YES Network has launched the YES App. The sports network collaborated with Clearbridge Mobile to deliver a daily digital destination for live game streaming and sports content for Yankees, Nets, NYCFC, and Liberty fans. The app — available on Android (mobile and tablet), iOS (mobile and tablet), Fire TV, Roku, Apple TV, Android TV, and web —provides a seamless and personalized sports content viewing experience anywhere and on any device.

With the decision to phase YES content off of the FOX Sports GO app, the network wanted to develop an app it had sole ownership of that would help it retain existing users and enable it to own and develop a relationship with sports fans by offering content directly to the consumer base,  and attract new users, too.

To help guide the project and enable YES to meet its required business objectives, we provided YES with unrestricted access to our technical and industry experts with a deep understanding of the media and sports streaming sector. With ten years of experience in developing media and entertainment apps, our team provided in-depth knowledge on different user bases and the best UX/UI practices for YES to leverage and maximize user engagement and personalization.

Key App Features

1.     Simplified navigation and user onboarding and permissions flow
2.     Frictionless and convenient registration process allowing social and email login
3.     Highly discoverable, timely, and personalized video content
4.     Seamless and immersive Live TV optimized for the platform-specific viewing   experience, powered by iStreamPlanet
5.     Comprehensive and user-centric scores & standings experience highlighting users’ favorite YES teams supported by Stats Perform, Adobe, and Firebase  eskişehir haber

By leveraging the latest technologies and driving the project based on our recommendations, YES has driven value and further engagement through an optimized cross-platform viewing experience.

The YES App is available for download through the App Store and Google Play.

As the pandemic progressed in the first quarter of this year, many of Canada’s telehealth solutions were under tremendous strain. CANet identified the need for a digital solution and approached Clearbridge Mobile to help adapt CANet’s VIRTUES platform to have a more defined role in COVID-19 symptom tracking.

“As a made-in-Canada solution, partnering with a local North American vendor was extremely important to us. “This ensured we would have unrestricted access to their team of experts whenever needed, and allowed for open and transparent communication. Clearbridge Mobile was very customer-centric and dedicated to a refined process that helped us achieve success in launching this app.” – Dr. Anthony Tang, CEO and Scientific Director, CANet

While a majority of COVID-19 cases don’t require hospitalization, it’s essential to monitor symptom progression and catch the ones that do as the most dangerous symptoms of disease progression are “silent”. For Canadians who feel they are at risk of COVID-19 or have already contracted the virus, the VIRTUES platform enables them to:

• Record, monitor, and track symptoms within the platform
• Display patterns in the symptom progression of individual 
• Receive care plans from healthcare professionals remotely

With certain cases, healthcare professionals working with the VIRTUES platform can deliver medical tools like pulse oximeters and thermometers directly to the patient’s home, so patients can monitor their health while effectively limiting as much face-to-face interaction as possible. 

The partnership with Clearbridge Mobile enabled CANet to have access to industry experts with a deep understanding of the needs of the healthcare sector and in the principles of interaction-design. This resulted in a user experience that empathizes with all users, while still addressing the operational impact to hospitals, and clinics to reduce inefficiencies and costs. The digital solution is highly scalable in the sense that one healthcare professional can successfully manage 15 to 100 cases; if you put the solution into the hands of 1000 nurses, then 100,000 patients are accounted for. The immediacy and scalability of the platform holds tremendous value for enabling our frontline healthcare workers to act quickly, and administering treatment in the safest, most efficient way possible. 

“Time was of the essence with this project.” Given the circumstances, it was imperative for us to bring the app to market ASAP. Our design thinking approach, and agile software development expertise allowed us to work quickly and iteratively to leverage our in-house team’s knowledge to meet this demand. As a company, it is our goal to develop applications that have a positive impact on the lives of the user, and I think this platform holds tremendous value for both healthcare professionals and COVID-19 positive patients.” – Deepak Chopra, CEO, Clearbridge Mobile

VIRTUES is currently in use in a CANet-funded study providing remote management to patients who live with either a pacemaker or implantable cardiac defibrillators (ICD). 

To learn more on how we developed this web app for CANet, click here.

About Cardiac Arrhythmia Network of Canada

CANet is a Pan-Canadian multidisciplinary and multi-sectoral research and development network of investigators, well-positioned industry partners, patients, caregivers, and healthcare providers focused on arrhythmia research, technology development and commercialization, and digital transformation activities. CANet is funded in part by the federal government’s Networks of Centres of Excellence (NCE), Canada’s flagship science and technology program.

