The launch of the smartphone kickstarter a mobile revolution that has transformed many aspects of our lives, from the way we shop to the way we communicate. Above all, it has completely changed our relationship with the internet.
Most of us now use these devices to access the internet, which explains why there are currently around 7.1bn mobile users, a number that is likely to reach 7.26bn by the end of 2024 and could come close to 7.49bn by 2025.
These figures clearly show that accessing the internet via these devices should continue to thrive in 2024 and increase for many years to come. Key to all this are hot trends within the mobile sector which people love to get involved with. But which niches could push internet use on devices like smartphones to even greater heights in the coming 12 months?
mCommerce
Known as mCommerce, mobile commerce is one of the fastest-growing niches in this industry. This has resulted in mCommerce sales passing the $3.56tn mark in 2024 ‒ a dramatic increase of 22.3% over the previous year. But why do people like shopping via their smartphone or tablet online and why might this niche help mobile internet use increase in 2024?
Speed and security are the main advantages of mCommerce. This has led to the rise of ‘scan and go’ facilities through the use of QR codes and other technology. As more consumers discover the convenience of various forms of mCommerce tech, we can expect developers to come up with ever more ingenious ways to enable us to shop on the move in 2024.
Online casino gaming via mobile
The online casino industry is one of the fastest-growing sectors globally, as more countries choose to liberalize their gaming laws. The USA is a case in point with multiple states now choosing to allow people within their borders to gamble online. In addition, developers are pushing the boundaries of what can be done in games to offer a more engaging experience to online casino fans.
While all this has helped online casino play flourish in general, it is the ability to play games like this on smartphones or tablets which has really attracted people. Top online casinos now use cutting-edge technology to offer the best gaming experience to players on these devices. Of course, it is crucial to find trustworthy sites to play on first before getting involved with this way of gaming. To help, many gamers will turn to independent casino review platforms for advice, of which Time2Play is a prime example.
But why is mobile casino gaming such a hit with people around the globe? The convenience of accessing your favorite slot or table game through a casino site on your phone has certainly played its part. This level of convenience has transformed the online casino sector and shown people how easy it is to fit playing classic games online into their lives. Advances in streaming and internet technology have led to the demise of casino apps in favor of mobile-friendly sites that can be played directly through a web browser.
As casino gaming on the move continues to increase in 2024, we can expect to see more sophisticated gaming experiences, a greater range of payment options (with a particular emphasis on cryptocurrencies) and enhanced social gaming features to attract players. There should also be more effective safer-gambling tools, as online casino operators respond to increasing demands to be more proactive in tackling problem gambling.
The rise of 5G
5G is here and is all set to start delivering faster, more stable mobile internet connections to people around the world. This is great for people who like to use the internet on their tablet/smartphone and need a connection which delivers a much more satisfying experience. The next 12 months is likely to see a massive expansion in 5G’s global use, with the subscription forecast for 5G in 2024 suggesting they could pass one billion users. This rise in 5G network coverage should also come with improvements in data allowances and services, as customers shop around for the best deal.
There is no doubt that the potential of 5G is massive. It offers big improvements over 4G in terms of connection speeds and also much lower lag times, with 5G offering under one millisecond for latency. This in turn will allow mobile apps and websites to offer far greater functionality to users than ever before. This is not limited to playing games or surfing the web either.
An expanding rollout of 5G networks in 2024 could open up the mobile user experience to include VR, AR and Internet of Things (IoT) capacity. This could have far-reaching and long-lasting effects across a wide range of fields, including medicine, communication, transport, home security and finance. When you also pair this with devices of even greater power coming out soon, such as Samsung’s Galaxy S22 Ultra being launched in 2024, then it is easy to see why mobile internet use could jump again in the coming year.
Mobile payments
Another trend that we can expect to see growing in 2024 is mobile payments. The benefits these kinds of transactions offer is obvious. Not only are they fast, convenient and secure, but they are also safer during a pandemic. The Covid-19 pandemic and its associated restrictions have also encouraged business and tech firms to come up with ever more inventive ways to process payments using devices such as smartphones. This creativity could lead to new breakthroughs in this field during 2024 and drive internet usage on mobile devices to even greater levels.
But what else could make the coming year a big one for payments like this? There is no doubt that improvements to online security measures for payment platforms will help. Enhancements to privacy features on mobile payment apps and platforms should also give people more confidence to begin using them in 2024.
As paying via tablets or smartphones starts to gain more mainstream media attention and becomes the norm for people in the coming 12 months, it should drive the trend for making payments in this way. With estimates suggesting this market could surpass $8.5bn by 2027, it is clear to see the positive future this niche has and how it could spark more engagement with internet use on smartphones or tablets.
Mobile wearable tech
Although much of the focus around mobile internet usage is on tablets or smartphones, it is important to factor in other ways too. Wearable internet-connected devices are a case in point but were regarded as something of a novelty when they first launched.
Since then, the market for this type of technology has started to grow rapidly. Much of that growth is likely to continue to be in the health and fitness sector. Devices such as the OPPO Watch, Fitbit, which can be worn on your wrist and monitor your heart rate, sleep patterns and blood oxygen levels, are a good example of this.
Mobile wearable tech in conjunction with the IoT has the potential to change every aspect of our lives. This type of tech makes it possible for us to carry out daily activities in an easier, more convenient way. This could be mobile wearable tech which means we don’t have to be chained to a desk to work or tech which helps out in our personal lives.
Mobile internet usage set to enjoy a great 2024
When you also factor in other things people love to do online via their mobile, such as using social media platforms, it is easy to see just how popular this way of heading online has become. People now truly value being able to jump onto the internet wherever they are and not having to wait until they get home to use their desktop PC. With devices like smartphones becoming ever more portable and powerful, it seems that 2024 will be another fabulous year for mobile internet penetration rates globally.
