http://applite.co.uk Mobile App Builder for everyone Fri, 22 Feb 2013 12:40:29 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.2 http://applite.co.uk/security-issues-with-android-apps-a-serious-threat/ http://applite.co.uk/security-issues-with-android-apps-a-serious-threat/#comments Fri, 22 Feb 2013 12:39:29 +0000 admin http://applite.co.uk/?p=846 More Than 25% of Android Apps Unsafe Recently, a broad spectrum analysis was conducted by a leading technology magazine on mobile apps security. The test showed that a staggering 25% or more of the free apps available on the Google Play Store are high risk apps. That means to say, if you use the app, there is a high chance of sensitive, personal information being compromised. Also, you need to log into your Google account if you need to use all the features of your Google Play Store. So, that is the easiest target for hackers. Subsequently, they will get through to the other data like social media access codes (social media apps), bank account information (phone banking apps), etc. Risky Apps Do Not Imply Malware If you assumed that high risk apps are apps that contain malware, you are wrong. Malware is a completely different concept. Here, risky implies that a hacker even with basic knowledge of hacking can get through the encryption and security layers of the apps. The implemented protocols are not complex enough to keep someone who is determined to breach your privacy. The Solution? If you are into or familiar with mobile application development, you will know that there is not much users can do about these unsafe apps. An android app maker also has only so much that he/she can work with in terms of security. Since Android can be forked (anyone can develop the source code/open-source), you can probably come up with some security protocols of your own if you are up to it. For the users, they can use a good quality security app to ensure that their sensitive information remains safe. Unless Google manages to come up with something to change this security trend, the reputation of Android might take a hit in the long run.]]> http://applite.co.uk/security-issues-with-android-apps-a-serious-threat/feed/ 0 http://applite.co.uk/advantages-associated-with-enterprise-mobile-applications/ http://applite.co.uk/advantages-associated-with-enterprise-mobile-applications/#comments Fri, 22 Feb 2013 12:36:39 +0000 admin http://applite.co.uk/?p=844 High Productivity and Efficiency Usage of enterprise mobile application will ensure that the productivity of employees increase significantly. For example, you are carrying around a tablet device that has an enterprise mobile application. In case you need to perform a task, you can do it instantly. If you did not have a mobile application handy, you would have to go to your workstation, log in and then perform that task. This is how productivity increases. Also, if you get a request or a query, you can respond immediately since you have everything you need including access to the enterprise system. Reduce Paperwork; Go Green Any enterprise app builder will tell you that mobile enterprise apps will reduce paperwork substantially. If you have not used mobile enterprise apps, you will notice how much paperwork you have to push around to get things done. With mobile apps, you can significantly reduce paperwork even to the point of completely eliminating it. If you need signatures, you can obtain it digitally through the mobile device. Updates and changes are notified to everyone as enterprise mobile apps have a feature that regularly synchronizes the app with the main server. Increase in Both Employee and Customer Satisfaction Mobile apps can increase employee satisfaction and their productivity also. They work more proactively and redirect their efforts to increase the quality of work they deliver and come up with more intuitive solutions. Consequently, all this will be reflected in the project execution. As a result, client satisfaction will also increase. This is something that all organizations strive for. Increase in Revenue Increased employee productivity, increased efficiency, reduced paperwork, happy employees and satisfied customers; all these are the ultimate goals of an organization. As a result of all these achieved objectives, the revenue of the organization will also increase. This will ensure that the company also grows along with its employees. This shows how app developers can single-handedly change the prospects of an organization with a well designed enterprise mobile application.]]> http://applite.co.uk/advantages-associated-with-enterprise-mobile-applications/feed/ 0 http://applite.co.uk/new-post-7/ http://applite.co.uk/new-post-7/#comments Fri, 15 Feb 2013 10:31:02 +0000 admin http://applite.co.uk/?p=836 http://applite.co.uk/new-post-7/feed/ 0 http://applite.co.uk/android-versus-ios-the-choice-for-budding-mobile-app-developers/ http://applite.co.uk/android-versus-ios-the-choice-for-budding-mobile-app-developers/#comments Thu, 14 Feb 2013 14:55:42 +0000 admin http://applite.co.uk/?p=842 Market for Apps There is no denying the fact that Android apps have a bigger market compared to the iOS apps. Every 3 out of 4 smartphones are powered by Android. So, you will not have any problems finding takers for your Android apps. However, iOS apps are also not very far behind. There is a substantial market for its apps, especially in the American and European countries. A recent survey revealed some astonishing facts about mobile apps usage. 