2024 was a year full of landmark moments in mobile development, with trends and breakthroughs that reshaped the industry. Before diving into what 2025 has in store, we’ve gathered the most noteworthy events from the past year (as we see it).

Our team has carefully reviewed the key updates to offer you a well-rounded summary of the year's most impactful moments.

iOS Development

Many Faces of Apple’s Updates: Swift 6, Xcode 16, iOS 18

Apple’s last year developer updates were all about streamlining workflows and boosting app quality across its platforms. With tools like Xcode 16 and Swift 6, developers now have more power and resources than ever to create seamless and innovative experiences.

Swift 6

Though we haven’t fully adopted Swift 6 yet, the potential here is clear. The update introduces compile-time data-race safety, which simplifies working with parallel tasks, making concurrent programming much safer. Additionally, error handling has been enhanced, making it easier to track and fix issues. However, the added complexity in some areas of the code might slow down the development process initially.

Xcode 16

One of the standout features in Xcode 16 is Swift Assist. It promises to improve coding efficiency with predictive code completion, which could speed up development. However, it’s not without its quirks. While it’s a great tool for simple tasks, larger projects with complex nesting might not get the best results at first. But with time, it’s likely to adapt and offer more useful suggestions. A downside is that it can be a bit demanding on devices, so be ready for some performance considerations.

iOS 18

iOS 18 brought some truly exciting updates, including enhanced customization options, powerful AI-driven tools, and improved photo, camera, and writing features. The latest update, iOS 18.2, continues this trend with even more AI capabilities like Image Playground for creative image generation and AI Writing Tools to assist with smarter proofreading, rewriting, and summarizing. Siri also gets an upgrade, now integrating ChatGPT for more fluid, natural interactions. Looking ahead, iOS 18.3, expected by late January or February 2025, will continue the AI trend in Apple’s updates and introduce further enhancements and UI tweaks. 

As our iOS developers put it, these AI features offer an impressive blend of on-device and cloud processing, ensuring a secure and seamless experience. The inclusion of GPT is particularly notable, as it eliminates the need for third-party apps to access this powerful tool. Plus, AI tools now extend to practical areas like math operations in Notes, enhancing productivity in new ways.

Introducing Apple Intelligence

At WWDC 2024, Apple unveiled its Foundation Models, which are at the heart of the new Apple Intelligence. These generative AI models power a range of smart features across iOS 18 and beyond, including text generation, image creation, and more — all optimized for privacy and performance.

With a 3-billion-parameter model operating on-device, alongside a larger cloud-based model, Apple is pushing the boundaries of AI while keeping data secure. Adapter fine-tuning allows these models to dynamically specialize, offering personalized tools for writing, focus modes, and content creation. Privacy is a key concern, and Apple’s responsible AI practices ensure that users’ data remains protected.

The Swift Composable Architecture: A New Approach to iOS App Development

The Swift Composable Architecture (TCA) is a game-changer for managing app state, features, and side effects. Drawing inspiration from Redux and SwiftUI, TCA offers a structured way to break down complex app features into smaller, more manageable pieces. With intuitive APIs like @ObservableState and @Dependency, developers can easily manage state, dependencies, and feature composition.

Our developers find TCA an exciting new approach, particularly for those familiar with SwiftUI’s coding style. TCA can significantly speed up development, allowing for faster module creation and more straightforward interfaces. However, there’s a learning curve. Adopting this new architecture requires a solid understanding of the swift-composable-architecture framework, and performance and scalability need further testing before it becomes the standard.

Vision Pro: Apple’s Vision for the Future

Apple’s Vision Pro created a lot of buzz in 2024, but its high price and limited immersive content have caused some of the initial excitement to wane. Currently, it’s viewed as a niche product aimed at early adopters. However, Apple has big plans to expand the content offerings, with hopes to introduce more immersive experiences in 2025.

