How Does User Behavior Affect Android And iOS App Development?

Applications have become a core part of the society today. From travel to food to entertainment, there’s an app for everything! However, the perception varies; the way a developer sees an app and the way a user sees it is drastically different. The app development process is a result of a user problem that needs solving. App developer’s look to find the most efficient way to solve these issues, and this is why user behavior affects the process!

Here are 4 ways how user behavior impacts the mobile app development process:

• Application Platform: Android and iOS are the predominant app development platforms. Each year both platforms see a significant number of users purchasing their phones. With 2018 experiencing a hike in Android users, iOS has been put up against tough competition. Several companies are releasing pocket-friendly Android phones unlike Apple, which primarily sells premium and expensive gadgets. Depending on user inclination in regards to the market, application developers have to develop apps for respective platforms.
• Demographics: With Android selling affordable than iOS, even the not-so-rich people can purchase an Android device. However, iPhone buyers are usually from the higher end of the market. Depending on the type of audience a developer wants to cater to and the income he expects, he can pick iOS – for a high priced app, or Android – for a nominal/free app.
• Consistency In Usage: Yes, it is a factor. With millions of applications in the market and another million being made, a user is left with many choices. When it comes to iOS, statistics show that users tend to use an application for longer spans and the retention is healthy. However, the condition is the opposite in Android. Hence, while catering to the Android community, your app should be top-notch and hold a place on the user’s phone!
• Revenue: App developers don’t always aim for the 1000$ mark. Even getting 1000 downloads initially is a milestone! Depending on the audience, you either make good money or get recognition – or both. With Apple, the trend remains the same; good apps are purchased no matter how expensive. Apple has high-end users who don’t hesitate to spend on an app. However, with Android, paid apps will seldom work. In return, however, you will reach a huge audience.

The iOS vs. Android battle is ever-raging. Both platforms offer good exposure! However, no one knows Android app development better than Openwave! Our Android and iOS app development team will ensure you get the best application made. Call us today: +1(212) 209-1537 to speak to our expertise.

6 iOS App Development Trends That Will Be In the Limelight In 2018

While the iPhone has undergone several iterations since its launch in 2007, what has remained constant is the quality and robustness of apps that are hosted on the iPhone. Apple which aims to always stay at the cutting edge of smartphone development encourages and adopts the latest in smartphone tech every time with a new version. The iOS app developer community, one of the most competitive and cutting-edge community, is gearing up for a new bout of innovations in the year 2018.

Watch out for the following trends:

1. Swift 4: Swift 4 is the latest update for the language that is developed by Apple exclusively for its MacOS and Linux systems. It is a powerful and easy to learn programming language that is preferred by developers for its scalability and robust security. The latest version is expected to make it easy to build applications that have better memory management.

2. Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Siri: Siri is one of the most popular applications ever. Being the first voice assistant ever, it has transformed the way we interact with our smartphones. In its latest iteration, it is expected to incorporate AI-powered capabilities and make conversations far more human-like than ever.

3. Core Machine Learning: Core Machine Learning or Core ML is the latest framework launched by Apple for incorporating machine learning algorithms into all its devices. Adding machine learning codes to the various iOS apps will enrich their performance and make them secure.

4. Augmented Reality (AR) and ARKit: Augmented Reality is the new tech on the block with all emerging smartphones being AR/VR capable. Apple too is betting big on this technology by ARKit, the SDK that allows developers to build AR/VR/3D apps for the iOS platform.

5. Apple Pay: Apple Pay is one of the few applications that are not mentioned as much as it should be. With a boost of 500% in the number of transactions that take place in Apple pay, it is expected to take bigger strides in 2018.
   

6. Apple HomeKit: Apple is betting big on IoT and home automation. In this regard, it has launched HomeKit that will make it easy for businesses to build connected devices.

Build apps that incorporate the latest features and look to top the charts! Develop a new line of cutting-edge iOS apps by partnering with Openwave, leading iOS App Developers based out of New York! Get in touch with our business team today.

5 Questions to Ask Yourself before Hiring a Mobile App Development Agency

Surely, you’ve realized the potential that mobile apps hold and want to build one for your business. Before you rush off to the first agency you find online with your app development idea, it’s better to get a deeper introspection.

Here are a few questions you need to ask yourself before hiring a mobile app development company:

Why Do I Need An Agency?

This is the first question you need to get an answer to. Do you not have the required skills within your business? What can an external agency provide that you cannot get internally? Only opt for a development company, if you haven’t got the resources, the skill or the time to handle it.

What Do I Expect From The Agency I Hire?

