With the current trends in web browsing, mobile apps are becoming the greatest tool used in achieving business growth. It is not wrong to say that mobile phones are the half soul of every individual and when it comes to Android development or iOS development, businesses often get confused whether they should offer their consumers, a mobile app with superlative User Interface (UI) and outstanding User Experience (UX) or apps that are compatible with multiple platforms and are faster to develop in the first place.
React Native app development gives you just that. This development process requires the use of an app framework that has come a long way to bridge the gap between the performance of a native app and the ease of development of a web app. React Native has its advantages when the application should work for both platforms and when you have a tight time budget. Having your apps built with React-Native will give you more value for money while being able to monitor the progress of development more closely and publish new features to you users faster. With React-Native it’s possible to build rich business apps while spending less.
Built by Facebook, React Native Framework is used in developing real, native iOS and Android apps with one codebase. It is a framework that builds a hierarchy of UI components to build the JavaScript code. Built on top of ReactJS which has given a huge competition to the long time favorite, AngularJS, React Native has a set of components for both iOS and Android to help in building a mobile app that is the same as an app built using Objective-C or Java. Every framework, even React Native, needs tools, frameworks and libraries to make app development faster and easier. Here are some of the most popular tools used in React Native.
The code language JSX featured in React Native is a syntax extension that optimizes the code while compiling the code to JavaScript. After transitioning to React Native, Bloomberg provides its users with a simultaneous update of its app for cross-platforms with the time-optimized compilation results feature of React Native thereby reducing the time used in developing and updating the versions of iOS and Android app individually. We will develop a React Native app compiled into natively written code, to enable it to not only work on both the operating systems but also function the same way on both the platforms with no lags at all.
Building reusable code is possible and it’s quite easy to refactor it as well with React Native. React Native uses Java APIs to write Android components and Objective-C APIs to render iOS components. It then uses JavaScript to write the rest of the unique code, individualizing the app for each platform. This gives React Native mobile apps maximum code shareability and components reusability, while creating completely native apps for each platform. The development team of AirBnB applies this feature in ensuring the efficiency of its app daily. Instagram experienced a major effect by the easy maintenance of its app on both Android and iOS platforms due to the ability of its developers to reuse 85 to 99% of their code between the iOS and Android apps. The performance of Facebook increased across all platforms when the iOS and Android apps were built with React Native using React and Relay's declarative programming model. In addition, in order to create a cross-platform Facebook Ads manager, the pre-existing JavaScript libraries used in other Facebook apps to perform authentication, analytics, crash reporting, networking, and push notifications were easily integrated into the React Native framework given its use of JavaScript programming language. Given that Instagram has got simple UI, adopting a new technology was comparatively easier for them when it came to the use of React Native. During your custom app development, your app will be developed through the use of a single codebase for both the platforms simultaneously. With this, we will easily apply the framework’s UI components to an existing code base to build a new app without any rewriting at all ultimately providing you great cost-effectiveness and convenience.
React Native has got potential for mobile app development, with any scale, any idea, with any type of content. At Appsquare, we offer the best custom app development services for start-ups and businesses that require the integration of their tech to be simultaneously compatible with the two dominating OS platforms.
The use of mobile devices for digital marketing is the latest and predominant marketing strategy used by many businesses in increasing revenues and facilitating their business growth. As a business trying to engage and charm more customers, this global trend is of utmost importance as it prevents being flung out of the competition. Most companies create mobile versions of their websites to remain competitive. For this purpose to serve better, businesses can think of building either platform-specific native applications or hybrid apps that work across multiple platforms. Rather than creating multiple apps for different platforms, it makes a perfect business sense to create hybrid apps. Hybrid app development provides the most suitable solution for businesses given that it allows for the efficient creation of solid applications that are compatible with all user devices.
Development of hybrid apps has many positive aspects: It has a faster app development process, simple and easy to maintain with cross-platform UI. It is easily integrated with the device file system with less expensive app development and cost-effective maintenance. Hybrid apps have single code management for multiple mobile platforms making it easier and cheaper to develop and deploy for use.
