Why Android app? After the success of BlackBerry and IOS in the smart phone industry through their touch screen devices, Google tried to test its fate through its ambitious Android operating system. Probably it was the right time to enter into the market with a new smart operating system like Android that can overcome the shortcomings of IOS and Blackberry especially when we consider cost effectiveness. Fortunately, Android received overnight popularity from the industry due to its low cost, quality user experience and better customer service from Google. Within just a decade, it became the leader of the smart phone industry. With the latest Android Lollypop, it has proved that it is the best in the industry and extremely cost effective as compared to Apple’s IOS or Blackberry. As a result, the numbers of Android users are increasing in an exponential rate for quite some time now. To reach at those users, Android developers are trying hard to develop better quality enterprise standard Android apps that can serve the purpose. Hence there is a tremendous demand of Android developers in the industry.
Showing posts with label Android app development. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Android app development. Show all posts
12 September, 2014
Android and Its Role in the Community
Each mobile app developer wants to target the right mobile platform and devices to get higher returns. Some developers even prefer creating different versions of the same app for major mobile operating systems. But many reports have highlighted that most mobile application developers opt for Android development to reap a number of benefits. There are also several factors that make the role of Google’s operating system significant among community of developers.
What Makes Android Hugely Popular Among Developers and Businesses?
What Makes Android Hugely Popular Among Developers and Businesses?
18 December, 2013
Mobile website vs Mobile App: Which should you use?
The rapidly growing popularity of smartphones and tablets has compelled enterprise to promote their businesses by targeting mobile platforms. Each organization has several options to target the mobile device users. Some companies launch mobile business apps to attract their existing customers and prospects. At the same time, many organizations optimize the look and feel of their websites for mobile web browsers. However, both mobile website and mobile apps have their own pros and cons. So each enterprise must compare and evaluate these two options to target more relevant users.
Evaluating Pros and Cons of Mobile Apps and Mobile Websites
User Access
A business mobile app needs to be downloaded by the users. Once the user downloads and install the application on his mobile device, he can avail its features simply with a single click. On the other hand, a mobile website can be accessed by users immediately on their mobile web browsers. Further, the mobile version of your business website can also be accessed by using mobile version of various online search engines like Google, Yahoo and Bing.
Functionality
The mobile applications are more effective in keeping users engaged by offering efficient and high quality functionality. Your business can always impress users by allowing them to perform complex tasks like getting information about products, placing order and tracking payment without any hassle. But the mobile website does not allow users to carry out any such transactions directly. But you can use the mobile website as a medium to get more inquiries and website visits.
Speed
A number of reports have highlighted how a mobile app runs at a much faster pace than the mobile websites. So the mobile applications will help you in keeping users engaged by delivering rich user experience. The mobile websites also require users to be connected to the internet to access the mobile websites. But many mobile applications can be accessed by users without having any internet connection.
Technological Requirements
Most organizations, nowadays, launch different versions of the same enterprise app by targeting different mobile platforms. So each version of the app must be developed using technologies and programming language according to the requirements of the mobile operating system. So businesses have to hire mobile app developers to implement their ideas. On the other hand, the mobile version of your website can be developed without putting any extra time and effort. Your website designer can use some simple tricks to create and optimize the mobile website.
Development Cost
As your existing website can be easily optimized for the mobile web browsers, you are not required to incur any heavy expenses. But cost of the mobile application development project will vary according to the features and functionalities of the app. Further, you have to promote the app on various platforms to enhance its popularity. So the overall cost of developing, launching and marketing a mobile application may be huge. It is always a good idea to keep in mind your budget, while evaluating these two options.
ROI
An organization has option to launch the free as well as paid version of the app. When a user loves the features and functionality offered by the free version of the application, he will not hesitate to download the paid version. Further, an organization can implement a comprehensive promotional strategy to make its paid apps popular. The free apps can also be used as a medium to generate revenue by including in-app purchases and in-app advertisement. So it is always easier to monetize a mobile application in comparison to a mobile website.
Each organization also needs to make and implement a comprehensive strategy to launch a popular business mobile application. But it can optimize the mobile version of the website without putting any extra time and effort. So an enterprise must evaluate cost and ROI benefits before taking a decision in favor of any one. You can hire mobile application programmer from top mobile app development companies who can guide you in detail about the benefits of both approaches.
We provide mobile app development services. If you would like to discuss with an expert mobile app developer from our team, please get in touch with us at Mindfire Solutions.
Evaluating Pros and Cons of Mobile Apps and Mobile Websites
User Access
Functionality
The mobile applications are more effective in keeping users engaged by offering efficient and high quality functionality. Your business can always impress users by allowing them to perform complex tasks like getting information about products, placing order and tracking payment without any hassle. But the mobile website does not allow users to carry out any such transactions directly. But you can use the mobile website as a medium to get more inquiries and website visits.
Speed
A number of reports have highlighted how a mobile app runs at a much faster pace than the mobile websites. So the mobile applications will help you in keeping users engaged by delivering rich user experience. The mobile websites also require users to be connected to the internet to access the mobile websites. But many mobile applications can be accessed by users without having any internet connection.
Technological Requirements
Most organizations, nowadays, launch different versions of the same enterprise app by targeting different mobile platforms. So each version of the app must be developed using technologies and programming language according to the requirements of the mobile operating system. So businesses have to hire mobile app developers to implement their ideas. On the other hand, the mobile version of your website can be developed without putting any extra time and effort. Your website designer can use some simple tricks to create and optimize the mobile website.
Development Cost
As your existing website can be easily optimized for the mobile web browsers, you are not required to incur any heavy expenses. But cost of the mobile application development project will vary according to the features and functionalities of the app. Further, you have to promote the app on various platforms to enhance its popularity. So the overall cost of developing, launching and marketing a mobile application may be huge. It is always a good idea to keep in mind your budget, while evaluating these two options.
ROI
An organization has option to launch the free as well as paid version of the app. When a user loves the features and functionality offered by the free version of the application, he will not hesitate to download the paid version. Further, an organization can implement a comprehensive promotional strategy to make its paid apps popular. The free apps can also be used as a medium to generate revenue by including in-app purchases and in-app advertisement. So it is always easier to monetize a mobile application in comparison to a mobile website.
Each organization also needs to make and implement a comprehensive strategy to launch a popular business mobile application. But it can optimize the mobile version of the website without putting any extra time and effort. So an enterprise must evaluate cost and ROI benefits before taking a decision in favor of any one. You can hire mobile application programmer from top mobile app development companies who can guide you in detail about the benefits of both approaches.
We provide mobile app development services. If you would like to discuss with an expert mobile app developer from our team, please get in touch with us at Mindfire Solutions.
14 December, 2013
Does Your Business need a Mobile App?
