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mobile app development

Internet of Things has Significantly Transformed Various Industries

Internet of Things or IoT is one of the most progressive technologies that is glaring at the present moment and will continue to do so in the future. Well, if IoT can be defined in the simplest of words, it is a kind of virtual internet connection where the network can be linked with any of devices found within the surroundings. And frankly speaking it can be any device from LED lights and electronic appliances to the four-wheelers. One of the important features of the Internet of Things is that it requires no human to machine connection to form a network but it can rather establish the link with the help of a series of physical objects. As such the IoT is usually based on wireless protocols, well connected sensors, and effective processors. If stats are to be believed, the number of connected devices will increase from 15.41 billion in 2015 to 75.44 billion in 2025, which is almost equivalent to five times. It has established its key influence in almost major industries that are related to the lives of common masses. A few of these include energy, retail, healthcare, automotive, building and construction etc. The HealthCare Sector is Blessed to Have IoT There should be no doubt in mind that the Internet of Things has given a new life line to the prevailing health sector, benefiting both the medical practitioners and the patients. One of the biggest impacts that the hospitals will be able to utilize their existing resources in the best possible manner. Not only will that IoT also help to control the temperature and humidity of the different wards. Now if we look at the same from the patient’s prospective, then this new technology (IoT) will help in reducing the expenditure of the hospital bills that often burns the pocket. The patients can be monitored in real-time and as such will provide an accurate diagnosis of the illness. The information received in real-time basis from the cloud computing system will allow the doctors to take appropriate decisions and the patients will receive timely treatment. This in turn will result in speedy recovery of the patient and provide him an enhanced experience. Lastly, the IoT will help a great deal in boosting the management of the drugs in much better way; which otherwise was a costly affair. Even the hospital staff will commit no mistake while entering the data of the patient information. Farmers are Adopting Internet of Things Don’t get surprised to know that Internet of Things hasn’t even left behind the agriculture sector. It has assisted the agricultural producers to improve their yields. Secondly, the farmers are also becoming more and more aware about not using the harmful toxic pesticides and insecticides on the crops and instead go for organic products. In fact, the use of the sensors are helping them to utilize the available resources optimally. If they deploy the inexpensive sensors in their fields, it will give them useful information about what action needs to be taken at various times. Another IoT benefit that they avail is getting instant value for their produce. This means they would know what type of crops to sow and how much water is needed to nourish it and can also help in controlling the pests. They would get knowledge on water conservation and reduction of waste. The Construction Industry Welcoming the IoT The construction business has scored giant leaps in the recent few years and IoT getting associated with it, it will go further to set new records. One of the huge reliefs that IoT has given to this rector is reduction in the human effort. Having said that one only needs to connect the machine with a wireless connection and it will operate in areas where people find it difficult to reach. The use of the Wearables such as Smart Glasses will help in protecting the delicate eyes while working in hazardous conditions. It will also keep a track of the supply levels at the construction site and if anything falls short, the central system will ask to order for more. In this way the project will not get delayed and it will also save the company from spending on unnecessary supply materials. The builder can track the status of the items that have been ordered through the GPS monitoring. Even you would get to know if the machines or equipment need any repair or not with the help of sensors. The IoT will also assist in fixing the daily working hours of the workers and labors so that they don’t feel exhausted. The sensors are the best friend when it comes to building information modelling, providing info on materials affected by climate changes, the weight of the building etc. The Transformation of the Fashion and Retail Industry Over the years the fashion and the retail industry has already changed the gears and extended its arms beyond the geographical boundaries. There has been a steady increase in the numbers of buyers and investors which has provided an extensive scope to the companies. But the question is how IoT will influence this particular sector. So, the answer is that firstly, the consumers will have wider range of choices when selecting the items, quick access to the products, get more of personalized products and receive notifications when the new stock arrives. It going to be a boon for the retailers and the marketers. The retailers will remain updated about the market demand through the smart virtual mirrors and what type of products the customers are preferring. Even the marketers can take the advantage of IoT. They can share the data analytics in the real time with the IoT connected devices and this will further assist them in framing the right strategies for the future. IoT is Powering the Energy Sector It is unfortunate that even this 21st century, a number of countries worldwide are encountering the energy and power crisis. IoT can play a comprehensive role in sorting

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Planning to Develop an App: Take These Vital Factors into Consideration

