What’s the first thing that comes to mind when you hear the word “smartphone”? Chances are good that even if you’re a diehard “hater”, it’s the iPhone. There’s very good reason for this. Apple’s iPhone, while not the first of its breed, did more to further the industry than any other device before or after. In addition, the iPhone is still growing in popularity, particularly now that the exclusivity period with AT&T is over. What does that mean? Simply put, it means the demand for mobile app development has grown considerably.

Why the Increase in Demand?

Why as the popularity of the iPhone had such a significant impact on the demand for mobile application development services? Looked at logically, it makes a great deal of sense. For most consumers, the iPhone’s functionality as a cell phone is secondary. While it does a great job as a voice communication device, it’s the iPhone’s ability to run apps is really the primary driver in device adoption. People want it because it runs apps, not because it’s a great phone.

The Current State of the Market

While the iPhone has been around for a number of years, the market is really still in its infancy. Consider the phenomenal growth that the Apple App Store has experienced and you’ll have a clue about where the market’s headed. In addition, you only have to look at the success of Android to realize that apps aren’t going anywhere – they’re far too useful, valuable and convenient. It makes sense when you think about it.

What Do Apps Offer?

Perhaps the best way to understand the immense demand for mobile app development today is to look at what mobile apps offer users. You’ll find that there are mobile apps for absolutely everything. Whether you’re an international traveler, a high-powered investor, an author, a musician, an advertising professional or a sports fanatic, there are tons of apps out there that offer value and utility.

The Future

In both the short and long term, you can expect the demand for mobile app development to keep rising. Apple and other smartphone developers will continue to revise, refine and release new offerings, and there’s a slew of new mobile devices heading to the market (the tablet revolution is only part of it). That means that even more apps are going to be needed, in every conceivable segment of industry and society.