Made to deliver seamless experiences across platforms, the development of custom hybrid apps vary given its dependence on the tool, process, and deliverables of custom software development. To simplify and accelerate custom hybrid app development, there are robust hybrid app development frameworks utilized. Some of the widely used frameworks include:
Xamarin
This framework is used to develop apps for iOS, Android, and Windows Mobile with a single and shared code base written in C#. The development toolset includes Xamarin Studio/Visual Studio, Xamarin SDKs, Xamarin Test Cloud featuring test scripts for automated testing and Xamarin. Insights with advanced app monitoring feature for power users and free crash reporting. To create apps for any mobile platform, we will complement your app code base C# with.Net framework. This framework also features a platform-specific UI code layer required in designing the user interface of your app. We will build high-performance apps with native look and feel by converting app UI components into the platform-specific interface elements at runtime. Using plugins and specific APIs, we would eliminate all hardware compatibility issues by leveraging all native and the latest API access in order to utilize underlying platform capabilities in ARKit on iOS or Android Multi-Window.
React Native
Facebook’s popular ReactJS JavaScript library is running under the hood of this mobile framework, built specifically to design natively rendered UIs for iOS and Android. With this JavaScript library, we will build cross-platform apps with minimal effort that grant a native-like experience to our app end-users. A React Native-designed UI will be incorporated into your existing mobile app’s code, making it more like a library than a framework, while still packed with extras that make styling, debugging and deploying your app into the App Store or Google Play a breeze. Using React Native, we will blend the productivity of web technology with the functionality of native apps to develop a custom mobile app similar to an Android app written in Java or an iOS app written in Swift/Objective-C.
Ionic Framework
Designed as an open source SDK for hybrid mobile app development, Ionic Framework uses AngularJS that supports two-way data binding and interaction with backend services and APIs. It has the Ionic Creator, an online tool with drag-and-drop support to create prototypes of the mobile app rapidly, Ionic View App, Ionic Deploy, Ionic Monitor and a wide variety of available UI components for user interface design. Ionic framework presents three platform-based customization options – platform classes, dynamic templates, and styling with AngularJS. We will add classes to the body section of your app project based on the underlying device and at the same time use the dynamic templates to customize your app for each platform through loading a specific template in a given state. Using Ionic Monitor, we will develop your app to be seamlessly deployed across platform-specific app stores and enhance your app’s native user experience by using TypeScript extensions and PhoneGap plugins.
Appsquare creates solutions in accordance with your specific requirements to ensure you get the most relevant product that works best for your business. If you have an app idea you want to bring to life contact us and we’ll take care of everything in the best way possible!
Mobility is at the core of every enterprise’s digital strategy and with the rise of new technologies, custom app development becomes the only choice for both startups and experienced enterprises. Android, as an open source operating system is used by the majority of mobile phone manufacturers to power their devices. This creates tremendous business opportunities and augments growth. To considerably boost your revenues and attain tremendous business growth, there are many ways to create apps for Android devices, ranging from very high-level cross-platform engines to writing code native to specific processors.
Recent industry studies indicate that mobile app users spend 87% of their total time on mobile devices interacting with native apps. This is attributed to the fact that they are the fastest applications given that they take full advantage of the device's processing speed. They tend to easily integrate better with mobile hardware and satisfy a customer’s UI and UX expectations. Despite these benefits that accrue, there are disadvantages that come with this app development process. Developing native android applications can be time consuming especially when it requires integration to a different app store. To develop native apps for multiple platforms, businesses may need to invest in hiring additional, specialist developers.
During native android app development, development tools and languages used determine the outcome of your app especially with reference to the user interface. As any development requires an SDK (Software Development Kit), Android SDK is required for developing apps for Android. In native android app development, there are two default development tools used; Android SDK(Software Development Kit) made to be integrated with stand alone IDE such Eclipse or the new Android Studio, a dedicated IDE for Android Development that comes with Android SDK integrated to it. An Android SDK, made to be used with an IDE, contains source code, development tools, an emulator, required libraries to build android applications and APIs which can be used or referenced. However, use of the newly introduced Android Studio simplifies the whole process. The most important parts of Android SDKs is made of mostly off-the-shelf components, plus some purpose-built components. We also use a flexible framework/ Android NDK(Native Development Kit) and a mix of external technologies such as C++, 2D and 3D graphical APIs, GPS enabled services, game engines to ensure your app lives up to your imagination. For a native app, the user interface is the defining power of its functionality and continuous use. Android SDK provides a variety of pre-built UI components such as structured layout objects and UI controls used in building the graphical user interface for your app. UI defines your app user interface and describes the controls on a screen and the relationship of their layouts relative to one another. It can interface with the device’s native features, information and hardware determining the look and feel of each screen of your app, with graphics, icons, custom animations, and more. We will deliver a native android app that inherits the Android OS interfaces, making your app to look and feel like a wholly integrated part of the device. Your app interface and navigation will be much more accessible for users.