6 out of 10 Android users never purchase an app and just manage with the free apps. On the other hand, 8 out of 10 iOS users purchase apps on the iTunes store. So, the iOS apps have a more profitable market compared to Android market. Developer Registration Fees As an app developer, you have to register with Google or Apple depending on the platform for which you are developing the apps. If you are developing Android apps, you have to register with Google. The registration fee for this is affordable. The screening process is also fairly flexible. There is also an option of releasing your app as a non-registered developer. But this path is not recommended if you want to make a name for yourself in the Android app development community. Apple’s process for registering and authorizing app developers is very rigid. This is done in a bid to improve the quality of iOS apps available. Also, the iTunes store is the only source from which you can offer iOS apps. The developer registration fee is also high compared to what Android has. Considering all these factors, you might feel that becoming an Android app builder is the easiest. This is true, in a sense. If you are new to app development and are short on resources, Android is the way to go. If you think you can afford Apple’s high prices and rigorous screening process, iOS is also a very good mobile application development option.]]> http://applite.co.uk/android-versus-ios-the-choice-for-budding-mobile-app-developers/feed/ 0 http://applite.co.uk/enterprise-mobile-app-development-top-challenges/ http://applite.co.uk/enterprise-mobile-app-development-top-challenges/#comments Thu, 14 Feb 2013 13:53:01 +0000 admin http://applite.co.uk/?p=840 Lack of Time Due to More Number of Mobile Platforms Mobile devices are being manufactured by a number of companies and each company uses its own version of mobile operating system. But you can see that there are at least 3 main mobile operating systems or platforms that app developers have to consider. They are Google’s Android, Apple’s iOS, and Microsoft’s Windows. Users, depending on their familiarity with the mobile OS and preferences, choose a mobile device running on any one of these systems. So, developers should release enterprise apps for all these platforms. But in today’s fast paced business environment, you may not have the time for this even though you have the necessary programming skills. Back End Integration If you are developing a mobile app, there is no point in setting up a dedicated back end only for those apps. On the contrary, you can integrate your mobile apps to the back end enterprise that the organization already has. But this is easier said than done. You have to use different APIs or even come up with your own API for this kind of integration. Quality of the App There is no denying the fact that enterprise mobile apps should be of the highest quality. Organizations will not compromise on this aspect and app development UK companies struggle to match the quality expectations of their client organizations. Security Another vital aspect of a successful enterprise app is its security. Since the Enterprise app is connected to the main Enterprise of the organization, it will have access to all the confidential information about the company. So, the security protocols in place will have to be of the highest degree. Also, most mobile device users display apathy towards using security software on their mobile devices; another reason as to why the security implemented on the mobile enterprise app should be the safest. The aforementioned are only the foremost of the many other challenges that you will face while creating an app for the enterprise systems.]]> http://applite.co.uk/enterprise-mobile-app-development-top-challenges/feed/ 0 http://applite.co.uk/common-pitfalls-to-avoid-in-mobile-application-development-part-2/ http://applite.co.uk/common-pitfalls-to-avoid-in-mobile-application-development-part-2/#comments Thu, 07 Feb 2013 13:01:18 +0000 admin http://applite.co.uk/?p=830 Too Much Focus on Making the App Attractive It is true that you have to make apps that look attractive using good color combinations. After all, if it is not pleasing to the eye, there’s a good chance that your app might fail. But an app inventor of the present generation is open to spend more time on beautifying the app rather than increasing its functionality. In a bid to make the apps more attractive, the developers forget to focus on the most important aspect of the apps, which are its features. So, try not to over think designs and color combinations; just make it look attractive. Sometimes, keeping it simple is the best option. Focusing Too Much Only On Specific Steps of App Development Generally, there is a five step procedure that app developers stick to while creating apps. Strategizing, researching about the topic, planning for development, the development itself that involves coding and testing, and marketing. Ideally, you have to dedicate equal amount of time and resources to all these steps. But present day startups do not have all the professionals an established company has. Out of the 20 employees of a mobile application development company, 10-15 of them might be developers. So, the other four tasks might not get the required attention, resulting in the app being a failure. So, as an independent developer, ensure that you involve yourself in all the steps of the app development procedure. Preparing for Unforeseen Obstacles A recent survey showed that more than 65% of the mobile application developers are college goers or those who have recently graduated. So, they do not have the experience of running a company or commercially developing an app. When they are faced with certain unforeseen problems, they draw blank and the project stalls. The problem might be anything from changes in the technology, final day changes in project specs due to a variety of reasons, marketing issues, funding problems, copyright litigations, legal problems, etc. So, the best principle here is to seek help of an experienced programmer in understanding the nitty-gritty involved in development, marketing and sales of an app.]]