20 Smartphone Technologies That Will Blow You Away
2019 has been a very good year for smartphone technology. Over the year, we have seen numerous technological advancements emerge. Features like AI, triple camera setup, virtual reality, wireless scanning, and fingerprint scanners were some of the technological trends that we saw implemented in most smartphones. Year after year, we witness several technological advancements in the smartphone industry, and this year has proven to no different. If the rumor mills are anything to go by, the year still has a lot to offer in terms of what is to be expected. Smartphone makers are set to continue coming up with better innovations. Below are twenty top picks on the most interesting trends to look out for on smartphones this year.
1. Artificial Intelligence
Artificial intelligence has, in many ways, penetrated our phone industry. We are always moving closer to mobile gadgets morphing into human-like robots and efficiently performing tasks that were previously designated for man. While the field of artificial intelligence still has a lot of room to improve, we have witnessed significant advancements in smartphone AI. For instance, you must be familiar with the following:
- • Siri
- • Alexa
- • Google Assistant
- • Cortana
The above are obvious examples of artificial intelligence that might be already working on your mobile gadget right now. Apart from these very popular examples of AI in actions, most mobile applications are now making use of software like voice recognition to enable hands-free use and consequently improve customer experience. Artificial intelligence technology is applied to assist marketers and developers in learning more about the consumer. Enterprises are earning more revenue by using this data to come up with relevant adverts that target particular audiences.
2. Locale based Technology
Your tablets and mobile phones are probably tracking your location; that is not a secret. Modern mobile applications are made to track your location, given your permission, of course. Every time you make a purchase or download a new application, it will request your permission to mine your location. Some apps, additionally, might not even allow you to be able to enjoy full features of the application if you do not grant it access to your location. Think of a ride calling app, for example, like Uber. The application will need to mine your exact location to connect you with the closest driver. However, you must have noticed an increase in the number of application that request your location even such data is not needed to run the primary use of the application. This scenario occurs because most applications on your mobile phone share some of your data with third parties. Third parties purchase this data to improve their marketing endeavors.
Here is how it works:
If an enterprise knows where a particular client is, it can send them customized ads based on the user’s location. A good example of this is when an application applies geofencing technology. Let us assume that you own a restaurant and that you have a mobile application; your prospective clients will get a notification about your special cuisine once they move into a particular location.
3. Augmented Reality
AR takes something that is real and tries to modify it. One good example of this is the filter options available on Instagram and Snapchat. Other mobile applications use this capability to generate revenue. Do you remember Pokemon Go? The whole game was based on AR on a mobile phone. I have some statistics on how popular the game was:
- • 1.2 billion in revenue
- • Five million daily users
- • 800 million downloads
Based on such success, more enterprises are trying to incorporate AR in their mobile technology. This will assist them in creating app downloads, brand awareness, revenue, and engagement.
4. Syncing mobile devices with wearable technology
Wearable technology has, over the years, become very popular. Things such as smartwatches, fitness bracelets, glasses, and healthcare monitors are all paired with mobile applications. Consider Fitbit as an example. The person wearing it is tracked through an application. Such users can check how fast or slow their heart rate is and how long they walked over a period of time and many other things. These applications, since they are synced with mobile phones, can be used in a social setting as well. People are able to compare their progress and make it a friendly competition. Consequently, it encourages the use of technology and improves engagement. Experts estimate that more than 125 million different units of wearable technology will be available by 2020.This figure compares to only 50 million units in 2015. This popularity can be linked to the ability of this technology to pair with mobile phones.
5. Mobile Applications
Mobile applications are making a lot of money. There was a significant increase, for instance, in revenue through both Google Play Store and Apple App Store. This trend will not slow down. Mobile apps will continue to thrive; according to experts, the global revenue from mobile-based applications will roam at around 190 billion US dollars.
6. Homes Syncing with Mobile Phones
Mobile applications are being developed to improve the customer experience within their home. You might have bumped on a business that syncs your home’s air conditioning system with an application. That way, you are always in control of your home’s temperature. Instead of having to move to a thermostat in your home, you can easily reach out for your phone and control everything. Additionally, home security has been successfully linked to mobile-based technology. There are many applications that have cameras linked to your home’s doorbell, so you can easily tell who is knocking on your door. There are even some smart refrigerators that can easily connect to mobile phones. These applications enable you to see what is in your fridge while you are shopping.
7. Mobile Security
Security is critical. With the big companies suffering from security breaches very often, customers have become quite aware of the dangers associated with giving personal information. Many individuals do not appreciate the risks involved with giving personal information to third parties, especially through mobile applications. Actually, distrust and security are the main reasons why mobile users feel uncomfortable using mobile applications.