In the span of only a few years, Clearbridge has become a high-growth success story in Toronto’s celebrated mobile app development landscape. While the impacts of COVID-19 have presented a challenge to our clients, they have also been drivers for our industry. Although mobile technologies play an essential role in reshaping brand and consumer relationships across numerous industries in our new normal, Clearbridge has been at the forefront of leading successful digital transformations long before the pandemic. 

“Clearbridge Mobile is very pleased to be included in this year’s ranking of Canada’s Top Growing Companies,” says Clearbridge Mobile CEO, Deepak Chopra. “It’s been a phenomenal past three years as Clearbridge has become a strategic partner for many customers, having expanded our mobile focus into the web and cloud. Our client roster has also rapidly grown as we have added new clients across multiple sectors, particularly in the media and entertainment, sports, healthcare, and the B2B service sectors. All this has been made possible by the outstanding team at Clearbridge.”

Clearbridge Mobile CTO, Sanjay Malhotra, adds, “the pandemic created the perfect environment for businesses to reassess their digital strategies through our design thinking. Having multiple digital touchpoints has become imperative to keeping lines of business open. Our team has done a fantastic job of showcasing our expansive skillset, developing a wide array of unique digital interfaces, be it web, cloud, smartphone, tablet, iPad, or Connected TV, to support the unique needs of each client and their consumer.”

With COVID-19 accelerating digital transformations, Clearbridge remains poised to experience tremendous growth in the coming years and is positioned to help clients navigate this volatile time. 

This distinction is a testament to the many hard-working members of the Clearbridge team. Their ability to act on unprecedented opportunities in the mobile app space and invent mobile experiences helps our clients move the needle for their businesses. 

About Canada’s Top Growing Companies

Launched in 2019, Canada’s Top Growing Companies editorial ranking aims to celebrate entrepreneurial achievement in Canada by identifying and amplifying the success of growth-minded, independent businesses in Canada. It is a voluntary program; companies have to complete an in-depth application process to qualify. 

About The Globe and Mail 

The Globe and Mail is Canada’s foremost news media company, leading the national discussion and causing policy change through brave and independent journalism since 1844. With award-winning coverage of business, politics and national affairs, The Globe and Mail newspaper reaches 5.9 million readers every week in print or digital formats, and Report on Business magazine reaches 2.1 million readers in print and digital every issue. The Globe and Mail’s investment in innovative data science means that as the world continues to change, so does The Globe. The Globe and Mail is owned by Woodbridge, the investment arm of the Thomson family. 

The full list of 2020 winners will be published in the October issue of Report on Business magazine.

Apple’s WWDC 2020 came to a close last week. Although this year’s event was a little different (digital-only), several new updates announced during this year’s keynote will undoubtedly shake up mobile app development. 

Here’s what you need to know:

iOS 14

As has become customary at these events, Apple unveiled its latest mobile operating system – iOS 14. This year’s emphasis is on personalization and convenience. Specifically, the introduction of new widgets, and App Library, some argue that Apple is doing better than Android, long known for its ability for users to personalize. 

The first update to the iPhone operating system is its App Library, which automatically sorts and categorizes apps on a user’s phone based on their function. It puts your most-used apps in an easy-to-navigate view. For example, Facebook and Twitter would list under a social media tab while Apple TV+ and Netflix will list under entertainment.

Users will now have more options for widgets and will be able to freely move them around the iOS 14 home screen to personalize it according to their needs. One of the widgets Apple introduced during the event was the Smart Stack, which is basically a stack of multiple swipeable widgets in one and even intelligently curates them according to the time of the day.

Other updates include picture-in-picture functionality for video, an improved Apple Maps with a special view for cyclists, and a Translate app that works in real-time. 

Apple Ditches Intel

In a significant decision, Apple CEO, Tim Cook announced that Apple would stop using the Intel processors that have long powered Macs and roll out computers made with ARM-based Apple Silicon chips for Macs. The first Mac computers with Apple chips will be released later this year as a part of a transition that is expected to take about two years. The switch is meant to make Mac devices more energy efficient, ensuring better performance and battery life.

Mac computers will be able to run apps made initially for the iPhone and iPad. Developers will be able to develop apps that work on all Apple hardware. Apple’s new operating system, Big Sur, was built for integration with the latest processors to allow for a smooth transition. Apple computers had used Intel processors for the last 15 years.

HomeKit

Apple’s smart home platform will utilize facial recognition software, allowing users to see who’s at the door through their smart doorbells and cameras. Users can also adjust the lighting in their homes. Apple touted security, noting that its Home App and HomeKit utilize end-to-end encryption to protect customers.