A number of recent reports have highlighted how mobile apps will reshape the future of businesses in the upcoming years. The steady increase in the sale of smartphones, tablets and other mobile devices also indicate the necessity of mobile applications for enterprises. However, a business has to consider many factors before developing a mobile application. Also, it has option to consider several alternatives including mobile websites. Therefore, it has become essential for each enterprise to decide if it is time to invest in mobile app development.
5 Reasons Why Each Business Requires a Mobile App
1) Reach and Engage Most Relevant Customers
You may be finding it a daunting challenge to promote your products or services by targeting the most relevant audience. The mobile apps make it easier for you to reach the most relevant customer in real time. At the same time, the application will also enable you to keep the customers engaged by accessing their location and detailed profile information. Along with promoting your business, you can further encourage the app users to purchase your products by offering coupons, interactive deals and similar incentives. With most users downloading business applications, it becomes easier for you to attract and engage the most relevant customers and prospects.
2) Serve Mobile Ads
Many reports have highlighted how mobile ads are more effective that other conventional and digital advertising techniques. Often businesses have to incur additional expenses to server mobile ads through publishers and marketing companies. The enterprise mobile app will make it easier for you to serve mobile ads by targeting the most relevant users, while avoiding additional expenses. Along with giving coupons and discounts, you can also easily send location-based push notifications. The innovative advertising methods will further keep your customers interested and engaged.
3) Add Value to Your Customer Service
Often the quality of customer service and support helps a business to retain customers. The business mobile app will make it easier for you to deliver prompt customer service, while adding value to your existing customer care services. Many customers, nowadays, gather information about a product or service directly using their smartphones and tablets. Similarly, many people even buy goods using their mobile devices to save both time and effort. So you can always build a base of happy customers by providing smart and quick customer service through the application.
4) Allow Customers to Shop on the Go
Each customer wants to buy the best product at his own pace and convenience. Along with gather information about a specific product or service, many people, nowadays, prefer shopping through mobile apps. So you can always use your enterprise application as a mobile store that enables users to browse through the products and shop on the go. Many reports have highlighted the growing popularity of mobile shopping options among customers residing in different regions. So you can beat competition through the application by providing smart and flexible shopping options to customers.
5) Avoid Losing Customers
Despite the growing popularity of digital and mobile shopping, many people still prefer shopping at local stores. As the customers will not gather address and contact numbers by visiting your business website, it is important to allow them to access the information in an instant. The application enables you to let customers access your contact information without initiating a web search. Further, the app can use the GPS tracking feature of their mobile devices, and enable customers to find your business without any hassle. The combination of mobile advertisement and option to target all types of customers will help you in building a base of regular customers.
Each business can further choose from a number of mobile application development options. In addition to developing the enterprise app by deploying its in-house team of developers, it can also consider hiring a freelance mobile app developer or outsourcing the project. Many enterprises prefer outsourcing the project to a reliable company to develop, launch and promote their mobile applications without investing any extra time and effort.
You can hire certified mobile app developers from top mobile app development companies in India who can help you build mobile apps within allocated budgets and time schedules.
We provide mobile app development services. If you would like to know more about the expertise of our expert mobile app developers, please get in touch with us at Mindfire Solutions.
5 Reasons Why Each Business Requires a Mobile App
1) Reach and Engage Most Relevant Customers
2) Serve Mobile Ads
Many reports have highlighted how mobile ads are more effective that other conventional and digital advertising techniques. Often businesses have to incur additional expenses to server mobile ads through publishers and marketing companies. The enterprise mobile app will make it easier for you to serve mobile ads by targeting the most relevant users, while avoiding additional expenses. Along with giving coupons and discounts, you can also easily send location-based push notifications. The innovative advertising methods will further keep your customers interested and engaged.
3) Add Value to Your Customer Service
Often the quality of customer service and support helps a business to retain customers. The business mobile app will make it easier for you to deliver prompt customer service, while adding value to your existing customer care services. Many customers, nowadays, gather information about a product or service directly using their smartphones and tablets. Similarly, many people even buy goods using their mobile devices to save both time and effort. So you can always build a base of happy customers by providing smart and quick customer service through the application.
4) Allow Customers to Shop on the Go
Each customer wants to buy the best product at his own pace and convenience. Along with gather information about a specific product or service, many people, nowadays, prefer shopping through mobile apps. So you can always use your enterprise application as a mobile store that enables users to browse through the products and shop on the go. Many reports have highlighted the growing popularity of mobile shopping options among customers residing in different regions. So you can beat competition through the application by providing smart and flexible shopping options to customers.
5) Avoid Losing Customers
Despite the growing popularity of digital and mobile shopping, many people still prefer shopping at local stores. As the customers will not gather address and contact numbers by visiting your business website, it is important to allow them to access the information in an instant. The application enables you to let customers access your contact information without initiating a web search. Further, the app can use the GPS tracking feature of their mobile devices, and enable customers to find your business without any hassle. The combination of mobile advertisement and option to target all types of customers will help you in building a base of regular customers.
Each business can further choose from a number of mobile application development options. In addition to developing the enterprise app by deploying its in-house team of developers, it can also consider hiring a freelance mobile app developer or outsourcing the project. Many enterprises prefer outsourcing the project to a reliable company to develop, launch and promote their mobile applications without investing any extra time and effort.
You can hire certified mobile app developers from top mobile app development companies in India who can help you build mobile apps within allocated budgets and time schedules.
We provide mobile app development services. If you would like to know more about the expertise of our expert mobile app developers, please get in touch with us at Mindfire Solutions.
08 December, 2013
Maximizing benefits of attending conferences
Significant software testing conferences of the regional or international level are highly popular among leading practitioners or industrial professionals worldwide. Popular forums experience active involvement of software industry, government as well as academia for exchange and sharing of experiences, learning or ideas. Conferences offer an exclusive opportunity for the general visitors to share the same platform with renowned attendees or world class speakers from the nation and abroad as well.
Purpose of software testing summits
Built on several themes along with the latest market issues or topics relating to software testing analysis, such international forums provide everything starting from assurance to confirmation. The summits with their more enhanced latest editions display experiments, ideas or experiences to explore new challenges or suggest best practices along with techniques to successfully deal with the theme. The presentations or discussions focus on how an establishment transforms itself on multiple aspects such as process, people, tools and technology. Discussions mainly focus on the best organizational practices to scale or increase the multi-faceted efficiency.
Benefits of Attending Conference
By attending such presentation programs you can have a detailed view or understanding of the track that concentrates on tools as well as techniques for the purpose of enabling increased adoption with scalability and thus rendering non-linear development for the organizational practices. The single most crucial challenge is addressed to change the perception or mindset that the need of the hour is to step ahead from assurance to confirmation, and in this respect discussion, debate or agreement on the requirement of the change are highly important. It is high time to provide confirmation more inevitably.
Your To Do List During A Conference Session
Use the following questions intelligently to start conversation so as to learn from the experience of other fellow practitioners. This is how the conference becomes great and not just average.
