The Future of the App Industry - Multi-experience

In a recent survey by Gartner, the future of app development rests with multi-experience. This is based on user application touchpoints, changes in modalities, and the expansion of device types coming to market.

Enterprise applications

Regardless of the popularity of browser-based application touchpoints, mobile device apps are continuously on the rise. Smartwatches, smartphones, and voice-driven devices, all-immersive devices, permeate the industry today. Their modes of interaction; type, touch, gestures, and natural language all expand across the digital user’s journey.

Out of enterprises that have developed at least three different types of applications (other than web apps), the most common one out of them is mobile apps, reaching 91 percent inclusion. Conversational applications are the second-most commonly developed application, coming in at 73 percent for voice apps and 60 percent for chatbots.

The tech behind multi-experience development

Among the most popular developments used to support multi-experience app development are cloud-hosted artificial intelligence (AI) services, followed by native iOS and Android development. As image and voice recognition grows so does the demand for these applications.

Business impact

It remains true that mobile apps are still in high demand. They are expected to remain in the lead for applications projected to have the most impact on business success in 2020. Following mobile apps are virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) applications.

Barriers to overcome

The top barrier to building a compelling multi-experience application is the need for companies and their IT to be in alignment. Over 25 percent of a recent survey noted that shortcomings in developer skills and user experience expertise posed a barrier. Skills gaps must be identified and addressed in relation to emerging technologies and digital initiatives. This may mean training for some and bringing in a developer with prior experience on a contract or as a consulting third party to provide the solution.