Augmented reality (AR) the buzzword in the current digital world, is another tool that lets you and your customers visualize your 3D models. It overlay digital content on top of real things using something like a map, a camera, or sometimes the sky. ARCore, the latest Android's toolkit for AR development, sets to create augmented reality apps that overlay the user’s view with animated 3D content including words, objects and characters. Using different APIs we will use ARCore to enable your app to sense its environment, understand the world and interact with information.
Are you looking to leverage Android app development advantages for your business, but not sure where to start? Let us help you strategize and build the required native Android mobile application solution for your business.
iOS presents features useful for application development. These practical features and top-notch performance have made using iOS native apps as the stepping stones to success. With native iOS development comes some advantages. Native iOS apps offer advantages in graphics, app store distribution, and device integration. It enriches the user functionality as it works with the iOS of the user's device. Native apps build the foremost out of the functionalities offered by Apple phones such as the camera, GPS, microphone etc. Native apps have respective marketplaces to access the targeted audience easily with the security of payments thereby simplifying the distribution process making it easier for monetization. However, there are associating disadvantages. The native iOS development tends to be more expensive, a bit lengthy and time-consuming. The costs of updating and maintenance are higher when native iOS development is used.
Native iOS development of apps requires the understanding of its various languages, development tools and frameworks such as Xcode, Apple’s integrated development environment (IDE); Swift, Apple’s newest programming language; and frameworks such as Cocoa Touch and ARKit for augmented reality. Swift is a multi-paradigm and a new general purpose programming language developed for iOS. It is created to work with the Cocoa Touch Framework, Cocoa and multiple extant Objective-C codes for products. Using the incredibly high-performance LLVM compiler, Swift code is transformed into optimized native code that gets the most out of modern hardware. In order to create iOS games or consumer-focused apps where performance, graphics, and overall user experience are necessary, the use of Swift programming language is not to be undermined. Swift uses Automatic Memory Counting (ARC) – a technology aimed to add a garbage collector function that wasn’t introduced to iOS before. This technology determines which instances are no longer in use and gets rid of them on your behalf. We will integrate Swift ARC seamlessly into your native app to increase its performance and speed, creating even richer app experiences for your app users. From its earliest conception, Swift was built to be fast. Its syntax and language constructions provide stability, reducing crashes and cases of problematic behavior. It provides real-time feedback and can be seamlessly incorporated into Objective-C code. We will develop a safe and more reliable native iOS app with an extra layer of quality control using the syntax and language constructions delivering an iOS app with greater robustness and stability and offering an enhanced response.
ARKit, an iOS SDK gives native apps full access to the device’s GPS sensor and Wi-Fi access points. It creates unparalleled augmented reality experiences for mobile apps and games. In native iOS development, User Interface (UI) is the key as it the defining power when it comes to the designs and interactive interface. Storyboards and the Interface Builder are additional tools used in developing the User Interface(UI) of Native apps. This creates the foundation on how an app will work specifically. Taking into cognizance of the interactions between the UI, the database, and the user that make it function, we will create an app that is user-friendly and graphically appealing to its users. We will develop a mobile app with a built-in geolocation feature to provide accurate tracking, plane detection or device position/movement.
We will deliver an app with fast load times, a slick user interface, high performance, and top-notch security given our understanding of Xcode. Whether you want to build a real-time social media app such as Twitter, or a game such as Pokemon, at Appsquare, we’ve got you covered as we understand the rudiments and technicalities required in native iOS development from the creation of an idea to going live.
