Tag: ios and android app development

Top iOS App Development Trends to Look For in 2023

Posted on by Jay

iOS app development is the most rapidly evolving technology with new trends popping up every year. More and more companies are developing new and disruptive apps that are taking the market by storm.

The impact of artificial intelligence and machine learning has paved a new direction for iOS app development, the iOS app development has moved into a new renaissance.

According to recent statistics published by grandviewresearch the global mobile app development market has reached nearly $240 billion in 2023 which is growing at the rate of 13%.

iOS developers need to keep themselves updated with the latest development trends to deliver modern apps to their customers. Business owners should also be aware of the latest development trends so that they can ideate the right app for their business.

Top 8 iOS App Development Statistics and Trends

  • Number of iOS App Store Apps:
    As of September 2023, the Apple App Store hosted over 2.24 million apps.
  • iOS App Revenue:
    In 2023, iOS app revenue reached approximately $86 billion, and it is projected to grow in the coming years. 
  • iOS App Downloads:
    In 2023, the total number of iOS app downloads surpassed $142 billion.
  • Swift Programming Language Adoption:
    Swift, Apple’s programming language for iOS app development, has gained significant popularity since its introduction in 2014. As of September 2022, it was the 10th most popular programming language globally. 
  • ARKit Adoption:
    ARKit, Apple’s augmented reality framework, has been embraced by developers to create AR experiences. By 2023, more than 5,000 apps on the App Store were using ARKit.
  • iOS App Update Frequency:
    On average, iOS apps are updated every 30 to 45 days to improve performance, fix bugs, and introduce new features. 
  • User Retention Rate:
    The average mobile app retention rate for iOS apps after 90 days is approximately 21%, indicating the challenges in retaining users over time. 
  • In-App Purchases:
    As of 2022, in-app purchases accounted for over 50% of all mobile app revenue, indicating the importance of monetization strategies within iOS apps.

We have researched the top iOS development trends and have prepared this list. Read on to learn the new technology trend in iOS development that you can implement in 2023.

Augmented Reality (AR) and Mixed Reality (MR)

AR and MR technologies will continue to redefine user experiences in 2023. These technologies blend digital elements with the physical environment, enhancing interactions and engagement. 

From AR-based gaming experiences to AR-powered shopping and navigation apps, the possibilities are limitless. 

iOS app developers will leverage ARKit and other frameworks to create captivating and interactive apps that bridge the gap between the real and virtual realms.

AI and Machine Learning

AI and ML are two rapidly developing technologies that are transforming the way humans interact with technology.

Because AI and ML are more accessible and affordable for developers, it makes it easier for them to include advanced AI driven features such as personal assistants, chat bots, image recognition, etc into iOS apps.

2023 is the year of AI-based programs. We can expect to see more AI-based apps being developed for enterprises. Apple has a Core ML framework that enables developers to integrate machine learning models into iOS apps.

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This framework enables developers to add AI-driven features such as image recognition and natural language processing. These features can also help improve the user experience and user engagement.

Privacy and User Consent Features

In response to Apple’s push for user privacy, iOS app developers will implement features like App Tracking Transparency (ATT) to seek user consent before collecting and using personal data. 

This trend will reinforce user trust and encourage developers to adopt more transparent data practices. Apps that prioritize user privacy will likely enjoy increased user loyalty and retention.

IoT (Internet of Things)

IoT or Internet of Things is all about connecting physical objects such as home appliances, automobiles, and other electronic devices to a central computer system for intra-communication. It creates a more wholesome connected space enabling them to communicate with each other as well as transfer data.

IoT provides consumers the ability to remotely control their smart home devices though iPhones. Consumers can remotely operate devices such as lights, security systems, thermostats, vehicles, etc.

In 2022 usage of IoT devices increased by 18% which amounts to a total of approximately 14 billion.

Apps For Wearables

The popularity of smartwatches, fitness trackers and other wearable devices is rapidly growing. It is estimated that between 2023 to 2030 wearable technology will grow by 14%.

