6 Best Practices for Android App Development

According to a recent report published on KantarWorldPanel.com, “Android finished 2013 strongly, showing year-on-year share growth across 12 major global markets including Europe, USA, Latin America, China and Japan.” The constantly growing popularity and market share of the mobile operating system will encourage many enterprises to invest in Android app development. With more and more companies entering the app market, mobile app development on Android has become both challenging and competitive. So enterprises, nowadays, must implement several best practices to effectuate their mobile application development.

Best 6 Practices for Mobile Application Development on Android

1) Concentrate on Aesthetics

The aesthetic appeal of the application will have a huge impact on its popularity. Before checking the features and functionality of the app, many users consider its visual appeal. So the UI/UX design must complement several screens and mobile devices. As you cannot predict the mobile device of the user, the look and feel of the app must be checked across multiple mobile devices.

2) Make the Navigation Intuitive

The Android app can further keep the users engaged through efficient and intuitive navigation options. You can always deliver richer user experience by optimizing the screen hierarchy. For instance, you can optimize the lateral navigation feature of the app by including tabs. Also, you can opt for lean UX design to complement the needs of individual users in a realistic way.

3) Curtail Notification

You can always use the notification feature of the Android app to convey sensitive information or breaking news to the users. But you must remember that the excessive notifications can affect the user experience negatively. So you must curtail the user notification to prevent information overload. At the same time, the app must allow users to turn all notification off simply by clicking on a link or button. The reduced notification will further contribute towards making the UX design more efficient.

4) Save Memory

Often mobile device users carry out several tasks and processes at a time. Therefore, adequate memory must be available for each process to run smoothly. There are also chances that the device may hung or end up in a deadlock due to lack of required memory. So you have to consider several options to ensure that the app saves memory by consuming the least amount of RAM. You can always save memory by using local objects and variables, while avoiding global variables. Similarly, the variables must be assigned to null after their usage. The simple view hierarchy in the UI design will further contribute towards consuming lesser amount of RAM.

5) Optimize the Android Code

Android application developers write code using Java programming language. Also, they use third party java libraries and APIs optimize the performance and functionality of the app. But Java can be sluggish some times, despite being a simple, robust and widely used programming language. So you must select the UI carefully, along with avoiding poor coding tactics. You can enhance the code efficiency by replacing old libraries with the most recent and updated libraries. Further, the coding can be optimized by loop complexities. You can even consider writing native code of the application using the C language and NDK compiled.

6) Make the App Flawless

You must remember that each user has option to choose from several apps of similar nature. So its performance must be flawless to impress and engage the users. Similar to software applications, a mobile application also needs to be tested thoroughly. Before the app is launched, your team must carry out rigorous testing to identify and fix the bugs, errors and flaws that affect its performance. It is also important to evaluate the functionality and performance of the Android application based on adequate quality guidelines to deliver a flawless user experience.

Along with keeping in mind the best practices for mobile app development on Android, an organization also need to constantly monitor in the changing habits and preferences of users. At the same time, the app must avail the innovative features and functionality of the latest Android devices delivers richer user experience.

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Introduction of How Android Works for Java Programmers

A constant increase is noted in the number of people using their mobile devices to access the web. In addition to gathering information and data from various online sources, people also use mobile devices to carry out various types of regular and financial transactions. At the same time, the mobile devices are widely used to play games, listen to music, watch videos, and use apps. In comparison to other mobile operating system, Android is more popular among both users and mobile application developers. The huge popularity of the mobile platform has further made application development for the mobile platform one of the most popular trends in Java programming.

Most developers, with prior knowledge and experience in Java, are showing interest in developing Android apps. Some of these programmers also keenly follow the latest trends in smartphone application development to impress clients by building a hugely popular interface. If you have experience in writing Java programmers, you can avail several benefits by learning Android for Java programmers. Along with building mobile applications to target millions of users, you will get the opportunity to implement your innovative ideas and creativity. Also, the similarity between Android and Java APIs make it easier for you to acquire new programming skills without putting any extra time and effort.

Why a Java Programmer can Easily Switch to Android Programming?

Easy to Understand the Android API: If you are familiar with Java API, it will be easier for you to learn how Android works. The Android API is very much similar to the Java API. But it does not support all classes available in the J2SE SDK. It only supports some of the key and critical Java classes. Google has further provided a Java API to make it easier for programmers to write code. The API is also effective in compiling the code into class files. So you only need to learn a set of new features and classes to switch to Android programming.