Apple is partnering with Amazon, Google, and other tech leaders to set up a smart home network, enabling easier use of this innovative technology.

watchOS7, tvOS 14, and macOS Big Sur

watchOS7: Most of the watchOS7 updates, like the iOS14 updates, were focused on personalization with providing users with the ability to now create their watch faces and share them with other users. 

The most anticipated announcement, however, was the introduction of long-awaited sleep tracking capabilities to the watch. The new watchOS sleep tracking features include a Wind Down mode, which helps you go to sleep by setting your desired bedtime, wake-up time, and setting your screen to Do Not Disturb. 

Additionally, the latest update will introduce a hand wash timer that tracks how long you wash your hands by counting down with you. 

tvOS 14: With the latest updates, Apple seeks to create a more immersive experience for gamers. With the tvOS 14 updates, Apple has expanded Xbox controller support to work with Xbox Elite 2 and Xbox Adaptive controllers, making the gaming experience incredibly immersive. Additionally, they have introduced a new multi-user feature for Apple Arcade. Users playing games on their iPhones or iPads can continue their Apple Arcade games on their Apple TV, right from where they left off.

macOS Big Sur: The OS includes updates to major apps like Safari and Guide, with Apple claiming a 50% increase in the speed of the upgraded browser. Safari also comes with even better tab management, making it a smoother experience altogether. Additionally, the new OS includes a familiar notification and action center to that of iOS 14 with customizable widgets. 

Right now, Apple’s macOS Big Sur is available for MacBook (2015 and later), MacBook Air (2013 and later), MacBook Pro (late 2013 and later), Mac mini (2014 and later), iMac (2014 and later), iMac Pro (2017 and later) and the Mac Pro (2013 and later).

AirPods get a serious update

AirPods Pro will get spacial-audio using directional audio filters, based on where you and your device are positioned, to give a surround sound experience from two earbuds. Spacial-audio is compatible with 5.1, 7.1, and Dolby Atmos. The new firmware update will also enable automatic switching, creating a seamless transition when playing audio on one device and switching over to another (i.e., MacBook to iPad). 

How does WWDC 2020 Impact Mobile App Development? 

One of the most significant announcements is the new user privacy features that will be bundled in with the iOS 14 update. Starting with iOS 14, apps will need to receive permission from users to use the Identifier for Advertisers, the IDFA, which explicitly grants permission to track users across apps and services. 

On top of that, it has also been revealed that the App Store product will start to feature summaries and a tailored breakdown of your self-reported privacy practices, plus a link to your privacy policy. The depreciation of the IDFA has been long anticipated, and it seems that Apple has taken the first steps to give users more power to opt-out of tracking. With greater visibility and control to enforce restrictions on the part of the user, this could hugely impact your users’ view and behaviors, including your targeted advertising efforts and even integrating third-party SDKs in your app.

This is a clear prompt for developers to converse with users to gain tracking permissions and to clarify the value exchange in granting these permissions to their users. More than ever, developers and businesses need to reimagine the app experience through new formats for app discovery and user acquisition.

The COVID-19 pandemic will have a lasting effect not only on our economy, but on how we go about our daily lives, and things are not likely to return to pre-pandemic norms. While this pandemic has forced many businesses to reduce or suspend operations, affecting their bottom line, it has helped to accelerate the development of several emerging technologies. This is especially true for innovations that reduce human-to-human contact, automate processes, and increase productivity amid social distancing.

As more data emerges and trends become apparent, there’s plenty of room for businesses to adjust to the challenges brought on by the pandemic and come out stronger on the other end. This post will take a look at five emerging mobile trends that businesses should keep on their radar to help them adjust to a post-COVID-19 world.

Five emerging mobile trends in a post-COVID-19 world

5G connectivity

The industry buzz surrounding 5G technology and its impact on the next-generation of connectivity and services has been circulating over the last year or so. Yet, the technology still isn’t widely available. 5G is not a modified version of 4G; instead, it’s an entirely new network infrastructure. And while it holds the potential to revolutionize the way mobile networks function, telecom providers have been slow to roll out the technology, offering limited 5G service.

Why? Simply put, telecom providers have been hesitant to build out capacity for 5G technology because they haven’t been confident the demand from consumers is there. However, because of COVID-19, the 5G market may materialize sooner than expected. As large numbers of people have been forced to isolate, an increase in working and studying from home has been stressing networks and creating higher demand for bandwidth. 