> http://applite.co.uk/common-pitfalls-to-avoid-in-mobile-application-development-part-2/feed/ 0 http://applite.co.uk/common-pitfalls-to-avoid-in-mobile-application-development-part-1/ http://applite.co.uk/common-pitfalls-to-avoid-in-mobile-application-development-part-1/#comments Thu, 07 Feb 2013 12:58:28 +0000 admin http://applite.co.uk/?p=826 Mobile application development is still an evolving profession and no one has managed to perfect the art just yet. Here are some of the common pitfalls you should avoid as an app creator or an app inventor. Trying to Use All the Hardware Components It is true that smartphones come with all sorts of cool hardware. There is a big display, a GPS, a camera, NFC chip, gyroscope, proximity sensor, front facing camera, etc. But that doesn’t mean you have to use all these components to make your app cool. Granted, you can add astonishing features to your app if you use all these hardware components. But the question you should ask yourself is that if their addition is justified or not. Remember, the simplest of apps are the coolest and the bestselling ones. Ask yourself this: what does a user require? You will be surprised how many needs and ideas you can come up with. That is how an app inventor should approach the initial planning. As an app creator, stick to that plan and ensure that you stay focused. Complicating the User Interface Since you are an app creator, you will probably be very well versed with technology. But not all users are. They want something that is simple and convenient to use. In a bid to add multiple features to your app, you end up making the user interface very complicated to use. A user interface should be designed in such a way that users of all levels should be able to figure out the usage. They shouldn’t ask for an instruction manual for that purpose alone. The easy way here is to ask someone close to you who is not very well versed with technology to look into your app and give you feedback. This will go a long way in ensuring that you keep the UI simple and easy to use.]]> http://applite.co.uk/common-pitfalls-to-avoid-in-mobile-application-development-part-1/feed/ 0 http://applite.co.uk/top-tips-for-building-business-apps/ http://applite.co.uk/top-tips-for-building-business-apps/#comments Thu, 31 Jan 2013 11:32:28 +0000 admin http://applite.co.uk/?p=823 Start Off with a Clear Vision and in Small Scale There is a possibility that you might get carried away with your app building venture. This is natural for entrepreneurs who are very excited at the prospect of making a name for themselves. But it is important that you have a clear idea of what you are trying to achieve with your business mobile app. This will help you stay focused and have clarity on what you want your app to achieve once it is completed. Also, do not try large scale projects straightaway. In fact, it is very difficult to get large scale projects if you don’t have a lot of experience. Even if you do get an offer, it is very difficult to handle a large scale project without experience. So, it is imperative that you start off slowly and expand gradually. Place Emphasis on Research It is important that you know everything that is there to know about the mobile app you are developing. This is where research plays a vital part. Make sure that you set aside a substantial amount of time for research. Also, you must look at what your competitors are doing. If you blindly follow them, you might fall out of the race very soon. Make sure you offer something that is unique and different from the lot. Build a Brand It is also vital that you should build a brand name for your company. This will help you in marketing the app and also promoting your name for business reasons. If you have a good reputation, then you have a greater chance of getting more projects. But this doesn’t come by just offering good apps. You should work on building a reputation. Make sure you show your work on your website and other marketing channels so that you can make a name for yourself.]]> http://applite.co.uk/top-tips-for-building-business-apps/feed/ 0 http://applite.co.uk/advantages-of-creating-your-own-mobile-application/ http://applite.co.uk/advantages-of-creating-your-own-mobile-application/#comments Thu, 31 Jan 2013 11:20:10 +0000 admin http://applite.co.uk/?p=819 Customization One of the biggest advantages of creating an app is that you can customize it in any way you want. If you have a set of favorite colors, you can use them in your app to customize the UI. You can also choose the fonts of the text in your app, the pictures, thumbnails, even a background score; virtually anything you want can be done. But you must take care to ensure that the specifications you choose to customize your mobile app are feasible with mobile application development. This is something you can achieve with practice and time. Functionality of App Another advantage of creating your own mobile apps is that you can decide its functionality. For example, there are a number of apps that help you in charting out an exercise routine. But these apps target the general population. There are exercises for all sorts of people. If you create your own exercising mobile app, you can choose the set of exercises that is suitable to your body, to people like you. This is only an example of how you can improve the functionality of your own mobile application. How to Start-Off Creating an App? The first step is obviously identifying the programming language that is used for creating the apps compatible with your mobile devices. For example, Android apps have to be coded in Java while iOS apps have to be programmed in objective C. Once you figure this out, you have to learn that programming language. This is where your inclination towards programming will be tested. If you are really interested, you can actually make a career out of mobile application development. But start off by building apps for your own use and once you are satisfied with it, you can think of going commercial.]]> http://applite.co.uk/advantages-of-creating-your-own-mobile-application/feed/ 0 http://applite.co.uk/fb/ http://applite.co.uk/fb/#comments Wed, 30 Jan 2013 11:48:10 +0000 admin http://applite.co.uk/?p=816 http://applite.co.uk/fb/feed/ 0