Latest Trends in Mobile Technology 2024

Staying updated with industry trends in mobile technology is essential in our increasingly mobile-centric world. Every business and individual, regardless of industry, should track mobile trends. This is crucial for those with a mobile presence and those without, as mobile application development is crucial.

Moreover, the evolution to 6G technology is on the horizon. Since it is anticipated to be faster and more responsive than 5G, 6G is poised to revolutionise mobile connectivity.

By embracing these advancements, users can leverage emerging technologies to drive innovation and enhance user experiences in this era.

5G Technology

5G is all the rage these days. The competition is only getting tougher with companies striving to get a lead in the 5G arena. With the increasing competition, we are making leaps in the 5G technology and how mobile phones will be utilising it.   

The implementation of most of the advanced technological features and processes like the Internet of things (IoT), Artificial Intelligence (AI), and AR depends on the enhancement of cellular connectivity. Because of this, 5G is at the heart of the future of mobile technology. Generally, there are three main benefits of 5G for mobile-based solutions: 

1. Speed: 4G may be fast, but 5G is way faster than anything you might have ever seen. On average, the speed provided by 5G is 100x more than that provided by 4G. 
2. Low Latency: with high speed comes very smooth connectivity that doesn’t lag as often as the 4G. The technical term is URLLC (Ultra-reliable low latency communication) for the connectivity provided by 5G. 
3. Connectivity: If 4G supports connecting only a couple of thousand devices at a time, 5G takes this number to millions. This opens up a world of opportunities for enhanced connectivity, communication, and collaboration worldwide. 

Mobile Internet of Things (IoT) Applications

The Internet of things is quickly making a place for itself in the global technology arena. It is becoming a mainstream technology in the agriculture, healthcare, and manufacturing sectors. The rapid advancement of IoT applications means it won’t be long until this technology is integrated into our everyday lives.  

Smart home appliances, wearables, traffic sensors and other such integrated technologies are but a few examples of how we are moving towards an IoT connected world. 

Mobile Artificial Intelligence (AI) 

Since 2017, the mobile industry has been focusing on enhancing, applying and integrating AI into the devices. From Apple’s Siri to Amazon’s Alexa, we see a noticeable advancement in how AI is changing the game. Most mobile apps, platforms and websites have infused AI-based learning into their algorithms. Mobile phones come with an option to adapt the settings to user’s preferences, with a system powered by machine learning and artificial intelligence. 

Not only that, today’s mobile phones recognise voice commands, analyse visual data, and learn from users’ behaviour to suggest, improve, and implement processes. Some of the examples of how AI is being used in mobile phone technology today include: 

• Facial detection apps for security systems 
• Financial forecasting solutions 
• Personalised ads and suggestions based on purchasing and browsing behaviours, 
• Medical software that can make a diagnosis and suggest treatments 
• Augmented reality (AR) & Virtual Reality (VR) in apps 

Mobile Commerce

Ecommerce is a rapidly pacing market in today’s time, and the leading trend in this area is mobile shopping. Hence there is a growing demand for mobile payment solutions. Making it safer, smarter and more practical is the key focus.  

With COVID-19 pushing the world to go deep into digital has resulted in rapid leaps being made towards the betterment of mobile payment systems. People in today’s world prefer making online orders and initiating digital payments instead of making cash transactions.  

Today’s banks operate through applications. There are micro-bank accounts and digital wallets as well as money transfer applications to make financial transactions easier and safer for people all over the world. Overall, shifting the way we do business and make transactions happen.

Commerce in Social Media  

Remember when Facebook and Instagram were just a couple of photo and status sharing apps? Today, Facebook features a marketplace with shopping options, and you can connect a host of business apps to ease your e-commerce business on the platform. Instagram is doing the same with its virtual store options and more. 

Commerce on social media is the next big thing, and it’s already happening. Social media has become much more than just a social platform for businesses. Today, you can’t imagine a legit business without an active presence on social media. Brands connect with, listen to and converse with their customer base over social media. 

More than 40% of the world’s population is using social media. It is a medium to reach a huge number of people in a relatively short time. 

Social Media and commerce are slowly being woven together, and it is working perfectly for businesses, with some exceptions, of course. 

Cloud-based Mobile Applications

One of the major requirements for AI, IoT and ML-powered devices is the need to store tons of data. If all this were to be stored on phones, you wouldn’t be left with any usable memory to perform other actions and store your data. Hence, there is a need for remote servers that can store and provide access to stored data as needed.

The trend for the usage of cloud-based solutions and storage is increasing rapidly and is expected to keep on increasing throughout 2024. 

This is the primary mechanism of operation for Cloud Computing. The remote servers not only allow storage but can perform various operations while the user connects to the servers through the internet. 

Some features and benefits of cloud servers include: 

• Streamlining of operations 
• Better storage capacity 
• Very high computing capability 
• Secure functions across more than one device 
• More user retention 

Providers actively invest in cloud-driven apps for the aforementioned benefits, ultimately contributing to the cloud mobile era. 

Blockchain Technology

Blockchain is simply a game-changer in the digital world. We first heard of it with the boom in cryptocurrency and digital wallets worldwide. Blockchain has applications much more diverse than just the ones related to cryptocurrency. Many mobile applications today are associated with or based upon blockchain technology. These include e-wallets, currency converters, networking solutions, digital assets management, and tracking apps. 