Back in October, CCS Insights predicted that there would be one billion 5G users worldwide by mid-2023, taking less time than 4G to reach the same milestone. However, as people have now realized the need for faster data sharing with increased connectivity speeds, an acceleration in the rollout of 5G technology to ensure the bandwidth and capacity challenges of existing infrastructure can be addressed, will have us reaching that number a lot quicker.

Cloud computing

Like 5G technology, cloud computing isn’t unheard of, and while cloud-based mobile applications were gaining popularity before the pandemic, their ability to access remote servers, and store large amounts of data without affecting device storage, has proven to be beneficial throughout the pandemic. Based on this, looking at a post-COVID-19 world, cloud technology is likely to receive an increase in implementation across all types of apps. 

As the virus spread, people were forced to work from home and online learning models were implemented, the demand for cloud-based video conferencing and teaching has skyrocketed. Various cloud service vendors have actively upgraded their functions and provided resources to meet this demand including the likes of Zoom and Microsoft Teams. In China, Youku and Ding Talk (an all-in-one platform under Alibaba Group) launched the “Attending Class at Home” program to provide students with a secure learning environment and convenient learning tools. The “Online Classroom” function, which is made available for students of universities, primary and middle schools across China without charges during the epidemic, can support millions of students to take online classes simultaneously and has also covered schools in vast rural areas. 

Moving forward, businesses and educational institutions are likely to continue to make use of this technology, as student and employee behaviors will change. As demand for this technology continues to grow, implementation of this technology into mobile applications for easier access will be key.

Artificial intelligence (AI) 

Post-COVID-19, consumer behaviors won’t go back to pre-pandemic norms. Consumers will purchase more goods and services online, and increasing numbers of people will work remotely. As companies begin to navigate the post-COVID-19 world as economies slowly begin to reopen, the application of artificial intelligence (AI) will be extremely valuable in helping them adapt to these new trends. 

AI will be particularly useful for those within retail and supply chain industries. Through machine learning and advanced data analytics, AI will help these companies detect new purchasing patterns and deliver a greater personalized experience to online customers. 

AI tools analyze large amounts of data to learn underlying patterns, enabling computer systems to make decisions, predict human behavior, and recognize images and human speech, among many other things. AI-enabled systems also continuously learn and adapt. These capabilities will be extremely valuable as companies confront and adapt to the next normal once this pandemic subsides.

Virtual reality/augmented reality (VR/AR)

Not only has this pandemic increased the number of people using VR headsets to play video games, explore virtual travel destinations and partake in online entertainment, as they isolate at home, they’re also using this technology to seek human interaction through social VR platforms such as Rec Room, AltspaceVR, Bigscreen, and VRChat.

Businesses have also been experimenting with VR platforms to train employees, hold conferences, collaborate on projects, and connect employees virtually. For example, scientists worldwide have turned to Nanome, a VR software platform for molecular design, to collaborate on coronavirus research and potential treatments. 

According to eMarketer, VR headset maker, HTC held its first virtual “VIVE Ecosystem Conference” completely in VR. The March 2020 event, which drew 2,000 registrants from more than 55 countries, marked the first physical industry event that was fully replaced by extended reality (XR), an umbrella term that encompasses VR, augmented reality (AR), and mixed reality (MR). 

Now that businesses and consumers know the extent to which this technology can be used, we are likely to see more virtual conferences and human interactions as our new normal sets in.

Voice-tech in mobile applications

As consumers are becoming increasingly concerned that their mobile devices (which are touched more than 2,600 times per day) can spread coronavirus. As the fear of spreading germs grows, so will the use of voice tech, which can reduce the number of times one touches any surface, including our mobile devices.

A December 2019 survey from Comscore MobiLens Plus found that US smart speaker owners are already using their devices to ask general questions, stream music, and get updates on sports, traffic, and weather, among other things.

Voice usage will continue to increase and extend to other smart-home components implicated as major germ hubs. As more TVs and entertainment components, light switches, appliances, plumbing fixtures, and alarm systems incorporate voice control functionality, there will be less need to touch them.

Final Thoughts

The aftermath of COVID-19 will likely be similar to other global crises, in that it will greatly accelerate several major trends that were already well underway before the pandemic. As companies begin to shift their focus towards recovery, they must continue to invest in the digital transformation initiatives this pandemic likely forced them to adapt by continuing to leverage mobile technologies. By staying up-to-date on emerging technologies such as the ones listed above, businesses will position themselves to get ahead when all this abides. As we’ve learned, businesses that can shift technology capacity and investments to mobile platforms will mitigate the business risks associated with the COVID-19 pandemic and keep their companies running smoothly now, and over the long term.

