Ashad Rehman
Technology has dramatically changed the way humans used to interact with machines and one another. It has changed the very essence of how one machine used to interact with the other. It all started just a decade ago when we as humans abundantly shifted our communications from laptops/desktops to smartphones and mobile apps. As we stepped into the future and observed rapid technological advancement, we experienced an era where everything went digital. Tasks that were used to perform using a laptop or a desktop easily found their way into the very palm of our hands in the form of smartphones. An entire world of possibilities being governed by a variety of mobile apps.
And as we progress forward, we see new entrants entering into the digital stratosphere every day.
Now, developers working for businesses worldwide are closely monitoring what they can or cannot control with their respective smartphones. In the present era, when apps are overtaking the market, we have seen quite the surge in IoT app development, where it is dramatically becoming a multi-million dollar industry. This brisk digital transformation leads me to wonder, how will future apps complement IoT, and how will both work hand-in-hand? Keeping the following query in mind, here are my four predictions on how IoT will complement mobile apps in the future.
1. Introducing Smart Automotive Mobile Apps
IoT has become quite an interest in automobile manufacturers around the world. With more automobiles hitting the market, the new generation cars are now equipped with smart technologies to deliver a more seamless and controlled driving experience to their respective users. Take, for example, Tesla, which is working day and night on optimizing the driving experience for its respective users. Tesla is setting quite the tone for future vehicle manufacturers by introducing cars that operate in a more connected environment. It’s just a matter of time before such mobile apps will appear that will become quite the norm for controlling vehicles and helping them drive in between destinations.
One such app example that I can quote here is the WeConnect app for Volkswagen. The app is available for use on Android and Apple Stores. With apps like WeConnect, you can control different aspects of your vehicle, such as opening/closing doors & lights, calling roadside assistance in case of emergencies, activating anti-theft features, controlling audio/video controls of the vehicle, and getting updates on real-time traffic information. With the future IoT app integrations in the automotive industry, people will be able to perform various other maintenance activities, control infotainment tasks, override and control security protocols, and even perform car health diagnostics.
2. Transforming the Retail Shopping Experience
Another industry that will be benefiting the most from IoT and app integration is none other but the online retail industry. There isn’t much of an application of the two technologies in the following niche that has made quite an impact as of yet. However, the future still looks promising for the retail industry in the IoT and app integration market. The best example that I can quote here is that of the Amazon Go.
Amazon has introduced IoT sensors, cameras, and other relevant equipment at some brick-and-mortar stores to eliminate the concept of checkout lines. Shopping at Amazon has become extremely easy with the Amazon Go app because a customer enters the store, scans the app, picks the product, and leaves. He or she doesn’t have to stand in line or wait for his turn to pay for the purchase.
Once the customer exits the store, the customer gets a receipt for the product from Amazon.
3. Industrial Apps for Production Management
With the advent of Industry 4.0, we are now observing how manufacturing is transforming rapidly. Traditional methods are now becoming obsolete and being replaced with digital ones. We have also observed how IoT is becoming quite the technology capable of tracking both moving & non-moving assets within an industrial environment. IoT sensors are now installed on the production floors, giving management every bit of insight into how people and products are moving.
For now, the observations through IoT sensors are conducted through the big screen. However, in the future, we can expect these movements to shift from large screens to smaller ones. Mobile apps that can transmit information from sensors to your smartphones to observe the industrial floors can be great assets for plant managers operating in a particular industry. It can help plant managers to:
- Shift time tracking
- Asset management
- Employee identification
- Real-time employee role assignments
- Monitor production facility
- Studying manufacturing flows
- Tracking product parts
4. Breaking Grounds in the Wearable Industry
Clutch survey reveals that almost 35 percent of individuals worldwide own a wearable device.
Smartwatches & fitness trackers are the two different wearable technologies that are massively used in our daily lives. And almost 90% of the individuals owning wearables use them through smart apps.
Also, Erricson performed research where it deduced that,
Almost 6 out of every 10 people using smart apps for wearables will soon move beyond wellness & health. They will start using wearables in other industries to make the best use of this technology.
Almost 74 percent of individuals have agreed that wearables will allow them to connect physically.
And a bewildering 43 percent of people believe that future wearables will replace smartphones.
Such numbers show how promising wearable technology is for the future.
It’s a Wrap
IoT and mobile apps are quite the perfect combination and display positive results for the future. Are you in the IoT business and are searching for a custom software development company that can help you create a perfectly customized IoT app for your digital products? How about you get in touch with Branex? We are a full-time web design and mobile app development company looking forward to creating digital products. What is your next big idea for IoT and mobile app integrations?
Feel free to share it with us.
Ashad Rehman
