This article was originally posted on the BC Tech Association blog, to view the original post please click here

The mobile app industry is continuously evolving, and every year offers new trends in mobile engagement and best practices. As the new year is upon us, here are three industry trends to look for in 2018:

1. Increased Mobile Engagement

In 2018, expect companies to find new ways of improving their mobile engagement. Companies will focus on not just getting app downloads, but also making sure the user comes back for more. Content creation will be developed with a mobile audience in mind, not just desktop. Just last month, during Cyber Monday, mobile shopping time and mobile sales set new records. We can expect an increasing emphasis on developing sound user experiences (UX) and user interfaces (UI) that consider the consumer first.

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2. Interconnectivity of Mobile Apps

Increased engagement means finding new ways of connecting mobile apps to other third party tools. An example of this can be seen in the use of active beacons. Beacons, or spacial-based triggers, allow users to be notified with relevant information from the app once they reach a specific geographic landmark. 2018 will likely see museums, cities, and event organizers integrating beacon support into their apps to provide a new mobile experience.

3. Augmented Reality Apps

Augmented reality, or AR, is a relatively new trend. We all remember the Pokemon Go craze over a year ago. Large companies like Amazon are beginning to recognize the mobile value of AR and are beginning to implement it in their apps. The Amazon AR shopping feature (only available for iPhone) allows users to shop for household appliances and preview them with their mobile device. Also, get ready for the release of new Harry Potter and Star Wars AR technology! Expect new industries to leverage this AR technology to find new ways of reaching their target audience.

Only time will tell how other industries decide to better leverage this existing mobile technology. One thing that’s certain is that year after year more people are integrating mobile apps into their daily lives. This past summer, ComScore released its annual mobile app report leveraging a U.S. based audience. The findings are clear. Mobile app usage is on the rise; meaning, those who don’t adopt new mobile practices might find themselves falling behind. The report was relatively long, so here are some of the highlights to help you plan for your mobile future.

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