last year, we saw companies lean into trends and adopt innovative technology in order to keep up with shifting expectations.
In 2024, businesses are expected to invest even more in upgrading their platforms as a way to provide top-of-the-line customer experiences, streamline internal operations, and reduce costs.
Here are a few development trends that you should keep an eye out for in the coming year:
- Integrating Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning
- Mixed Reality Apps
- No-Code/Low-Code Development
- Hyper-Focus on Cybersecurity in Software Development
- 5G Technology
Integrating Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning
AI was a hot topic in 2023 thanks to the successful launch of ChatGPT and extensive new coverage of possible business applications.
Over the past year, many businesses have discovered that they can use AI to provide additional products to their clients, foster a better customer experience, and even streamline internal processes. Now, many are looking for new ways to utilize these tools and future-proof their business.
There are many ways companies have been able to add AI features to their website, including custom software and mobile apps, but one of the most popular is AI chatbots. Chatbots allow businesses to provide 24/7 customer support to answer frequently asked questions.
Others use AI algorithms to track and analyze user behavior on their websites, enhance cybersecurity, automate manual processes, and more. The applications are nearly endless.
As companies begin planning for 2024, they are likely to invest even more in AI and machine learning.
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Mixed Reality Apps
Both augmented and virtual reality have slowly been revolutionizing industries ranging from software to gaming, retail, and even education, but with vast potential applications, mixed reality (MR) is poised to continue to grow in the years to come.
MR combines the technology of AR and VR to create interactive and immersive experiences. Users can manipulate both physical and virtual objects, making MR more realistic and engaging.
While mixed reality apps are popular as a way to engage customers — particularly with millennials and Gen Z audiences — businesses are also using MR as a tool to enhance team collaboration, increase productivity, and improve training.
With so many different applications, the AR market is projected to hit a value of $50 billion over the next four years.
No-Code/Low-Code Development
Over the last few years, we’ve seen a spike in both low-code and no-code development projects, and that trend is likely to continue in 2024.
No-code and low-code development approaches aim to simplify and democratize software development, reducing the traditional reliance on extensive coding skills. They enable faster application creation, increase productivity, and empower a wider range of individuals to participate in the development process.
It's important to note that while these approaches offer efficiency and accessibility, they may have limitations in terms of scalability and complexity. For more complex applications, traditional coding approaches may still be needed.
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Hyper-Focus on Cybersecurity
As data breaches become more common, cybersecurity has become a major concern for companies. In fact, a recent Clutch survey revealed that 30% of companies plan to invest more in cybersecurity in 2024.
Whether a company is looking to develop custom software, a new website, or a mobile app, the security of that platform will be a top priority.
As such, developers can expect project scopes to include more features to enhance data protection.
- Blockchain technology, which is known for tamper-proof transactions and data storage
- Machine learning algorithms to enable faster threat detection
- Biometric logins (fingerprint or facial scans)
- Multi-Factor Authentication
- Encryption
Additionally, developers are likely to spend more time testing and resolving vulnerabilities during the development process.
5G Technology Will Provide Enhanced Mobile App Capabilities
Over the next year, 5G subscriptions are expected to nearly double to 2.8 billion. 5G is the latest advancement in mobile network connectivity and can broadly impact mobile app development.
Designed to provide faster speeds, lower latency, and greater capacity than previous generations like 4G, 5G technology allows mobile app developers to build apps requiring heavier data transfers.
The enhanced bandwidth allows mobile apps to access and process data in real-time which will set the stage for advanced capabilities. This may include:
- 4k streaming
- AR/VR
- IoT integrations
- Seamless cloud compatibility
Overall, these features will provide a better user experience through immersive and responsive mobile app experiences.
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How Development Services Are Likely to Change In The Next Year
As technology advances, companies need to evolve to remain competitive. As we head into 2024, developers can expect to see clients interested in AI, mixed reality, 4K streaming, and IoT To keep up with consumer expectations.
Companies are likely to lean on these trends to provide customers the best experience and set themselves apart from others in their industry.
Yet, with these advances, companies need to stay vigilant. Cybersecurity is a bigger focus than ever, and companies are likely to prioritize certain security features in the coming year.
By investing in these trends, companies can future-proof their business and set themselves up for success in the years to come.
