By 2018, 25% of new mobile apps will talk to IoT devices

Gartner predicts that by 2018, 25 percent of new mobile apps will talk to Internet of Things (IoT) devices.

David Willis, vice president and distinguished analyst, Gartner said, "While users are constantly looking for new and compelling app experiences, the importance of apps in delivering services will diminish and the emergence of virtual personal assistants (VPAs) and bots will replace some of the functions performed by apps today. Alternative approaches to interaction and service delivery will arise, and code will move from traditional mobile devices and apps to the cloud."

"The proliferation of mobile devices means that phones, tablets, laptops and wearables are now omnipresent within the business environment, reinventing the way people interact and work," said Willis.

"Moreover, the arrival of wearables and bring your own "thing" (such as smart kettles, smart power sockets or smart light bulbs) in the workplace will introduce new interaction techniques and new platforms, diluting the need for specific mobile app experiences," commented Willis.

"Through 2018, the app will be the preferred mechanism, because it provides a better experience and allows more sophisticated interactions and data analysis, with low-level networking and background processing," added Willis.

New ways to interact with things will deliver pervasive services, and emerging technologies - such as artificial intelligence, natural-language processing and bots integrated into messaging apps, open new opportunities to interact with users seamlessly.