Smartphones have become an integral part of our daily lives. According to a research, 90 percent of the time that users spend on their smartphones is consumed by mobile applications.
To capitalize on this, several big companies are harnessing the power of emerging technologies, such as the Internet of Things (IoT), to attract more customers by developing futuristic mobile applications.
But what Internet of Things is all about? How does it help the developers build an app that makes the customers’ lives even easier? Why is IoT so ubiquitous and what is its significance for mobile app development? Let’s have a look at how IoT and application development together facilitates innovation for businesses and consumers alike.
What is the Internet of Things (IoT)?
Internet of Things (IoT), ideally, refers to a network of devices that consists of embedded technologies which allow the devices to interact with each other.
This level of connectivity between different physical devices can be enabled anywhere – at your office or home — and can include any device from home appliances to light fixtures and smoke alarms to practically any device you may have that can be connected to the internet or another device in a similar manner.
These devices can also involve smart gadgets that can be controlled or accessed from a remote location. The reason why businesses across a range of industries are now incorporating IoT into building mobile applications.
IoT is increasingly gaining momentum in popularity and implementation, due to convenience and ease of use it can offer.
This proves that there’s significant demand for IoT app development that supports integrated monitoring systems for small to big enterprises, computing, navigation, and more.
A Dive into the History of the Internet of Things (IoT)
Internet of Things (IoT) is still in its nascent state. However, the idea of connected devices had existed since the 70s. Back then, the idea was often referred to as ‘pervasive computing’ or ‘embedded internet’.
Kevin Ashton coined the term ‘Internet of Things (IoT)’ in 1999. Kevin worked with Procter & Gamble in supply chain optimization.
He wanted to attract senior management’s attention by introducing a new technology called Radio Frequency Identification (RFID).
Since the internet was a new trend in 1999, Kevin named his presentation “Internet of Things.”
Though Kevin was able to grab a couple of P&G’s eyeballs, the idea didn’t well for the next decade. The concept took off in the mid of 2010.
It was when the news about Google’s StreetView service had started to make rounds. The service, besides 360-degree pictures, had stored a massive amount of public’s Wifi network data.
People speculated that this is perhaps the start of a new Google strategy to not just index the internet but the physical world.
Later in the same year, the Chinese government announced the Internet of Things as their strategic priority for their Five-Year-Plan.
In 2011, Gartner, the popular market research firm, introduced the “hype-cycle for emerging technologies,” which incorporated the Internet of Things.
In the same year, Google launched Nest, a smart thermostat that the users can control using their mobile phone.
Thereafter, the Internet of Things gained immense popularity as Europe’s LeWeb conference to major tech-oriented magazines like Wired, Fast Company and Forbes began using it as a new vocab to introduce the phenomenon.
Currently, the Internet of Things (IoT) has had a steady graph and outgrown all other related phenomena in popularity.
The significance of IoT in Mobile App Development Space
The term Internet of Things comprises two important words, i.e. ‘Internet’ and ‘Things’. This, literally, infers connecting objects or devices with the internet to create an auto-operative network.
The IoT-based architecture includes a number of main components such as smart devices, interface, sensors, cloud, energy, gateway, and much more.
The rapid technological advancement is transforming the way businesses are conducted. An IDC report reveals that the total global investment in the Internet of Things (IoT) reached 772.5 billion dollars in 2018.
This indicates that the Internet of Things has been leveraged and incorporated at a large scale across a wide range of industries.
3 Crucial Ways Internet of Things is Impacting Mobile Application Development
Enterprise-grade Mobile Applications
The demand for enterprise-grade mobile applications for skyrocketed, as businesses across the globe, seek to capitalize from the IoT wave. Enterprises use IoT to simplify business processes for their employees by connecting their electronic devices and machines to the mobile application.
This aids in attaining improved productivity, reducing downtime through regular office equipment maintenance, ensuring immediate repairs or replacement for the issues, and more. The IoT-based applications also help enterprises to monitor the condition and functioning of their equipment.
As more and more businesses introduce wearable technology within their organization, it is likely to grow more opportunities for app developers creating mobile applications to connect with electronic devices.
The shift in Design Requirements
Mobile applications cannot be built to be as bulky as applications specifically designed for desktops or laptops; they must consume minimum space on the phone memory while keeping the screen size in mind.
Though this stands true for all mobile apps, it becomes significantly important for IoT applications due to the additional components it comprises. As multiple devices are connected with Wi-Fi, a cellular network, Bluetooth, or NFC, the design must have multiple connectivity options.
Internet of Things is making life a whole lot easier not only for consumers but for application developers. Previously, mobile app developers made a great effort to make applications interactive and automated.
Plus, the cost of developing an app was relatively high. With IoT, the amount of effort in building an app has significantly reduced as developers can churn out innovative and user-friendly apps more easily and quickly.
In summary, as the Internet of Things (IoT) evolve, several intelligently-connected apps and devices will be made available in the market. IoT will not only facilitate exchanging information transmitted via integrated sensors to applications in real time but also revolutionize the mobile app development space by empowering customers to do more for increased convenience and better living.
What are the other ways the Internet of Things is impacting mobile application development? Supplement our list by adding your comments below.
Guest Blog by
Patel Nasrullah is a co-founder at one of the best mobile application development company where he leads a team of expert mobile app developers, Peerbits. He devotes his time in inspiring young leaders to take the leap of faith. With the experience of 10 years in Web and App development, he now gives full attention to the enterprise by offering mobility solutions about the strategic planning and execution.