The huge gathering of agile testing professionals recognizes new talents or emergent professionals for their contribution in the field of software testing. The award giving ceremony being one of the major highlights encourages newbie professionals while providing impetus for their contribution to the testing processes, skills or principles that make testing an imperative part of the software development life cycle. It will also inspire innovative approaches along with breakthrough achievements in the testing process that aims to produce developed products as well as services in the IT Industry.
To make the best use of the summit try meeting as much people as you can as important visitors from different fields will help in enhancing your market knowledge with the exchange of valuable information. Having a lunch or breakfast with unfamiliar faces can be a good idea. Don't forget to carry business card always as many people ask for it. Give yours and ask for one too. Apart from all these, visit booths to see innovative products while trying your hands on the latest tools to get an idea about how tools are advancing and the direction in which the service industry is heading.
We provide software testing and automation testing services and we do attend events and conferences in related fields. If you are looking to hire automation test engineers, please do speak to us, you will be amazed at your expertise and experience. And we will be glad to assist you.
Purpose of software testing summits
Benefits of Attending Conference
By attending such presentation programs you can have a detailed view or understanding of the track that concentrates on tools as well as techniques for the purpose of enabling increased adoption with scalability and thus rendering non-linear development for the organizational practices. The single most crucial challenge is addressed to change the perception or mindset that the need of the hour is to step ahead from assurance to confirmation, and in this respect discussion, debate or agreement on the requirement of the change are highly important. It is high time to provide confirmation more inevitably.
Your To Do List During A Conference Session
- Take notes and use mind map as your note taking tool
- Focus on the challenging and thought provoking analysis and solutions
- Share your views and arise queries to enhance your organizational growth and advancement
- Learn, discuss and share at the same time
- Ensure that attendees or speakers are not disturbed
- Leave the session with knowledge of something innovative or interesting
- Talk to other testers, speakers or buddies about the testing apart from the context they work in
- Focus on the challenges they face alongside the several ways to solve them
Use the following questions intelligently to start conversation so as to learn from the experience of other fellow practitioners. This is how the conference becomes great and not just average.
- What does your organization do?
- What is your major concern about enterprise application testing?
- What kinds of products are normally tested by you?
- In what way do you approach testing?
- What is your view of automation or certification?
- What is your opinion about the advancement of software testing profession?
- What was the most challenging issue you found or how could the defect be recovered?
- How would you formulate static testing?
- Anything that you would advice to implement so far as random TestSpicer or test generator is concerned?
The huge gathering of agile testing professionals recognizes new talents or emergent professionals for their contribution in the field of software testing. The award giving ceremony being one of the major highlights encourages newbie professionals while providing impetus for their contribution to the testing processes, skills or principles that make testing an imperative part of the software development life cycle. It will also inspire innovative approaches along with breakthrough achievements in the testing process that aims to produce developed products as well as services in the IT Industry.
To make the best use of the summit try meeting as much people as you can as important visitors from different fields will help in enhancing your market knowledge with the exchange of valuable information. Having a lunch or breakfast with unfamiliar faces can be a good idea. Don't forget to carry business card always as many people ask for it. Give yours and ask for one too. Apart from all these, visit booths to see innovative products while trying your hands on the latest tools to get an idea about how tools are advancing and the direction in which the service industry is heading.
We provide software testing and automation testing services and we do attend events and conferences in related fields. If you are looking to hire automation test engineers, please do speak to us, you will be amazed at your expertise and experience. And we will be glad to assist you.
06 December, 2013
What impacts Mobile App download numbers?
According to a statement released by research firm Gartner recently, “Mobile app stores will see annual downloads reach 102 billion in 2013, up from 64 billion in 2012. Total revenue in 2013 will reach USD 26 billion, up from USD 18 billion in 2012.” The statement also predicted a steady growth in the upcoming years, while adding that free mobile apps constituted for 91% of the total application downloads this year. These constantly increasing number of downloads further encourage many enterprises to invest in mobile application development.
But with more and more companies venturing into mobile app business, the field has become highly competitive. Each enterprise, nowadays, has to implement a comprehensive mobile application development and promotion strategy to make its apps popular within a very short span of time. At the same time, the strategy also needs to identify the key technologies and market forces that affect the number of mobile app downloads.
Important Factors Affecting Mobile App Download
Performance and Speed of the App
Many reports have highlighted how the mobile app loading time can have a huge impact on the user experience as well as number of downloads. Often users avoid applications that take more time to load, or require them to take a higher number of actions. So the performance, efficiency and speed of the mobile application must be optimized, while making it more focuses to keep the users impressed and engaged.
Options to Get User Feedback
People love to use mobile apps that are more interactive. Most users also appreciate the feedback mechanism provided by applications. At the same time, many mobile users also look for constant consumer-centric improvements in the app. The right feedback mechanism will help you in gathering the user feedback and comments, and implement these suggestions to deliver improved user experience. Further, you must convey information about the updated version of the mobile application to users, and encourage them to download it to avail a set of fresh and innovative features.
Make the App Easy-to-Customize
Each user wants to customize the mobile application according to his personal preference. So you can easily make the application popular by incorporating features that enables users to personalize it by adjusting settings. It is also a good idea to allow users to change the color, font size, font type and privacy settings to add more value to the app, while delivering more personalized user experience.
Use Dedicated App Marketing Channels
Most mobile application stores allow application developers and resellers to promote their apps by availing customized advertisement options. However, you have to choose the marketing channel according to your mobile application. For instance, the iOS apps can be promoted through Apple’s iAD, whereas the Android apps will be promoted through Google’s AdMob. As these dedicated mobile application marketing channels are effective in reaching out to a large base of mobile users, you can use these advertisement options to get more mobile app downloads immediately after its launch.
Make the Application More Searchable
Many users gather information about mobile apps using online search engines. So the landing page of the application must be optimized to appear at the top of major search engine results pages. Similarly, the title, descriptions and feature list of the application also need to be optimized by using the most relevant keyword and phrases. You can always make your app more searchable to increase the number of downloads without relying on the app stores.
Create App Profiles
You can always optimize the exposure of a specific mobile application by creating profiles on directories, review sites and similar online platforms. It is also a good idea to submit the app to popular app reviewers, and request them to post app reviews. The app reviews will further help you in determining the flaws that affect user experience negatively. You can even use the data to increase app downloads by launching its updated version.
Track the App Constantly
The app promotion strategy must be modified and updated regularly to optimize the campaign. You must keep track of the app consistently using a set of tools and services. The constant tracking will make it easier for you to gather key information about the app including the audience, their age group and usage pattern. You can even consider using mobile app analytics to gather detailed information about the performance of your mobile app, along with identifying its flaws and weaknesses.
The number of mobile app downloads is also impacted by the current and upcoming trends in technology and user demand. At the same time, an enterprise also needs to update its app at regular intervals to increase the number of downloads.
