Best Android cloud apps for your data storage

With the increasing popularity of Android-operated smartphones and tablets, it has become imperative to have cloud storage facilities. The internal storage capacity of mobile devices is quite limited due to their sizes; accordingly the importance of cloud storage services is being felt by most people. To cater to this demand several cloud storage services have come into existence which provide free storage to the customers. These services help store all kinds of files, photos, movies, music as well as videos for free and these can be accessed anywhere anytime on the go. The service providers ensure that the data is perfectly safe; the chances of stolen or crashed hard disk are literally zero. Here are some apps that have become the top picks for many Android users around the world.

Google Drive- Google Drive is a top choice for Android-users for its easy familiarity as well as ease of use. The service is integrated with Google+ accounts along with other services. The services are merged such that 15GB storage is included across Google Docs, Gmail, Google+, Google photos as well as Google Drive. It can support virtually all kinds of files that include Microsoft Office docs and PDFs.

Dropbox- This is the most popular choice for most people since it is the first app for Cloud storing. Anything and everything may be uploaded as well as accessed by the users without any issues. Not only can you use free cloud storage of 2GB but if you can refer it to friends then 16GB additional free storage can be earned as well. If you want more, then even the charges are quite nominal.

Box- The popularity of Dropbox is limited to individuals; Box’s popularity rests among enterprise and business users. Personal users may get 5GB free storage to store all kinds of files. Beyond that a fee of $10 per year must be paid which enables you to have storage space of 25GB. The functionality as well as navigation is really easy to adopt. The uploading, downloading, sharing, editing and commenting on the files is quite simple. In case of changes in shared documents you get a notification through its widget.

Cubby- Through this app, users get a space for storing of important documents, movies and pictures. The cubby folders may be made as well as managed so that they stay in sync with all the devices that you use. The online storing space is of 5GB. A backup Cubby version can be kept on your desktop with the original data still remaining where it really belongs.

SugarSync- Space-wise it is not too different from the other apps with 5GB being offered for free. But what makes it stand apart is that it is extremely fast as well as simple. Also there are more methods for payment and you can invite friends so that they can use your files. It also has connections with social networks. The clarity as well as simplicity makes it easy to locate files.

Ubuntu One- 5GB of storage granted originally by the app can be easily increased to 20GB by referrals. It is used for storing of photos over years. This very reliable app can be used by just creating an account from the web version or the application itself. The setting may be made such that photos in other apps like Instagram can be added to its library. An additional feature is its online music player which helps download music to listen on cloud service or on your device.

These are some of the most popular Android cloud apps for data storing. Besides these, there are many other useful ones such as SkyDrive, Crucial, IDrive, etc. Most of the ones mentioned here are multifunctional and can be used to store almost anything to be accessed anywhere. If you are planning to hire service of Android application development company, you must evaluate them to see if they are sufficiently agile or not!

We provide Android application development services. If you would like to talk to one of our expert Android developers, please get in touch with us at Mindfire Solutions.

Android App Development Capturing The Mobile Market

According to Emarketer.com, “The global smartphone audience surpassed the 1 billion mark in 2012 and will total 1.75 billion in 2014. eMarketer expects smartphone adoption to continue on a fast-paced trajectory through 2017. Nearly two-fifths of all mobile phone users—close to one-quarter of the worldwide population—will use a smartphone at least monthly in 2014.” The rapidly growing smartphone adoption has resulted in the surge in mobile application development.

According to a number of recent reports, Android has already captured 78% share of global smartphone market. So no wonder, both enterprises and developers want to build mobile apps by targeting the mobile platform with largest market share to get higher returns. However, there are also a number of factors that contribute towards the surge in Android application development, in addition to the market share of the Google’s mobile operating system.

Factors Contributing Towards the Surge in Android App Development

Wide Distribution Channels: Unlike Apple, Google does not exercise tight control over mobile app distribution. So process of getting mobile apps becomes more open and versatile. An enterprise also has option to distribute Android apps by creating subsidiary distribution channels. Further, the business can decide the most appropriate way to publish its Android applications.

Open Source Nature: Unlike iOS and Windows Phone, Android is open source and free. Thus, the low entry barriers encourage many companies to invest in Android app development. The open source nature of the mobile platform further reduces the cost of development tools and licensing. A small enterprise or freelance mobile app developer can launch Android apps without investing a substantial amount of money. The affordable nature of development requires businesses to incur only development and marketing expenses.

Easy Development: To create Android mobile apps, the developer needs to be familiar with Java. As Java is accessible to developers across the world, it becomes easier for companies to hire experienced developers. Also, the comprehensive Android platform documentation makes it easier for Java programmers to develop mobile applications. So the developers can invest their existing skills to shorten the development time and make the process versatile.

Strong Inter-Platform Integration: The Android app developers also have option to access a strong inter-platform integration framework. The framework makes it easier for them to promote the apps across multiple platforms. They can even refer to the Android SDK to understand how to use the robust development architecture to develop and promote apps across multiple platforms. Also, the feature makes it easier for programmers to create apps that deliver tightly-knit user experience.

