Developing an Android Mobile Application Development – Trends to Follow

 

Android has become the next best mobile operating system to iOS. Undoubtedly, Apple iOS has enjoyed the patronage of elite class and top executives throughout the World and still continues to do so. However, the persistent improvement of Android and the Google tag has made Android one of the fastest growing mobile OS. In fact, Android is the fastest developing platform and will outdo all its competitors, according to an American market research & analysis company. The shift in mobile application development trend is quite apparent as increasing numbers of businesses hire Android developer outsource development and establish team for it. In fact, impressive numbers of freelance developers have also entered the arena and making handsome profit with their talent.

Android is an open-source and free platform, unlike many other OS. It enjoys major advantage over its arch rival iOS from this perspective. Undoubtedly, Apple provides exclusive advantages to its users as its iOS is extremely user-centric and user-oriented as well as pro-profit. However, Android wins by numbers. The strategy seems simple. If respectable majority of smartphone users will use Android then even small percentage of profit will accumulate into huge revenue. Technology development firms throughout the World seem to have identified the trend and where it may tread in future. Android leads in the smartphone market-share by considerable margin. More number of users means greater diversity in require applications. Undoubtedly, one mobile app development company or a handful of such companies cannot meet the demand. In other words, there is great earning potential for even small development firms as well as individual developers.

Outsourcing continues to be the dominating trend in case of Android app development. Companies that need applications for their own business or to be used by their employees as well as firms that develop mobile applications for revenue generation look to outsource. The benefits of outsourcing are not exclusive to mobile application development but in other sectors too. Several technology companies focus only on their core operations while outsource service and additional operations to developing countries. India has become the global capital for outsourcing in various business sectors including Information Technology. The Indian economy is growing. So, talent is less costly there than in developed country. It is notable that outsourcing application development is not limited to only subcontinent. Some Latin American, African and Far Eastern nations provide equally viable outsourcing deals.

As of now, it will not be incorrect to mention outsourcing and Android development have become best friends. Android application development projects are being outsourced more and more not only because it is the trend in the market. Both big and small firms find it more economical than spending on in-house projects. The trend has also set the ground in developing countries as outsourced service providers are increasing in number. Thus, competition makes the process even more feasible as well as ensures that there is sufficient and efficient resource available in the market for timely completion of a project.

 

Changing Business Perception with Mobile Game Development

Smartphones have revolutionized the use of technology in daily life. It is quite safe to mention that mobile platforms have advanced enough to assist everyone in every activity. There is just no limit to the extent to which smartphones can be used in the present age. Incredibly, such advancement has not exhausted the scope for further growth. Smartphones are continuously evolving with continuous improvement in hardware, operating system and applications. The all-round advancement in the mobile phone industry not only helps in deeper integration of technology in daily life but also provides more and more streamlined solutions for users.

As it is apparent, the use of smartphones is not limited to only important and productive needs such as education, work management, time management, etc. There are seemingly infinite numbers of applications for sheer entertainment, fun and madness. Mobile game development deserves mention in this context. In fact, no other niche of application development has exploded as greatly as mobile game development has. Every decently large company that is involved in mobile application development has a team of mobile game developers to exploit the ever-expanding market. Opportunity is vast and prospective of growth seems long-termed too.

Nearly every mobile phone manufacturer has caught up with the trend of smartphone production. Indeed, the smartphone market is dominated by Samsung and Apple with 32% and 15% market-share respectively. However, even small mobile phone companies that are less known have entered the business at top gear and successfully slice out respectable market-share percentage of their giant counterparts. Software development firms that create operating systems for mobile devices have obviously played equally significant role in making technology man’s best friend. Google leads in the market of mobile OS and is followed by Apple. However, Microsoft is steadily catching up with Windows Phone.

Apple is clearly a dominant name in both hardware and software production. In fact, its dual nature has helped it earn relatively greater profit than its competitors. Despite being seconded by another company in both smartphone manufacturing and mobile OS development, iPhone and iPad game development is the most fruitful domain for developers and development companies. Surveys reveal that iPad users download most numbers of games than users of other devices. One reason behind this is that guidelines posed by Apple for application development are highly user-centric and user-oriented. Thus, where there is greater scope for sales is likely to be more profitable market.

iPad and iPhone game developers dominate the mobile game development industry. The good news about mobile game development, whether it is for iOS, Android or other platforms, is that educative games are also available in great numbers. This is one domain where no other platform matches iOS. There is more number of sensible and educative games on iOS than any other OS. It is changing the business perception of game development industry. Now, developers appreciate the need of games that can be played to improve attention, quantitative aptitude and other intellectual and sensorial ability.

Crucial Stages of Android Application Development

 

Mobile application development encompasses various steps that are involved in the process irrespective of the platform for which the application is being created. Successful launch of an Android application depends on how keenly developers understand various stages of software project management. Deep analysis of application development process reveals that numerous steps together form the development course. However, broader classification bundles a number of small stages into phases, completion of which marks significant progress in the development life cycle. Thus, there are 5 crucial stages of Android app development that every developer needs to be well aware of.

Requirement Specification: Typically, clients provide specifications for the Android application that they want to be created. Points of reference are often provided too. However, the task of requirement specification begins for developers after the brief from the client has been received. It is the responsibility of developers to study both specifications and the reference keenly to form blue print of the required product. This stage may require repeated communication between developers and clients as the former have to understand latter’s need and the latter need to understand the pros & cons described by the former.