You can hire mobile app programmers from top app development firms who can help you build mobile apps within allocated budgets and time schedules.
We provide mobile app development services. If you would like to discuss with an expert mobile app developer from our team, please get in touch with us at Mindfire Solutions.
Important Factors Affecting Mobile App Download
Performance and Speed of the App
Many reports have highlighted how the mobile app loading time can have a huge impact on the user experience as well as number of downloads. Often users avoid applications that take more time to load, or require them to take a higher number of actions. So the performance, efficiency and speed of the mobile application must be optimized, while making it more focuses to keep the users impressed and engaged.
Options to Get User Feedback
People love to use mobile apps that are more interactive. Most users also appreciate the feedback mechanism provided by applications. At the same time, many mobile users also look for constant consumer-centric improvements in the app. The right feedback mechanism will help you in gathering the user feedback and comments, and implement these suggestions to deliver improved user experience. Further, you must convey information about the updated version of the mobile application to users, and encourage them to download it to avail a set of fresh and innovative features.
Make the App Easy-to-Customize
Each user wants to customize the mobile application according to his personal preference. So you can easily make the application popular by incorporating features that enables users to personalize it by adjusting settings. It is also a good idea to allow users to change the color, font size, font type and privacy settings to add more value to the app, while delivering more personalized user experience.
Use Dedicated App Marketing Channels
Most mobile application stores allow application developers and resellers to promote their apps by availing customized advertisement options. However, you have to choose the marketing channel according to your mobile application. For instance, the iOS apps can be promoted through Apple’s iAD, whereas the Android apps will be promoted through Google’s AdMob. As these dedicated mobile application marketing channels are effective in reaching out to a large base of mobile users, you can use these advertisement options to get more mobile app downloads immediately after its launch.
Make the Application More Searchable
Many users gather information about mobile apps using online search engines. So the landing page of the application must be optimized to appear at the top of major search engine results pages. Similarly, the title, descriptions and feature list of the application also need to be optimized by using the most relevant keyword and phrases. You can always make your app more searchable to increase the number of downloads without relying on the app stores.
Create App Profiles
You can always optimize the exposure of a specific mobile application by creating profiles on directories, review sites and similar online platforms. It is also a good idea to submit the app to popular app reviewers, and request them to post app reviews. The app reviews will further help you in determining the flaws that affect user experience negatively. You can even use the data to increase app downloads by launching its updated version.
Track the App Constantly
The app promotion strategy must be modified and updated regularly to optimize the campaign. You must keep track of the app consistently using a set of tools and services. The constant tracking will make it easier for you to gather key information about the app including the audience, their age group and usage pattern. You can even consider using mobile app analytics to gather detailed information about the performance of your mobile app, along with identifying its flaws and weaknesses.
The number of mobile app downloads is also impacted by the current and upcoming trends in technology and user demand. At the same time, an enterprise also needs to update its app at regular intervals to increase the number of downloads.
You can hire mobile app programmers from top app development firms who can help you build mobile apps within allocated budgets and time schedules.
We provide mobile app development services. If you would like to discuss with an expert mobile app developer from our team, please get in touch with us at Mindfire Solutions.
05 December, 2013
Are your users quitting your app?
You can always launch a popular mobile app by keeping in mind the current trends in technology and customer demand. But you must remember that each customer has options to choose from a large collection of apps offering similar features and functionalities. Therefore, it becomes essential to optimize the efficiency and performance of your mobile app to beat completion. Many reports have highlighted that over 50% of mobile app users will exit if a system doesn't load within 5 seconds. So your development plan must consider some of the key measures make the mobile application work faster. You can even consider some of the most effective practices to make the app faster and popular.
4 Smart Ways to Make Your Mobile App Work Faster
1) Optimize the Images
Often the loading speed of a mobile application is impacted by the quality of images. In comparison to the images displayed on desktops, the mobile app images need to be smaller. Further, the images must be scaled to the right size to avoid several issues related to performance and memory. At the same time, you can further reduce the load on server by scaling the images to the size exactly required by the mobile device. The correctly sized images will make your app load faster by reducing the workload on the device as well as server.
2) Use JSON Web Services
The mobile application developers have options to create web services using several technologies like SOAP and XML, and JSON. Many experts have highlighted how the XML responses are much larger than JSON responses. As the mobile app normally do not display all fields on a page to users, you must ensure that the server is returning only the data required by the client. The workload on the server can be reduced drastically by specifying which fields will be included in a request. As entity tags (ETags) are a part of HTTP, you can even consider using these to deliver the content that are not updated or modified frequently.
3) Prioritize Client Requests
Similar to websites, a mobile app also needs to handle several client requests at a time. So you must differentiate client requests to reduce the app loading time. It is also important to prioritize the requests by implementing an efficient request queue. The request queue will further cancel the requests that are no longer relevant, or block users to perform a new action. At the same time, you also need to ensure that the connections are reused to idle cycles are used to respond to the next request. In case the network is not reliable, you can even consider queuing up a batch of client requests till the internet connectivity is back.
4) Look for Smart Ways to Implement Caching
Each app can be designed with cache to memory as well as to the file system using ETags. You can always consider a caching option that does not go over the network. If you decide to cache to the file system, it is a good idea to restrict the number of concurrent file accesses, along with deleting the irrelevant data. Further, you have to predict the upcoming user requests, while caching the responses already sent to the user. When the next set of user requests are already cached before the user requests, the user can access content at once. The smart caching implementation will further help you in delivering optimized user experience.
The mobile application must be tested thoroughly under different conditions and emulating maximum use behavior. Along with the development strategy, your testing plan for the application also needs to identify the flaws that increase its loading time. Before you take a decision to hire mobile application programmer for your app idea, it is highly suggested to evaluate the vendor’s expertise in not only product/app development but also testing.
We provide mobile apps development services. If you would like to know more about the expertise of our top mobile app developers, please visit Mindfire Solutions.
4 Smart Ways to Make Your Mobile App Work Faster
1) Optimize the Images
2) Use JSON Web Services
The mobile application developers have options to create web services using several technologies like SOAP and XML, and JSON. Many experts have highlighted how the XML responses are much larger than JSON responses. As the mobile app normally do not display all fields on a page to users, you must ensure that the server is returning only the data required by the client. The workload on the server can be reduced drastically by specifying which fields will be included in a request. As entity tags (ETags) are a part of HTTP, you can even consider using these to deliver the content that are not updated or modified frequently.
3) Prioritize Client Requests
Similar to websites, a mobile app also needs to handle several client requests at a time. So you must differentiate client requests to reduce the app loading time. It is also important to prioritize the requests by implementing an efficient request queue. The request queue will further cancel the requests that are no longer relevant, or block users to perform a new action. At the same time, you also need to ensure that the connections are reused to idle cycles are used to respond to the next request. In case the network is not reliable, you can even consider queuing up a batch of client requests till the internet connectivity is back.
