Since they were first created, the sales of smartphones and tablets have continued to climb. What does this mean for the business world? It means that mobile computing is here to stay and definitely a major part of the future.
Keeping up with technology has long been something that businesses attempt to do. To do this in today's world, this means that more emphasis is on mobile services that will reach the majority of a company's customers. Developing mobile apps is something that many businesses and individuals are now focusing on for this reason. However, this is a difficult task to tackle for beginners. To get started the right way, be sure to rely on this beginner's guide to mobile app development.
Options
The first thing to note, is the different types of options that are available for mobile apps. The first is called native applications. This is a piece of software, which developers design for tablets and smartphones. Users of these apps will download the software directly onto their device. Businesses will need to build a different version for each platform where the app is available.
Here are the platforms to focus on:
- iOS – smartphone and tablet
- Android – smartphone and tablet
- Windows Phone 7 – smartphone
- Windows 8 – tablet
A web application is something that has also been designed to work on a smartphone or tablet. With a web application the user will visit a website through their web browser in order to use the application. This doesn't require installation of software on the device.
Which one is Best?
When developing an app, it is important to keep in mind that the app will work alongside other portions of the smartphone or tablet. For example, native apps may need access to hardware sensors, like the camera or microphone.
Web apps, on the other hand, may need access to other items like the GPS and are not allowed to access the camera or microphone. Determining which type of app to develop can depend on what the app will need to function properly.
Security
The biggest advantage of mobile computing is that it is taken everywhere. Unfortunately, this means that the device can easily be lost or stolen as well. One of the downsides of using a native app is that information is stored on the device itself. This can pose a security risk if the user ever loses their device. However, when choosing a web app, users will benefit from additional security because of the location of the stored data since it is not stored on the device.
Requirements
After choosing the best type of mobile app to develop, it is then important to determine what is needed to actually develop the app. Along with this, there are certain steps that businesses need to consider as well.
The first thing that businesses will need is a developer. This developer will need to understand the mobile platform programming language. This language what developers use to create the app. Java, Objective-C and C# are the three most commonly used languages for native apps. While a web developer can writ a web app in any language, the web developer will need to understand HTML, CSS and Javascript.
When developing a native app, the developer will then need to join the developer program for platforms that will help to develop the app. This is not necessary for a web application. At this point, the web developer will can build the app that a business needs. However, keep in mind that the process doesn't end with the building of the app. Instead, a team will need to maintain and updating the app regularly.
Businesses around the world are quickly turning to mobile computing. However, choosing the right path to take is a challenge. The best thing that any business can do is to learn more about mobile app development and the ways that it can benefit their company. To learn more about this process, be sure to contact us today.
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