As one of North America’s premier mobile app development companies, we are honored to receive the 2020 Clutch Leader award. This accolade follows a strong year for Clearbridge, that saw us partner with a diverse range of clients including Crohn’s and Colitis Canada, Gerdau, and Dynacare. Together with our partners, we were able to release new and innovative mobile solutions into the app market. 

Clutch is a B2B research, ratings, and reviews firm that provides firm recommendations and buying options to businesses based on objective data-driven research and feedback that comes directly from our clients’ experiences.

This recognition is a testament to not only our ability to deliver best-in-class mobile solutions for our growing roster of enterprise clients but also the many hard-working members of the Clearbridge team.

Here are just a couple of examples of what our clients have to say about us:

“What distinguishes Clearbridge Mobile is the way they’re more of a partner than a vendor. They have become an extension of our company. The team genuinely understands and appreciates what we are trying to accomplish.”

“Clearbridge Mobile went well beyond expectations to ensure they delivered a nearly flawless app on deadline…They went above and beyond, displaying ingenuity to identify potential solutions. I couldn’t ask for a better vendor. They’ve set a new standard for us.”

The versatility and breadth of our app development skill set are also demonstrated by our presence on Clutch’s sister websites – The Manifest, where our talented developers are highlighted as some of the best in Toronto and Visual Objects, also naming us one of the best mobile app development firms in Canada.

We would like to thank Clutch and our clients for this recognition. To learn more about how Clearbridge Mobile can help you create or modernize your mobile app experiences to drive mobile-first transformation in your organization, feel free to contact us here.

Affecting every individual differently, the two main forms of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) cause a range of symptoms, such as pain and fatigue, that can be debilitating and impact day-to-day life. For individuals living with IBD, monitoring these symptoms and lifestyle habits is key, but they are often challenging to track. Being able to capture this information helps patients become more involved in decisions about their care and prompts conversation with their healthcare providers.

Understanding existing apps did not address patients’ needs for effectively monitoring their health, Crohn’s and Colitis Canada set out to create an all-encompassing app that helps patients track, understand, and manage their journey. Crohn’s and Colitis Canada engaged in collaborative discussions with gastroenterologists and clinical subject matter experts to identify and establish impactful health-tracking tools based on international standards for MyGut. 

The health charity’s new app not only addresses the need to provide activity tracking and educational materials through an easy-to-use platform, but it also enables patients with the ability to share information about their health with healthcare providers.

“As a patient-centred organization, we are committed to improving the lives of everyone living with Crohn’s or colitis while we continue to chart the course towards cures. We developed MyGut to provide patients with a convenient and practical tool that helps them become more involved in decisions about their care, and in turn helps them to facilitate conversations with their healthcare providers.” – Mina Mawani, President and CEO, Crohn’s and Colitis Canada

Teaming up with Clearbridge Mobile, Crohn’s and Colitis Canada designed a unique mobile experience that supports the IBD community in a number of ways. Acting as a one-stop mobile app experience, MyGut empowers patients through components that include: 

• A personalized dashboard featuring tailored educational materials that meet the needs and interests of each patient, which leads to a better understanding of the disease
• An interactive activity tracker that captures symptoms, such as pain and washroom usage, and lifestyle habits, such as sleep and exercise, on a daily basis
• A practical support system as patients can easily share reports about their symptoms and activity tracking with healthcare providers through downloadable reports

“Clearbridge Mobile proudly supports Crohn’s and Colitis Canada’s promise to discover cures and improve the lives of individuals living with Crohn’s or colitis. As a company, it is our goal to develop mobile applications that have a positive impact on the lives of the user, and this app certainly achieves that. As the first truly comprehensive app specifically developed for those with IBD, it is my hope that users find this tool plays a significant role in improving the management of their health and contributes to their overall well-being.” – Deepak Chopra, Co-Founder & CEO, Clearbridge Mobile

The MyGut app is available for download in Canada through the App Store and Google Play. 

About Crohn’s and Colitis Canada
Crohn’s and Colitis Canada is the only national, volunteer-based charity focused on finding the cures for Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis and improving the lives of everyone impacted by these diseases. We are the world’s second largest health charity funder of Crohn’s and colitis research, and our patient programs and advocacy efforts support the people affected by these chronic autoimmune diseases, which cause the body to attack healthy tissue, leading to the inflammation of all or part of the gastrointestinal tract. Visit crohnsandcolitis.ca for more information.