4) Look for Smart Ways to Implement Caching
Each app can be designed with cache to memory as well as to the file system using ETags. You can always consider a caching option that does not go over the network. If you decide to cache to the file system, it is a good idea to restrict the number of concurrent file accesses, along with deleting the irrelevant data. Further, you have to predict the upcoming user requests, while caching the responses already sent to the user. When the next set of user requests are already cached before the user requests, the user can access content at once. The smart caching implementation will further help you in delivering optimized user experience.
The mobile application must be tested thoroughly under different conditions and emulating maximum use behavior. Along with the development strategy, your testing plan for the application also needs to identify the flaws that increase its loading time. Before you take a decision to hire mobile application programmer for your app idea, it is highly suggested to evaluate the vendor’s expertise in not only product/app development but also testing.
We provide mobile apps development services. If you would like to know more about the expertise of our top mobile app developers, please visit Mindfire Solutions.
04 December, 2013
How Publishers Hope to Close the Mobile Revenue Gap
A number of recent reports have highlighted that websites, nowadays, get over 50% of their visitors through mobile platforms. With more and more users accessing internet on their handheld devices, it has become essential for enterprise to explore innovative ways to serve ads on mobile. However, many reports have also highlighted that mobile ad rates are still negligible in comparison to conventional rates of advertisement. Therefore, each publisher will find it a daunting challenge to close the mobile revenue gap. At the same time, each enterprise must make and implement a comprehensive mobile advertisement strategy by considering some important factors.
5 Effective Ways to Close the Mobile Revenue Gap
1) Target Multiple Mobile Platforms
Despite the rapidly growing popularity of Android, iOS still generates the maximum ad revenue. So the publisher needs to target the right mobile operating system. In addition to the popularity and market share of the mobile operating system, it is also important to consider its potential to generate ad revenue. An enterprise can further consider serving ads on multiple handheld devices and platforms to generate more revenue. However, no publisher can ignore some of the existing mobile platforms, because Symbian is still effective in generating adequate ad revenue despite being ditched by Nokia in favor of Windows Phones.
2) Personalize Display Ad Units
Similar to mobile platforms, revenue gap also exists between smartphones and tablets. So each publisher can close the mobile ad revenue by creating multiple display ad units according to user-consumption patterns. At the same time, publishers need to extend native platforms for individual handheld devices to easily serve smaller banner ads. Similarly, the animations and videos can be customized for individual mobile platforms to attract and engage the users.
3) Build Innovative Mobile Ad products
The quality and effectiveness of the mobile ad product will have a direct impact on the revenue. So the publishers can avail several benefits by building innovative mobile ad products. In addition to using the products as a medium to impress enterprises, the ad products can further focus on the needs of individual advertiser. The innovative mobile ad products will further encourage advertisers to allocate more funds to serve mobile ads.
4) Target a Higher Level of Customer Intimacy
Each enterprise wants to serve mobile ads by targeting the most relevant users. In addition to customizing the mobile ad products, it is also important for publishers to convince businesses about the effectiveness of mobile advertisement. Therefore, the publishers must explore innovative intelligent marketing techniques that enable them to serve customize mobile ads by targeting the most relevant users. However, no publisher can develop a high level of customer intimacy without putting some amount of time and effort. A publisher also needs to implement a strategy to gather information about the customers and advertisers from several reliable sources.
Despite the rapidly growing popularity of handheld devices, many organizations still allocate a large part of their advertisement budget for conventional print programs. Further, many organizations allocate funds for mobile advertisement from their overall digital marketing budgets. So the publishers must convince more and more organizations to allocate more funds for serving mobile ads. It is also important to run campaigns to make entrepreneurs realize the distinct advantages of mobile advertisement. With companies investing more funds in mobile advertisement campaigns, it will be easier for publishers to close the mobile ad revenue.
Each new mobile device comes with a set of additional and extended features. Also, handheld device manufacturers frequently integrate new technologies to deliver rich user experience. So the publishers must monitor the frequent changes in technology and user demand to close the mobile revenue gap in the long run.
You can hire developers from top mobile app development companies in India who can help you build mobile apps within allocated budgets and time schedules.
We provide mobile app development services. If you would like to discuss with an expert mobile app developer from our team, please get in touch with us at Mindfire Solutions.
5 Effective Ways to Close the Mobile Revenue Gap
Despite the rapidly growing popularity of Android, iOS still generates the maximum ad revenue. So the publisher needs to target the right mobile operating system. In addition to the popularity and market share of the mobile operating system, it is also important to consider its potential to generate ad revenue. An enterprise can further consider serving ads on multiple handheld devices and platforms to generate more revenue. However, no publisher can ignore some of the existing mobile platforms, because Symbian is still effective in generating adequate ad revenue despite being ditched by Nokia in favor of Windows Phones.
2) Personalize Display Ad Units
Similar to mobile platforms, revenue gap also exists between smartphones and tablets. So each publisher can close the mobile ad revenue by creating multiple display ad units according to user-consumption patterns. At the same time, publishers need to extend native platforms for individual handheld devices to easily serve smaller banner ads. Similarly, the animations and videos can be customized for individual mobile platforms to attract and engage the users.
3) Build Innovative Mobile Ad products
The quality and effectiveness of the mobile ad product will have a direct impact on the revenue. So the publishers can avail several benefits by building innovative mobile ad products. In addition to using the products as a medium to impress enterprises, the ad products can further focus on the needs of individual advertiser. The innovative mobile ad products will further encourage advertisers to allocate more funds to serve mobile ads.
4) Target a Higher Level of Customer Intimacy
Each enterprise wants to serve mobile ads by targeting the most relevant users. In addition to customizing the mobile ad products, it is also important for publishers to convince businesses about the effectiveness of mobile advertisement. Therefore, the publishers must explore innovative intelligent marketing techniques that enable them to serve customize mobile ads by targeting the most relevant users. However, no publisher can develop a high level of customer intimacy without putting some amount of time and effort. A publisher also needs to implement a strategy to gather information about the customers and advertisers from several reliable sources.
Despite the rapidly growing popularity of handheld devices, many organizations still allocate a large part of their advertisement budget for conventional print programs. Further, many organizations allocate funds for mobile advertisement from their overall digital marketing budgets. So the publishers must convince more and more organizations to allocate more funds for serving mobile ads. It is also important to run campaigns to make entrepreneurs realize the distinct advantages of mobile advertisement. With companies investing more funds in mobile advertisement campaigns, it will be easier for publishers to close the mobile ad revenue.
Each new mobile device comes with a set of additional and extended features. Also, handheld device manufacturers frequently integrate new technologies to deliver rich user experience. So the publishers must monitor the frequent changes in technology and user demand to close the mobile revenue gap in the long run.
You can hire developers from top mobile app development companies in India who can help you build mobile apps within allocated budgets and time schedules.