Today mobile applications have become a necessity and not being an item of luxury. You don’t have to be an entrepreneur of a large business entity to develop a mobile app; according to a survey, about 67% of small businesses have built mobile apps by the year 2017. And even the startups are taking keen interest in getting an app. However, don’t just run behind the crowd; first, define your goal and then go ahead to execute the plan successfully. You might have an extraordinary idea but at the same, it is important that it remains unique and exclusive. Thus, you have to secure your app idea. But the question is how? You must have heard about Non-Disclosure Agreement (NDA). You can also ask the client to share his ideas under the Non-Proprietary Information where the details discussed regarding the launching of the app is kept utterly confidential. Writing Down the App Specification is Must So, when you are framing a plan on how to develop an app, it is crucial to take the first proper step; write an exceptional app specification that helps in encountering the tough competition. In fact, businesses that don’t have proper app specifications, fail to make their mark on the first attempt. Having app specifications offers a bunch of benefits. Firstly, you get a clear vision of who your target are, what kind of platform you want to choose for the app development. In addition, you also define your goals in a better way apart from adding the specific features in the app. Next, the app developers will give a near about estimate regarding the budget. The app specification is not an essay type long answer but it describes an outline of your app. It also reduces the risk factors if any involved during the development process. Lastly, it brings your concepts and ideas into life. Choosing the Appropriate Platform and Budget Decision Well, if you ask most of the clients often have to tackle with this tricky choice; whether they should opt for Google Play Store or Apple Store. Going by the statistical numbers, the number of Android apps still exceeds over iOS, so, speaking from that perspective, of course opting for the Android launching platform will be fruitful. Also releasing an app in the Google Play Store is relatively easy in comparison to the Apple. However, we should also look at the other side of the picture as well. If you are planning to develop an app for a startup business, it is recommended to choose iOS as it will help them to venture into the new world better. And it has also been seen that iOS users spend more time on their devices in comparison to Android users. Now let’s talk about the budget estimate of developing an app. Since it is an important part of the planning session and therefore, needs to be discussed briefly. There are a number of factors taken into account when calculating the cost of app development. First, the costing will depend on what app are you developing, the choice of operating system, the selection of the platform and charges of the app development company. The App Needs to Address User Issues When you sit down to chalk out a plan for your app, remember that primarily the aim of your app is to solve the user issues. Thus, your approach should also be in that direction. But you have to first identify the problems before you can sort it out. Therefore, an effective tool at this juncture is brainstorming the ideas; an exercise that you can do jointly with the other team members. In this way, you can frame a much better plan proving more than useful for the client’s business. Moreover, it will also assist in taking quick and apt decisions without any second thoughts in the mind. Collect Information on User Demand When you are planning to add some unique and exciting features into your app, make sure you are aware of what the consumer is looking for. Well, this is important if you want your app to sustain in the competition. You can opt for the use case diagrams to decide how users are interacting with your app and what features of the app needs more attention. You can also create a user testing focus group, which will find out what users are specifically looking in an app. You can have a regular discussion on this based on the valuable inputs of the group. The Planning on App Designing When you are planning to develop your app, equal attention needs to be paid towards the designing as well. Upon reaching this stage you need to take decisions on how many screens you want, the UI and UX designs, the selection of the color, the content of the app and much more. The user interface mainly concentrates on the page including the app icon. User Experience on the other hand, deals the personal experiences and creating the brand awareness. For bettering the functionality of the app focus on the wireframes. The architecture diagrams can be used to describe the function of the app especially to the stakeholders. Strategy for Marketing the App Well, frankly speaking promoting your app is as important as developing it. It is through the promotional strategy or the marketing campaign that you can get more traffic building into your app. Now first things first, you need to face the reality and get comprehensive knowledge on who your real competitors are and what their market response is. Emphasize on the online marketing campaigning tools such as using the social media tools for better result. Earning Money through App This should also be a part of your planning process. Here you have to think of innovative ideas on how to get more investors on the board. However, before approaching the investors, make sure you are prepared with all the details including the purpose of the app, your target customers, landing page

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Benefits of Having Mobile App for your Logistics Company

