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Published September 02nd, 2016 by

Mobile Applications That Are Used in the Market Today

Mobile Applications That Are Used in the Market Today

With the rise of mobile app. development, developers and designers would like to know which mobile platform application they should build. Today, we are going to explore everything about mobile applications development, particularly the Android and iPhone application development because they are the most common apps of today.

Categories of a Mobile App

Mobile app development has become so much popular because there are so many mobile devices in the world out there. An increase of both Android and Apple products gave way to a higher demand of Android and iPhone app development in today’s technological world.

The first category of a mobile app is the Native app. This type of app is specific to the mobile platform, either iPhone, Android, Windows or Blackberry. We’ll talk more about this later. They use their given platform using the programming tools and programming languages specific to their platform. Because of this, native apps perform excellently from its other competitors, giving the best customer experience and performance.

Later on, we’ll provide you the difference between iPhone apps and Android apps because they are the two most competitive native apps in the market today. You’ll also be able to decide which one is the right one for you by reading CrowdReviews.com’s iPhone application development service reviews and Android application service reviews.

Native apps are harder to development because it performs using more advance programming skills and a higher developer experience is needed. They are typically developed by an IDE or an Integrated Development Environment. This means that IDS have debugging options, version control, project management and other professional tools that developers need.

Native apps also have an edge that others don’t have. These are:

  1. There are many reading material such as articles, technical know-hows, blog posts and other mobile development websites specifically for native apps only.
  2. Multi-touch UI (User Interface) gestures. You are able to use the app. by interacting it in a variety of ways. You can either pinch, spread, double tap or apply other multiple UI gestures.
  3. Built in components. Its components such as address book, geo-location, camera and other nifty features included in the compatible device can be integrated with your mobile app. The more components you have, the more you need storage. If you want your data to be protected, you need an encrypted storage.
  4. It’s very easy to user and is very user friendly. It is also accessible by just checking the specific mobile app. market it is included.
  5. Fast graphics in an API (Application Program Interface). An API is a great tool to build software mobile apps because it has routines and protocols. It is combined with GUI (Graphical user interface) components. This will give you the fastest graphics available and is especially useful if you’re creating a gaming app.
  6. Fluid animation. Aside from fast graphics, you would like your animation or graphics to be very smooth. This is essential for games and even apps that have photos and audio.

Native apps immediately work once you open it and it gives a faster performance. It also provides a reliable service and even notifying you of any updates your app needs. If you have a problem, you just need to refer to the mobile’s support such as iPhone application support.

The second category of a mobile app. is HTML5 app. It is also called mobile web-based apps because it uses the browser mobile devices have. The development of this category can make your mobile app. work on multiple devices. It’s easier to create mobile web-based apps but may be incompatible to certain devices such as Android devices.

Distribution is easier as well because fixes can be deployed easier for all users. You can also use multiple User Interface frameworks such as iScroll and JQuery Mobile to help you solve complex mobile app. problems. It also has more security features and has the ability for encryption data to protect your apps.

The last category of a mobile app. combines both HTML5 and native apps, making it a Hybrid app. They are primarily created using HTML5 scripts and JavaScript. It is then added to a native container that gives them access to Native app. features. A popular native container is PhoneGap.

A good tip for Apple developers, when making a hybrid iPhone Application tool, you need to make sure that the embedded UIWebView or web browser is not the same as the Safari browser because the difference can give you debugging problems.

You can launch a hybrid app. in two ways:

  1. Local based. You can use the HTML and/or JavaScript codes inside the mobile app. binary and use RET APIs to help you transfer data between the mobile device and the web.
  2. Server based. You can implement the whole web application using the server by using the thin shell container over the UIWebView.

Hybrid apps provide the best or the worst of native and web apps. One good example of a Hybrid mobile app. is Netflix.

Native apps can be installed directly to the device while HMTL5 apps need a web server. Hybrid apps can be implemented in both ways. There are a lot more differences of these mobile ap. categories, so be careful on what you want to create. If you are a developer, you can read InformationWeek’s article comparing the difference between Native apps and HTML apps or Upwork’s comparison.