Clutch is a B2B ratings and reviews site that provides firm recommendations and buying options to businesses based on objective data-driven research and feedback that comes directly from our clients’ experiences. Clutch also has two sister sites, The Manifest and Visual Objects, both of which are business-to-business online resources.

This recognition is a testament to not only our ability to deliver best-in-class mobile solutions for our growing roster of enterprise clients, but also the many hard-working members of the Clearbridge team.

Here are just a couple of examples of what our clients have to say about us:

“What distinguishes Clearbridge Mobile is the way they’re more of a partner than a vendor. They have become an extension of our company. The team genuinely understands and appreciates what we are trying to accomplish.”

“Clearbridge Mobile went well beyond expectations to ensure they delivered a nearly flawless app on deadline…They went above and beyond, displaying ingenuity to identify potential solutions. I couldn’t ask for a better vendor. They’ve set a new standard for us.”

In addition to being listed on Clutch, our clients have also helped us get listed on their sister website, The Manifest, where our talented developers are highlighted as some of the best in Toronto. Visual Objects also named us one of the best mobile app development firms in Canada.

We would like to thank our clients, loyal partners, and Clutch for making this opportunity possible.

To learn more about how Clearbridge Mobile can help you create best-in-class mobile app experiences and drive mobile-first transformation in your organization, feel free to contact us here.

Today, Clearbridge Mobile accomplished an outstanding achievement as Canadian Business and Maclean’s recognized the company in the 2019 Growth 500 definitive ranking of Canada’s Fastest-Growing Companies for the second consecutive year. Clearbridge is listed at No. 203 on the 31st annual Growth 500 list resulting from a successful year of delivering superior software solutions for some of the world’s most forward-thinking companies. 

In the span of only a few years, Clearbridge has become a high-growth success story in Toronto’s celebrated tech landscape. Mobile technologies are advancing and reshaping entire industries at an impressive rate and Clearbridge has been at the forefront of transformations across both domestic and international markets. 

“Clearbridge Mobile is honoured to be on the 2019 Growth 500 ranking,” says CEO, Deepak Chopra. “This distinction follows a year marked by high-profile, digital product releases for companies like ParticipACTION, Dynacare, and Pac-12 Networks, among others. Going forward, we continue to see momentum in mobile transformations with our enterprise partners as they look to adapt to evolving customer experiences. Enterprises today must innovate more quickly than ever to keep pace with changing business environments.”

This distinction is a testament to the many hard-working members of the Clearbridge team. As well as their ability to act on unprecedented opportunities in the mobile app space and invent mobile experiences that help our customers move the needle for their businesses. 

“Mobile will continue to be a key success driver as businesses undergo transformation to connect with customers better and drive new revenue streams,” says CTO, Sanjay Malhotra. “This is an exciting time for Clearbridge. For our company to continue developing cutting-edge mobile solutions, we will maintain growth and continuously refine our business to match the pace of technological change. Looking ahead, Clearbridge is in a favorable position to confront disruption with innovative mobile experiences.” 

Alongside this distinction, Clearbridge has also ranked on Clutch.co’s Top Canadian App Development Companies list two years in a row, has been recognized in Startup 50 by Canadian Business and received accolades from The Webby Awards, W3, Creativity International Awards, and others. 

About the Growth 500 

For over 30 years, the Growth 500 ranking of Canada’s Fastest-Growing Companies has been Canada’s most respected and influential ranking of entrepreneurial achievement. Developed by PROFIT and now published in a special Growth 500 print issue of Canadian Business (packaged with the October issue of Maclean’s magazine) and online at Growth500.ca and CanadianBusiness.com, the Growth 500 ranks Canadian companies on five-year revenue growth. For more information on the ranking, visit Growth500.ca. 

This list will be published in the October issue of Maclean’s magazine and at CanadianBusiness.com.

Over the past year, the commercial mobile app market witnessed just over 28 billion downloads, which is a year-over-year increase of 11.5 percent. This industry growth trend proves that even after a decade, mobile app development is still very much in demand. However, enhanced mobility is driving an undeniable shift in how companies manage everyday work processes, but despite market growth, many organizations are prone to taking a “wait-and-see” approach when deciding to act on and implement new technologies. Instead, it’s critical to consider pertinent signals and trends when laying the groundwork for strategic mobility. 

In 2020, businesses will need to put a spotlight on mobility to match the pace of mobile app innovation and meet evolving customer demands. At any moment, there are millions of small shifts in technology; it’s essential to differentiate what advancements are “trendy” and what advancements carry consequences without action. This article explores several mobile technology trends that expose potential opportunities, challenges, and plausible scenarios for next-order impacts. 

