Aug
24

What are Mobile Apps ?

08/24/2020 12:00 AM by Admin in


The mobile app is a specially developed software application for smaller, wireless portable devices such as smartphones, tablets, etc.

Mobile apps are usually far from the embedded software systems found on PCs. Alternatively, each app offers insufficient and discrete purposes, such as a game, calculator, or mobile web browsing.

Apps are little, self-contained programs, used to enhance existing functionality, hopefully in a simple, more user-friendly way.

A mobile application is also referred to as an app, and It is a computer program or software application designed to run on a mobile device such as a phone, tablet, or watch. Apps were initially intended for productivity assistance, such as email, calendar, and contact databases. Still, the public demand for apps caused rapid expansion into other areas such as mobile games, factory automation, GPS and location-based services, order-tracking, and ticket purchases, so that there are now millions of apps available. Apps are generally downloaded from application distribution platforms operated by the owner of the mobile operating system, such as the App Store (iOS) or Google Play Store. Some apps are free, and others have a price, with the profit being split between the application's creator and the distribution platform. Mobile applications often stand in contrast to desktop applications, which are designed to run on desktop computers, and web applications that run in mobile web browsers rather than directly on the mobile device.

In 2009, technology columnist David Pogue stated that smartphones could be nicknamed "app phones" to distinguish them from earlier less-sophisticated smartphones. The term "app," short for "software application," has since become very popular; in 2010, it was listed as "Word of the Year" by the American Dialect Society.


Most mobile devices are sold with several apps bundled as pre-installed software, such as a web browser, email client, calendar, mapping program, and an app for buying music, other media, or more apps. Some pre-installed apps can be removed by an ordinary uninstall process, thus leaving more storage space for desired ones. Where the software does not allow this, some devices can be rooted to eliminate the undesired apps.

Apps that are not installed are usually available through distribution platforms called app stores. They began appearing in 2008 and are typically operated by the owner of the mobile operating system, such as the Apple App Store, Google Play, Windows Phone Store, and BlackBerry App World. However, there are independent app stores, such as Cydia, GetJar, and F-Droid. Some apps are free, while others must be bought. Usually, they are downloaded from the platform to a target device, but sometimes they can be downloaded to laptops or desktop computers. For apps with a price, generally, a percentage, 20-30%, goes to the distribution provider (such as iTunes), and the rest goes to the producer of the app. The same app can, therefore, cost a different price depending on the mobile platform.

Apps can also be installed manually, for example, by running an Android application package on Android devices.

Mobile apps were originally offered for general productivity and information retrieval, including email, calendar, contacts, the stock market, and weather information. However, public demand and the availability of developer tools drove rapid expansion into other categories, such as those handled by desktop application software packages. As with other software, the explosion in number and variety of apps made discovery a challenge, which in turn led to the creation of a wide range of reviews, recommendations, and curation sources, including blogs, magazines, and dedicated online app-discovery services. In 2014 government regulatory agencies began trying to regulate and curate apps, particularly medical apps. Some companies offer apps as an alternative method to deliver content with certain advantages over an official website.

With a growing number of mobile applications available at app stores and the improved capabilities of smartphones, people are downloading more applications to their devices. The usage of mobile apps has become increasingly prevalent across mobile phone users. A May 2012 comScore study reported that during the previous quarter, more mobile subscribers used apps than browsed the web on their devices: 51.1% vs. 49.8%, respectively. Researchers found that usage of mobile apps strongly correlates with user context and depends on the user's location and time of the day. Mobile apps are playing an ever-increasing role in healthcare, and when designed and integrated correctly can yield many benefits.


The world is growing and updating day by day. No one really likes to waste so much time when there is a shortcut for the same. Mobile Apps work as a shortcut for your business. People need effective work where their work can be done in a quick time and yield some benefits.

HOW IT WORKS

The mobile app works on different scenarios like API, Framework, Designs, Development, User Features, and many factors.