If you are a developer, you just need to focus on these mobile app. features in creating one. These are:

  1. Native apps are superior to their counterparts hands down.
  2. Native apps use Native APIs while HTML5 and Hybrid uses HTML, SVG and/or Canvas.
  3. Native and Hybrid apps can be distributed to the specific app stores while HTML5 can only be distributed via the web.
  4. User experience. Native apps look and feel is superb between the three. Hybrid and HTML5 has the feeling of emulation.
  5. Developmental programs. Native apps use ObjectiveC, Java and other native program applications such as Swift (if you are using an iPhone Application Development Services). HTML5 and Hybrid uses HTML5, JavaScript and CSS.
  6. Native and Hybrid Apps can be connected to online and offline apps. HTML5 is mostly online.

Now let’s go to the mobile apps we can create, starting with the two most uncommonly used mobile apps today, the BlackBerry mobile apps and the Windows mobile apps. After that, we’ll compare the differences between Android mobile apps and Apple mobile apps.

BlackBerry

The BlackBerry platform is for BlackBerry devices only. If you want to develop BlackBerry apps, it will be submitted to the BlackBerry World, formerly called BlackBerry App. World. To be able to distribute your apps, go to the BlackBerry Developer Distribute webpage.

You can test your BlackBerry apps using 6 approved Blackberry testing service companies. They will be able to facilitate app testing to analyze usability, functional testing or capability using different BlackBerry devices or their networks. These companies are: GetJar, Intertek NSTL, Perfecto Mobile, Mob4Hire, Mobica Limited and DeviceAnywhere.

Windows

The Windows Platform has a very user friendly user interface. You can publish your mobile app to Windows by going to their Developer website. To know more about their mobile app checklist, read their app submission checklist.

One awesome feature of a Windows mobile app is that they can be universal, transferring the app. from your phone to your computer. KnowYourMobile.com has this great article that talks about the great points of having a Windows 10 mobile app.

iPhone Versus Android apps

Here’s where it gets tricky. Android app development and iPhone Application Development Services has become so competitive that a lot of developers are having trouble in deciding which app. to develop.

Below are the possible disadvantages and advantages of creating iPhone apps versus Android apps.

  1. If you’re main consideration is the location, Android apps dominate its sales volume in Africa, South America and Asia. However, users that have iPhone app services have higher learning level, bigger income and can spend more time in using your apps. This will help in your app. revenue production especially if you are a developer because iPhone is considered a high quality brand.
  2. Revenue Models. Android and Apple have different approaches to their revenue model. Even if Android has more ad-supported apps, Apple’s users pay for using their apps. The Top iPhone Application Development Services will make sure that you maximize your profits when you develop your mobile app with them. There is also a study that Apple apps earn more profits than Android.
  3. Many features of Android mobile apps are open sourced and can be modded (such as CyanogenMod). By using these mods, you’ll be able to access more in the device’s operating system.
  4. Business environment. Before, BlackBerry mobile apps were very useful in the workplace. But now, Apple has shown progress and is a top contender in creating and providing business apps. Android is not far behind, but with Apple’s announcement to partner with IBM for business apps may make Android lag behind further.
  5. The main disadvantage of creating Android apps. is the lack of consistency for its users. With a lot of devices that support Android and its many versions of its operating system, Android developers have a hard time in focusing on testing their apps and making their development slower than Apple.

Just a recap, we’ve talked about the three categories of a mobile app. And more often than not, mobile developers are choosing to create Native apps especially for Android and iPhone native apps. You can check the top iPhone application development services from CrowdReviews.com if you would like to develop iPhone mobile apps or the top Android application development services if you want to develop Android mobile apps.

We also know that the most popular mobile apps in the market today are Android and iPhone apps and the pros and cons of developing each app. Be sure to analyze your target market audience if you’re going to develop a mobile app. If you’re interested in developing iPhone mobile apps, why not take a look at CrowdReviews.com’s iPhone application development service reviews?

Jeev Trika

Jeev is an executive leader with successful experience building research portals which recommend the best products and services in various highly competitive verticals.

Our rankings are completely independent, transparent, and community driven; they are based on user reviews and client sentiment. These iphone app development companies had to earn their way up and didn't just pay their way up.

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