We provide mobile app development services. If you would like to discuss with an expert mobile app developer from our team, please get in touch with us at Mindfire Solutions.
29 November, 2013
Why Are Mobile App Developers Avoiding Windows Phone 8
Many experts considers Windows Phone 8 as a solid mobile operating system that possesses all the features, functionalities and qualities required to compete with the popular mobile platforms launched by Apple and Google. But many reports have highlighted how the popularity of the Microsoft mobile operating system is being affected due to lack of adequate apps. There are also a number of reasons because of why mobile application developers are avoiding the new mobile platform. It is time for Microsoft to identify these reasons to encourage more developers to build mobile apps by targeting Windows Phone 8.
5 Reasons Why Mobile Application Developers Avoid Windows Phone 8
1. Popularity and Market Share of the Mobile Operating System
Each enterprise wants to get the maximum ROI by launching apps by targeting the right mobile platform. Mobile application always developers choose a mobile platform according to its recent popularity and market share. Despite a steady increase in the Nokia Lumia line of smartphones, the market share of Windows Phone 8 has increased by less than 2%. So the Microsoft mobile operating system will take some time to challenge popular mobile platforms like IOS and Android. The lower market share also discourages developers to build apps by targeting Windows Phone 8.
2. Lack of Powerful Development Tools
Most developers use customized tools and frameworks to rapidly build robust applications. The popularity of Android and IOS has encouraged many third-party companies to launch and update mobile application development tools. But the Windows Phone 8 developers have options to choose from a limited number of development tools. Microsoft has launched Visual Studio 2013 with a set of smart features and tools to help developers. So the developers now have options to use features like performance diagnostics and power usage monitoring to build apps rapidly. However, the developers still look for more innovative tools and frameworks.
3. Flaws in OS Design
Many reports have also highlighted a number of flaws in the design of Windows Phone 8. For instance, the mobile version of Internet Explorer lacks a forward navigation button. Further, the user does not have any option to set Google as his default search engine. The inefficient GPS navigation option provided by the operating system also makes it complicated and time-consuming for the users to find a place. The mobile OS also does not send effective notification about mails and other message. As most apps use the inbuilt features of the smartphone to optimize user experience, the minor flaws often discourage them to develop apps for Windows Phone 8.
4. Additional Security Considerations
Most mobile applications use third-party apps and interfaces to deliver improved user experience. Similar to other mobile operating systems, Windows Phone 8 also comes with large collection of security controls. But the programmers have to exercise additional care and caution to ensure that the third-party apps remain fully secure and inaccessible. There are always chances that the third-party apps will be exposed to higher risk due to minor mistakes and lapses. As the Microsoft mobile platform is comparatively new, developers do not have option to access a large collection of documentation and resources. So they have to put some additional time and effort to ensure the security of the third-party applications.
5. No Support for Widely Used Technologies
A constant increase is noted in the enterprises launching several versions of the same app by targeting different mobile platforms. Most developers explore options to develop the apps rapidly by using some of the most popular and widely used technologies. They can develop apps for Windows Phone 8 by using either native languages like WinRT or C++, or managed languages like C#. But currently developers do not have any option to develop mobile apps for this platform by using widely used technologies like JavaScript and HTML5. So developer must learn how to build feature-rich applications for Windows Phone 8 using platform APIs. They also need to access the large developer documentation to understand and use the APIs correctly.
Despite many app developers avoiding Windows Phone 8, nobody can deny the fact that the mobile operating system is still capable of challenging iOS and Android. There are also chances that developers will start developing apps for this platform after a substantial increase in its share in the smartphone market.
You can hire programmers from top mobile app development companies in India who can help you build mobile apps within allocated budgets and time schedules.
We provide mobile application development services. If you would like to speak to one of our expert iPhone app developers, please reach out to us at Mindfire Solutions.
5 Reasons Why Mobile Application Developers Avoid Windows Phone 8
1. Popularity and Market Share of the Mobile Operating SystemEach enterprise wants to get the maximum ROI by launching apps by targeting the right mobile platform. Mobile application always developers choose a mobile platform according to its recent popularity and market share. Despite a steady increase in the Nokia Lumia line of smartphones, the market share of Windows Phone 8 has increased by less than 2%. So the Microsoft mobile operating system will take some time to challenge popular mobile platforms like IOS and Android. The lower market share also discourages developers to build apps by targeting Windows Phone 8.
2. Lack of Powerful Development Tools
Most developers use customized tools and frameworks to rapidly build robust applications. The popularity of Android and IOS has encouraged many third-party companies to launch and update mobile application development tools. But the Windows Phone 8 developers have options to choose from a limited number of development tools. Microsoft has launched Visual Studio 2013 with a set of smart features and tools to help developers. So the developers now have options to use features like performance diagnostics and power usage monitoring to build apps rapidly. However, the developers still look for more innovative tools and frameworks.
3. Flaws in OS Design
Many reports have also highlighted a number of flaws in the design of Windows Phone 8. For instance, the mobile version of Internet Explorer lacks a forward navigation button. Further, the user does not have any option to set Google as his default search engine. The inefficient GPS navigation option provided by the operating system also makes it complicated and time-consuming for the users to find a place. The mobile OS also does not send effective notification about mails and other message. As most apps use the inbuilt features of the smartphone to optimize user experience, the minor flaws often discourage them to develop apps for Windows Phone 8.
4. Additional Security Considerations
Most mobile applications use third-party apps and interfaces to deliver improved user experience. Similar to other mobile operating systems, Windows Phone 8 also comes with large collection of security controls. But the programmers have to exercise additional care and caution to ensure that the third-party apps remain fully secure and inaccessible. There are always chances that the third-party apps will be exposed to higher risk due to minor mistakes and lapses. As the Microsoft mobile platform is comparatively new, developers do not have option to access a large collection of documentation and resources. So they have to put some additional time and effort to ensure the security of the third-party applications.
5. No Support for Widely Used Technologies
A constant increase is noted in the enterprises launching several versions of the same app by targeting different mobile platforms. Most developers explore options to develop the apps rapidly by using some of the most popular and widely used technologies. They can develop apps for Windows Phone 8 by using either native languages like WinRT or C++, or managed languages like C#. But currently developers do not have any option to develop mobile apps for this platform by using widely used technologies like JavaScript and HTML5. So developer must learn how to build feature-rich applications for Windows Phone 8 using platform APIs. They also need to access the large developer documentation to understand and use the APIs correctly.
Despite many app developers avoiding Windows Phone 8, nobody can deny the fact that the mobile operating system is still capable of challenging iOS and Android. There are also chances that developers will start developing apps for this platform after a substantial increase in its share in the smartphone market.
You can hire programmers from top mobile app development companies in India who can help you build mobile apps within allocated budgets and time schedules.
We provide mobile application development services. If you would like to speak to one of our expert iPhone app developers, please reach out to us at Mindfire Solutions.