It looks like mobile apps are a big world that can change in terms of interest, and there is an app to fix everything in our time. While sitting in your room in Kashmir, you can get news from every corner of the world, and you can talk hours with your beloved, thousands of miles away.

While the mobile app is working on an online connection for download, you do not have to be online anytime you use the app. Most of the mobile apps have offline mode - for example; you can download the games from the App Store and play it even when you are not connected to any Internet or cellular data.

 Due to the limited hardware resources of the primary mobile devices, applications were able to avoid multiple tasks, and their uniqueness is now part of their convenience, enabling users to choose what their devices can do.


A BRIEF HISTORY

In 1997, the Nokia 6110 included a built-in version of the basic arcade game "Snake," which many consider the first mobile app. The first iPod would also come with built-in games: Solitaire and Brick.

Back in 1983, however, a young Steve Jobs first envisioned the App Store...or at least a very basic version of it. Jobs imagined a place where software could be bought over phone lines. Shortly after Apple's introduction of the iPod, the iTunes store launched, acting as a precursor to the Apple App Store. The iPhone was released in June 2007 to critical and commercial success. Native apps were developed, and just over a year later...the App Store was launched.

 

The original App Store launched with 500 apps, meaning there is no "true" first app. Nevertheless, as new varieties of smartphones were unveiled, different app clients were introduced. Google Play, the Amazon App Store, and Blackberry's App World also give more people the ability to enjoy various apps on their phones. It's worth mentioning that each store had both paid and free apps from the beginning, meaning premium and "freemium" content was always a factor.


GROWTH OF MOBILE APPS

Mobile applications have been a part of smartphones for over a decade. Mobile App Market is the fastest-growing segment in the mobile industry. There were a few app developers who were aware of the potential opportunity that app development had in the mobile industry. However, now the scenario has totally changed. With the ever-growing popularity of mobile apps, various OS providers and device vendors have even launched their own application stores.

The growing advent of mobile devices, along with apps, is perhaps the biggest technical phenomenon in recent times. Smartphone with featured apps has now become the remote control for our lives and can easily boost our small business.

The app industry has seen immense growth in the past ten years and even has no end in sight.
In the year 2012, the mobile app's financial state was around $53B, and it grew up to $63.7B by the year 2016.
In-app ads, purchases, and other monetization models have come up immensely with the app market. According to a Forbes report, a huge rise is seen in the usage of monetization models by the app developers. In 2017, 49% of the app developers went for in-app advertising (for non-gaming apps), and 79 % chosen in-app purchases of items for gaming apps.

Mobile has now overpowered the position of the desktop by making it a secondary touchpoint for digital users. With the increase in the number of digital users, mobile apps now grab a 65% share of digital media time. If we categorize the digital time on the basis of usage, these results follow:

Music – 79%

Health and fitness – 51%

Social networking – 49%

Travel – 28%

Entertainment – 22%

Sports – 16%

Games – 15%

News – 14%

The percentage of mobile apps that were only used once shrunk to 20% in 2015 after improving from 22% in 2014. The percentage of app usage increased by 39% in 2016. Mobile devices entice us to spend a maximum of our time on them, and we seem to be doing so. The smartphone is ascendant, and every section of our society prefers them to keep everything at their fingertips.

Today, we pretty much use at least one mobile app a day. Whether it's checking your bank account, placing a bet on the latest round of football fixtures, shopping for an outfit for your next night, or looking for directions to a restaurant, there's an app for all of the above and lots more too.


Offering reliability through instant loading and no downtime for updates, website speed thanks to their quick response to user interactions, and their engaging, native app-like feel to draw the user into a fully immersive experience, progressive web apps are undoubtedly the future of the mobile app world.
The number of mobile app users and applications built up every day is increasing day by day. Every business is now leveraging into a mobile application for their business. Many companies hire mobile app development agencies for developing a mobile application for their business.

The competition is so fierce; it is exceedingly important to deploy an acknowledged mobile app development process.

