Everything is mobile now

As mobile technologies and mobile ecosystems have exploded to unprecedented levels of worldwide popularity, technology companies and mobile app developers have realigned themselves with a mobile-first business model. Now, as new categories of consumer products—from televisions to cars—are engulfed in the technology maelstrom, these companies are leaning on their largest platforms to ensure success: mobile.

As televisions and cars are updated for the digital age, mobile is the foundation for their technical approach.

With the expanded Android ecosystem that has brought Android to wearables, televisions, and even automobiles, Google has made its case for the ubiquitous Android operating system to become the universal platform for the future of connected car app development, smart TV app development, and wearable app development. These fledgling ecosystems all lean on Android on smartphones or tablets to power their apps and experiences—but Google is not alone.

Apple, too, has placed iOS at the center of its product ecosystem and elevated mobile from the “digital accessory” era of iPods to the literal hub of users’ digital lives. Assisted in no small way by Bluetooth LE and Apple’s expansive iCloud services, the iPhone has become support system for CarPlay, Apple’s in-car experience with iOS, and the backbone of Apple TV, Apple’s first-blush play for the living room.

Mobile has been elevated from a “digital accessory” to the literal “digital hub.”

Both companies’ approach with wearables speaks to this mobile-centric vision of the future. WatchKit, Apple’s development framework to assist in Apple Watch development, relies entirely on a tethered iPhone to execute code and deliver Apple Watch app UI states. Android Auto, similarly, serves exclusively as a notification delivery mechanism for Android products while on the go in the car.

Developing for any of these platforms—that’s counting smart TV development, connected car development, and wearable app development—necessarily means developing for mobile. The technologies that these new categories are deploying are built on the mobile successes that came before, meaning that mobile app developers have all-new playgrounds to explore.