Development Model Specification: Once clear idea of the project is obtained, developers have to decide which development model they will follow to finally deliver the product. There are various software development life cycle models such as Waterfall model, Incremental model and Spiral model, and different models are suitable in different scenarios. The choice of development model mainly depends on clients’ requirement-specification, time, utility of the application and the type of application. Spiral model can suitable for evolutionary applications while incremental model fits the bill for the applications that should be live soon and can be completed with periodic installment.

Role Assignment & Prioritization: Though it is a kind of managerial responsibility, it is a crucial stage in small as well as big mobile application development projects. Interface designing, database creation, server-side settings, documentation, etc. are different tasks that should be assigned to different members of a development team. Unless the required Android application is so basic that a lone developer can manage all tasks, role assignment and prioritization of task should be seriously considered. Else, the development life cycle may get chaotic as progress by one personnel may depend on progress by another.

Development: The main event of Android app development life cycle is coding and programming phase. Validation and verification of the developmental progress has to be ensured by team leaders or project managers. This ensures that applications pass the testing stage and is delivered exactly as demanded by clients or are close to precision.

Testing & Delivery: When clients hire Android developer they expect that the product will be delivered such that it can be used immediately. Testing is very important to confirm that the efficiency of features and functions of applications are satisfactory and that the product can be delivered to clients. It is important to keep a copy of documentation that has to be given to clients.

 

Capture the iPhone Game Market by Best iPhone Game Development

 The iPhone has emerged as a unique gaming platform with features that make it extremely promising when it comes to new development opportunities. The low development cost, integration with iTunes, easy Object C programs, easy publication and touch screen are some of the factors cherished by iPhone app developers the device has already earned immense popularity throughout different corners of the world with new features getting added every now and then. The App store already has a huge collection of exciting games and the addition of new games has been happening at a constant pace. The game development market for the iPhone has been increasing at a rapid pace all throughout the world. This is mainly because of the fact that users are finding it hard to resist themselves from playing these games with huge functionalities.

Game developers, students in game development classes or starters in iPhone app development industry always wish to create games that can work perfectly in iOS platform and catch the attention of millions of users throughout the world. However, in order to achieve that, it is necessary to have a proper plan which needs to be executed perfectly. Success is not easy to come by in the field of iOS game development. iPhone app developers need to create games that users will want and love to play always. The screenshots and game description should be catchy enough to grab the attention of users which is the initial step towards the success of the game. Unlike, the games of the past, present games are available with numerous features and different categories are available to the users to choose from.

It is always a good idea for the app developers to get a feel of the highly popular games in the iOS platform by downloading and playing some games from the App store. The nature of the screenshots, game description and graphics can provide a clear idea about the kind of games that are most preferred. This will provide them with a fairly good idea as how to capture the iPhone gaming market. The iPhone app development market consists of numerous games and apps for the users and in order to stand out from amongst the rest, it is necessary to think of something unique and appealing.

Apart from the game and the features there are quite a few other factors that hold a lot of importance towards the success of the game. Immaculate design, good music, good art and outstanding effects play a huge part towards keeping the users engaged to a game. For the success of the game, proper marketing strategies are crucial. For the initial success of the game, a developer should be prepared to sacrifice some amount of money. To promote the game among the users, it is necessary to create free trials along with paid versions. The free trials allow the users to know more about the game and if everything works out well then, many of the users might start opting for the paid version. 

MOBILE WEBSITE DEVELOPMENT VS MOBILE APPS - WHICH SHOULD YOUR BUSINESS CHOOSE ?

 

 

Mobile App Development

 

Mobile websites and applications are the two means to establish web-presence of any business. However, the choice between website and application depends upon a number of factors. For some enterprises, mobile website may alone suffice the need for wider outreach whereas both may be required for others. The world witnesses an explosion of mobile application development and both companies and freelancers try their luck at it. However, the scenario does not undermine the merits of mobile website development.

Mobile Website: These behave similar to regular websites. They have HTML-based pages that are linked and accessible via a browser. The only difference between regular websites and websites is that the latter is optimised for smartphones-displays, which are much smaller than desktops. Like it is for every website, Internet is needed for these websites.

Mobile Application: On the other hand, applications are native to specific OS such as Android, iOS and Windows Phone. These applications can be used after they are downloaded and installed to the device. Once installed, applications need internet only occasionally to update content.

It is quite safe to mention that nearly every mobile app development company deals in app development too. In fact, businesses applications make less sense without mobile websites. The recommended priority for small and medium-scale businesses is to have the website first and then an application.

Advantages of Mobile websites over Mobile Applications

Accessibility: Websites can be accessed without a hiccup as long as the device enjoys Internet connectivity. Mobile applications need to be downloaded and installed before they can be used.

Compatibility: Same website can be accessed via different OS. Thus, developers and administrators have to create and maintain only one website. But, applications function native to a OS. Therefore, organisations need to invest more on development to have an application for all major OS. Cross-platform applications can be developed but they are not as good as native applications.

Upgradability: Changes to the content or design of websites take effect immediately after developers or administrators edit. Application owners shave to push the update to users, who then have to download it to upgrade applications.

Visibility: The websites are searchable via search engines. Other websites in the same niche of business may even link to other websites. On the contrary, applications can be found at only at application stores of specific OS. Moreover, users may have to change filter settings on application stores to find an application easily.

More: Sharing mobile website URLs is easy, which also adds to their wider reach. Development and maintenance of these websites is less expensive and time-effective too.

Advantages of Mobile Applications

Application development is the most suitable option for games. Similarly, for personalised functions, such as note-taking, applications have edge due to their independence on Internet. Though mobile websites have improved in accessing device-specific functions, applications are best to exploit native functions of OS.