8. Applications for Small Enterprises
In the past, mobile applications were used exclusively by big players. However, nowadays, it does not matter how big or small your business is – you can easily benefit from mobile applications. Last year alone, more than half of SMEs owners stated that they had thought of developing a mobile application. Actually, about 55 percent of SMEs are using mobile applications to increase their revenue. Apps can also improve the user experience and assist businesses to stay competitive in an ever-changing market.
9. Mobile Payments
As global app revenue increases and mobile security improves, we will witness a considerable increase in mobile payments. Among them are:
- • PayPal
- • Venmo
- • Bank Apps
- • Google Pay
- • Apple Pay
- • Samsung Pay
10. Transport Apps
For a while now, we have seen apps for local bus schedules, train tickets, etc. Moreover, taxi-hailing applications such as Uber and Lyft have dominated the market for a while now. However, newer apps promise to bring transport to another level. Consider Lime Bike and Bird as good examples. Consumers can easily locate a scooter or a bike from their mobile phones. Bird was able to raise about 15 million US dollars this year alone from investors.
11. Virtual Reality
Typically, to enjoy VR, you will need some type of goggles or a helmet simultaneously with your mobile phone. At times, this technology comes with a controller or joystick. According to estimates, the global worth of VR will be around 26 billion in 2022.
12. Hybrid Applications
Developing mobile applications can be very expensive. Actually, if you hope to have an app available on both Android and iOS gadgets, you will have to go through development twice; most SMEs cannot afford this. Hybrid applications, however, make this possible. It offers people the opportunity to have their applications on both the Apple App Store and the Google Play Store simultaneously for a small fee.
13. Bring your own device to work
Research has shown that about 87 percent of enterprises rely on their employees to bring their own devices to work so as to access work resources. Since the employees are used to handling these devices, it is easier for them to stay organized and navigate resources. This will also assist enterprises to reduce costs since they do not have to purchase new hardware.
14. Advancements in Biometrics
- Examples of biometrics include:
- • Facial recognition
- • Voice recognition
- • Fingerprint recognition
- • Signature recognition
These features are used to improve security in mobile phones. We are likely to see more of them as we move forward. For instance, let us assume that you have an iPhone that was manufactured a few years ago. You are used to using the fingerprint feature to unlock your phone, but now the latest iPhone has facial recognition capabilities.
15. Foldables
The conversation around foldable phones started once Samsung revealed that it was working on a device that could be folded or bent. Early this year, Samsung did release its first foldable phone. Currently, many other manufacturers are still working on foldables that might debut in 2020. We might see devices from big companies such as LG, Motorola, Huawei, Apple, ZTE, and Royole. While such phones will surely be a bit expensive, multitasking and portability will be made very easy. Moreover, unlike the dual-camera phones, these gadgets will only need one single exception camera to perform both tasks.
16. 5G Enabled Phones
In the recent past, we have seen how efficient 4G networks can get. Without any doubt, 4G has proven to be the best and fastest network we have ever used. Nevertheless, things will improve in the years to come. We will finally see 5G smartphones next year. This will make your device even faster.
17. Stronger Processors
Other than the 5G network, smartphones over the next few years will be fitted with 7nm processors. Such chipsets are very powerful. Huawei and Apple have already added these chipsets on their devices. Such processors, when combined with 5G network, will elevate the smartphone experience to another level. Some of the phones that will run on 5G include Samsung Galaxy S10, Huawei P30, Honor 5G, Oppo 5G, One Plus 7, and Xiaomi.
18. More Cameras
The number of cameras is only going to rise; we will not only see triple or dual-camera designs, but we might see as much as nine or five camera designs on phones. Nokia is currently developing a 5-camera smartphone while Light is making a nine camera one. Both smartphones will launch in 2020. In fact, even companies like Apple and Samsung that have hitherto stuck to dual-camera phones will also look into developing phones with triple camera designs.
19. Sliding Cameras
We have seen the pop-up and slide camera designs before. The Oppo Find X and Vivo NEX are good picks for consumers who hope to marvel at the experience. For sure, more models will adopt this concept with time. The pop-up cameras slide up once you turn on the associated applications. Since the front camera is hidden, there is plenty of room for other features as well. Moreover, these phones look pretty good. Given the benefits associated with these cameras, it is probable that more smartphones will adopt such camera designs.
20. Customized Apps
One thing that will remain with time is personalization. Mobile app consumers want to have a personalized experience regardless of what they hope to do with the app. New technology and new applications are focusing on the consumer’s personal experience. Geofencing, for example, will ensure that the apps achieve consumer satisfaction based on location. So as to pay for services and goods, users will have some of their payment details stored online. They may use biometrics to access the data.