Reduced Development Cost: To beat competition, it has becomes essential for each business to keep mobile app development cost under control. Many enterprises even opt for open source platforms like Android to avoid paying hefty licensing fees. The open source nature of Android further makes it hugely popular among handset manufacturers and wireless service providers. So the developers have option to avail these features and services to make the app deliver richer user experience.

Open Source Development: Many businesses even prefer developing mobile apps using open source technologies to reduce development costs. The developers have option to use a variety of open source tools and frameworks to create applications by targeting Android. In addition to curtailing the app development cost, these open source tools further make it easier for developers to bring down the development time drastically.

Higher ROI: Many companies prefer developing Android apps to get higher returns. As the mobile platform is open source, they are not required to pay heft licensing fees and royalty. Also, a company can create feature-rich and interactive apps by hiring an experienced Java programmer. The reduced cost of development results in higher ROI. Likewise, the app can also be marketed by targeting the huge base of Android users to earn huge profit without investing a huge sum of money.

A constant increase is also noted in the number of open source developers launching Android apps. The trend will indicates the use of open source technologies to curtail Android mobile applicator development cost. The reduced development cost will further encourage many businesses invest in Android app development projects. If you are planning to hire service of Android development company India, you must evaluate them to see if they are sufficiently agile or not!

We provide Android apps development services. If you would like to talk to one of our certified Android application developers, please get in touch with us at Mindfire Solutions.

12 Critical Mistakes to avoid during Android app development

Mobile development has come a long way and still surprising users with its smart features and functions. Looks like technology promises to introduce new and more innovative products at a rapid pace, there by creating room for many developers to make huge mistakes which could harm their product or even their entire business. After all programmers are humans and humans are prone to making errors.

Designing a mobile app is very challenging. One has to keep in mind lot of things in order to develop a mobile app. First of all should have easy layout so that users find it easy to use the app in their Smartphones. Usability is an important factor for an android app development. The more it is handy and easy to use, more number of customers will be attracted. Easy navigation, displaying neat messages and laying out useful rules of how to use an app is very important so that it will keep the users glued of using any app for a longer time.

There are various reasons why a company may want to create an app. For example, some businesses use apps as an extension of their business. Others may want to develop an app as a main product or service. Whatever the reason, here are twelve critical app development mistakes every small business owner should avoid. They are as follows:

1. Varied Users Varied Smartphones – Apps should meet compatibility: It is not that android users are being favored, but at the same time one should ask the developer to create apps which matches with the existing features of several mobile phones. For example an Apple's iPhone has allowed certain apps which can be freely downloaded from Blackberry and Android. An android app developer needs to choose the best software which can be suitable for even the mobile used by common men and not only for expensive models.

2. Users advise is needed at each step of building an app: Interaction with user-flows is very important while developing critical business applications. The decisions made at the design stage can ultimately determine an app's success or failure. Every business app should meet its requirement.

3. Inadequate knowledge of mobile development: Understand the software development tools, without having an in-depth understanding & knowledge about the Android SDK and similar other tools, one will not be able to create even a simple mobile app leave alone a powerful android application. There are tons of resources available on the web, which offer complete guidance for developing a mobile application for Android devices. The very first version of an app should use an easy-to-operate, intuitive, user interface. The UI should preferably be such that the user learns to use it quickly, without having to refer to the user manual. The UI needs to be simple and precise and well-laid-out.

Every users with any age group should be able to enjoy the basic features of their mobile device. Hence, most users are not looking for a UI that is over-the-top and very difficult to understand. Users prefer apps where every aspect, including each screen, each button and each function is well defined and rendered on screen in such a way as to make their lives simple for them.

4. Non consistent user interfaces: There are many ground-breaking apps with complicated UIs and multi-touch gestures, which have become the craze amongst the latest generation of mobile device users. In case one wants to develop such an app, it would be a good idea to also include a detailed requirements and how to section in an app. An app must have UI consistent and homogeneous through all the future versions of app, so that end users need not be adjusting to different types of UIs in the coming app updates. They should be confusing and where they can easily leave the apps in no time.

5. Fail to understand the needs of common users may fail your business: As a developer must understand what an app should do, its unique functions and in what particular way one wants to serve its business users. Simply building an app that tries to take advantage of all these multiple functions will not help an app in any way. At least the very first version of an app should only focus to meet the immediate needs of the user or the company that one is developing the app for. Focus sharply on target audience while initially creating an app. Adding more features in the upcoming versions of the app, like constantly updating an app. This itself will make it more popular among the users.

6. Not Focusing on Security: Security is very important for any business application irrespective of whether one is developing an android or iphone app. An enterprise app provides users access to sensitive business information, couple this with the fact that mobile devices can get lost easily or stolen and a mobile app needs to stand up to the most stringent standards of scrutiny. App usability and security must be the main focus of attention while developing an app for enterprise. All passwords should be encrypted form.