One notable recent development for Vision Pro is the upcoming integration of NVIDIA GeForce NOW, set to launch later this month. This will enhance the device’s gaming capabilities by enabling access to high-performance cloud gaming via Safari on visionOS, expanding the possibilities for gaming on Vision Pro.

In addition to gaming, Vision Pro is being adopted in other creative fields. Director Jon M. Chu, known for Wicked, used the device in the editing process, collaborating remotely with Evercast and editing drafts on a massive virtual screen. He described the experience as a "revelation," highlighting how the device transformed his workflow.

Lamborghini also showcased the potential of Vision Pro at the Monterey Car Week, offering an immersive experience that blended 3D content and storytelling to present the Lamborghini Temerario. This use of spatial computing technology marks a unique blend of luxury automobiles and cutting-edge tech, illustrating just how versatile Vision Pro can be when integrated into high-end industries.

Android Development

Android 15: New Features for Developers and Users

Android 15 brings a host of improvements aimed at both developers and users, especially for tablets and foldable devices. For developers, it introduces features like faster app start-up times, enhanced storage management, and updates to support better font handling in different languages.

For users, Android 15 offers camera and media upgrades, including improved low-light imaging and audio adjustments, making for an overall smoother and more enjoyable experience. Google is encouraging developers to take advantage of these new tools to create more efficient, user-friendly apps that take full advantage of Android 15’s capabilities.

Google Previews Android 16 Ahead of Schedule

Google has surprised developers by releasing the first preview of Android 16 earlier than expected. The new update aims to speed up Android’s development cycle, with the official launch set for Q2 2025. According to our Android developers, the most exciting aspect is the shift in Google’s release cycle, with updates now being rolled out more than once a year.

Key features so far include an improved photo picker, which aims to make apps more user-friendly. This quicker release cycle ensures that new Pixel devices will launch with the latest Android features right out of the box.

Android 16 will also bring several exciting updates, such as enhanced AI integration, improved media features, and faster performance on larger screens. Developers can use tools like Gemini in Android Studio to create high-performance apps. Google is providing resources to help developers transition smoothly to Android 16 and make the most of these new features.

The second preview of Android 16 didn’t introduce many new features for users, but it did include improvements such as cloud search in the photo picker and expanded health features. It also focuses on system optimizations like better haptics, adaptive screen refresh rates, and overall performance improvements. The public beta is expected to be available in early 2025.

In addition, the declarative UI framework, Jetpack Compose, continues to evolve, with performance improvements and new guides for developers. Work on Compose Multiplatform is also underway to extend its capabilities across various platforms.

Project IDX: Android Studio Goes Web-Based

Google has launched Project IDX, bringing Android Studio to the web. This new tool allows developers to build Android apps directly in their browser, with features like Firebase Hosting and GitHub integration. Powered by Google Cloud and the Codey AI model, Project IDX simplifies the development process by making coding and app management more accessible. The platform is designed to support multiple frameworks and languages, with more tools and capabilities planned for future updates.

Google Introduces Desktop View for Android Tablets

Google has launched a new feature for Android tablets called Desktop Windowing, which allows users to resize and manage multiple app windows, similar to what you'd experience on a desktop computer. Our Android developers are particularly excited about this new feature.

Currently available as a preview for Pixel tablets, this feature aims to boost tablet productivity. Developers only need to make minor adjustments if their apps are already optimized for larger screens. The feature will be more widely available once Android 15 QPR1 Beta 2 is released.

This feature is designed to improve multitasking on tablets. The developer preview lets apps open in resizable windows, making tablets function more like desktop PCs. Developers are encouraged to design apps that work seamlessly with different screen sizes and input methods, such as keyboards and mice. This will give users more control over their apps, helping them to accomplish more work directly on their tablets.

Google has also been working on improving support for large, flexible screen devices by introducing new components and guides for developers. These resources are aimed at helping developers create apps that are optimized for a variety of screen sizes, ensuring a better experience for users.