28 November, 2013
What Analytics Can Do for Your Mobile App?
Enterprises often explore innovative ways to keep its consumers engaged. With more and more companies investing in mobile application development, the apps can, nowadays, be used as a medium to evaluate and deliver user experience. Similar to websites, the performance and usage of the mobile apps also needs to be constantly monitored to deliver the experience expected by consumer. Each business also has option to track the performance of its business app using several mobile app analytic tools.
Along with free tools like Google’s Mobile App Analytics, and paid tools like Adobe Analytics Suite, an enterprise also has option to opt for specially designed analytic tools like Playtomic, Localytics and Flurry. However, it is also important for a company to evaluate the pros and cons of different analytic tools, and choose the one that complements its application’s requirements and usage. If you are planning to monitor, measure and evaluate the performance of your mobile application using these analytic tools, it is time to understand how the tools can contribute towards making your business application popular.
What Analytics Can Do for Your Mobile App?
Check the Actual Usage of Your Mobile App
Most enterprises evaluate the popularity of their apps based on number of downloads. But it is also important to a business to understand if the apps are actually being used by customers. The analytic tools will help you in understanding if the app is actually being used, along with the nature of the usage and the number of customers uninstalling it. As the usage of the app is essential for retaining customers, you can use the analytic data to engage users, and convince them to download the updated version of the application.
Optimize the Mobile App Marketing Strategy
Each enterprise chooses the feature and functionality of the app according to the latest trends in user demand. But there are always chances that some of the features need improvement to deliver better user experience. The mobile app analytics will help you in identifying the features that must be improved to make your app more popular. Further, the information will help you promoting your application properly by identifying the bottlenecks that prevent a user from downloading it. You can even modify your mobile app marketing strategy, and eliminate the ineffective promotional techniques.
Identify the Features that Keep the Users Engaged
An enterprise also needs to learn what feature or aspects of its app are having a huge impact on users. By identifying the strengths and weaknesses of its app, a business can easily explore options to deliver improved user experience. Along with the features that need improvement, the mobile application analytics will further help you in identifying the features or aspects of the app that get more response from users. The understanding of the strengths and weaknesses of your app will help you in releasing its updated version.
Keep Track of Your Competitors
Some mobile app analytic tools are designed with specific features to offer market data. However, an enterprise has to incur some additional expenses to avail these analytics providers. The market data provided by the analytics tool will make it simpler for the user to understand performance of similar applications in the app store in terms of number of downloads and price. An enterprise can further evaluate the market data to identify the strengths and weaknesses of competitors’ marketing strategies. It can even consider offering discounts to make the app more popular by beating competition.
Calculate Return on Your Investment
Each business has to invest some amount of time, effort and fund to build and promote a mobile application. So each enterprise needs to track the ROI, along with exploring options to get higher returns. The mobile app analytic tools help users in taking informed decisions based on a wider view of the mobile application’s performance. In addition to measuring the performance of your mobile app, the analytic data can also be used to manage the application efficiently. The timely availability of the detailed and significant information will further help you in implementing the right strategy to get higher ROI.
The mobile app analytic tools are also effective in tracking and evaluating the performance of your application across different mobile platforms. So it becomes easier to build a popular brand by delivering consistent user experience across multiple mobile operating systems.
You can hire mobile app programmers from top mobile app development companies in India who can help you build mobile apps within allocated budgets and time schedules.
We provide mobile app development services. If you would like to speak to one of our expert mobile app developers, please reach out to us at Mindfire Solutions.
Along with free tools like Google’s Mobile App Analytics, and paid tools like Adobe Analytics Suite, an enterprise also has option to opt for specially designed analytic tools like Playtomic, Localytics and Flurry. However, it is also important for a company to evaluate the pros and cons of different analytic tools, and choose the one that complements its application’s requirements and usage. If you are planning to monitor, measure and evaluate the performance of your mobile application using these analytic tools, it is time to understand how the tools can contribute towards making your business application popular.What Analytics Can Do for Your Mobile App?
Check the Actual Usage of Your Mobile App
Most enterprises evaluate the popularity of their apps based on number of downloads. But it is also important to a business to understand if the apps are actually being used by customers. The analytic tools will help you in understanding if the app is actually being used, along with the nature of the usage and the number of customers uninstalling it. As the usage of the app is essential for retaining customers, you can use the analytic data to engage users, and convince them to download the updated version of the application.
Optimize the Mobile App Marketing Strategy
Each enterprise chooses the feature and functionality of the app according to the latest trends in user demand. But there are always chances that some of the features need improvement to deliver better user experience. The mobile app analytics will help you in identifying the features that must be improved to make your app more popular. Further, the information will help you promoting your application properly by identifying the bottlenecks that prevent a user from downloading it. You can even modify your mobile app marketing strategy, and eliminate the ineffective promotional techniques.
Identify the Features that Keep the Users Engaged
An enterprise also needs to learn what feature or aspects of its app are having a huge impact on users. By identifying the strengths and weaknesses of its app, a business can easily explore options to deliver improved user experience. Along with the features that need improvement, the mobile application analytics will further help you in identifying the features or aspects of the app that get more response from users. The understanding of the strengths and weaknesses of your app will help you in releasing its updated version.
Keep Track of Your Competitors
Some mobile app analytic tools are designed with specific features to offer market data. However, an enterprise has to incur some additional expenses to avail these analytics providers. The market data provided by the analytics tool will make it simpler for the user to understand performance of similar applications in the app store in terms of number of downloads and price. An enterprise can further evaluate the market data to identify the strengths and weaknesses of competitors’ marketing strategies. It can even consider offering discounts to make the app more popular by beating competition.
Calculate Return on Your Investment
Each business has to invest some amount of time, effort and fund to build and promote a mobile application. So each enterprise needs to track the ROI, along with exploring options to get higher returns. The mobile app analytic tools help users in taking informed decisions based on a wider view of the mobile application’s performance. In addition to measuring the performance of your mobile app, the analytic data can also be used to manage the application efficiently. The timely availability of the detailed and significant information will further help you in implementing the right strategy to get higher ROI.
The mobile app analytic tools are also effective in tracking and evaluating the performance of your application across different mobile platforms. So it becomes easier to build a popular brand by delivering consistent user experience across multiple mobile operating systems.
You can hire mobile app programmers from top mobile app development companies in India who can help you build mobile apps within allocated budgets and time schedules.
We provide mobile app development services. If you would like to speak to one of our expert mobile app developers, please reach out to us at Mindfire Solutions.
12 July, 2013
Reasons Why Google Play store may supersede Apple App Store
A user’s choice of mobile apps often depends on his mobile device and operating system. Each user has options to choose from loads of apps to suit his specific needs. Some of these mobile apps are free, whereas others are paid. At the same time, many developers have launched different editions of the same app to target major mobile operating system. But the huge popularity of Apple iOS and Google Android has encouraged many developers and resellers to launch new apps based on these two popular mobile operating systems.
