The worldwide economy of technology based products and services is vibrant with many peers and competing vendors. There are some, which are called either industry pioneers or tech giants, are those who have already established a strong reputation as a dynamic industry leader, or an established expert, in any field in technology related innovation venture. In the case of mobile applications development, it was Android who stood strong in the battle of developer companies, and continues to grow alongside the multiple facets of mobile technology.
Mobile Application Developer Wars
There are many things to consider in concluding the real winner in the mobile applications development wars; with different customer perspectives as well as developer feedbacks. There are also users, who just go with what’s popular, and there are some who just used either, but not both, which makes their judgements seem unfair to consider. There are many articles that will return on “Android versus iOS” keywords on the web, but to simplify things in the consumer market level, let us take a look at the statistics based on the overall market share. In first quarter 2015, a research firm generated a report that Android led the race with 78% of overall market share over iOS who only had an 18.3% share. But, it is noteworthy to mention that Android actually did drop down some numbers, because it originally contributed 81.2% share in the fourth quarter of 2014. And on the other hand, the iOS actually had an increase from 15.2% in the previous quarter. But nonetheless, the huge gap between the numbers will prove that Android is still indeed the worldwide leader in mobile application development today.
The open based platform nature of Android is one of the contributing factors for its popularity among mobile application developers. Some newbie developers use Android operating systems as a starting base in creating their practice coding, and freelance developers have utilized the Android Playstore as the venue for their portfolios and their launching point for a career. With so many individual vendors and Android apps development companies that we have today, how to choose the best one for your specific need?
The safest bet would be to go the more experienced ones, and whose expertise, have credible proofs such as company solution portfolios with evidence based documentation. Android application development is a very broad technology, and since it is open sourced, becoming fully knowledgeable in the ins and outs of using it will entail some experience and studies in order to drive well. Take note, also, that there are 3rd party development apps that only base their coding from Android, and might yield a slightly different output from the full use of Android SDK and APIs. Overall, you must first conduct in depth understanding of the technology in order to support your evaluation of the different Android applications development companies in the market today.
Android App Development Companies
Android developer companies are operating within the coding and algorithms involved in the Android operating system. They focus on building tools and applications, as well as collaborate with other developers, in order to create innovations based on the OS’s potential and consumer needs. Android won’t become a worldwide leader in mobile application development industry only because of popularity, but as well as the number of solutions it can give to both the consuming public and businesses. For some, these are:
- Client-Business Communication Convenience – Android apps, which are accessible via an Android powered smartphone or tablet, are being utilized by companies to create an alternative portal for exclusive communication between themselves and their clients. Some of the popular features of this type of mobile application is instant customer service access through VoIP or click to call buttons, personalized client mail inbox, personal client account details update, loyalty points monitoring, discount coupon redemption, online shop, instant booking confirmations, etc.
- Online Business Startups – Having its own Android app, your business can have a creative way to promote and facilitate transactions in one user platform. Android based developers can even put a lot of features in your app such as interactive photos of your products that can be zoom-ed in or out, or rotate in 360 degrees, can facilitate online payments, give out sale announcements that are exclusive to app downloaders, product recommendations from the client’s preferences, options or delivery, and client feedback. Android apps create leverage in market competition, and adds access portals to reach your local business the faster way.
- Venue for Marketing Campaigns and Advertising – consumer oriented business models invest on how to best reach their target audience by knowing the most convenient way they can interact. The users of mobile applications, particularly the smartphones, have been spending roughly 82% of their mobile time in tinkering their applications, according to a demographic in 2015. This amount of time is a significant window of opportunity to deploy effective and targeted marketing campaigns like using email. According to an email analytics conducted in March 2016, 55% of the recipients prefer to access their mail inbox through their mobile devices. In terms of mobile applications revenues, it was estimated that it will go from 35 billion in 2014 up to 77 billion in 2017, and that according to top 500 online merchants, they accounted 42% of their sales online came from the transactions within their mobile applications. The above research results conclude the effectiveness of using mobile applications in strategic marketing planning and implementation.
