For most developers, smartphone apps have become their bread and butter. The boom of the mobile space has showered them with opportunities that gave birth to the likes of billion-dollar apps Instagram. Who would have thought about that a free app could actually bring fortune to some regular dudes. The mindset has since then grown to be one-dimensional, well at least for the majority of the software development efforts. But, is there something for developers outside the mobility? Ginormous. Yes!

The market evolution offers developers and programming pioneers a wide variety of prospects from cars to the living room. Recognizing the emerging technologies will play a big factor. Inforworld.com’s Pete Wayner prepared a slideshow to perhaps spark quiescent ideas of the apps development world. We picked some of the promising ventures from this.

Your Cars

When you go to out of town trips, school or office, it’s possible that you may forget to bring your smartphone, but not your car. Furthermore, automobiles, while they are bulkier than gadgets that we can slip on the pockets of our shirts, the electricity and power supply are far more reliable than smartphones. For these reasons, apps development for car may be deemed lucrative.

When we talk of automobiles, the ultimate consideration is safety. Car accidents in the US kill as much as deadly diseases such as cancer or heart attacks. This perhaps is the one thing that developers will have to be extremely cautious of. Changing CD’s while driving can cause a car crash. But, who does that today when you have hands-free interfaces. However, these may not suffice with the cognitive limitations of the human brain. The famed OBD-II or on-board diagnostic II technology is a good starting point for programmers.

An improvement in both capability and standardization of its predecessor, the OBD-II provides a universal inspection and diagnosis system to ensure that the car is performing to OEM standards. It assesses the overall health of the car and can now be connected with iPhone for easier monitoring. DashCommand is an iOS app for car hobbyists who would like to access engine data.

The “infortainment system” is fast becoming a selling edge of car companies such as BMW. The German automobile brand has just introduced the next edition of iDrive and ConnectedDrive that could make both car and tech enthusiasts drool. In a preview article, internet connectivity is one of the highlights:

“Users connect their device via WiFi to the BMW LTE Car Hotspot, with its Long Term Evolution technology for going online. Of course, the adapter also allows multiple devices to be linked up simultaneously, so that the LTE internet connection can be shared by all passengers.

Meanwhile, the galvanic connection to the vehicle aerial not only improves reception, it reduces radiation inside the car, too.

The BMW LTE Car Hotspot fits into any BMW centre console with a phone base plate, and can be retrofitted quite easily without changing the aerial and without a great deal of installation work. Even older BMW vehicles can be easily equipped with the latest in mobile internet technology by adding this accessory.

In areas where LTE is not yet available, the adapter will switch to the UMTS or GSM network. LTE – high-speed internet.”

Other opportunities for car apps development include Google Nexus 7, Ford Sync, GM OnStar API and more. Well as for the future, Google has already jumped into the driver-less bandwagon. I’m pretty sure that the next dreamy adventure is just around the corner waiting for the right time to launch.

Your TV

Moving from the garage to the interiors of your home, television is another emerging platform for apps developers. Apple TV, which offers high-definition iTunes content via AirPlay and more than just another living room entertainment experience has been regarded as Apple’s future favorite and most important product. Hulu is one of the biggest names to put their trust on Apple TV as they roll out the new Hulu app for the device. One of Apple’s fiercest competitors in the mobile space, Samsung is also up and running with TV apps development with its API that accepts HTML5 content. Yahoo has a similar offering packed with widget marketplace where people can buy your wares.

My childhood fantasy of having a TV that would feature multiple channels while I’m tuned in a favorite program has finally been realized, thanks to Rogue Paper’s TV In-app. In addition, more than a million users can now interact while watching the same program real-time.

“We hope to expand TV-Tune-In successes to other social media platforms where our social curation engine can match users’ preferences with relevant messages filtering across a broad social media space,” said Kayode Aladesuyi, ECDC CEO.

Your Clothing

No one leaves home nowadays without gadgets with them. Though it may sound a little uncanny, clothing apps development may just be the next big thing in tech and fashion world. Scott eVests and Jackets although a bit pricey, but are engineered to hide wires and sew gadgets to be unnoticeable within the jacket. The Hammacher Schlemer carries a five button control system that is woven into the outer layer of the sleeve so that users may be able to change tracks in the iPod without removing it from the pocket.

Other emerging technologies for apps developers may revolve around electric grid like a Wi-Fi-enabled programmable thermostat, the retail industry with After-Mouse married the Kinect with Windows API and in-store geolocation.