Branding is a huge aspect of creating any corporate product. The problem that many companies face however is when it will be the correct time to rebrand an application. Rebranding an application is very different from changing a logo. Updating your app with the latest in branding and design style is extremely important to remaining relevant especially if you are taking your application to the popular app markets. Without consistent rebranding and redesign, your app can start to fall behind in rankings and this can lead to problems with profitability, customer retention and more. Here are some of the top signs that it could be time to rebrand your application and consider hiring a professional developer to create a brand new and modern design for your proven application:
Your image does not suit your current corporate identity: your corporate identity is extremely important and if you feel as though the image of your brand is not currently suit your position as a company and your goals for corporate culture, this can be one of the first signs that it's time for rebranding. If you are fed up with the look of your application, there's a very good chance that your customers are starting to get fed up as well. Consider the direction that your company is in currently and your immediate plans for the future. If the old branding on your app don’t reflect these values, it’s time to start working on some changes.
Your competitors have done something revolutionary: design standards change regularly with applications and if your competitors are mirroring this in their own redesign effort, you need to follow suit. If app standards are changing or there are new application elements in demand for your industry, it's quite important to consider making an effort to update with the signs of the time so that you can continue receiving the same amount of customers. Without updating your application and rebranding to suit the needs of your customers, you could lose a fair market share to your competitors.
If your app branding is inconsistent with other company elements: If you have undergone rebranding for your website, a logo change or even a product change, it could be a good time to consider the process of rebranding your application to match the rest of your rebranding effort. Offering consistent rebranding throughout your company while you have a more unified front for the future of your corporate image. Inconsistent branding across your various products can lead to customer confusion.
When it's time to reach out to a new audience: if you are trying to broaden the number of people who are going to be using your application, it could be a good idea to consider changing your branding or changing your application to capture a much larger market share. A successful application is going to consistently reinvent and work at building towards the future by expanding their network. Trying to appeal to a brand-new demographic can be a great way to improve the size of your audience as well as make sure that you can generate more users for your application through the process of relaunching rebranding.
Your downloads are declining: relaunching products with a fresh new logo or a major update can often lead to a huge improvement with downloading. Downloads for major games like Pokémon go for example remained stagnant after launch but after the first major patch and update that included new interface upgrades, the application saw an incredible amount of improvements. Although it can take some time for fans to revisit your application or recognize the new logo, eventually a rebranding can help to improve your popularity and potentially even help you reach a whole new audience.
Offering your product on new devices: sometimes you may need to change your interface or integrate your branding into a scalable design that will work on new mobile technology. With the development of new VR technology, smart watches as well as new types of smart phones it's extremely important that you have branding that can follow suit on these newest platforms. Your user interface may not work well on a smart watch or with VR technology but with a rebrand and redesign it is possible for you to start to see a big difference in the quality and reception of your application through new devices. Keep an eye on technology changes and make sure that your application can be rebranded over time to follow these upcoming changes for new platforms. Being a pioneer on a new platform can give your app new customers.
Consider some of these top ideas for the future development of your application. Remember that rebranding will be a requirement in order for you to retain your customers and to make sure that you can continue receiving customers into the future.
When faced with a long-term development in an application, sometimes the process of working with multiple consultants and developers can lead to a far better end product. The process of organizational development and consulting can have amazing repercussions when it comes to the final quality of an application. There are a number of big benefits that can come with the process of developing your application with the help of a professional consulting/ development team. Here are some of the top ways that consulting and organizational development can improve the quality of development and the end quality of your app:
Ongoing improvement: Having several developers or several consultants can help to make sure that errors are identified early on and that continuous improvement can be made to the application with an objective eye. Having consultants from many different backgrounds and many different individuals all looking at the same project can ensure that there are fewer errors and there are more individuals available for continuous improvements throughout the project. This can speed development time as well as ensure that continuous improvement strategies can be made throughout the entire process before launch. This is a much more efficient way to test for problems as well as improve the development process to speed an app to market.
Better communication: consultants can provide communication between the end user as well as with multiple levels of development. By working with a consultant it's possible to make sure that every member of the development team can be on board with new changes and the desired changes at every level of the project can be completed. Having people in place to relay information between multiple departments and developers can really help to prevent mistakes and make sure that every member of the development team is on the same page with the process of working towards the future launch. There can even be consultants directly working with the end users to hear their thoughts and concerns and bringing this information back to the development team too.
