The Future of Desktop Applications
Recently International Data Corporation (IDC) predicted that the PC sales will decline in 2016. IDC further highlighted a year-on-year decline of market share of desktop computers in both mature and emerging markets. Likewise, Google also stated that more searches nowadays take place on mobile devices than on the desktop computers. The data clearly indicate that the massive popularity of mobile devices and apps are affecting the popularity of desktop computers and applications. A gradual increase is also being noted in the number of enterprises opting for web-based applications and mobile apps instead of building desktop applications.
Factors that will have a Direct Impact on the Future of Desktop Applications
Fluctuations in PC Sales
The popularity of devices and platforms always affect the applications running on them directly. The press release from IDC has cites a number of reasons for the decline of PC sales including political and economic transitions in both mature and emerging markets. IDC has further predicted that the shipment of desktop computers would stabilize by the end of 2016. Once the shipment of desktop computer is stabilized, the demand for desktop applications will start increasing.
A Variety of Complex Activities
Unlike mobile devices, desktop computers are not replaced by users at frequent intervals. A large percentage of users still use smartphones and tablets as secondary devices. They use PCs to perform more complex and higher tasks. So the users still rely on desktop applications to perform a variety of tasks quickly and efficiently. They will further need specialized apps in future to take advantage of new trends like Internet of Things.
Business Requirements
Most companies nowadays allow employees to bring and use their own mobile devices. But the companies still use desktop computers and GUI applications to maintain customer information, create invoices, and record financial transactions. So the desktop applications are used widely in business environments. The companies will use custom GUI applications in future to perform a variety of common tasks.
Windows 10
Many analysts feel that Windows 8 affected the popularity and market share of PC adversely. Microsoft has designed Windows 8 with a number of features that did not complement traditional desktop users. That is why; many users did not switch to Windows 8 from easier versions. But Microsoft has developed Windows 10 with several features by targeting the people still using computers with a keyboard and mouse. Many analysts feel that Windows 10 will boost the PC sales, and hence encourage businesses to launch new desktop applications.
Universal Windows Platforms
Windows 10 further makes it easier for programmers to create applications by targeting desktop computers and mobile devices simultaneously. The developers can take advantage of the Universal Windows Platform (UWP) to create applications that run on smartphones, tablets and PCs powered by Windows 10. Further, they can create the Universal Windows Apps by using a single code base, API set, and app package, while distributing the application through a single store. The tools will enable programmers to create cross-device applications in future.
Security of Data and Resources
The websites and mobile apps are prone to a wide variety of security threats. As most security attacks nowadays take place over the web, many businesses and individuals prefer storing crucial data and resources on desktop computers. They also rely on desktop applications to access the data and resources efficiently. The enhance security will contribute towards making desktop applications relevant in the longer run.
I have previously discussed on my blog about Can Python be used for desktop application development. The mobile devices enable users to access applications anytime and anywhere. However, the web-based applications and mobile apps cannot be better or more robust than desktop applications. So many businesses will still launch new desktop applications to meet users’ specific requirements and demands. So the desktop applications will still remain relevant over a longer period of time.