 

MOBILE APP DEVELOPMENT CYCLE

Mobile App Development Lifecycle is similar to the conventional Software Development Lifecycle (SDLC) from the perspective of a mobile device. It is a step by step approach.
The mobile app development life cycle can be broadly classified into the following stages.


STAGE 1:
DISCOVERY, Market Rese RESEARCH AND ANALYSIS

This is the first and the most significant phase, as it will lay down the requisite groundwork for all the following stages.
It requires extensive research to gather as much information as possible.
This step calls for substantial brainstorming as well as addressing some chief questions like:

1. What is the Prime aim of your app?
It is immensely important to clearly define the purpose of your app and know how your users will benefit from it.

2. What is your target audience?
It is only after assessing the precise requirements of your target users; you can develop a robust app prototype that matches your client's vision.

3.Developing a minimum viable product(MVP)
After conducting extensive research and brushing up your app concept, you and your client will come up with a broad list of features that should be included in your app. However, it is crucial to understand that all these features cannot be integrated with the primary version of your app, and there should be certain features that you can save for app upgrades.

So, settle down for the minimum set of features that bring out the prime functionality of your app. Remember, simplicity is the key to developing a triumphant app. Your app should have the ability to realize its objectives with as few features as possible.


STAGE 2:
DECIDE THE CONCEPT

Characterizing the idea of your application in visual terms is the initial move towards finding how your application will develop.
You need to come up with a whimsical app concept that arouses interest among your target users. Have a look at the top-grossing apps on Google Play and Apple Store in order to pinpoint the prevailing trends that are creating a buzz among the audiences. Do not imitate existing apps but draw positive inspiration from them. Apprehend what these apps are offering to its users in terms of design and functionality to come up with ingenious ideas.
Additionally, you need to address the following questions to powerfully conceptualize your idea.

Edge over your Competition
What special functionalities does your app offer to have a competitive advantage? If there are a plethora of similar apps available in the app stores, there has to be a strong reason for the users to download your app. Identify your app's differentiating qualities and focus on making your concept more unique and pioneering.

Alignment with Business Objectives
Your app concept should be well-aligned with the core objectives of your client's business. A mobile app is an extension of your business that always reminds the users about your offerings. Therefore, make sure that it is an exemplification of the best that your business has to offer.

Customer-Centric Concept
Make sure that your app concept is driven to satisfy the widest customer segment. Since you have already defined your target users, try to devise features that match their needs and preferences.

Easily Executable Concept
So you have a concept, and you are pretty confident about it. But, will you be able to do proper justice with the execution part? Is the mobile platform that you have chosen appropriately for the kind of functionality you wish to incorporate? Do you have adequate access to all the adjuvant technologies required to carry out your app execution? Suitable app execution is as important as having a proficient app idea, if not more.

 


STAGE 3:
DESIGN

This is the stage where the drafting of the app takes place. This is the stage when you begin working on the look and feel of your app. By now, you have a fairly good idea about what all features will be integrated into your app design, and so, its time you begin drafting your app.
You can sketch the different screens your users will navigate through, in order to perform a specific function. You can map out the various user journeys across the app in precise detail to understand the user experience.
Furthermore, as you create different user journeys, ask yourself the following:

In what context does a user open/operate your app?

How much time and hits does it take for the user to create his profile?

How can a user find out new content on your app?

Once you gathered all the necessary information, it is time to create wireframes of your various app screens. You can make use of an adept wireframing tool known as Balsamiq.

While creating wireframes, keep these following points in mind:

Develop different screen layouts with an eye to detail.

Include buttons, icons, and other visual elements so that the app designers have a meticulous framework to adhere to.

Observe unique design placements for each platform. However, at the same time, do not move away from basic concords such as the size and placement of the back and skip buttons, etc.

Try to innovate by developing numerous variations of the same screen by experimenting with the placement of different visual elements. This will help in facilitating a better and improved user experience.