Identifying employee development needs: consultants can often see some of the shortcomings in a project. By working with consultants and project managers that can see a team and measure efficiency. Multiple consultants can see spots where training could improve application development or improve the capabilities of a particular employee. Working with multiple consultants is one of the only ways that these elements can be monitored and examined. Consultants can also be helpful for providing training during flexible hours so that the development efficiency is not interrupted.
Better levels of customer service: If an app developer is working with a company that has commissioned the app, having multiple consultants can make sure that the client can receive regular updates as well as ensures that they have their best interests in mind. Working with multiple consultants to provide updates and alerts on app development can be a huge piece of mind for any customer. With the help of several consultants, it's possible to improve the level of customer service and the overall level of customer satisfaction as well. Ongoing support for customers can lead to more business and ensure that their goals for application development are accomplished with greater success.
Improved efficiency: consultants can prioritize the process of development and change the way that any app is created from start to finish. With a series of coordinators and project managers it possible to have an app launched to market in a fraction of the time that app development would take without the help of proper consultation. This type of efficiency can help to protect application ideas, focus on the right features to improve and more.
Improved morale: having extra focus and support in the app and development team can improve morale on the project. Improved morale on the project between developers ensures that the application can be developed with a greater sense of passion. Development of an application under good morale also ensures improved innovation and ongoing continuous improvement from an app team that is extremely motivated.
Improved profitability: Working to build an application that is more refined, innovative and accomplished in the eyes of the app Commissioner or creator is a great way to improve profitability across the board when the application is eventually launched. With improved efficiency and development the application can also be launch must faster which insurers early profitability and loyalty. With satisfaction on the part of the users as well as a workplace culture that is built on efficiency, an application is developed much faster and in a much more profitable format.
For some of these top reasons and more developing an application with the help of creative consultants can be a very exciting and wonderful way to handle the process of professional app development with applications for any usage or industry.
Mobile applications can have amazing implications when it comes to improving the productivity of your business. By developing an application to assist in utilizing mobile devices in your workforce, it is possible to give your employees as well as your customers the chance to improve productivity and profitability across the board. Developing a mobile application can see a significant gain in productivity in almost every department of your business. If your company currently is not using a type of mobile application, the support you can see regardless of the industry that you work at can be beneficial. Here are some of the top elements of your business that can improve as a result of developing a mobile application:
Improved productivity from employees: if employees have access to tools and files that they regularly use at work from the cloud and on their mobile devices, it is possible that they can become much more effective wherever they may be. Mobile applications can help to improve the effectiveness of sales staff, workflow in office staff as well as the ability to react and communicate with off shifts. By improving information flow as well as communication tools within any business it's possible for individual employees to continue seeing productivity improvements over time. In a study conducted in the UK on the development of enterprise mobile applications, app development and launch was able to boost productivity on average in survey results by 34% in every employee.
Reducing the cost of business operations: with the help of a mobile network and the tools to organize a workforce, it is possible to reduce costs. Mobile applications can be designed to run in the cloud and this eliminates many compatibility issues with the software. The overhead of a company can be reduced by improving this compatibility. If a company were to enact a, bring your own device policy or even subsidize the cost of mobile devices for their employees, it is possible that cost savings could still be seen over purchasing traditional equipment. Every employee could provide their own Ipad device or Android device, subsidized by the company with no need to update equipment as the app would retain compatibility. Applications can also be developed with push notifications for new training materials, chat features to keep companies connected as well as features for printing, saving/accessing files on private servers and more. Almost every element of your training, communication and business operations could be translated to a mobile platform to improve on hardware update costs and the need for large-scale workspaces.
Improved customer service: Sales staff can remain more attentive when they have access to all of the mobile data that they need. With electronic catalogs, mobile payment options, communication tools and full access to the cloud, sales and customer service staff can pull a wealth of information about customers and improve overall customer experience in every service call or service appointment. Imagine being able to go out on a service call and instantly get a contract drafted, payment information processed and new customer information logged into your system for the start of production or the beginning of service. All of this sales data can be shared in the cloud and networked with other departments of your business to improve the speed of service as well as the information available to customer service representatives.
Fewer errors in your business: with the right communication tools as well as a wealth of knowledge available in the cloud, it is possible for employees to communicate with one another and receive the answers that they need in a much faster timespan. As input data can be edited in real time, a mobile application can prevent errors within a business and ensure that data can be updated faster for all employees. Mobile data and mobile applications can reduce the chance of human error, data loss and help to save your company money over time by ensuring that mistakes can be prevented.