As the first ever app distribution service, iOS App Store was opened by Apple on July 10, 2008. At Apple's 2012 Worldwide Developers Conference, Tim Cook, the company’s CEO, announced that the app store has over 650,000 apps that can be downloaded by users. On the other hand, Google launched the Android Market, as a global online store, to offer apps for Android devices. Google subsequently renamed the Android Market as Google Play in 2012. According to some reports, Google Play has over 700,000 apps available for Android devices by October 2012.
The estimated figures available online clearly indicate that Google Play has already superseded the Apple App store. Google also implemented a comprehensive strategy to make its app distribution store popular among both users and developers. There are also certain factors like option to return an app within 24 hours and get your money refunded that encourages users to try new Android apps. Also, developers find it easier to build new apps to target the Google mobile operating system as it is an open source platform.
5 Reasons Why Google Play is Growing at a Pace Faster than Apple App Store
1. Number of Free Apps: Most developers want to use apps without incurring any expenses. Many developers also launch the free as well as paid versions of the same app to target different types of users. In comparison to App Store, the Play has a higher number of free apps. But the developer and resellers interested in selling paid apps often target the iOS devices. So a number of reports have highlighted that the Apple store is more paid-app friendly than the Google store. With loads of free apps, Google has been able to attract a large number of users on a regular basis.
2. Return the App and Get Full Refund: Many people hesitate to use the recently launched mobile applications. Similarly, the apps launched by new developers or resellers often take time to attract users. Apple does not allow users to return an application if they are not happy with its features and performance. But users have option to return the apps downloaded from the Google Play within fifteen minutes from the time of download, and get a full refund. However, a user is allowed to return a particular app only once. However, the return and money back offer encourages many people to use the new Android apps.
3. Review Process and Revenue Model: Developers always want to launch and market their apps in a hassle-free way. Most developers also decide an app store based on the company’s review process and revenue sharing model. A number of reports have highlighted that Apple is not kind to the app developers. On the other hand, the terms of the developer distribution agreement ensure that neither Google nor Android can take advantage of the developers. The revenue model and simple app review process further encourages many companies to launch new Android apps, and market these smoothly through Google Play.
4. Frequent Upgrades: Often the upgraded version of a mobile operating system comes with a set of advanced features and functionality. The features further enable developers to incorporate new features in their app to impress the users. In comparison iOS, Android is being upgraded at a much faster pace. As Android is a open source platform, it becomes much easier for developers to take advantage of these new features. On the other hand, many companies hesitate to develop apps to target Apple devices as the iOS is a closed platform. Also, Apple does not upgrade the mobile operating system at a much higher frequency.
5. Restriction on Content: The choice of content varies from one user to another. So each user chooses apps that allow him to access the content of his choice. Apple has imposed restrictions on certain subjects that our society considers as taboo. For instance, despite being a taboo subject, pornography is hugely popular among a large section of people. So the people always turn to Google Play to download the apps that enable them to access the content restricted by Apple. Apple has taken an initiative that must be appreciated by all. But the restrictions are giving Android apps an edge, while contributing towards the popularity of Google Play.
However, Google has recently implemented strict guidelines to evaluate the nature and type of the app. Many Android apps are being removed from Google Play due to their inappropriate content. The app review strategy will further contribute towards enhancing the reliability and popularity of Android apps. In such a scenario, choosing the perfect app development company from thousands of sprouting mobile application development companies becomes critical.
We provide android widget development services. If you would like to discuss with an expert android app developer from our team, please get in touch with us at Mindfire Solutions.
26 April, 2013
A Consistent Approach to Android Application Performance Testing
Android offers an open source software platform for mobile devices, initially created by Google and subsequently by Open Handset Alliance. The popularity of Android is on the rise as this platform is paving the way for a number of user-friendly apps. With more and more technological advancements, Android is making room for brighter features on Android phones. Irrespective of the time dedicated for Android design or the fact that an application developer is very careful with the programming part, nobody can deny the fact that mistakes can occur anytime leading to appearance of bugs. To reduce the impact of programming errors, and enhancing the productivity of the development procedure, it is crucial to adopt a consistent approach for Android application performance testing.
Phases of Efficient Android Application Testing
Before going into the details of consistent performance testing, let us discuss the crucial phases involved in testing of Android apps.
- Software Validation Testing: This testing phase can be sub-divided into functional testing, followed by non-functional testing, and finally documentation review. Code walk-through is a significant component of functional testing which involves tracing of the source code with the help of a miniature test case. The state program variables are monitored manually in order to analyze the assumptions and logic of the program. Most of the tests done revolve around the call flow and user-interface, involving a final testing done to locate new bugs. The non-functional sub-phase involves testing of user acceptance, compatibility and usability. Finally we have documentation review wherein things like design document review and architect reviews are performed.
- Performance Testing: This involves two elements: performance elevation followed by performance consulting. Performance elevation involves testing of code profiling, database, endurance, end-to-end transaction and so on, while performance consulting comprises capacity planning and architecture validation.
- Test automation: This phase ensures the quality assurance and comprehensiveness of the software through establishment of an automation framework, test execution, scripting and regression testing.
Significant Components of Android app performance testing
So far as performance testing is concerned a consistent delivery model needs to be followed across varying scenarios. This enables Android app developers to comprehend the performance level of the application on any given device from the end-users point of view. Let us understand the significant components of consistent performance tests on Android apps by taking a banking application as an example.
- Server Component: This component takes care of the business logic in case of the banking transactions initiated from a desktop browser or a mobile client.
- Network Emulator: This helps in the recreation of a range of network conditions like jitter, latency, packet error, reordering or loss, bandwidth restrictions, and so on, enabling developers to replicate environment like LAN, WAN, GPRS, 2G, 3G, etc. The network emulator helps in the determination of the traffic load that the application generates under diverse network conditions.
- Load Generator: This tool helps subjects the application to load under test conditions and evaluates the load times. Changes in configuration can be made like enhancing simultaneous users, increasing the load and boosting transactions occurring per second.
- Android Device: Both high-end and low-end devices are used for testing because performance varies and it is essential for a device to be configured accordingly.
- Performance Monitor: With the help of the performance monitoring tool ‘Perfmon’ which has windows mapping, the performance counters undergo configuration prior to the test. The data collector set once configured and started, leads to automatic data collection for every scenario.
- Android Debug Bridge: This is a tool that accompanies Android SDK, enabling interface with and control of the Android devices.
- Dalvik Debug Monitor Server: This tool for Android debugging makes room for things like screen capture, port-forwarding services, radio state information, location data spoofing, logcat and more.
It is very important to understand the plethora of resources involved before going for android app development. Performance testing is indeed crucial to understand how the application will perform with respect to satisfying the needs of diverse user groups.
We provide mobile app development services. If you would like to know what makes us expert android app developers, please visit Mindfire Solutions.
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