Five Software Development Trends For 2019

Progressive Web Apps (PWA) lie somewhere between a web application and a mobile app, giving users the most up-to-date user experience seamlessly across devices. Because PWAs are easier to develop and maintain than standard mobile apps, it’s likely that the growth of this type of application will increase.

The main part of every PWA is a browser script that runs in the background, separate from the web page, called the Service Worker. The script enables smart caching, offline functionality to visited sites, background updating, push notifications, and several other important features which help load a site faster after the first visit.

Microsoft and Google, in particular, are heavily invested in the technology, leading the way for smaller businesses to embrace PWA.

AI-driven development refers to the tools, technologies and best practices used for embedding AI into software applications and using AI tools to develop AI-enhanced solutions, such as augmented analytics, automated testing, automated code generation and automated solution development.

Some examples include voice-responsive home assistants, insight-as-a-service, big information, and smartphones. For the consumer, AI can help guide users through online processes and aims to improve the customer experience.

As AI’s penetration increases, the technology is being integrated into transportation systems, finance, healthcare and education.

In industry, supply and demand chains are using AI to reduce costs by predicting stock levels and reordering deliveries. In manufacturing, machine learning is also expanding its presence by monitoring the condition of parts and predicting when they need repair or maintenance.

This year, we expect artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) to continue growing.

5G-ready smartphones are due to be released this year, which will greatly improve download speeds over mobile networks and provide much faster internet services than 4G.

Top-end 4G networks, known variously as 4G+, LTE-A or 4.5G, can deliver peak download speeds of 300Mbit/s. By comparison, 5G promises to offer speeds more than 1Gb/s (1000Mbit/s), with many estimates placing it closer to 10Gb/s (10000Mbit/s).

As a result, 5G is predicted to accelerate the development of the Internet of Things, virtual and augmented reality mobile apps, self-driving cars, drone delivery and many other things.

Augmented reality (AR), mixed reality (MR) and virtual reality (VR) have been around for a while, but they are now seeing some good practical uses, ranging from entertainment to training. With the ARKit from iOS and ARCore from Android, these features are now much more accessible to developers.

VR has improved its ability to sense shapes and track a user’s position, while MR is better able to view people and interact with their world.

Mixed reality, in particular, is being integrated into large-scale web and mobile apps, allowing customers to interact with products or services. For example, e-commerce stores can allow the customer to view clothing on virtual mannequins, or apply virtual designs to furniture, or try different colours, and so on.

It is estimated that by 2022, 70% of enterprises will be experimenting with immersive technologies for consumer and enterprise use, and 25% will have deployed to production.

Cloud-based services are expected to add new services that can be hosted on the cloud. For example, the blockchain, virtual reality, or even IOT can all function as a cloud service. This is likely to offer new opportunities for developers and businesses alike.

Amazon, Microsoft, and IBM have developed BaaS platforms (Blockchain-as-a-Service) that are already available to their cloud customers.

Google meanwhile have bought up blockchain technology firm, Firebase, to get a foothold in the market.

While most people associate blockchain with cryptocurrencies, the technology can be incorporated into other unrelated fields in industry. For example,

• Distribution of resources
• Identity management
• Smart contracts
• Supply chain management
• Healthcare data

AWS already has its own Blockchain-as-a-Service solution, and cryptographically verified database solution QLDB. It’s this blending of blockchain technology into established technologies that will yield tangible results for business and organisations.

If you’re interested in custom software development and need a technology partner, have a look at our services to see if we might be the right fit for your next project.