4 Mobile Trends to Watch for in 2012

Over the past year we have seen the mobile app industry progress by leaps and bounds. The impact is far-reaching and affecting so many elements of our lives from our health, to business, to even our shopping habits. The growth of the industry isn’t stopping there though; mobile phones are poised to continue changing how we live and work. Here’s what to look for next:

Geo-Location:

You’ve probably already noticed the increase of geo-location integration into the apps you know and love, but because it has been received so well it is on a path to make an even bigger splash in 2012. Look for this technology in event apps (conferences, sports games, etc.), productivity apps (ex. grocery shopping, to-do lists, etc.), and shopping apps.

Mobile Search:

Internet access on mobile phones has brought “googling” something to a new level of convenience. Several major industry research reports are estimating that because of this convenience, within the next few years more searches will be made from mobile phones than computers! As this trend continues, the importance of mobile-friendly sites and local profiles will become an even more crucial element of online and mobile marketing efforts.

Mobile Commerce:

Shopping via a mobile phone is a newer trend but it is quickly gaining momentum. More and more consumers will be using their bar code reading apps in stores to research products and find the best deals, “checking-in” to stores to redeem discounts, and visiting retailers through their mobile site and/or mobile apps to make purchases.

Object Recognition:

The ability to take a picture of an object and have your phone recognize it is a game changer in mobile search and mobile commerce. As manufacturers increasingly include this technology into their hardware development, watch consumers dramatically increase how often they search and shop from their phone.

During the past few years mobile phones have revolutionized not only business, but how we live our lives. This coming year is sure to be full of technology curve balls and shocking new trends that will continue to reshape how we do what we do. If you are ready to make mobile a bigger part of your business in the year to come, let’s talk!