Mobile app usage and the surge in android app development

With mobiles as well as smartphones becoming an indispensible part of our lives, so has the concept of mobile apps. This software application is so designed that it can function on hand-held devices such as mobiles, smartphones, tablets, etc. Most of these devices operate on platforms like iOS, Android and Windows OS.

There are two ways to provide several business solutions through the devices- mobile applications as well as WAP or mobile browser. However, according to the recent surveys, it has been seen that most users prefer using native apps instead of the browser. In fact, it is also been seen that each day users spend 2 hours 42 minutes on their smartphones with 2 hours 19 minutes been spent on the applications. The web usage has drastically dropped to 22 minutes. Some of the reasons for which this usage has increased are given here.

• Apps work offline; there is no need for active data connection unlike WAP sites.
• An app provides a much better as well as more powerful experience when compared to the others; it is free from the worries like data connection speed, sizes of various mobile screens and limited storage space.
• Close connectivity is maintained with users through notifications on the release of updated versions. Also since such apps make users stick to the applications, it results in high levels of engagement.

Now most developers when developing mobile applications have to decide which one of the three platforms they have to cater to. These days, the trend is more towards Android. Some reasons for this trend are given here.

Open source- One huge reason for the extreme popularity of Android is that the platform is open source. Thus neither its development can be restricted nor any changes can be introduced that may prove to hamper your interests. Developers can fully access the functionality of the phone including receiving or sending texts, handling phones calls or using cameras. All the brand new technologies can be introduced by several developers working on it.

More users meaning more market share- Each day, thousands of people buy Android phones which are cost-effective and easily accessible. In fact, the number of users is increasing steadily. This means that with more users, when developers address the platform they can tap a larger market share. If the market is larger, then more people can be reached; more people will buy and use your applications and products. Developers may be sure that whatever product they have developed will not remain unused if the platform for which it has been developed loses popularity and Android will not be losing its popularity so soon. In fact, it will only rise due to the cost effectiveness. The amazing price points will only lead to the growth of the market share of Android.

Cheaper app submission- From the developer’s point of view, submitting apps to Android Market is definitely cheaper. The cost for submission to Android Market is just a onetime $25 fee while for the iOS platform it will set you back by an annual fee of $99.

Multiple stores- Android gives you easy access to several app stores; this means you can submit to various markets including China, Korea, etc.

Easy development procedure- By virtue of AppsGeyser you can easily make full native apps within a matter of minutes. This removes a lot of headache from the point of view of the developers.

Mobile apps, especially Android apps are big steps when the innovation angle is being considered. Android acts as the perfect ground for testing so that their apps can be honed as well as refined. In fact even the app store of Amazon is based on Android which makes it easier for developers to submit things to Amazon. If you are planning to hire service of Android development services company India, you must evaluate them to see if they are sufficiently agile or not!

We provide Android mobile app development services. If you would like to talk to one of our certified Android 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.

Why should your business invest in building Android apps?

Mobile ecosystem believes in general that apps for iOS should be developed first by developers. This is due to the fact that Apple has an advantage since it had moved first in the market. However, with time, the circumstances are changing and now developing apps on iOS has become a risky business due to increased competition. On the other hand the Android market is steadily growing with growing demand for apps but with low competition and less risks. You will get an environment that is more agile, helping you test and perfect the app design. Here are some of the reasons for your business to invest in building Android apps.

Growing market- Many people may think that the market is quite small since smartphones are used in minority when compared to worldwide usage of mobile phones. However, rate of usage is growing at an incredible pace due to its hardware independence as well as affordability. Almost 50% of the market share of the US is dominated by Android while the iOS holds just 32%. In the US, Android activations are at 60% while iOS boasts of only 29%.

Upcoming potential- This platform is an upcoming one with a lot of potentials. The general public might not appreciate it but the savvy ones realize its potential. This can be held in sharp contrast with the platform of iOS which may be desirable but it is extremely expensive. According to research, in iOS, apps find it quite hard to position themselves in top 100. However, Google Play is increasing in market size. This may be attributed to the fact that alternate paths are provided by the platform for app discovery, making it very easy for new entrants in the market.

Open source- Android's feature of being open source offers it a huge advantage over other platforms. This signifies that its development cannot be restricted by any industry player or changes that might go against interests cannot be introduced. There is full access to functionality of the phone such as using camera, handling phone calls or receiving or sending SMS. This also offers another advantage in the form that various developers working on it can introduce all latest revolutionary technologies.

Apps distribution- Developing for this platform is preferred by a lot of people since android market is used for the distribution of apps. They get reviewed as well as approved extremely fast which is in sharp contrast to the Apple store where there is a long waiting period before being approved. In fact constant updates and enhanced functionality will ensure that the application gets noticed. The distribution is also quite easy with a one time fee to be paid instead of yearly sums of money to be paid.

Customized home screen- Android phone's home screen can be customized by the user and useful applications can be used whenever they want. The possible areas for creation of such applications are broadened as well. The developers may not think that it is too important but customized home screen may offer many practical applications, enhancing the user experience offered by it.

Java- Objective C invented by Apple is used to build anything for Apple product. But for development of Android app you need knowledge about Android API for Java along with Java. This powerful language has been practiced for a long time, resulting in a lot of materials and books which may guide and help you grasp the concept better. The Java programming experience will also benefit you in many other fields.

The richness as well as diversity of Android app ecosystem has resulted in a marked change in the lives of the users. Some serve many while some serve just few but in every case the transformative power is immense as they act as informative portals. So businesses should jump on the bandwagon and take advantage of improved monetization, low customer acquisition costs and largest smartphone market among other benefits and start developing the appropriate applications meant for this platform. You can hire developers from top Android application development company in India who can help you build Android apps within allocated budgets and time schedules.

We provide Android application development services. If you need to hire Android app developer from us, we would be glad to assist you at Mindfire Solutions.