Gone are the days when customers would only communicate with a brand’s customer support teams via email and phone calls. Today, you can easily shop and submit a query in seconds using your smartphone or desktop app. You are not limited to the website anymore.
According to a recent study, the global mobile app market is expected to reach $626.39 billion by 2030. This is proof that more businesses are joining the bandwagon to leverage the ever-increasing number of smartphone users who prefer using apps to communicate and shop rather than visiting ecommerce websites.
Another study showed that the average American glances at their smartphone 144 times daily, and the global average is 58 times daily. Mobile app developers have, over the years, developed new app development strategies to meet the high demand for native or custom apps across the globe.
Let’s dive in to look at the core characteristics of next-gen applications and how they’re helping businesses scale up.
Cloud Native Architecture
Firstly, a cloud native app is a program that runs on a cloud computing architecture. They are hosted and designed to run in a cloud and leverage the unique features and capabilities of the developer’s cloud computing software delivery model.
Unlike native apps that are meant to be used on a specific device or platform, apps with a cloud native architecture offer an automated management experience across hybrid, public, and private clouds.
Notably, they use a microservices architecture that ensures efficient allocation of resources like disk storage space to each service that runs on the app, making it more adaptable and flexible. Other benefits that cloud native apps offer businesses include higher resilience and ease of monitoring.
Real-Time Functionality
With the average human attention span now at just 8.25 seconds, modern customers expect dynamic interactions with web and mobile apps and instant feedback. Real-time functionality is one of the core pillars of next-generation app development.
For example, live collaboration apps like Notion and Google Docs facilitate seamless teamwork in organizations and businesses through synched changes to documents. This capability increases the efficiency and productivity of the employees.
In the entertainment industry, the performance and functionality of gaming apps depend on their degree of interactivity and sub-second updates to ensure fairness across the platform. In the past, latency, bandwidth variables and data inconsistency challenges hampered real-time interactions.
Thanks to new technology, gaming platforms like real money casinos are able to offer a remarkable casino experience that mirrors the real-world brick-and-mortar casino. The new-gen casino apps have real-time gameplay features that ensure trust, fairness, and transparency. Unlike before, players can place live bets, watch dealers in real time and receive immediate outcomes on the app.
Security and Compliance
As more people and businesses embrace the new and advanced apps, compliance with data privacy and security regulations can no longer be add-ons. The two are the foundations of the app development process.
Users expect a security-by-design approach that safeguards their data and privacy. Any brand that fails to meet this expectation will be left behind. Having a modern app that not only offers a good user experience to your customers but is also secure and compliant with local and international regulations will build trust and give you an upper hand in the market.
One of the security protocols applied by next-gen app development companies is the zero-trust policy. This policy is based on the principle of never trust, always verify. Every access point has a strict identification verification process, and the network is continuously monitored. The ripple effect of implementing such a security model is reduced risk of breaches and alignment with modern app infrastructures like serverless architectures.
Next-Generation App Development is the Future
The world is changing, and traditional ways of scaling business are now null and void. Next-gen app development is one of the technologies that’s enabling businesses in different sectors, not just gaming and entertainment, to scale up without spending a fortune.
However, targeting global audiences demands that you meet all the complex regulatory requirements, especially those that govern data privacy and security, like GDPR (General Data Protection Regulation) and HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act).
In a nutshell, investing in a next-gen app that runs on the cloud will help you scale up and reach a global audience, but you must comply with all the regulations in different parts of the world to avoid legal challenges.