Once you’ve established a firm ground that you need an app development company, identify what your expectations from them are. Do you already have a plan etched out and only want them to flesh it out? Or do you want them to start from level zero? Are you also planning on getting extended maintenance and support from them? Understanding all this will help you choose a company as per your requirements.

What Business Challenges Will The App Resolve?

While a company can help you with realizing your vision, you need to firmly layout your business goals first. How will your app solve a particular business problem? Is it offering something of value to customers? Make sure you set clear objectives and goals and communicate it to the developers to build an app that actually serves a purpose.

How Are You Going To Monetize It?

Money making may form the driving force behind your motivation to build an app, but you need to ask yourself how you’re going to monetize it. Whether it is through ads, sales or through increased brand exposure, set an approximate measure of how you’ll be recording your ROI, even if a few aspects cannot be quantified.

How Much Budget Can You Spare For Your Project?

While a common practice is to shop for quotes and then set the budget, this approach will not yield results. Be realistic with your vision and set a fixed budget from the start to avoid any confusion down the line. While some agencies charge as high as $ 500K, there are a few firms that offer cost-effective yet quality solutions as well.

Before starting any conversations with an agency, it’s necessary to establish what your goals and expectations are. To get solutions within your budget and prescribed requirements, you can always get in touch with Openwave, a reputed mobile app development agency in the US.

Should You Sign an NDA Before Developing Your Mobile App?

Have you outsourced the developing of your mobile app project or are you considering doing it? If so, then you’re going to be working with a lot of strangers soon. You need to protect your interests while doing so, as you’re going to be sharing a lot of critical business information as well as ideas with them. While it doesn’t happen often, some developers have been known to steal app ideas and make millions in profit to the detriment of the company who came up with it in the first place.

How Do You Protect Your Business/App Idea?

So how do you ensure that your business or application idea isn’t stolen by the development company – or someone from the team – for personal gain? By signing a non-disclosure agreement (also known as NDA)! An NDA is a legally-enforceable contract that makes it mandatory for developers to keep your information confidential. If they fail to do so, there can be severe legal consequences for them.

What Critical Functions Does an NDA Serve?

A nondisclosure agreement is meant to protect your trade secrets and other confidential information. Typically, there are three key roles an NDA will play when it comes to application development:

• Protect Your App Idea: The most important function of the agreement is to protect the app idea. Your developer will be forbidden to talk about it with your competitors or anyone else.
• Keep Development Rights: Once the project has been completed, the agreement will allow you to retain the rights to the concept underlying your project (usually this clause is more present in patent filings than mobile apps). That will prevent other people from making clones without your permission.
• Create Off-Limits Information: Devs will need to talk about some parts of your project, especially if it’s high profile or if you require marketing to create hype before the launch. You will be able to create a list of content that is off-limits and can’t be divulged during marketing.

Only work with a mobile development company that is trustworthy and is willing to sign a nondisclosure agreement before commencing with the planning of the project.

 

Groundbreaking Enterprise App Development Trends in 2017

Modern businesses are more dependent than ever before on enterprise apps. Not only do these apps eliminate paperwork, but they also automate many business tasks. Over the past few years, we’ve seen them grow by leaps and bounds – they can now easily do what wasn’t possible even a couple of years ago.

2017 is going to be a groundbreaking year when it comes to business software development. Here are some top trends we are excited about:

Preventing Security Breaches

Only when business is good do companies allocate a significant budget to security. However, thanks to rising cyber attacks, preventing security breaches is going to be a major development priority this year. Oft-overlooked vulnerabilities in software will be patched up.

Cloud Support

A lot more applications will not have extensive cloud support. Not only is it cheaper and easier to store data in the cloud, but it also allows the data to be accessed easily on both desktops and mobile phones. It also speeds up some software.

Hybrid Apps

Employees these days carry a variety of devices with them (BYOD), including wearables, phones, and laptops. This phenomenon has resulted in the demand for applications that can be accessed from a variety of devices – a demand which hybrid technology will satisfy.

SQL Makes a Big Comeback

NoSQL databases like MonogoDB and Cassandra have exploded in popularity recently. The developers behind SQL woke up to the threat posed by these NoSQL variants and made significant changes to their offerings, like scaling out with the help of extensions. SQL is expected to make a big comeback this year.

Talent Shortage

Technology and requirements are changing rapidly. New devices get introduced in the market on an almost daily basis. It is estimated that the demand for enterprise level applications, for example, will be 500% more than before. We may well see the demand outpacing the supply.