Once you have created an app wireframe, it is easy to understand the backend, which will be needed to sustain your app functionality. You can decide if you will be able to host your app on an off the shelf mobile backend or you need to build a robust backend from scratch. Also, at this stage, you might have to amend your wireframe in case of any technical shortfalls.


PROTOTYPE DESIGNING & TESTING

After the wireframe has been finalized, it is time to build an interactive app prototype. A prototype will help in giving the client the first look at your app. Alternatively, you can gather a bunch of reliable people and ask them to interact with your prototype. This will help you in gathering useful insights into your app's functionality and correct any shortfalls identified during the process.

 

STAGE 4:
DEVELOPMENT

After you have created a prototype of your app, you need to build its backend by setting up storage solutions, servers, APIs, and databases.
Fundamentally, app development will progress in three distinct stages:

ALPHA STAGE: By this stage, the app exhibits all core features and functionalities. However, it has not been tested, and supplementary features are yet to be incorporated.

BETA STAGE: By this stage, almost all the features that were decided have been added to the app. It has gone through light testing to fix major bugs. This is the time when you can introduce the first version of your app to a select group of customers to find out any app insufficiencies.

RELEASE CANDIDATE STAGE: By this stage, your app is free from all glitches and ready for its release.

Following that, you need to create a developer's account on the respective app store where you wish to distribute your app. This may take a couple of days. Also, take time to go through the comprehensive app store guidelines and understand their practices to ensure that your app does not get precluded during the review process.


PROGRAMMING LANGUAGES OFTEN USED IN MOBILE APP DEVELOPMENT:

SWIFT: Developed on June 2, 2014, by Apple Inc., Swift is an open-source programming language that is used to build iOS apps. The programming language can be considered as an alternative for the 'C language,' including modern concepts and safety. If you are building your mobile app for the iOS operating system, then Swift programming language should be your priority.

PYTHON: Python is another popular language that was developed by Guido van Rossum in 1991. It is a general-purpose, high-level language that is used to build web applications. The essential feature of this language is that it is easy to learn. Popular apps such as Instagram and YouTube are built using this app.

JAVA: Created by James Gosling in 1995, Java is a popular Android language. Mobile apps running on Android platforms are mostly build using Java. Easy to learn and tremendous community support are some of the features that make it the most popular language for designing applications.   

PHP: Hypertext Preprocessor or PHP is a server-side scripting language developed by Zend Technologies in 1995. Earlier, PHP was used to build websites. Using PHP, a user can create dynamic web applications.

C++: It is an extension of C language with object-oriented features. Designed by Bjarne Stroustrup in 1985, this language was invented to overcome the drawbacks of C language. C++ is a procedural language having OOP features.

Things to Keep in Mind While Selecting a Programming Language:

SECURITY: Security is a critical feature that cannot be compromised at any cost. Make sure that your programming language provides a secure platform to protect your program from malicious attacks and bugs. User data privacy is again a major concern for a user-friendly mobile app.    

Machine-Independent: Chosen programming language should be machine-independent, i.e., the code written on one machine can be executed on another machine. Thus, a user can run the source code on any platform without worrying about the technical specifications of the device. All high-level languages are machine-independent.  

Easy to Read and Maintain– A programming language should be easy to read and maintain. The use of a proper set of keywords and comments helps in understanding the source code quickly. Maintenance also becomes an essential aspect as a continuous change in the program code is possible. The use of function libraries in the programming languages eases the task.  

OOPs, Feature– Object-Oriented Programming is a programming paradigm that uses objects and classes. Objects are real-life entities. An object is an instance of a class. The class can be considered as the blueprint of an object containing the properties and methods that the objects of that particular class will have.  


STAGE 5
TESTING:

Most testing should be performed by non-developers or at least people who are not your app's primary developer. This will help ensure a more genuine testing experience. There are several types of testing that should occur during each sprint. These typically include the following:

FUNCTIONAL TESTING - Testing to ensure the feature works as described in the requirements. Usually, a QA team will have a test plan with a list of actions and the desired app behavior.