Wearable devices such as fitness trackers and smartwatches let users track their heart rate, get weather notification, view and send messages, play music and much more. These apps can enable users to get fast access to important information and functions.

Mobile Wallets

Mobile wallet is the one of the newest types of apps for iOS app development. It is quickly becoming popular for their ease of use and rewards such as loyalty points, wallet coins, with credit and debit functions.

Mobile-first countries such as India and China are fueling the growth of mobile wallets. These countries have truly revolutionised the way customers use mobile wallets because of their high smartphone penetration rate.

Mobile wallets also enable banks to reach a wider customer base. It is forecasted that by 2026 the number of mobile wallet users will exceed over 5 billion global users. Some of the most popular mobile wallets services are PayPal, ApplePay, GooglePay and AmazonPay who are taking the market by storm.

Chatbots

Chatbots have been in the trend for a while. Many businesses, especially customer support teams already employ chatbots to increase customer satisfaction and retention.

Online businesses use chatbots as virtual assistants who provide helpful information to customer queries. Moreover, chatbots can provide curated information on common queries.

A recent article on AI found that nearly 40% of consumers prefer to interact with businesses through chatbots and customer support if it can address their queries promptly and accurately.

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Businesses have also invested heavily on chatbots as an alternative way to interact with customers which not only saves them time and money but also reduces human errors and resource utilisation.

Today, chatbots have become highly effective and are able to provide information in a more human way.

Cloud Integration

Both developers and end-users are increasingly using cloud platforms to develop apps and services. Cloud services are quickly becoming the norm for storing files and documents. The trend will only continue to increase in 2023 and 2024.

Some commonly used cloud-apps available today are GoogleDrive, DropBox and Microsoft Office 365.

Cloud integration brings with it several other benefits such as file sharing, file security, flexibility, disaster recovery etc. which can be easily implemented and integrated while developing cloud-based apps.

Cloud integration is an essential part of any iphone application. It can solve different problems, such as:

Swift UI

SwiftUI is a modern and declarative framework for building user interfaces for various Apple platforms. It was introduced in 2019 and since then SwiftUI has only grown in popularity in developing intuitive and use-engaging interfaces for iphone devices.

The SwiftUI framework provides simple syntax for building user interfaces which makes it easier for developers to understand and use.

SwiftUI’s straightforward approach makes it easier to predict and debug the layout of the user interface which also makes it a great development technology for building both complex and dynamic user interfaces. Developers can take advantage of the SwiftUI to create truly native apps for Apple’s devices.

Camera-Focused Apps

The demand for camera-focused apps have skyrocketed in recent years. Mobile phone cameras are getting more and more powerful with each iteration.

2023 has witnessed an increase in usage of AI-driven camera apps for photography, video conferencing, remote communication and collaboration. It is also an important factor in encouraging more social media shares.

Apps like Instagram, Facebook, video reels leverage the camera to enable users to create stunning images and videos to be shared with their users thereby reaching a wider customer base.

5G Integration

The widespread adoption of 5G networks will transform the iOS app development landscape in 2023. With lightning-fast speeds and minimal latency, 5G integration will unlock new possibilities for app developers. 

Expect apps to load faster, deliver smoother streaming experiences, and facilitate real-time data processing. This technology will be particularly beneficial for apps that rely on augmented reality (AR), virtual reality (VR), and immersive gaming experiences.

Conclusion

The iphone development trends keep evolving in the market, today’s developers are quickly adopting these latest trends to develop more and more engaging apps for the users.

Moreover with the increasing awareness of these trends among customers, the demand for modern apps is getting higher making it paramount for iOS developers to keep up with the latest development trends.

 

Frequently Asked Question

  • What are the potential impacts of Apple’s new hardware and software updates on iOS app development in 2023?

Potential impact of Apple’s new hardware and software updates on iOS app development in 2023 includes improved performance and capabilities. This will require developers to optimize apps for new devices and software features. It may also introduce new opportunities for AR/VR integration and machine learning applications, shaping future app development trends.

