Last April saw the 50th anniversary of the first mobile phone. On a bustling corner of Sixth Avenue in New York, Marty Cooper pulled a phone book from his pocket. This seemingly mundane action marked the inception of the handheld mobile phone, a device that would change the perception of how we would communicate worldwide.
The bulky device, resembling more of a brick than anything, and weighing almost three pounds, was equipped with a large antenna. Needless to say, the people of America were certainly sceptical but flash forward to 2024 and the mobile phone is an essential component in everyday life, with the next evolution of technology breaking down the barriers as we speak.
The emergence of smartphones, particularly Apple’s introduction of the iPhone, has led to many developers creating apps to help optimise the owner’s experience, with both Apple and Google then launching their own stores for free-to-use and paid apps.
These apps have ranged from primitive but entertaining apps like pouring a generated pint of beer with some sound effects to Chatbots capable of developing code and reducing time for busy people. Indeed, the way that app development is growing in scale, there seems to be a range of possibilities for its future, and over nine million apps are currently active.
With that in mind, let’s take a look at how key industries can utilise apps and assess what direction they could be heading in next. Read on to find out more.
The rise of AI
With the real emergence of artificial intelligence at the start of 2023, many people have still been skirting around the idea that machine learning become more sophisticated and is here to stay. Initially, Apple had ‘Face ID’ and various verification software that utilised AI for security purposes, but with several new apps like ChatGPT, Gemini, and Copilot, as well as plugins like Grammarly using AI, many believe the way we perceive both written communication and imagery is changing.
AI image-generators are developing dangerous habits, with people able to deep fake pictures in greater detail, and if not managed responsibly there could be trouble brewing. This is similar to the likes of ChatGPT, which can be a great ideation tool, but with a limited database that is capped at information up until January 2022, it is still not developed enough to produce copy that will be taking the jobs of journalists or copywriters any time soon. On top of this, a plethora of AI detection tool apps will likely be developed so the software can be used more responsibly going forward.
The growing influence of crypto
Cryptocurrency is changing the way many people make transactions in 2024. Blockchains and crypto have found their way into a number of industries including finance and banking as well as iGaming.
The biggest apps include Coinbase, KuCoin, and eToro, which allow for exchanges at the touch of a button. There are a variety of real cash IN casino apps that utilise crypto, with Stake being made famous for ambassadors like Drake placing huge wagers on both sports and casinos, with the Canadian’s expenses reaching the millions.
Blockchain has helped responsible gambling due to its visibility and looking ahead its database can save lots of companies money. As for cryptocurrencies, regulation is getting tighter and there seems to be less freedom for apps looking to enter the space.
The power of social media
Throughout the last five years we have seen significant changes in how social media is consumed by both young and old people. Initially chat messaging sites like Facebook, Whatsapp and Snapchat were the main ways of communicating, sharing posts, thoughts, and media to keep people in the loop with what is going on in everyone’s life. As apps have developed and the next generation of social media users have come through, there are new rules. Short form and quick content is free.
This coincided with the relaunch of Tiktok in 2018, formerly known as Vine. Users create content capped at certain times and use bright colours and flash visuals to easily edit the content that comes at you quickly and can be swiped away even easier. At just the flick of a finger, a user can easily see hundreds of videos in a short period of time, and this Tiktok algorithm has led to the likes of Instagram and Youtube adopting a similar model with their platforms, utilising reels and shorts respectively to try and garner the same reception from their audiences.
When you also add in 5G capabilities, these apps are optimised for their users to download, share and create content rapidly, with the new mobile network’s maximum functionality at a rapid pace, 100x faster than 4G. It’s only a matter of time before someone makes the next one.
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Overall, technology is a brilliant thing and change is always required for apps to evolve. Going forward we are likely to see various industries and working sectors influenced by developing technology, with changes in staff allocation and responsibilities. But as we embrace these advancements, it will be crucial for developers to consider the ethics, privacy protection, and societal impact as technology continues to shape our world.
Interesting Related Article: “How to Secure Your Online Web Applications From Attacks in 2024“
Zooming ahead: Where can apps go next? first appeared on Web and IT News.