Developing Mobile apps

Content

[0]    =    "Why mobile app?";
[1]    =    "Mobile website vs Mobile app";
[2]    =    "Hybrid vs Native";
[3]    =    "Crazy Apps";
[4]    =    "Android";
            [4.1]    =    "Android Studio";
[5]    =    "PhoneGap";
            [5.1]    =    "Intel XDK";
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Why mobile app?

In simple words, because are like a tiny computers in your pocket, and ...

The market is increasing constantly

Mobile website vs Mobile app

Mobile website

Similar to any other website, but is designed for the smaller handheld display and touch-screen interface

Mobile app

Are actual applications that are downloaded and installed on your mobile device

Which is Better?

When it comes to deciding whether to build a native app or a mobile website, the most appropriate choice really depends on your end goals.

If you are developing an interactive game an app is probably going to be your best option

if your goal is to offer mobile-friendly content to the widest possible audience then a mobile website is probably the way to go

Advantages of a Mobile Website

• Compatibility - Mobile Websites are Compatible Across Devices
• Findability  - Mobile Websites Can Be Updated Instantly
• Shareability  - Mobile Websites Can be Shared Easily by Publishers, and Between Users
• Time and Cost  -  Mobile Websites are Easier and Less Expensive
• Support and Sustainability -  Is relatively easy to support a website over time

Advantages of a Mobile App

• Interactivity/Gaming - For interactive games (think Angry Birds)
• Regular Usage/Personalization - Personalized fashion on a regular basis (think EverNote)
• Complex Calculations or Reporting - Manipulate it with complex calculations, charts or reports (think banking or investment)
• Native Functionality or Processing Required - access a user's camera or processing power
• No connection Required - provide offline access to content or perform functions without a network

Then...

Deliver content and establish a broad mobile presence that can be easily shared between users and found on search engines, then the a mobile website is the logical choice.

On the other hand, if your goal is interactive engagement with users, or to provide an application that needs to work more like a computer program than a website, then an app is probably going to be required.

Hybrid vs Native

Hybrid App

Developer augments web code with native SDK. Can be easily deployed across multiple platform and is usually the cheaper and faster solution

Native App

This is platform (iOS, Android etc.) specific and requires unique expertise. Also can be leveraged which will drive great user experience and larger app capabilities

Points to check before you decide

Native features in the Mobile App

If your app is heavy on native phone capability and this is your primary USP, then native app development will work best

Quickly development

If you want to launch the mobile app quickly to the market with limited resources, it would be wise to go with hybrid app approach

Cost

If you can allocate separate budget for iPhone development and Android development resources, and you have liberty of time to take it to the market

Constantly update

If you need to make frequent updates to your app, which means that the user will have to update from the App Store regularly (and not annoying them with that), then you should consider a hybrid app.

User Experience

If you want to create an awesome user experience, the native app approach would be better.

Crazy Apps

Flappy Bird

App Store Top 10 in January 2014. By the end of the month, the game was the subject of immense media discussion. Flappy Bird amassed at least 50 million downloads and garnered nearly 16 million tweets.

Making its developer a reported $50,000 a day in advertising money

Yo

It gave you the ability to do one thing: send the word “Yo” to your friends. And, if they wanted, they could also send the word “Yo” back to you.

Venture capitalists rewarded the Yo guys with $1 million in funding

Draw Something

A knock-off version of Pictionary, Draw Something wormed its way onto over 50 million phones within its first 50 days.

Zynga quickly purchased OMGPop and Draw Something for $180 million