USABILITY TESTING - Testing to ensure the feature is user-friendly and is as intuitive as possible. Often it is helpful to bring in new testers for a "first-use" experience during this step.

PERFORMANCE TESTING - Your app might work perfectly, but if it takes 20 seconds to display a simple list, nobody is going to use it. Performance testing is typically more important in later sprints, but keep an eye on the app's responsiveness as you move along.

FIT AND FINISH TESTING - Just because the design phase is complete past, doesn't mean you can lock your designers in a closet. Designers should review each feature and ensure that their vision was implemented as described in the design. This is another reason why having one agency for both design and development is so beneficial.

REGRESSION TESTING - Remember that one feature from the previous sprint? Don't assume it still works, just because you tested it last month. Good QA teams will have a list of tests to perform at the end of each sprint, which will include tests from previous sprints.

DEVICE-SPECIFIC TESTING - There are tens of thousands of devices and operating system combinations in the world. When testing, make sure you try out your app on numerous screen sizes and OS versions. There are tools that can help automate this, such as Google's Firebase, but always test the app on at least a handful of physical devices.

USER ACCEPTANCE TESTING - This is testing performed by either the app owner or future app users. Remember who you are building this app for and get their feedback throughout the process. If a feature passes all the above tests but fails this one, what use is it?

As problems are discovered in this phase, reassign tasks back to developers so that the problems can be resolved and the issues closed out. Once testing has been completed, and each task is done, move on to review.

REVIEW

At the end of each sprint, talk with each of the stakeholders, and determine how the sprint went. If there were difficulties, try to eliminate similar issues from future sprints. If things went well in one area, try to apply them elsewhere. No two projects are the exact same, and everyone should always be advancing in their roles, so aim to improve, while you iterate. Once the review is complete, begin again with the planning phase and repeat this process until the app is done!

EXTENDED REVIEW

At this point, your app should be fully testable and feature complete (at least for the MVP). Before you spend a sizable amount of time and money on marketing, take the time to test your app with a sample of your potential users. There are two main ways to go about this.

FOCUS GROUPS

Focus groups involve conducting an interview with a tester or group of testers who have never seen the app before and conduct an interview. You want to understand who these testers are, how they learn about new apps, and if they use similar apps already. Try to get some background info out of them before even getting into your product. Next, let your testers begin using your app. They should not be coached during this process. Instead, let them use the app as if they had just found it in the app store. See how they use the app, and look for common frustrations. After they are done using the app, get their feedback. Remember to not be too strongly guided by anyone tester, but combine feedback and make intelligent decisions using all available feedback.

BETA TESTING

In addition to, or instead of focus groups, you can do a beta launch of your app. Beta tests involve getting a group of testers to use your app in the real world. They use the app just as if it had launched but in much smaller numbers. Often these beta testers will be power users, early adopters, and possibly your best customers. Make sure they feel valued and respected. Give them ample opportunities to provide feedback and let them know when and how you are changing the app. Also, beta testing is a great time to see how your app performs on various devices, locations, operating systems, and network conditions. It is imperative that you have sound crash reporting for this step. It does you no good if something goes wrong, but is not discovered and diagnosed.

REFINEMENT

After these extended review periods, it is common to have a final development sprint to address any newly discovered issues. Continue beta testing during this process and ensure that your crash and issue reports are declining. Once you have the all-clear from your testers, it is time to begin preparing for deployment.


STAGE 6
FINAL LAUNCH:

The success of your app depends upon this step in a large way. The basic aim of this stage is to introduce your app to a maximum possible number of customers and receive innumerable downloads in the very first go. This step calls for investing a lot of time and effort in order to ensure that your app gets into the hands of several users.

The phase includes:

ASO (App store optimization): A lot of users generally depend on app stores to locate new and engaging apps. Thus, it becomes highly significant to improve the range of your app on the app stores so that it catches the user's attention.

SEO: Formulate a list of effective keywords for SEO purposes that help in making your app discoverable. Prepare articles, guest posts, and optimize your website prior to launching your app to engage the potential customers.