  • What are the key factors to consider for iOS app developers targeting Gen Z and younger demographics in 2023?

Key factors for iOS app developers targeting Gen Z and younger demographics in 2023 would involve creating personalized and interactive experiences. Developers will leverage social media integration, prioritize short-form content, and address privacy concerns. Inclusive design and sustainability values will also resonate with this tech-savvy generation.

  • What are the top user experience (UX) trends to consider in iOS app development for 2023?

Top user experience (UX) trends for iOS app development in 2023 will revolve around voice-based interfaces, multi-device experiences, gesture-based interactions, dark mode support, and AI-driven personalized content. Developers must prioritize intuitive navigation and optimize app performance to enhance overall user satisfaction.

  • How will app monetization strategies evolve for iOS developers in 2023?

App monetization strategies for iOS developers in 2023 may shift towards subscription-based models, in-app purchases, and ad-supported free apps. Developers may also explore NFTs and tokenization for unique app features or digital goods, as well as user data privacy as a premium offering.

  • Will blockchain technology find applications in iOS app development trends in 2023?

While blockchain technology shows potential in enhancing security and decentralization, its direct application in iOS app development trends in 2023 remains uncertain. However, it could influence secure payment systems, digital identity verification, and token-based loyalty programs, depending on regulatory and adoption factors.

Learn How To Create An IOS App Development

Posted on by Sameer Mehta

Apple’s App Store had 2.184 million apps and games in 2022, an increase of 21.4% on the previous year. (source: businessofapps.com).

Newbies in the field of app development prefer to be iOS app developers for the following reasons:

  • Highly developed standards and practices
  • Better income/app revenues
  • Tech-savvy user base
  • Quality UX/UI
  • Safer enterprise development
  • Cloud integration/iCloud
  • Swift 5 and Swift Libraries
  • Faster migration to IoT apps

In 2023, Apple will open its latest store in the Battersea district of London, United Kingdom, adding to its 526 stores across 26 countries and regions.

But all that glory demands great efforts and for aspiring iOS app developers to taste the success promised by Apple’s growing tech fiefdom, a strong foundation must be laid in the form of solid practice and hands-on approach to coding and development.

If you’ve made it this far, we’d like to assume that you have some workable knowledge of the iOS app ecosystem. Even if you don’t, it’s not too late to get started.

Concept Idea and Research

A killer idea starts with identifying a problem or need. Create an app sketch with its components and dive into the market research process.

With thousands of apps being launched in the Apple Store daily, it’s likely that your idea may already have live applications. Develop strategies to incorporate new elements in your app that no other existing app offers.

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Get suggestions from friends and/or app developers at the ideation stage to understand the user and expert feedback. If the stars align on all of the above, you have a winning app waiting to be made.

Technical Requirements

Get a Mac and an iPhone/iPad.

If that’s too much of an investment in new devices, get a couple of used pieces. Even if you don’t want to immediately purchase an iPhone/iPad, you can develop your app on the iOS simulator.

Install Xcode

Xcode is a free Integrated Development Environment that provides SDK (Software Development Kit) for Apple users. It’s used by beginners and experienced programmers.

You can start learning from a beginner’s manual. Start with your coding, debugging, configuring elements, and storyboard creation. You will need Xcode as it’s the only official tool for creating iOS apps and frankly, the only one you need.

Learn Programming

While you’re learning how to code for the iOS platform on Xcode, you could start learning Objective C, the old school program for C-based functions, and C APIs. However, Swift, Apple’s new open-source language is easier to learn and read, and almost all apps on Apple Store are migrating to Swift.

Learning both sides by side will give you unique advantages.

In fact, SwiftUI, a user interface framework, is Apple’s attempt to simplify coding even further (low code) where numerous lines of codes can be managed in simplified workflows and at a faster speed.

Even though it’s slated to be the future for app development, if you’re designing now, you need to learn UIKIT as existing codebases use it and it’s well supported since it’s been around for ten years.