- Company branding – catching up on the waves and trends in the market today is also an effective way to spread awareness and increase consumer interest for your company. Aside from the impact of the use of social media for this, your business having its own mobile application creates leverage, as far as positive impression is concerned. A creative icon can contribute significantly to this goal as well, and will make your app attract more attention. Engaging your customers through fun and creative ways is another edge from your competitors, in general.
Android Technology
Mobile application development in Android comprises of cultured technologies that work collaboratively so that there won’t be smallest details in your mobile applications that will be missed. The core technologies of Android focus on runtime and compilers, components configurations, optimization of data usage, effective debugging system, Android device management, interfacing, over-the-air (OTA) system updates, efficient use of battery power and testing infrastructure. The Android technology is a broad concept which needs another article to tackle each technology that rests on its platform.
Importance of Android
In this age when people clamor for on-demand information, and also convenience in executing transactions and purchases, development of mobile applications for businesses using Android is relevant in obtaining solutions to present day consumers’ intricate and demanding needs. Android addresses that need for a reliable and efficient gateway between clients and businesses, for them to communicate well, which in turn can benefit a company in knowing first hand what a client wants and expects from them. Android also offers more value for smartphones, which not only focus on calling or texting features, but on other tools and applications to boost productivity, give important information, and as well as to entertain. Android encompasses a lot of applications, including but not limited to, communications, gaming, education, productivity, and multimedia.
Advantages of Android
In terms of user statistics, as already mentioned above, one clear advantage of developing with Android is in reaching out to more customers and potential-to-be’s. Also, its open source platform makes it easier to gain access and code within its environment. Collaborative work is also an advantage because it creates an open exchange of ideas and insights among newbie and experienced developers, which makes it more developer friendly because of the support it can get from the community. Regular updates are also implemented to make sure the system is free of bugs, and nothing can interrupt a full user experience of using Android devices.
Importance of Android Phones
Smartphones accounts for the highest number of time spent on when accessing mobile applications, with 88% of the total mobile activity time spent, over 82% in tablets. Android smartphones contribute greatly to the growing popularity of the Android operating system to be used in developing mobile applications. Android phones are important for developers because it serves as a more convenient way to create and test their codes. Android phones’ affordability and accessibility enables more people to connect with their loved ones and peers, in a more effective way.
Advantages of Android Phones
Android phones increase a user’s mobility and flexibility in multi-tasking, and switching in between personal errands and doing business or work, into enjoying pleasure and entertainment. Android phones are not just powerful on the inside, but aesthetically appealing as well, with its rich user graphic interface that exudes function and elegance in one device. Android phones are also widely accessible and has a dynamic price range, which enables more users to access its technology, and the benefits it give. Android phones are also powerful enough to accommodate many applications to be downloaded and run on it, with smooth operating efficiency.
Choosing Android Development Companies
Choosing the best Android development company for the job entails careful research and planning, as with adopting a new technology for your business. Android doesn’t work for everybody, as with other operating systems, and it is best if your business will function in a more familiar and comfortable technology-based working environment so it can be more effective in bringing benefits, rather than liabilities to your company. Few, but important things to consider in making a sound evaluation of existing Android development companies should include the following:
- Industry experience – can be length of operations, or a strong foundational system built upon across all stages of growth that the Android operating system went along.
- Evidence-based portfolio – an Android development company must accompany their portfolios with full documentation of the application development and the whole solution making process.
- Updated online pages content – this signifies a more professional operations management system within the company because it has a dedicated support body that constantly updates its users on the latest developments within the company.
- Excellent customer service – this is definitely a plus to consider, which implies that a company gives value in outstanding client-business relationship and that they are open for feedbacks and suggestions for improvement.
Take your journey to finding the right Android development company to support your business model to the next level by checking out on these reviews of Android development companies from professional and newbie developers in the market. Check out CrowdReviews.com’s list to know who made it to this year’s top Android development companies according to client scores and feedbacks.
Keith Moore
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