1. 5G networks will create mobile app development opportunities

5G networks will be a catalyst for substantial, societal change and trials are underway around the globe. With that said, it’s still too early to experience the complete advantages of 5G. There has been plenty of buzz surrounding the benefits of 5G and major carriers are continuing to hype up next-generation connectivity and services. Once the technology is fully released, smartphone users will have access to noticeably increased connectivity speeds of roughly 10 gigabits per second. 

The introduction of 4G connectivity accelerated the mobile app age, but we’ve reached an inflection point; existing networks aren’t capable of handling the next range of data-driven applications. As mobility matures, the amount of data moving in all directions will overload networks as they are currently. 

Motorola Product Vice President, Dan Dery, says in an interview with Digital Trends that “by 2025, 5G networks will strengthen mobile connectivity and radically improve the smartphone experience for billions of mobile devices. Overall, “5G will deliver lower latency, higher bandwidth, faster data sharing, and speeds up to 10 times faster than existing wireless technology.” 

With that said, the public can expect to see the proliferation of 5G networks in private settings before widespread general adoption. Private companies will abandon WiFi for 5G connectivity for the benefits of shortened transmission latency, which can create immediate connectivity between devices on a network. Additionally, private 5G networks are able to prioritize specific data transmissions over others. 

As 5G networks evolve, they forecast a considerable amount of future disruption, as well as multiple opportunities for innovation. Organizations will be able to automate more core processes and deliver improved mobility tools for presenting, capturing, and sharing essential data. High-speed data transfer will completely shift the way people communicate, creating business processes where the physical and digital are efficiently interconnected, in real-time. The 5G trend signals an enormous emerging market for every component, device, and software service necessary to facilitate the data-intensive environment 5G will create. 

2. OTT development is still growing

The OTT (over-the-top) market is showing huge consumer uptake via providers like Crave, Netflix, Hulu, Amazon Prime and more. The U.S. OTT market alone is anticipated to reach $21 billion next year. The mobile app development market is ready for OTT. The infrastructure is already in place; the proliferation of 5G is set to overtake WiFi; and device interoperability is improving. As well, major broadcasters are introducing OTT options into their content lineup.

Attribution and analytics companies are developing advanced capabilities to harness the right data to keep pace with the OTT market. Targeting features are becoming more refined, and Grant Cohen, GM of the Kochava Collective says, “In 2019, the market witnessed increased cross-device attribution capabilities plus the ability to include a location in measurement.”

As well, the growth of newer OTT devices indicates there will be more opportunities in 2020 for publishers and advertisers. Cohen says “marketers will understand their users better and craft specific messaging that resonates with them. As OTT devices continue to evolve, media companies will be bringing more traditional content on these platforms.” 

The potential for reaching broader audiences and tapping new sources of revenue is massive, and companies that can evolve with the market will come out on top of the competition.

3. Mobile app development is still only as good as its marketing campaign

Many businesses focus on developing an outstanding app, that functions well, and solves a real user pain point, but its marketing campaign is left as an afterthought. It’s easy to assume that user acquisition is the central metric for mobile app success, but the actual value lies in engaging and retaining users.

Joyce Solano, SVP of Global Marketing at Leanplum points out that “companies waste a lot of money acquiring mobile installs — currently $2.89 per install — only to see 79 percent of users never return after the first visit, and 2 percent of users ghost your app by day 90. But marketing campaigns play a key role in turning installs into loyal customers. In fact, engagement platforms help brands increase their share of highly engaged customers by 37 percent and the number of users who make in-app purchases in the first 30 days alone by five times.”

Achieving sufficient mobile app engagement and retention rates to keep your product from disappearing into the app store graveyard is a difficult task. Solano says, “given mobile’s impact on loyalty and revenue, I expect to see more brands invest in mobile engagement campaigns as the heart of their monetization strategy.”

Companies need to act now on “moment-marketing” 

Personalization has been a mobile experience mainstay for the past decade or so, increasing in its level of depth and one-to-one precision when it comes to understanding and mirroring app users.

As a baseline for interaction, it’s here to stay.

According to Plot Projects, building user-profiles and surfacing content just based on online or in-app behavior is no longer enough to engage users and keep them around. In fact, this year, the open-rate of messages which are sent based on where someone is (and what they’re doing) generated twice the engagement of personalized messages.

In 2015, Google coined a movement called ‘micro-moments’ and right-time marketing, opening up a discussion about harnessing real-world consumer intent, with mobile as a natural gateway. More and more, businesses need to harness the value of choosing the right context to interact with users, sending place-based coupon redemptions and dynamic offers to increase engagement, reduce UX friction and jump sales uplift.