Mock-ups and wireframes

Mock-ups are visual representations of your app while a wire-frame is the (un-clickable) structure of the app in black and white with simple lines and boxes.

There are dozens of helpful prototyping and mock-up tools available for iOS apps that offer easy to use drag and drop, shared user functionalities, let you add annotations and interactive mock-up designs with which the potential customers can interact.

App design

Below are the major factors you need to consider for your app design: one page should take you 4-5 days, longer if you’re a complete beginner.

  • Choosing the right artboard size as per screen sizes of different devices
  • Measuring the size of elements in points correctly
  • Figuring out page layout design, colors, themes, and styling by using sketch templates, including status bar, nav bar, tab bar, home screen indicator, etc.
  • Incorporating navigation and search within different pages
  • Text boxes, table views, buttons, content formatting, touch controls, resolution, alignment, distortion
  • Typography, caption styling, squircle, dark mode guidelines

Even as a beginner, if your strengths lie in development or programming, you can certainly think about outsourcing the design to a specialist.

While creating the actual UX/UI design, you’ll have to familiarize yourself thoroughly with Apple’s Human Interface Guidelines that let developers maintain standardized design and development rules for macOS, iOS, watchOS, and tvOS.

App development

This is divided into front-end and back-end development, the former for UX /UI, the latter for the app’s function with the server. Free online tutorials are widely available for every aspect of iOS app programming.

Understanding architectural design patterns for iOS should be on a developer’s radar for organized modules and seamless code with fewer bugs. One of the main functions of app architectures is to make code testability simpler.

Four common architectures are

MVC – Model View Controller, most commonly used architecture with View, Controller, Model Components

MVP – an improvement adds another main component- Presenter

MVVM – an evolved and trending architecture, Model-View-View Model

VIPER – is a clean architecture for iOS so that is simple and well suited for large projects.

As a beginner, you could consider starting with MVC and MVP and then upgrade to more complex architecture patterns.

It’s also recommended that you work in sprints (Agile Methodologies), dividing work into portions and then reviewing it for corrections before moving on.

Testing the app and deployment

Apple offers TestFlight Beta Testing before you release your app on the Apple Store. As a developer, you can invite testers to test builds and give feedback.

You’ll need to test your app to see if:

  • It installs quickly
  • Doesn’t crash too frequently
  • Launches all screens as expected
  • Is compatible with different iOS devices
  • Is secure and doesn’t leak data and information
  • It supports landscape and portrait modes
  • If it can go on sleep mode or send push notifications

You can actually test the app manually on a device or try open-source test automation frameworks. Make the required corrections and debug after testing.

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If all’s well, you can apply to publish your app on the Apple Store. An annually renewable developer’s account costs $99.

However, you’ll have to comply with Apple’s restrictions on App Store Review Guidelines before your app can be published. For codesharing, version controlling and project collaboration, publish your code on GitHub.

Upgrades and Maintenance

You’ll have to consistently monitor app usage on analytics platforms, fix bugs and other issues as and when they arise, add new features and updates, and provide support for new and diverse hardware.

If you don’t update your app often, it loses its relevance and appears dead. The better the user experience, the less the uninstalls. In the long run, you can start to monetize your app (in case if you launch it as a free app in the beginning).

Even before getting started, it’s necessary that you scour the internet for research on the tutorials and guides and get advice from experts or experienced developers who can guide you practically throughout the process.

Finally, patience and perseverance will be your best allies as an app developer.

Top 3 iOS UI Design Tools –Storyboards/XIBs/Custom Code

Posted on by Netrananda M

Very often iOS developers consider about, What’s the best tool to develop a User Interface in iOS: using Storyboards or XIBs or Custom Code?. Answers to this question, assumed that a mutually exclusive choice to be made. The developer needs to address upfront anyhow, before beginning the development process.

