Industry statistics show that the number of people using
smartphones is now at 60% and rising. Predictions show that by the year 2015,
90% of mobile users in developed countries will have a smartphone.
Types of apps developed
Due to the popularity of smartphones, software developers
have emerged with ideas for app development for both everyday use and business.
These smartphone apps have a variety of life application including money and
financial management, management solutions and business planning, blogging and
networking, advertisement, multimedia file sharing, GPS applications, leisure
and entertainment, and educational purposes. Some of the most common
applications of this nature are android business app and iPhone business app.
Large and small companies can use these devices to link up with their clients
to provide information and offer their services and products.
Development tools & Challenges
Currently, mobile app developers and software development
companies have all the vital development tools to build top of the line
smartphone solutions and offer users a rich mobile experience. With the
constant growth of smartphone app market, it has now become normal business
practice particularly for consumer goods, the media, food companies and
automotive companies to build their own mobile applications to reach the public
and clients in a new, fresh way. Both developers and publishers who focus on
mobile app development come across various challenges including:
Reach fragmentation- Since market fragmentation is
increasing, it is no longer enough for the mobile applications to adapt to one
platform. To reach a wide target as possible, companies should consider
multi-platform development. The companies should also settle on what platforms
to begin with and how many to develop.
High cost- Development of smartphone is costly especially
those that involve complex designs and procedures. Companies should consider
developing the apps in-house rather than outsourcing to reduce cost and to
better oversea the project.
Unmeasured risk- Most middle-sized or small companies have
never published an application before hence do not have any idea of what the challenges
might be like. It is logical then that these companies opt for ready-made
solutions that have already been tested on the market. Developing just a simple
smartphone app can take several months while complex and multi-platform apps
can even take a year. The process is even slower when performed by developers
from emerging markets.