An environmentally friendly option: not only are mobile applications a faster and more productive way to do business with your company, but they are also an extremely environmentally friendly way to do business. Not too many companies actually keep paper records anymore and having a tool that can assist with data entry, and storage can be important. Replacing paper processes with a mobile application can cut down on errors as well as be an extremely environmentally friendly option for businesses in any industry. If you want to cut down on your paper costs a mobile application can be an incredible support for environmentalism.
If you are interested in cutting down on costs, improving efficiency and generating better customer service experiences, the time to develop a mobile application for your business could be now. If you have a great idea for processes that could improve your business on mobile devices, you should speak to an application development company today.
If you are trying to develop an application it is generally a very good idea to consider hiring professionals to handle the development and design process. Finding the right professionals to get the job done and add value to your project takes real consideration. Here are some top tips that you can use for choosing the right app development company:
Focus on the portfolio: If you can work with an app development company that has created several successful apps, or one massively successful app this can really help you to handle the process of creating something inspirational with the right professionals.
Look into their certifications: asking for certifications from the professionals involved will help you to understand if the company has experience developing products for the platform you would like to focus on. Working with a company that has certifications in developing windows, Android, BlackBerry and IOS apps can really help to make sure your app could go cross-platform.
Check online references: checking out business reviews for the company you are planning on working with can help to make sure that you end up with professionals who have had extensive success in turnaround times, customer service and more. Reading through online user reviews can be an excellent way to learn more about the shortcomings of any company.
Compare development costs: Working with the cheapest option for a developer isn't always advisable but sometimes you can find some fairly competitive prices for the development of an application. Sometimes saving a bit of money on your development costs can a lot of extra money in your budget for launch, marketing, and scalability.
Consider some of these top factors when you are choosing an app development company to produce something workable for your needs.
Some of the most common user interface design elements today fall within a minimalist design. Many applications are taking on this approach as a means to design better apps, web pages and more. Minimal UI is a trend in almost every aspect of the industry and there are a number of reasons why you should consider this type of UI design for your own application:
Encourages experimenting: minimalist icons and other elements within the application can encourage the exploration of your application fully. With only a few options available on the app, users are much more apt to consider clicking around your app and trying out every element on the page to understand the navigation. This can help them to navigate much faster in the future.
It requires more intelligent flow: minimalist UI requires extensive testing and more intelligent flow. This means symbols which are intuitive and application that has a very intelligent system for access as well as elements that flow into each other. With your user interface design, you need to be able to create elements that draw the eye to the next stage of use in the design.
Removes clutter: unnecessary elements within an application can make the process of any user task more tedious as well as fill up small screens faster. On application design, it's important to hide other elements in the user interface when they aren't in use. With just a few options available on screen this can reduce the chance for misclicks and mistakes.
Better showcase of branding: with more room available in your user interface, you can have branding up and available at all times and even create the look of an interface that incorporates your logo, color scheme and more.
Consider some of these top reasons and more for why a minimalist UI for your application is a fantastic idea for the development process.
If you have just developed an application it can sometimes be very difficult to have a clear strategy on how you should proceed with monetizing that app. Here are some of the strategies that you can use for monetizing an app that you plan on offering for free:
Freemium model: asking users to pay for specific extra features within the application or to unlock the full version of the application can be a powerful way that you can monetize any app available for free. Showing the benefits of the app and asking users to unlock the app after a certain amount of usage time or for even greater versions of the features you have to offer will be a powerful argument for users to unlock the full features of your app.
Advertising: In-app advertising partnerships or referral links can be a powerful way that you can monetize your app. With a popular app that you make available for free and a powerful advertising partnership, you can earn money for every advertisement is displayed in your application or every sale that is made from the links displayed in your app.
Micro-transactions: Small payments to use the full features of your app for 24 hours, to make more connections or to purchase digital products within your app can be a powerful tool for monetization. This strategy is often used by game designers for the purchase of digital products within their applications. If you plan on using microtransactions, you can expect to do quite well if you have a successful gaming app.
Consider some of these top ideas if you are struggling to find ways to monetize your app. Even if you are going to make your app available for free in the App Store, you can make a great profit using these monetization strategies.
