Tech Predictions: Mobile Trends for 2015

Featured article by Maricel Rivera, content writer for Comindware Inc.

It’s that time of the year again. If it’s not a wrap-up of the noteworthy milestones or events of the year that’s about to close, we’re bombarded with tech predictions for the upcoming year from various experts and observers.

Not that we’re complaining. And just so we showcase our solidarity with industry thought leaders who willingly share their expertise with the world, this article will be compiling some of the more prominent mobile predictions for 2015.

Mobile workforce

With the increasing popularity of the BYOD (bring your own device) movement, more and more enterprises will jump at the opportunity to cultivate a more mobile workforce and offer more flexible work options.

Telecommuters will readily embrace this ever-expanding opportunity to conveniently use their mobile devices to get more things done and remotely collaborate with other team members, whether on the field, in the office, an offshore office, at home, or even a vacation break.

On-the-go management

With the rise of the mobile workforce is the mounting number of apps available for use in mobile devices. Even full-fledged project management apps, like Comindware Project, can be downloaded and operated on gadgets such as an iPad.

Equipped with these, managers in sectors like manufacturing, construction, mining, IT troubleshooting,  and the like – which require a lot of field work and hands-on management, on top of generating reports for key stakeholders – can continue to do their jobs, albeit more conveniently and at a more cost-efficient manner.

Wearable devices

Another prediction for 2015 is the explosion of wearable devices. And then, there’s gesture tech, too. Combining these two together, think pedometers or smart watches that can measure how many steps you take in a day, and add this information to calculate against the calories you consume, and even how these affect your sugar levels and blood pressure.

How about smart sneakers measuring your average running speed, your improvement percentage as you go through speed training, including other things you need done to meet your running goals? If you’re creative and would like to capitalize on this growing trend, the open market opportunities are endless.

Mobile-connected smart objects

Gartner predicts that by 2020, average wealthy homes “will contain several hundred smart objects, including LED light bulbs, toys, domestic appliances, sports equipment, medical devices, and controllable power sockets, to name a few” – objects that will comprise the Internet of Things.

Accenture’s 2014 research paper foresees that by 2019, 69% of consumers will own an in-home Internet of Things device. Domestic objects such as refrigerators, garage doors, or light bulbs will be able to communicate, in some way, with an app on a tablet or smartphone. Refrigerators will have the ability to warn homeowners if a certain grocery item is past due its shelf life. Owners will be able to open garage doors via their phones or tablets as they head home, and possibly even turn the lights and heater on.

Similarly, they can check for any appliances they’ve left on while on an out-of-town trip and turn them off along the way. The next crucial issue will be on security, as hackers will most definitely want to take advantage of the opening of new, vulnerable attack points.

Real-time business functions

Added real-time functionality for businesses will become even more pronounced in 2015 as real-time transactions and business intelligence reporting get more mainstream. Payment will go mobile as Apple Pay increases in popularity. NTT Docomo’s mobile wallet has been in existence for at least a decade in Japan, and with more popular brands such as Google, Square, and PayPal releasing their own mobile pay options, transactions will become even more convenient with a tap-and-go payment method.

In the marketing space, in-store or near-store notifications will be utilized more and more, creating a more seamless and engaging experience with customers. As location sensing on mobile devices are enhanced, geo-tagging, traffic and weather reporting, car sharing or delivery services, and the like, can benefit as well.

Versatile application development tools

For 2015 and 2016, enterprises will be best positioned if their application development tools cater to the three most prevailing platforms: Android, iOS and Windows. Flexible architecture and easy integration with third-party apps will also set apart a product from competitors with rigid structures.

The more adaptable the development tools to support various platforms and third-party integrations, the higher its position on the desirability scale.

What other mobile predictions do you think will come to fruition in 2015?

Maricel Rivera is content writer for Comindware Inc. Comindware is a software company that delivers work management solutions for project management, Comindware Project, and process management, Comindware Tracker.