Here I discuss the above citing the advantages and drawbacks of each of the design approaches.

ios-ui-design

Conclusion:

Considering all the suggestions… it’s not easy to pick out a clear winner. Hence, the usage of these tools is completely based on the context of the UI design. We may take one approach or the other, depending on how the app is to be developed.

What’s your experience? Share your thoughts and comments below.

EBook On How To Integrate ICloud In IOS, Released

Posted on by Jay

Released in 2011, iCloud helps users to synchronize their data across devices. It’s a set of central servers which stores documents and makes the latest version available to every device/app compatible with iCloud (iPhone, iPod, iPad, Mac, or even Windows PC).

Many of the iCloud features are intuitive at a glance. But sometimes it takes a while to dig out the details. After testing all the features & settings, I’ve decided to come up with an eBook for you.
Now you too, can become a power user!

This eBook looks into iCloud by implementing a set of simple applications which interact with cloud servers to read, write & edit documents.

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The following points have been touched upon in the eBook:

How iCloud Works

iCloud allows you to upload your local data to central servers on the net and receive updates from other devices. The replication of content across devices is achieved by means of a continuous background process (daemon) which detects changes to a resource (document) & uploads them to the central storage in real-time.

Configure iCloud In iOS

Configuration steps allow you to set the services you want to sync like calendar, contacts, photos etc.

Enable iCloud In Your App

Creating a simple app that manages a shared iCloud document called “dox”. The app will be universal &would be able to run across devices.

Check For iCloud Availability

While developing an app, best thing to do is to check the availability of iCloud as soon as the application starts. Although iCloud is available on all iOS devices, not everyone configures it.

iCloud API Overview

To store documents in iCloud you can do things manually if you’d wish, by moving files to/from the iCloud directory with new methods in NSFileManager and the new classes NSFilePresenter, NSFileCoordinator. However, this is more complex than it sounds.

Makes Sense?

Do you have an App on iOS? Are you on the Cloud? To read the full eBook, please visit Andolasoft eBooks & get your copy. It’s absolutely free!

Have anything cool to share on iCloud? Write to me at info@andolasoft.com

7 Quick Steps To Integrate Google Analytics In IOS App

Posted on by Jay

As we know, prior to starting any business market study is a must. In other words, it is apparent to know what already exists and what is in demand.

Here are few market study tools to track the usage of application such as, Google Analytics, Flurry Analytics. In this article, I would like to discuss about Google Analytics and to be very specific Google Analytics integration in iOS Platform.

How iOS Integration Helps

Google Analytics is a service offered by Google that shows detailed statistics about the usability of a website or an mobile application. Google Analytics is an excellent tool for measuring your application’s usability or to perform A/B testing to experiment if new features are working good both functionally and exponentially. It provides us a high-level, dashboard-type data for an overview of your application’s performance and more in-depth report for the application.

Points to Note

Data should be communicated to Google Analytics by 4 a.m. of the day, in the local timezone. Any data received later than that will not appear in reports. For an example, if a hit is queued locally at 11:50pm, it must be dispatched within 3:59am, to appear in reports. On the contrary, a hit queued at 12:00am must be dispatched within 28 hours, i.e. 3:59am of the next day, in order to appear in reports.

Andolasoft has been consistently figured in the list of Top 10 iOS App Development Companies in the US.

Go ahead and give us a shot.

The tips we have shown above shouldn’t take much time to put in place and it’s worth the effort. We are sure this article will be of help. You’re most welcome with your comments.

Please Visit Andolasoft’s iOS Service for more information and details. You can also write to us at info@andolasoft.com. Send us your inputs in under comments section below and don’t forget to share with your family ‘n’ friends!

How To Make Static Framework IOS Device Independent?

Posted on by Jay

In our previous post, we had mentioned the steps to create a Static Library or Framework for iOS. Here, we will illustrate the steps to make it device independent, i.e. the library can be used to develop app for all iOS devices, instead of recreating the code for each device.

Step 1: Create an Aggregate Target

  • Click File >> New Target and create a new Aggregate target in Other menu.

