What's changing in mobile app development
Mobile apps are no longer just software on a phone. They're the primary interface between people and digital services — banking, transportation, healthcare, shopping, and communication all run through apps. The technology driving these apps is shifting, and organizations that adapt early gain a measurable competitive edge.
As someone who wrote "Mobilization: How to Build Apps People Actually Use," I've tracked these shifts for over a decade. Here are the five trends that matter most right now.
1. AI-driven personalization
Apps that show the same content to every user are already outdated. The next generation of mobile apps adapts to individual behavior patterns — surfacing relevant products, adjusting interface layouts, and predicting what users need before they ask for it.
This isn't theoretical. Our work on IBI Smart's trading app uses AI to surface analyst recommendations based on each user's portfolio composition and trading history. The result: 85% retention rate versus the 25% industry average.
What this means for your app: If you're still using static content feeds, you're losing users to competitors who personalize. Start with recommendation engines and personalized onboarding flows.
2. Augmented reality moving mainstream
AR is past the "gimmick" stage. Retail apps let customers visualize furniture in their living rooms before buying. Navigation apps overlay directions onto the real-world camera view. Training apps show maintenance procedures superimposed on actual equipment.
Apple's continued investment in ARKit and Google's ARCore have made AR features accessible without specialized hardware. The barrier to entry has dropped from "expensive R&D project" to "feature sprint."
3. IoT integration
Your phone is becoming the control center for everything around you — car, home appliances, health monitors, security systems. The apps that win will be the ones that connect these devices seamlessly.
For enterprises, IoT integration creates opportunities in fleet management, equipment monitoring, and facility operations. We've built connected-device interfaces for transportation companies where drivers manage their entire workflow from a single mobile app.
4. Progressive and instant apps
The traditional "download first, use later" model continues to erode. Progressive Web Apps (PWAs) and Google's Instant Apps let users access app functionality directly from a web link — no installation required. This reduces friction for first-time users and works well for apps where you want to remove every barrier to engagement.
5. Biometric security as standard
Face ID, fingerprint scanning, and voice recognition are no longer premium features. Users expect them. More importantly, regulators are beginning to require multi-factor biometric authentication for financial and healthcare applications.
What this means for your app: If you're still relying on passwords, you're creating both a security liability and a poor user experience. Plan for biometric authentication in your next release.
What this means for businesses
Organizations that invest in their mobile experience now — incorporating AI personalization, AR features, IoT connectivity, and modern security — will establish user habits that competitors find hard to break. The "good enough" app era is ending. Users have higher expectations, and they'll switch to whoever meets them.
Frequently asked questions
Should we build native or cross-platform? For performance-critical features (AR, real-time data, biometrics), native still offers advantages. For content-driven apps, cross-platform frameworks like React Native or Flutter deliver 90% of the experience at 60% of the cost. We evaluate each project individually.
How much does it cost to add AI personalization to an existing app? A basic recommendation engine can be integrated in 4-6 weeks. Full behavioral personalization (adapting UI, content, and features to individual users) typically takes 3-4 months to implement properly.
If you're planning a new mobile app or modernizing an existing one, we can help you prioritize which of these trends matters most for your users.