5 ways in which the iOS development will revolutionize in the coming 5 years

 There are majorly two operating systems for smartphones - iOS for Apple devices and Android operating system for android mobile devices. iOS development is the process of developing software applications that run on Apple devices. There are only two programming languages that can be used to develop iOS applications – Objective-C and Swift. Swift is faster, more secure, and easier to use and is therefore preferred over Objective-C. iOS development has immensely evolved and improved over the past few years and the same or more astonishing evolution of iOS development is expected in the coming years.

Back in 2007, when the concept of external keypads in phones was popular, Apple came with a smartphone that completely eradicated this convention. Steve Jobs envisioned the idea of a smartphone where people can type on the screen itself and implemented it to launch the first generation iPhone. Apple has never looked back since then. The journey from the launch of a simple iPhone in June 2007 to the launch of the iPhone 12 pro in October 2020, has indeed been a promising one. Apple has become a brand that resonates with the words revolution and intelligence.

It will be a disrespect to not talk about iOS while talking about Apple. iOS is a mobile operating system developed by Apple for supporting particularly their hardware like iPhone and iPod touch. After android, iOS is the second most widely installed mobile operating system. Until 2019, iOS also powered the iPod touch. In 2019, Apple launched a derivative of iOS, iPadOS which is now compatible with a range of iPads.

Apple is popular for its ardor to adapt to various technological changes. Year by year, Apple has managed to surprise the audience with its zeal to improve. In the next 5 years, technologies will change and thereby will change the way iOS applications are being developed. Below are enlisted five ways iOS development is going to revolutionize in the coming 5 years:

1. Artificial intelligence (AI)

AI is already being used in many mobile applications but the present use of AI is just the beginning of major changes it can bring soon. Siri, the smart voice assistant of the iPhone is a great example of an AI application. Siri can keep a record of things as instructed by the user, it can make phone calls, send and read out messages, and remember the user’s voice. All this is possible with the use of Artificial Intelligence. Most iOS developers today are just beginning to scratch the surface of AI. The more AI gets understood and explored by the developers, the more drastic will be the change in iOS application development.

Apple has always been enthusiastic about incorporating new changes in iOS development. Therefore, it is obvious that advanced AI applications will be available in the Apple app store over the course of the next five years. Hence, iOS developers need to keep up with the latest technological changes and keep learning with them. The advancement of Artificial Intelligence in the coming years will certainly add a whole new wave to iOS application development.

2. Augmented Reality (AR)

Augmented reality in simple terms is an interactive experience of the real-world phenomenon or things on mobile devices. Many applications and games have already started using this technology to provide users a complete real-world experience. Pokemon Go, a game that was introduced to the world 4 years ago was immensely successful because it used AR. It was a monster hunting game that generated about $950 million in just the first year of its launch.

Not only games but e-commerce websites and social media applications are also using Augmented Reality to enhance user experience. Lenskart, for instance, uses AR to let users try on frames before making a purchase. Social media applications like Snapchat and Instagram use AR to allow users to use filters. Many filters put glasses on users’ eyes and change hairstyles which is only possible with AR. These are only some small uses of Augmented Reality. To this day, AR has not been explored enough. It is possible that in the course of the next few years, e-commerce sites might allow users to virtually try on clothes.

Apple has an augmented reality platform called ARKit for iOS mobile developers. The ARKit includes various features such as a camera, motion tracking, screen capture, and processing that can be used to create different kinds of AR experiences. In the coming 5 years when AR will be much more understood, iOS development is going to change significantly.

3. Internet of things ( IoT)

Internet of things or IoT is a network of physical objects or “things” that use different software and applications to stay connected and thus perform their functions. Few examples of IoT could be home automation, wearable technology, connected vehicles, and appliances with remote monitoring capabilities. Wearable technology, for instance, has revolutionized the health industry. Similarly, technologies like home automation are making lives easier.

IoT will improve over the years, so will iOS development. iOS developers must be ready for these new upcoming challenges.

4. Cloud-based applications

A cloud-based app is a software application deployed in a cloud environment rather than on a local server or machine. According to experts’ predictions, cloud-based applications are the future of iOS development. In the next few years, Apple is going to own around 20% market share of native cloud-based applications. The rise of Cloud-based applications will surely have a hand in the evolution of iOS development in the upcoming years.

5. Top-grade privacy and security

Apple has always prioritized users’ privacy by enforcing certain high-level security protocols. The strict rules and regulations against the offenders ensure data privacy and security. In today’s fast-pacing and digital world, cyber-attacks and privacy threats are common. With the advancement in different technologies, these cyber threats are going to increase. Hence, developing applications that ensure cybersecurity is going to be of paramount importance in the next few years. iOS app development might undergo some considerable changes to ensure top-notch privacy and security of users’ data.

Conclusion

The points discussed above are just a few factors that can bring changes in iOS development. It should be understood that there can come new technologies in the market which might revolutionize iOS development in ways that no one could predict. Time time, five years ago, we could hardly imagine the technologies we have now. In the same way, five years from now, unimaginable technological changes might occur. Regardless of which technologies get introduced to the world, one thing is for sure, major changes will occur and will make lives easier by enhancing customer experience.