It doesn’t stop there. Businesses need to consider creating audiences of train commuters, store shoppers, local brand loyalists, and frequent travelers — qualifying their relevance for campaigns, offers or membership through their daily habits and life choices — across any channel or technology. 2020 is the right time to take steps into this new way of working and connecting.

4. People genuinely care about digital addiction 

It’s no secret that mobile products are intentionally designed to be sticky, which is a slightly more friendly way of saying addictive. In the past few years, mass amounts of literature has been dedicated to shedding light on how excessive mobile use impacts health and wellbeing. In today’s mobile-first world, digital addiction has become a global, mainstream trend. 

Research indicates that time spent browsing social media can cause anxiety and depression. As well, using tablets and e-readers for long periods of time has been shown to disrupt sleep cycles and lessen productivity. Two years ago, Facebook admitted that interacting with the platform can make people feel bad about themselves and in response, both Google and Apple released system updates to accommodate the growing demand for digital wellbeing tracking. More than ever, user experience is a central driver for trust.

Consumers have come to expect more and more from the brand they know and love. Better user experiences start at the beginning of a new development project with exceptional user-centric app design. Now more than ever, there are multiple companies that essentially do the same thing. Plus, consumers are starting to shy away from brand loyalty as the number one purchasing power. One will have a leg up on the other if they take care of their customers.

“It’s not enough anymore to just offer a pretty design, it has to work the way users want it to. That means we have to get into the mind of the target consumer and understand their habits and expectations throughout the development and design process.” – Bridget Poetker, Tech writer at G2

When you put users first, you’re telling them that you care about their wants, needs, and even struggles. In gathering that knowledge ahead of building your app, you allow their thoughts to seep into every aspect of a project, from ideation and wireframing to MVPs and post-launch marketing efforts. In the end, you create a better product that truly wows your users. The trick now is continuing that discussion and transparency throughout the app’s life when rolling out updates and new features.

In short, if your app isn’t up to your users’ expectations you’ll get left behind. 

5. Deep linking everywhere 

Although mobile app deep linking is certainly not a new trend, it shows no signs of losing relevance. Personalized site-to-app, app-to-app, and even things-to-app experiences will certainly become more ubiquitous in the coming years, and perhaps even undetectable. There are three kinds of deep linking: traditional, deferred, and contextual. Contextual deep linking will likely become the go-to practice for sharing data across interfaces in 2020, especially as ambient interfaces become more popular.  

Ambient interfaces, sometimes referred to as “zero-UIs” are allowing people to interact with technology more freely and with fewer direct actions. Digital assistants and voice technology delivers information in real-time, rather than adding friction with input screens. As digital assistants improve, people will continue to interact with them both actively and passively through our connected home appliances, smartphones, smart cars, wearable devices, and many other interaction points. Digital assistants will listen and observe in the backgrounds of our lives and offer text, audio, and video information to supplement human search behaviors. These technological advancements will require more personalized and relevant deep linking practices. 

For example, if your business has an established customer base accustomed to your mobile website, some users may be reluctant to switch to a mobile app even if you make the benefits clear. It’s important to capitalize as many opportunities as possible to send users to your desired interface. 3dcart COO, Jimmy Rodriguez has some advice to help prevent a low rate of adoption among your users. “Customers often don’t like change, and if they’ve been successfully using your website for a long time, they may dismiss your app as unnecessary,” he says. “The key is to create a seamless experience between your mobile app and your website while still taking advantage of all the benefits of an app.”

The seamless experience will continue to advance 2020. Contextual deep linking offers full-bodied information transfer and it will be essential to understand the situations users want information from you and how. Whether your business’ omnichannel experience takes users from site-to-app, app-to-site, or app-to-app will entirely depend on the user’s search behavior and context. A well-converting mobile presence provides valuable information in the sense that you’re already giving customers what they want. By basing your app on your users’ confirmed preferences, you’ll see higher, long-lasting engagement. 

A New Year In Mobile App Development

Ten years ago, the mobile application came into existence, since then it has evolved into a mainstream necessity for everyday life. The 2020 trend is clear: users want access to hyper-personalized, real-time, contextual content seamlessly connected across each of their devices. On top of that, users are looking for new and creative ways to create and share experiences with their mobile devices. Mobile apps will still be in high demand in the new year, and the best way for businesses to deliver value to customers is to focus on the appropriate marketing tactics to deliver real user value