Gemini Updates for Developers

Gemini, now integrated into Android Studio, is making it easier for developers to improve their code with AI-powered features. These include suggestions for better variable names, automatic documentation generation, and the ability to refactor code. These features will definitely help developers streamline their workflow and write cleaner, more efficient code.

Google Home APIs and Runtime in Public Beta

Google has launched a public beta for its Google Home APIs and Home runtime, which help developers connect Android apps to the Google Home system. This means users can control smart devices and automate their homes right from their Android apps. Google has already partnered with companies like Eve, Nanoleaf, and LG to use these tools in their apps. Developers can now test these features with up to 100 users.

AI & Mobile Development

Azure at GitHub Universe: New Tools for Simplified AI App Development

At GitHub, Azure unveiled a suite of new tools designed to make AI app development easier for developers. These tools provide better support for AI models and workflows, allowing developers to integrate AI into their applications more seamlessly. Highlights include tighter integration with GitHub Copilot, optimized workflows for deploying AI apps, and new features within Azure Machine Learning. These updates aim to streamline the development process, making it faster and more efficient for developers to build AI-powered applications.

AWS and Poolside AI Solution for Developers

AWS has partnered with Poolside to offer a new AI software development solution. This collaboration allows development teams to fine-tune models using proprietary data while ensuring security and privacy. The solution is designed for teams that need to customize AI systems while adhering to strict coding practices. All processes are handled within the secure environment of AWS, ensuring both reliability and convenience for developers looking to leverage AI for their unique needs.

Bringing AI Closer: Technology at Your Fingertips

Leading companies in device development are making strides to bring artificial intelligence into our everyday lives by integrating it directly into mobile devices. While AI has long been a key component of software solutions, the spotlight is now on its integration into the hardware itself.

Modern devices are being built with the ability to process data on-device, enabling faster, more seamless AI-powered experiences. This shift reduces dependence on cloud computing, enhances security, and improves overall performance.

By embedding AI into the hardware, companies like Apple, Nvidia, and Samsung are paving the way for smarter, more efficient technologies that are increasingly accessible and impactful for users, putting AI right at their fingertips.

AI for Enhanced Personalization

ContextSDK is pushing the boundaries of AI integration with a $4 million funding boost, focusing on enabling applications to adapt to real-world contexts without intrusive data collection. By leveraging over 200 signals, ContextSDK uses machine learning to create more personalized and seamless user experiences. This not only drives user engagement but also improves satisfaction, making app interactions feel more intuitive and responsive.

QA Tools

Automating Bug Detection: Kobiton’s AI-Powered Testing Tools

Kobiton is set to introduce new testing tools that will streamline the mobile application debugging process. These tools, powered by AI, will aggregate issues found during testing by grouping related bugs and identifying recurring defect patterns. This innovative approach simplifies the debugging process, helping developers resolve issues faster and more efficiently.

Launchable AI Testing Solution Now on AWS Marketplace

Meanwhile, Launchable has introduced an AI-driven solution for automated testing, now available on the AWS Marketplace. This tool, created by Kohsuke Kawaguchi, the mind behind Jenkins CI/CD, enhances testing efficiency by intelligently interacting with test suites and selecting the most relevant tests to run. By doing so, it shortens testing time, accelerates feedback cycles, and optimizes overall software development. With its integration into CI/CD pipelines, teams can now streamline and scale their development processes.

Wrapping It Up: Mobile Development in 2024

Mobile development is evolving rapidly, driven by new tools and AI technology throughout 2024. 

Both Android and iOS have rolled out exciting features that empower developers and enhance user experiences. AI continues to play a key role in shaping the way apps are built and tested. Tools like Gemini in Android Studio, Apple Intelligence, Launchable, and Kobiton help developers work smarter by automating tasks like improving code and detecting bugs.

As mobile development progresses, these innovations make it easier to create apps that are faster, smarter, and more personalized. With AI at the forefront, the future of mobile apps is all about creating intuitive, accessible, and responsive experiences for users. We’re excited to see what 2025 has in store!

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