More and more smartphone developers are stepping into the game with highly advanced blockchain-based apps and solutions.  

Super Apps

Today’s Android applications are being created to work in amazing ecosystems. Most applications are designed to operate with each other, creating an integrated experience for the user. We owe the advent of super apps to China, as they developed the first application close in concept to a super app, the WeChat application.  

It allows users to communicate with each other, but it also indulges in a plethora of online activities, including voice and text messaging, payments, games, and many other features. 

In the western world, apps are being developed and upgraded to catch up with the idea of super apps.  

Mobile Integrated Wearable Technology

Wearable technology is becoming more and more popular with mobile users and providing more opportunities for businesses to take advantage of this growing trend. Smartwatches, fitness bracelets, smart glasses and healthcare monitors are a growing market that can be tapped by mobile phone manufacturers relatively easily.  

One hundred twenty-five million units of wearable technology were shipped last year, and the number is expected to rise and continue the trend for the foreseeable future. Apple, Samsung and other tech giants are already testing, creating and introducing new breakthroughs in this arena, and as time passes, the competition is expected to grow worldwide.  

One of the reasons for the popularity of these devices is that they can be paired with mobile phones. Making it easier to do simple operations right from one’s wrist. Additionally, the ability to use these devices social ably is a plus. People can track their performance, share it with friends, compete to achieve fitness goals, etc.  

The possibilities are immense in this area of mobile-related technology.  

Mobile Home Automation

Another rising trend is the use of mobile phone apps to control your home. People have been increasingly showing interest in the idea of smart homes and smart devices to control various functions around their living spaces.  

With home security, various functions in the home can be controlled through smartphones. For example, Honeywell makes products that let users control the thermostats in their homes through Wi-Fi connections. They also feature products that can help control home security and various appliances.  

This trend can be further empowered and improved by implementing IoT and machine learning. 

Advances in Communication Technology

Not long ago, we didn’t have smartphones, and before that, there were no mobile devices at all. Communication was a luxury only a few could afford, and the cost was huge. Staying connected to friends and family, especially when you’re in another country, was not an easy endeavour.   

Today, we have applications like the Talk Home App that let you stay connected to loved ones no matter the day or time. From paying too much for seconds of connection to paying as low as 1 p/c per min, we have come a long way as far as mobile communication is concerned.  

Biometric & Facial Recognition Technology

Mobile phone security is one of the hottest trends right now. Mobile manufacturers are focusing more and more on finding ways to improve the security of cellular devices. One of the domains being rapidly developed is biometrics.  

As per research and studies, the global biometric technology market has been growing smoothly in recent years. These technologies will soon see rapid revenue growth in revenue, from $36.6 billion to $68.6 billion in 2025. 

Some of the most popular biometric technologies include: 

• Facial recognition 
• Voice recognition 
• Fingerprint scanners 
• Iris recognition 
• Hand geometry recognition 
• Signature recognition. 

Some of the names, like facial and fingerprint recognition, are more popular than others and are widely used around the globe. For example, fingerprint recognition is now a standard security feature in the latest mobile devices. It has become so popular that consumers expect it to be there in any new device being launched. The popularity is only going to increase in the coming years. 

Front Camera Upgrades

One of the most sought-after features in today’s mobile phone industry is Bike-less phones. Many manufacturers have tried multiple ways to increase the screen-to-body ratio, including a front camera that goes into and out of the mobile body as needed.  

Others have tried creating concepts such as drone cameras that are suspended in the air, right above the user’s face, for selfies and pictures. But, none of the ideas has taken off quite like the one where the front camera is there inside the phone but is hidden under the front screen. The technology is still under development, and practical use is limited; however, the idea is very promising for the future of mobiles and technology. 

Different manufacturers, like Samsung, Xiaomi and others, have successfully tested this feature and are currently developing it into such an economical and practical feature as it is today. 

Foldable Phones and Devices

If you’ve seen the new Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 2, you’d know that not only is it a unique concept, but it’s every bit as practical as your ordinary mobile devices, or maybe a bit more. The idea of a device that operates like a phone when folded and expands into a mini-tablet when needed is pretty awesome. 

Samsung isn’t the only company to have tried creating something similar to this. Oppo, Motorola, Xiaomi, Microsoft, Huawei and countless others have successfully created folding mobile devices. With the advancements in foldable technology, the mobile applications market is also moving towards apps for foldable devices, making them more responsive and practical for users.  

The global mobile industry is working towards creating more durable, efficient and 5G enabled foldable phones for the future. 

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Conclusion

If you are familiar with Moore’s Law, you’d know we follow a path to technological advancement that stops nowhere. The possibilities are practically endless, and we’ve only taken a glimpse of the truly transformative abilities of future technology.  

The latest trends in this arena focus on making gadgets more practical, intuitive, and integrated with the real world. This has amazing implications. Not only are we in for a massive shift in lifestyle, but something that will become a necessary part of our everyday lives, even more than it is today. The thought is scary and exciting at the same time. 

As mobile technology improves, the internet of things, artificial intelligence, blockchain and other such technologies will genuinely transform the future world.