  • Name your aggregate target – like ‘Framework’

xcode_image

 Step 2: Adding the Static Library as a Dependent Target

  • Add the static library target to the ‘Target Dependencies’.

framework-image

Step 3: Build the ‘Other’ Platform

  • To build the ‘Other’ platform, use a ‘Run Script’ phase.

  • Add a new ‘Run Script’ build phase to your ‘Aggregate’ target and paste the following code.
set -e
 
set -e
 
set +u
 
# Avoid recursively calling this script.
 
if [[ $SF_MASTER_SCRIPT_RUNNING ]]
 
then
 
   exit 0
 
fi
 
set -u
 
export SF_MASTER_SCRIPT_RUNNING=1
 
  
 
SF_TARGET_NAME=${PROJECT_NAME}
 
SF_EXECUTABLE_PATH="lib${SF_TARGET_NAME}.a"
 
SF_WRAPPER_NAME="${SF_TARGET_NAME}.framework"
 
  
 
# The following conditionals come from
 
# https://github.com/kstenerud/iOS-Universal-Framework
 
  
 
if [[ "$SDK_NAME" =~ ([A-Za-z]+) ]]
 
then
 
   SF_SDK_PLATFORM=${BASH_REMATCH[1]}
 
else
 
   echo "Could not find platform name from SDK_NAME: $SDK_NAME"
 
   exit 1
 
fi
 
  
 
if [[ "$SDK_NAME" =~ ([0-9]+.*$) ]] then
 
   SF_SDK_VERSION=${BASH_REMATCH[1]}
 
else
 
   echo "Could not find sdk version from SDK_NAME: $SDK_NAME"
 
   exit 1
 
fi
 
  
 
if [[ "$SF_SDK_PLATFORM" = "iphoneos" ]]
 
then
 
   SF_OTHER_PLATFORM=iphonesimulator
 
else
 
   SF_OTHER_PLATFORM=iphoneos
 
fi
 
  
 
if [[ "$BUILT_PRODUCTS_DIR" =~ (.*)$SF_SDK_PLATFORM$ ]]
 
then
 
   SF_OTHER_BUILT_PRODUCTS_DIR="${BASH_REMATCH[1]}${SF_OTHER_PLATFORM}"
 
else
 
   echo "Could not find platform name from build products directory: $BUILT_PRODUCTS_DIR"
 
   exit 1
 
fi
 
  
 
# Build the other platform.
 
xcodebuild -project "${PROJECT_FILE_PATH}" -target "${TARGET_NAME}" -configuration "${CONFIGURATION}" -sdk ${SF_OTHER_PLATFORM}${SF_SDK_VERSION} BUILD_DIR="${BUILD_DIR}" OBJROOT="${OBJROOT}" BUILD_ROOT="${BUILD_ROOT}" SYMROOT="${SYMROOT}" $ACTION
 
  
 
# Smash the two static libraries into one fat binary and store it in the .framework
 
lipo -create "${BUILT_PRODUCTS_DIR}/${SF_EXECUTABLE_PATH}" "${SF_OTHER_BUILT_PRODUCTS_DIR}/${SF_EXECUTABLE_PATH}" -output "${BUILT_PRODUCTS_DIR}/${SF_WRAPPER_NAME}/Versions/A/${SF_TARGET_NAME}"
 
  
 
# Copy the binary to the other architecture folder to have a complete framework in both.
 
cp -a "${BUILT_PRODUCTS_DIR}/${SF_WRAPPER_NAME}/Versions/A/${SF_TARGET

Step 4: Build to verify

  • Now  you have set up an environment to build a distributable <project_name>.framework

  • Build the ‘Aggregate’ target

  • Expand the Products group in X-Code, right click the static library and click ‘Show in Finder’

Note: If this doesn’t open Finder to show the static library, then try opening

~/Library/Developer/Xcode/DerivedData/<project name>/Build/Products/Debug-iphonesimulator/.

  • In this folder you will find your <project_name>.framework folder.

You can now share the <project_name>.framework among other iOS app developers.