Tutorials to Learn Android SDK: When a Java programmer decides to build Android apps, it becomes essential to understand how to install the Android SDK, and set up the initial environment to develop applications. The experienced developers and beginners have options to choose from a variety of tutorials. Along with designing the app, the tutorials can further help them to learn how to incorporate advanced features like location service, social media and Google maps. Once you decide the features and functionality of the app, you can refer to the tutorials to implement the ideas perfectly to boost user experience.

Option to Use Same Development Tools: Often Java programmers use customized tools to optimize user experience without writing lengthy code. But some mobile operating systems like iOS do not allow programmers to use the existing tools. A programmer is required to learn the iOS SDK and Objective C to start building applications for Apple devices. On the other hand, a Java programmer can use the same tools for Android programming. For instance, a programmer has option to build Android apps by using IDE like Eclipse. So you can develop robust smartphone apps at a rapid pace using the tools you are familiar with.

Enhance the Compatibility of Your Web Applications: The popularity of a web application, nowadays, depends on its compatibility with different operating systems, browsers and devices. A constant increase is also noted in the number of users accessing the websites and web applications on their Android devices. The clients also require the website developers to make the website compatible with popular mobile operating systems. As Java is being used widely to build websites, it will be easier for developers to make the applications compatible with Android. Further, they can easily integrate innovative features to make the website popular among millions of Android device users.

Each Java programmer can switch to Android programming to avail a number of benefits. Along with retaining the clients, he can develop an application to reach millions of users. Also, a developer has option to use customized Java frameworks to build Android apps. The frameworks enable android widget development teams to build robust mobile applications without writing longer lines of Java Code.

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Android-The Best Platform for Building Office and Business Applications

Android is the growing to be the smartest and most popular mobile OS. Recently it has also been reported that every smart phone manufacturer is introducing an Android version of their devices since the advantages of using this open-source platform are huge. Increasing usage statistics and the high sales of non-IOS phones prove that android apps are very effective and productive for any kind of business, who wants to reach out to a wider segment of the audience.

Android apps are richer business applications which run effectively on different smart phones. Business people can also get custom made finance apps to manage their business finances and also roll it out to their employees. This technology has evolved and grown to such a high level that Android does not just have a prominent place in the mobile OS domain, but even gives a tough competition to Apple's iOS as well.

Here are some facilities that one gets with android business applications:

• Image upload
• File management and sharing
• Import and export different documents in a synchronized manner
• Ability to transform images into PDF format
• E-mailing options
• Share files with Gmail
• Easily edit and modify office documents
• Store files and documents in Google drive
• Prepare presentations and documents

This platform offers great flexibility to the developers in creating amazing new applications. The apps are fun to use, OS is lightweight and thus people who start using Android will most probably stay and now keep switching OS. Developing applications for this OS creates numerous opportunities, without incurring license expenses. Modification programs are freely available, which will further cut down the development costs. Businesses gain significantly from investing in app development using this OS. Let us take a closer look how.

1. Large earnings with low budget

It is extremely affordable to invest in an Open source Google OS based apps. Besides, one can get an experienced Android application developer at cost effective rates, thanks to the widespread use of Google mobile Operating system. Also, the OS comes with no licensing charges and one can develop advanced applications with minimum outlay. Loads of innovative applications are now being made with Android, used by millions of gadgets across the world.

2. Advanced integration

Android application development is ideal for all kinds of inter-application integration. The technology is perfect for any snugly knit connection between different software applications. Loads of developers have been using Google OS to innovate applications.

3. Better syndication

A lot of techniques are applied when it comes to developing Android based applications. With this, it is possible to disperse different kinds of retailers using syndication programs. For instance, clients can use various Google apps to personalize offers and advertise products or services. There are so many solutions revolving around Google OS, helping develop advanced apps.

Many business applications are built using Java and Android SDK. Since the OS is based on the Linux operating system, one can be rest assured of the fact that the business applications will be highly stable and secure. Also the rich libraries in android SDK help application developers to build fully featured and highly functional android enterprise applications. The custom app development platform is so dynamic in nature that the business applications developed are 100% scalable to meet future business requirements.

Android business applications are also known for their flexibility to integrate with third party applications. This further improves the application functionalities and features. Business owners can easily streamline day to day document and file management tasks in a matter of few seconds. The interface of these applications is also simply amazing allowing owners to toggle between various features.

There are many mobile application development companies which offer affordable android office/business app development solutions.

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