7. Overthinking the Development: Mobile apps need to be designed in a simple way. While developing a mobile app, it needs to be developed in precisely the same way that one develops any other app. The stages of app development remain the same, if you over think, you are liable to make mistakes. If you focus on the app’s objectives and take it through a development life cycle whose sole purpose is to cater to these objectives, one will have a great app on your hands.

8. Neglecting social media: Integrating Facebook, Twitter, Google Plus, etc. in an app is important today. Social media enhances power to spread the word about an app. Any money spent here is money one can save in marketing. Social recognition is very important for any successful business app be it for small mid-size or large business owners.

9. Unclear on app monetization: An app is a basic need for any business application today. A business owner should have a clear idea about how an app is going to help business make money, then only make a decision to create an app. Will it be free app with an ad-based model, or will it be a paid app? Will free app be made available with an in-app purchase? One should be aware of the monetization before one gets started.

10. Neglecting app testing: Applications be it desktop or mobile should be tested thoroughly. Always a tester should look into users perspective and test the application. Every developer should do a unit testing, before he sends it to quality analyst, to troubleshoot and resolve most bugs.

11. Minimizing the value of marketing: An app should be appealing, there are almost a million other apps available on the market and how your app should stand unique. This is where marketing comes into play. You shouldn’t expect your brilliant app to do well without marketing. Your job does not end with creating that beautiful app. You must market it as well or you will end up losing your investment.

12. Failing the dumb user test: Test an app through a dumbest person one knows and watch how they use it. An app should be ridiculously easy and intuitive in order to succeed in the market. Tons of app features are useless if users do not know how to use them. To aid with usability, add a starting instructions overlay on how to use the app. This can educate users on how to use the app. Short videos and help section are useful too.

The above critical mistakes are very important and every good programmer should be aware of it and keep these things in mind and try to deliver a good designed, easy app. Designing a beautiful app is as important as designing a useful app. Keeping all required functionalities in mind one must design a successful business app. To get maximum benefits of Android apps, you may consider hiring services of a Android development company India.

We provide Android application development services. If you would like like an Android developer for hire, please get in touch with Mindfire Solutions.

Reap Maximum Benefits with Crucial Android Development Tips

The trend of Android development is on the rise and this is the major reason why an increasing percentage of the world population is inclined towards android based devices. For those who are new to this industry and do not have in-depth knowledge of the development process, we bring here some significant tips for successful development of Android apps.

Have a Good Understanding of the Resources: When it comes to any Android based device, do not go for app development until and unless you have complete knowledge of the resources. It might require you to indulge in continuous learning, but it’s worth going for it. It’s imperative to gain considerable comprehension of the Android SDK platform as well as other tools in order to come up with effective Android development.

Properly Define the Target Market: If you are planning to offer customized Android development services, try to be well-versed with the choices of the target audience. Indulge in good amount of research to know what your chosen niche likes or dislikes. Once you are able to think from the perspective of the user, you will be capable of implementing the features of their choice and this will ensure that an increased number of your target customers are downloading your app.

Reach a Balance between Innovation and Creativity: In case it is not needed, do not be excessively creative. Remember that it is essential to keep things comprehensive, simple and user-friendly. This is very important because often, if you try to be overly creative, the outcome is a more complicated, unnecessarily cluttered code. The same will make room for more flaws and errors. So, it is advisable to focus on the core requirement while developing the app.

Target at Complete User Satisfaction: An android developer’s aim should not be solely to develop the app, but also to focus on the performance and quality of the application for ensuring customer delight. You need to create an advanced user-interface in order to render high grade user experience and enhanced user engagement. For any kind of app development across the Android platform, it is imperative to ensure that the application can be optimally used.

Pay Heed to What the Customer has to Say: In order to come up with a successful app creation, every single detail needs to be meticulously followed. In case even some minutest detail is not taken care of during the developmental phases, issues might crop up later. Carefully understand what the customer needs and refrain from any short-cuts. It is true that every developer will have their own preferences and preconceptions but do not let these things make you incapable of seeing what the client really wants.

Make good use of themes: With the help of themes, you will be able to control the styles so far as the entire app is concerned. While you are developing an app, it is best to strictly adhere to styling patterns in the early stages of development. This makes it easier to cope with device idiosyncrasies at a later phase when you are aiming for the best presentation on manifold resolutions and sizes of screens.

The above-mentioned information plays a crucial role in android app development. If you employ these guidelines during the developmental phase, you can accomplish noteworthy success in coming up with a high performing android app. Along with keeping these tips in mind, also update your knowledge regarding the latest activities in the Android market. The discussed tips are in fact timeless and will definitely facilitate development of apps which bring a radical change in the user-experience quotient. So, go ahead and create apps that render ultimate client satisfaction!

We provide android game development services. If you would like to know more about our certified mobile app developers, please get in touch with us at Mindfire Solutions.