WEBSITE/ LANDING PAGE: Optimize your already existing website or create a brand new landing page that is specific to your app. You can then link this page to your app store description. Your website/ landing page should include:

Name and a brief description of your app

An interactive app icon

Names of the app stores where your app can be installed

Promotional videos

Screenshots of your app in high quality

FAQs

QR codes

Links to social media accounts

User reviews and ratings

PAID ADVERTISEMENTS: You can exploit the platforms of Google, Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook to run paid advertisements. This can be an effective way to seize the attention of prospective customers and augment the number of downloads.

EMAILS: You can keep your customers engaged by sending formal emails much before the actual launch of your app. This will accelerate the initial app download rate, thus inflating the chances of your app trending in the stores.

MONITORING

The life cycle of mobile app development doesn't end with your app being released in the market. Continuous tracking of an app is always an essential feature which helps in fixing any flaw through updates. Moreover, adding new features, improving performance, and dealing with crashes are some of the processes that can be achieved through monitoring. Here's how-

CRASHES: Due to some technical problems or traffic developed on your app, your app might crash. Dealing with a crash is crucial to provide a smooth experience to the users. You can configure your app to send an email or an alert when the app has crashed. Libraries play an important role in overcoming crash issues. Libraries contain information about the user, including what the user was doing at the time of the crash, and technical information regarding the app that can help the developers resolve the issue. Sentry and Hockey are some of the apps that are used in dealing with the crash.

ANALYTICS: Analyzing the functioning and utility of your app is again a crucial feature. This helps you determine the information about your app and the user. There are some of the questions that can be answered by application analytic system such as, 'Who is using your app?' 'What is the age, location, gender, etc., of the user?' 'A user spends how much time on the app and what pages are often viewed?' This information can be used to determine the sections of your app that need improvement. Don't invest your time in the sections that are rarely used.

CONCLUSION:

The foremost thing to remember is that app development is a continuous and ongoing process. It just doesn't end with you launching the final output; in fact, it is just the beginning. As your app gets more users, more reviews and feedbacks will pour in, and you will have to integrate the needed changes in the form of future app updates.
Mobile app development technologies are changing at a fast pace and are certainly among the actively growing sectors in the global app market.
Ultimately an effective app development strategy involves more than just technologies and trends. These are some of the trends that will shape the future of mobile app development.

1. Internet of Things
One of the technologies that are a buzzword in today's times is the Internet of Things. There are many ways in which IoT and Cloud can transform mobile app development.
IoT and Cloud-enabled mobile applications are going to become a key trend in the coming years because of their capabilities to handle redundant data and connecting multiple devices on a real-time basis.

2. Artificial intelligence
AI in mobile app development will help in achieving the goal of translation for conversations in real-time. The apps will be smarter and help you understand user behavior. The AI in mobile applications is changing the face of technology and will take the mobile app development to a whole new level.
The rapid growth in the use of AI technology in the sphere of mobile app development has shown that this technology can improve overall user engagement on your mobile application.

3. Cross-platform development of future Apps
The future mobile apps will be developed on cross platforms that are the apps that can be used on different mobile applications like Android, Windows, iOS, Blackberry, etc. The development of cross-platform mobile applications involves developing the original application on a native platform or in a particular environment that will then be sent to many different native platforms.

4. 5G technology
This technology will be the revolution for mobile devices. Mobile app development can take advantage of this technology in various industries like AR/VR, IoT, Smart Cities, Supply Chain, Transportation, and in each area that keeps the difference between 2 milliseconds and 20 milliseconds.
The benefits that 5G technology can offer to your app is greater speed to increase mobile app user retention, fast data transfer, lower latency, and great user experience.


The way app development is flourishing is similar to the idea that traditional technologies have in the past. We can learn from past references to predict the future of mobile app development or what's yet to come. We can say that the future of app development will look bright and vastly different from contemporary technologies.


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