Simply having a mobile strategy is outdated. There are numerous connected devices around your audience every day. Don’t miss out on being on the bleeding edge of innovation. Here are four developments with game-changing potential.

Machine learning

Machine learning is a process that allows a computer to improve output based on analyzing data input without being explicitly programmed for a specific response, and it is becoming more prevalent and practical. The facial recognition system on Apple’s iPhone X uses machine learning to adjust to changes—such as glasses or a beard—in the user’s face over time. Machine learning also powers devices that rely on speech recognition, as well as self-driving cars. It can even help pick investments in the stock market.

As developers, we are excited about Google’s new ML Kit for mobile apps working with Firebase. This SDK includes awesome functions that can we can implement into new projects much more easily than building them from scratch, such as facial recognition, photo identification, and text recognition. We expect more tools like this to be coming soon.

Augmented reality technology

Augmented reality (AR) combines digital overlays and a real-world view without requiring expensive or silly-looking headwear (looking at you, Google Glass…). The general population carries all they need for AR in their pocket: a smartphone with a camera. Most people are familiar with the concept of AR thanks to Pokémon Go, but it has functionality far beyond gaming. It can be used for data visualization, interior design, surveying/measurements, and more.

Scalable cloud computing

Thanks to the introduction of amazing cloud-based solutions from providers like Amazon and Google, developers no longer have to predict traffic patterns and make tedious changes to accommodate fluctuations. App-based businesses can upgrade their services, change location of data centers or back ups to comply with data privacy laws, and adjust processing power with nothing more than a checkbox.

Yes, every now and then a cloud solution goes down, but we wouldn’t worry. If you’re impacted by one of these downtimes, so is everyone else.

Voice assistants and chatbots

Apple’s Siri, Amazon’s Alexa, and Google’s Assistant help us access information and complete tasks without lifting a finger, from setting a kitchen timer or switching off the lights to ordering detergent or sending payments. We will rely on them more as they appear in more devices around the house. Google Assistant has even advanced to the point of being able to handle functional conversations with real humans, such as setting up restaurant reservations, without the human ever knowing they were speaking with a voice assistant.

Similarly, chatbots provide customer service support while minimizing the need for human staffing. Chatbots powered by artificial intelligence can analyze nearly anything a customer may write to them and respond appropriately. A simpler implementation provides customers with prewritten responses they can choose to guide the “conversation” and still gets the customer the solution they need.