Businesses that don’t embrace these changes are at risk of falling behind their competitors. It’s a good idea to get your old software upgraded for 2017. If you want to cut development time and costs, you can outsource the project to an IT services provider. Go Openwave

Why is iOS the Preferred Platform for App Development for Businesses?

There are over 2 billion unique smartphones in the world at the moment, each running a different OS (operating system). Some of the most popular operating systems in the world include Android, iOS, and Windows. Every operating system has different requirements when it comes to apps. Companies, at the moment, prefer building apps either for Android or the iOS platform.

Android has a market share of 70% at the moment, but it’s still not the most popular app development platform for businesses – iOS is! There are many reasons for that, including the following:

It Lets You Build Superior Quality Apps

Apple provides a developer kit that has guidelines and tools you can follow to create high-quality applications. If you follow their guidelines, you’ll always end up with a high-quality app. With Android, apps tend to be of variable quality.

They are Inherently Secure

On the iOS platform, apps don’t get updated automatically. Also, Apple has strict requirements about what it will allow or not allow on the store, making these apps inherently more secure.

They Make Maximum Use of Hardware Capabilities

There are over 25000 unique Android devices, but only a handful of iOS ones. It is much easier for developers to create an app that can make maximum use of a phone’s hardware capabilities. The hardware and software integration of iOS apps is perfect.

Payments Made Simple

Accepting payments on this platform is very simple. You can use Apple Pay for seamless, one-tap payments. Also, it’s a known fact that it generates the most revenue for developers worldwide.

It Gives Maximum Support

Developers that run into problems while building an application are ably backed by Apple’s system of resource websites and their live chat service.

It is Faster to Build

Development times are much lower than that of Android applications. Apple attempts to make their language (Swift) and guidelines as easy to understand as possible.

You can use DIY app builders and the Xcode idea to begin to develop your iOS app by yourself. Alternatively, if you want a highly sophisticated and smooth app, you can hire an experienced app development team to make you one.

Selecting the Right Mobile Developer for Your Organisation

Trying to create mobile apps on your own? Have advanced coding and platform knowledge? If the answer is no, have no doubt your development isn’t going to even start. The best thing to do would be to hire an expert developer, qualified, experienced, who would be able to map your requirements into business processes and execute them within a timeline. But how do you choose the right developer, one that gives you the right mix of competence and innovation to help you stand out in the mobile world?

Duration of experience:

Please don’t think for a moment that we believe youngsters cannot be great developers. Many of them are. But, what you’re hunting for is a full-time developer and it is ideal to look for someone who has at least 3-4 years of practical industry experience. Go through his or her references carefully and question him on his precise job responsibilities in the earlier organizations.

Familiarity with mobile platforms:

 

Unless your organization is exclusively into Android or iOS app development, it wouldn’t be advisable for you to hire a developer who has experience exclusively in any one platform. Instead it would be prudent if you hired someone who is familiar with all mobile platforms.

Examples of the developer’s work:

 

Quantity, in this case the candidate’s work experience, does matter, but the quality matters more. You need to find out the quality of his work in his previous organizations and find out more about the apps that he has created or successfully contributed to. Remember: There has to be no doubt whatsoever that the said apps were indeed developed by the candidate.

 

Ability to think beyond coding:

To be able to make a mark in any mobile application development company, a developer needs to have a vision of how their creations are going to benefit the end-users. Find out how the job-applicant plans to incorporate user-friendly features in the apps he would be creating. Proficiency in coding is, of course, necessary – but that is not sufficient for making a developer really suitable for your company.

App-monetization

 

Your developer must be able to incorporate appropriate monetization and pricing plans for the applications. If ads are to be displayed on the apps, he has to come up with plans for generating revenue from them. Depending on the features of mobile apps, their subscription/download fees have to be determined.

 

Communicability

 

This goes without saying. Communicability is central to any organizational role and it must be so for a developer too. You must be able to reach the developer at any point of time and he should be more than willing to communicate his work to everyone in the organization.

7 Steps to a Successful App!

Everyone wants to create a successful app. But, will just good coding knowledge translate into app success. Not quite. Success on the Appstore requires a lot more. This article looks at what developers need to build a successful app.

Step 1: Functionality

Your mobile app must function as planned. This means it should function accurately and smoothly. Don’t box multiple functionalities in one app. It’s better to create a mobile app that does one thing very well.

Step 2: Value

There’s no point in developing an app that adds little value to its users. Start by studying the mobile app ecosystem carefully. This includes your target audience, types of apps available, download statistics for your market niche, etc. With this information, identify an under-served/ignored audience and build an app that caters to their needs.

