8 mobile app trends 2017 curated from top mobile app, UI, UX experts across the web to bring you the best information. Enjoy!

1. IoT + Wearables Apps

In 2016, IoT-enabled devices emerged for the first time. In 2017, more and more devices will become IoT-enabled. Users wish to remain connected with their devices from far and control them remotely. IoT will be seen in home automation systems, enterprise apps and security systems.

2. Mobile Payments

Mobile commerce apps will continue to gather momentum in 2017 despite security remaining a concern. However, both Apple and Google, are committed to making security their top most priority in 2017. The m-commerce forecasts for 2017 are expected to be around $157 billion and will surpass $300 billion in 2020.

3. App security

With most apps being based on IOT and large volumes of personal data being hosted on the cloud, breach of privacy and security threats become a looming risk. In 2017, app designers will have to come up with high-end security features for their apps to foster trust among users.

4. Enterprise Apps & Micro-apps

The Prime goal of an enterprise mobile application is to help you restructure, streamline and manage crucial business processes on the go. Whereas, A micro-app aims to suffice very targeted operations and takes less load. However, both are successfully accomplishing their endeavors and are expected to continue further.

5. Cloud based apps

Cloud technologies will be used more to develop apps that require integration with IoT, wearables, artificial intelligence etc. Time and again there is always a need to develop apps that need a lot of storage for seamless functioning. In such scenarios, developing cloud based apps are inevitable. Moreover, with cloud support, apps can function securely across multiple devices.

6. Location Based Apps

Imagine walking into your favorite retail store and almost immediately your phone signals that you have a notification. You check and discover that the message is from the store's app and it is offering you an exclusive deal/coupon, just for walking in the door! This is arguably today's most typical example of location-based mobile messages. The goal of these notifications is to target consumers when a purchase is most likely to be made (when they are in a store location) and try and offer an incentive to buy more through coupons or other deals. In 2017, we will likely see other and more creative ways to use these messages to improve growth.

7. Weather apps

With dramatic climatic shifts all over the globe, weather apps will become need of the hour. Accurate, user-friendly weather apps will find many takers in 2017. People will utilize these apps for accessing weather predictions and planning their activities accordingly.

8. Virtual Reality

Applications based on virtual reality concepts allow customers to meet the sensations of being present in some places which aren't accessible in real live. Furthermore, virtual reality apps help users to acquire some skills for their professions before major competitions or events. This time, UX ideas for VR go hand in hand with VR hardware, because a virtual reality app can't be created without 3D experts and it definitely won't work on all devices. But, if you manage to create a product which offers rich media experience for your users, then the results will reward your effort. For more inspiration of amazing VR apps for smartphone, The Guardian made a top with 10 of the best apps available for smartphones.

Final Thoughts

If your business doesn't already have a mobile app (or at the very least a mobile development plan in the works), you are running the risk of not only missing out on the enormous potential benefits of mobile but also falling further and further behind the competition. By using some app development firms, small businesses are now able to compete with the big brands.