Smartphone technology has had a massive impact on the world since the first IBM models in the early 1990s gave us a glimpse of their potential. There are now thought to be 6.4 billion smartphone users around the planet, and that number is expected to keep growing. What are the latest types of technology that are changing how we use these devices?
Instant Apps and Apple Clips Let You Sample Before Downloading
Any Android device that runs version 5.0 or higher of the operating system’s software can access instant apps. When looking in the Google Play Store, users will see a try now option next to the download button. If they click on this, they will see a preview of the app without having to download anything, just like a web page. Not all apps have this option yet, but developers can add it to any app.
It seems likely that this function will become increasingly important over time, as people become used to checking out the sample of an app to see whether it suits them before they download it. This should lead to us being able to download more useful apps and get the maximum benefit from our devices. The iOS equivalent is called Apple Clips, and they work in exactly the same way.
Mobile Betting Opens Up New Possibilities
While mobile devices are becoming increasingly powerful, not all of the functions that are currently attracting a lot of attention include graphics-heavy games or apps. One of the markets that has grown impressively in the last few years is mobile betting, as the new generation of mobile bookmaker sites use advanced technology that makes placing wagers from phones fast and secure.
If we look at the Mr Green betting options, we can see a variety of sports betting markets where live betting can be carried out. This means that users can place bets on sporting events as they take place while also following the odds as the events unfold, all from their mobile device. The sports betting element is linked to their online casino, meaning that table games and slots can also be accessed using both low and high-end devices.
Location-Based Services Give a Personalised Experience
The ability to offer location-based services has been around for some time now, but it is becoming increasingly important in our day-to-day lives. They can be used for looking at maps, receiving traffic updates, or getting hold of information about the places and services that are near to your current location.
This is an area we can expect to see more of in retail, as stores can send live notifications and updates to us when we are in their area. As seven out of every ten apps share user data with others, we should start to see an increase in the number of notifications we receive based upon our location, even from companies that we aren’t signed up with and whose app we haven’t downloaded.
These are just some of the ways that mobile technology is changing the world. Look out for more of the big changes that smartphones are sure to introduce to our lives in the next few years.