Step 3: Design

This can make or break your app’s fortunes. App developers are therefore warned not to deviate from established design ideas. This is because consumers, when using platform-specific mobile devices, have grown to expect certain app designs.

Step 4: User-friendly

This is extremely important. You have to make serious choices when it comes to user interface (UI) elements such as buttons and sliders to ensure your app is user-friendly. The rule of thumb is to keep interface elements at a minimum. If you are building an ecommerce app, you should look to offer users a pleasant shopping experience by incorporating large checkout buttons and infinite scroll capability to allow consumers to view products without reloading or flipping through pages.

Step 5: Performance

Mobile users expect their apps to download content very fast. Even a one-second delay in response can lead to seven percent reduction in conversions. So, compress content to avoid slow performance. Keep links to a minimum. Avoid Flash when developing iOS mobile apps because it can be problematic.

Step 6: Uniqueness

Make sure your app isn’t a replica of any existing app because that could land you in a lot of trouble. In 2012, Electronics Arts sued Zynga for plagiarizing the design of “The Sims Social.” Google and Apple cracked down on clones of “Flappy Bird”, a game that topped charts in January.

Step 7: Offline Capabilities

Most users become frustrated when they’re not able to use an app because of a weak network signal. So, it is better to develop an app with local storage of information. Since both iOS and Android platforms come with local databases, this is possible.

Clinical Testing Applications to Revolutionize the Medical Care Industry

When Apple first created iPhone applications for the clinical test virtually every industry sought to grab a piece of this multimillion software market.

The idea of the “Smartphone physical” was introduced at the exhibition at the 2013 TEDMED conference through which clinical reports on everything from collecting blood pressure to testing visual acuity can be generated. And here’s why clinical apps stand ahead?

All These Applications Work for You

You search about something related to an ailment:

• Customised mobile apps help you identify the disease and provide answers to frequently asked questions related to those ailments.
• Creates a personalized user profiles and databases that cater to the patients’ precise needs and offer various suggestions.
• Prompt patients to participate or volunteer in trials from the comfort of their homes to analyze their exact case and also explain how it will benefit them.
• Not only patients can utilize this information to manage their own health but share this data with their treating physicians.

Overall, this holistic process puts the patient at ease and gives him a better understanding of his therapeutic options.

Kinds of Applications Available On the Market Today

Depending on what you are seeking, applications range from general to specific. To talk about a few that iPhone app developers contributed in recent times,

• The Diabetes Buddy allows users to measure the consumption of glucose, carbohydrate, water, and physical activity time
• The breast cancer diagnostic guide app walks you through your breast cancer pathology report and other tests and information that help you decide which treatments are suited for you with reference to your doctor, based on location.
• Echocardiography Atlas is an app that caters to specific diseases such as aortic valve, myocardial infarction, and infectious endocarditic.

Apart from these, there are mobile app development companies that provide a wide range of information as well as diagnostic test apps that are compatible with various platforms. These apps will do best is change the way the medical industry functions.

IPhone App Design Trends, 2014: Inside and Out

What makes a Custom iPhone App Splendid? 

Technology never stops moving. Since a couple of years though iPhone application development showed a full swing outwardly, the truth is quite a little bitter inward.  So, basically there are a several things that contribute in making a mobile application great, not just about choosing a great platform but choosing a professional app development company.

Have a look at the list of some of the latest trends that are rocking in 2014.

Padded List Views

The trend of bold colours has truly inspired iPhone App developers to shift to using textures and patterns in their application backgrounds. Suppose if user has to choose the one out of many, if only it is placed in pretty list will serve the best. The list views

• Gives the clear information to the users and helps them to pick one easily.
• Its icons give a different look and improve navigation.
• Plus, including huge pretty buttons gives clear idea because of their different colours and text

Text Driven Interfaces

The earliest mobile app development was largely text based. The idea behind was that text loads quickly over a slow connection and doesn’t require an advanced rendering engine.

Modern mobile apps don’t need to rely on text. Meanwhile, the best apps that embrace a text-centric approach are those that use text appropriate in context. The formula is “text works best when it is legible, large font and unencumbered by other interface elements.

Example: Trickle, a Twitter app displays tweets in a very readable way- the best suits for all age groups.

Other Common Trends

There are many other trends that seem not to fade away in 2014. This includes:

• illustrations
• Minimalism
• Flat design – No more skeuomorphism
• Bigger controls
• Pretty typography
• Vector graphics

Which are some of the design trends you are seeing in mobile apps or that you hope to see more of in the future?