Beyond the Code: The Future of Android Development

The Android landscape is evolving rapidly with AI-driven UIs, Kotlin and Compose Multiplatform, server-driven UIs, and the rise of low-code development. This talk explores key trends shaping Android in 2025, from smarter UI personalization to cross-platform efficiencies and new form factors like foldables. Stay ahead with insights into where Android development is headed next.

As a seasoned app developer with over 8 years experience, Harriet Taylor has been integral in the creation of the android app for the UK’s top automotive market place, Auto Trader. With a masters degree in electronic engineering and a focus on innovation, she specialises in user-centric solutions and proof of concepts, both client and server side, using Java & Kotlin. She is dedicated to promoting diversity in technology, particularly empowering women in tech through advocacy and inclusive environments.

Transcript

1. Beyond the code The future of Android Development
2. What is this talk about?
3. Harriet Taylor Senior Android Engineer 1 2 3 4 Grew up in the Canary Islands Worked in Tech for over 8 years Masters in Electronic Engineering
4. Section title The Impact of Apps
5. The impact of apps
6. Industries transformed by apps • Education • Entertainment • Healthcare • Fitness • Automotive • Banking
7. Agenda 1 2 3 4 The Android landscape in 2025 Multiplatform development KMP & compose AI powered UIs & AI assisted code Server driven UI The rise of foldables & dual screens The rise of no code & low code apps Where do we go from here? 5 4 6 7
8. Section title The Android landscape in 2025
9. +3 billion active Android devices globally
10. Kotlin is the dominant Android language +3 billion active Android devices globally
11. Kotlin is the dominant Android language AI is influencing app development +3 billion active Android devices globally
12. Kotlin is the dominant Android language AI is influencing app development Multiplatform is gaining traction +3 billion active Android devices globally
13. Section title Multiplatform development: KMP & compose
14. Subsection Title What can it do? KMP: Share business logic
15. Subsection Title What can it do? KMP: Share business logic Compose multiplatform: Share UI across Android, iOS, Web
16. Subsection Title What can it do? KMP: Share business logic Compose multiplatform: Share UI across Android, iOS, Web JetBrains are investing heavily
17. Section title AI powered dynamic Uis & AI- Assisted code
18. Dynamic Ui’s (Material You, dynamic theming etc)
19. Dynamic layouts
20. AI-assisted code Generation (Copilot, Android studio bot)
21. Section title Server driven UI
22. App Client UI Definition Render UI Request advert { arguments } data: { name: “Vauxhall Corsa” year: ”2005” price:”£1,000” images: [ …… ] } AT Services Business Logic Client-Based UI
23. App Client Back-end for Front-end Parse UI Definition Render UI Build UI Definition page request { arguments } page { components: [ { type:”image”, url:”http://myCorsaImage” } { type:”text”, text:”Vauxhall Corsa 05 reg”}, { type:”text”, style: ”price”, text:”£1,000” }, ] } Business Logic AT Services Server-Driven UI
24. Server Driven UI’s (SDUI) • Trade-offs: Increased complexity, but better flexibility • Used by us at Autotrader! And the likes of AirBnb, Netflix and Spotify • Reduce app updates by modifying UI dynamically
25. Section title The rise of foldables and dual screens
26. Subsection Title Growing foldable adoption (Samsung, Google Pixel Fold, Microsoft Surface Duo)
27. Section title The rise of low code & no code apps
28. Subsection Title Low-code & no-code platforms
29. Explosion of these services recently Low-code & no-code platforms
30. Explosion of these services recently Low-code & no-code platforms Powerful for MVPs, but limited for customisation
31. Explosion of these services recently Low-code & no-code platforms Powerful for MVPs, but limited for customisation Why developers should care?
32. Section title Where do we go from here?
33. AI will continue to augment but not replace developers
34. AI will continue to augment but not replace developers Multiplatform tools will streamline Android, iOS and web development
35. AI will continue to augment but not replace developers Multiplatform tools will streamline Android, iOS and web development UI will become more dynamic and adaptive
36. AI will continue to augment but not replace developers Multiplatform tools will streamline Android, iOS and web development UI will become more dynamic and adaptive Key takeaway: Stay adaptable & keep experimenting
37. Section title • Engineering Blog - https://engineering.autotrader.co.uk • Roadmap Podcast - https://www.youtube.com/@ATRoadmap • Auto Trader Careers - https://careers.autotrader.co.uk/jobs • My LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/harriettaylor93 Thank You!