During the Google I/O developer conference in May 2021, Google released the Flutter version 2.2, taking the framework to the next best level. The earlier version was more of an SDK for mobile development. However, with the recent release, the company has converted it into a cross-platform app development framework. As a result, Google has entered a space to create apps for Windows, Linux, Mac, and other operating systems.
Some of the critical updates that came forth with Flutter 2.2 include:
- It offers null safety, which allows developers to develop confidently and create more secure projects. It is the norm of the developer world, and adding this feature has taken Flutter one notch higher
- Google has also released the in-app payments plugin alongside the new version launch, which will allow developers to enhance the apps with minimal efforts
Along with the version upgrade for Flutter, Google has also released a version upgrade for Dart.
With this new release, there are more reasons for developers to fall in love with the Flutter framework. However, before we talk about love and why it exists, let's take a quick look at the mobile niche and how app development is the key to growth.
Into the Mobile App World
Mobile app usage was on a high even before the Pandemic. However, the Pandemic reimagined how mobile apps are consumed and what people can do with these solutions. As a result, mobile app downloads have gone up by 23.3% since the Covid-19 Pandemic.
It also led to healthy competition between businesses to create a mobile-first solution for their end consumers. From education apps to productivity apps, there was a surge in usage.
The average consumer spend on mobile apps in Q2 of 2021 is $5.31. A total of 196Bn apps have been downloaded from the Google Play Store in 2021. If sources are believed, the total mobile app downloads will increase by 45% since 2017.
On average, the app users spend close to 3 hours 45 minutes on a mobile device every day. These statistics prove that mobile apps are the future. Therefore, businesses need to consider developing app solutions for their users.
It is equally essential to think about penetration before going ahead with app development. What would OS give you maximum reach? Given the times and the average number of devices for Android going up, businesses can no longer think iOS-first when they plan a mobile app solution.
If you plan good reach and visibility with your mobile apps, you need to think cross-platform. It is important to release an app for both the operating systems simultaneously to gain more traction and convert faster.
Flutter and the Developers Love for the Framework
When you say cross-platform app development, a good number of developers will vote for the Flutter framework. You would notice that flutter app development has gained more love after the version 2.2 update. Currently, 42% of the developers globally prefer the flutter framework for cross-platform development.
Here are a few reasons we believe developers have fallen for this platform and cannot think beyond it for cross-platform solutions.