The logistics industry has progressed by leaps and bounds widening its geographical circumference to the entire global arena. As per the stats, the spending of logistics and transport industry in the US has reached up to $1.48 trillion in 2015, which is around 8% of the GDP. The term logistics is predominantly used in various perspectives. If one has to give a simple definition then, it is a task of managing the flow of things from the point of origin to the point of delivery. It may involve a varied number of jobs such as packing and transportation of the goods and materials, warehousing, material handling, maintaining and managing the inventory or stock, the flow of information through the supply chain management and much more. In fact, the eCommerce and even the online retailers are largely dependent on the logistics company. Therefore, whether it is shipping the cargo through courier, the movers and the packers, storing the necessary goods at a warehouse etc. The logistics company will hugely get benefited by online manufacturing industries as they would deliver the goods products right at the doorstep within quick time. However, one must be aware that since the number of logistics companies are increasing in the market, the level of competitiveness will also enhance. The customers usually rate these companies based on how optimal their services are. It means that the goods need to be delivered within the shortest possible time. So, if you want to compete then, you have to adhere to the latest technology and the need of the hour is an attractive but user centric mobile application. It will just simplify all your tasks as you can carry out your work through a single app. The mobile apps are just more than a boon; it helps in improving a number of activities like managing the inventory, keeping an eye on the warehouse, supervising the goods carrying vehicles and so on. So, let’s discuss the various aspects and see why the logistic company requires the support of mobile apps. Monitor the Location of Vehicle Today, you know that most apps have the geo-location facility and indeed this pivotal feature is a must add in the logistics mobile app. You can instantly receive the information on the location of the vehicle. You can even track the location by using the GPS technology. The GPS system is basically based on the satellite tracking. The trackers track the location of the vehicle and then send the information to the server via mobile network or satellite modem. On the other hand, we also have the cellular tracking, which is more dominant in the urban areas due to much better network coverage. The location of the truck can be traced in real time. If there is no network, the data then gets stored in the memory and becomes available once the network is back. Helps in Managing your Fleet Appropriately The logistics company has a fleet of vehicles, specifically the trucks, which needs to be maintained well and managed appropriately. This step is necessary if you want to enhance the services of cargo transportation. In addition, the performance of your trucks will also improve. The app will keep a data of all the trucks operating at various routes and also can store the registration numbers of all the vehicles included in the fleet. You can also note down which truck driver is driving which truck and where he is currently located. Even the inception of the vehicle is necessary. The app keeps you informed if your vehicle needs a servicing including the condition of the engine and brakes etc. You can also be familiar whether your truck has developed a snag on the road and see if it is getting overloaded or not. Online Booking of Cargo and Parcel Most of the renowned courier and logistic company such as FedEx or DHL offer the facility of online booking. Using this facility a user can easily book his parcel or goods. This can be done using the mobile app as well. All you need to do is login into your account, choose the appointed date and time for pickup, enter the two places, from where the goods is sent and what is the destination, what type of parcel it is, for example, cloths, books, medicines, etc. The app offers you the benefit of not only scheduling the appointment for the pickup but also set your own time for the delivery of the goods. You can get the tariff rates based on whether is a domestic or international cargo. This saves a lot of time as you don’t have to travel to your next courier service center. Tracing the Cargo through App Well, this is supposed to one of the most important job profiles as far as the logistic company is concerned. They have to continuously monitor and keep a track of the cargo movements. This means keeping an apt record of what type of cargo is traveling in which truck. To simplify the task, you can opt for either of the prescribed alternatives. It includes using the QR- code and secondly you can use RFDI or NFC technologies. The first option is relatively easier as you just need to scan the QR- code for each of the assets using your Smartphone. You can use the camera of your phone or you can make use of the specific scanner or QR-code app. In the second technique, which is using the RFID (Radio Frequency Identification), one uses the frequency or the waves of the radio for scanning and identifying the goods. Here you will find a scanner and a tag which is fixed to a chip or antenna. The tags are active and passive. The tracking capability of active tags are about 100 meters, whereas the passive tags have the capacity of only 25 meters. There is also NFC or Near Field Communication Technology is based on the same technique, but the difference lies with the distance.

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Which One to Choose – Native or React Native for Mobile App Development

Often the app developers; both Android and iOS are perplexed over the choice of platforms, frameworks or tools. But the key selection they have to precisely make is regarding the platform – React Native or Native. If you are an experienced app developer, you should be well familiar with both these used application tools; however, if you are a newcomer then it would be viable to upgrade your knowledge comprehensively, before diving deep into the water. As you know that both Android and iOS are strong competitors, the same can be said about Native and React Native. So, first let‘s briefly discuss both the platforms and then make a comparative study by going into the details: The Native Application is developed for a specific platform and the app developer has to make use of a particular tool for developing the apps. For instance, the Android app developers need to do coding in Java or Kotlin with the help of Android Studio as the environment. On the other hand, iOS app developers will have to make use of Objective-C or Swift. Xcode is the Integrated Development Environment (IDE) here. Therefore, it has been seen that in both popular Operating Systems, (Android or iOS), you get different programming languages and environments. If we talk about the React Native, it is an open source framework that has been developed by the Facebook. It introduced the concept of web development into mobile app building using the JavaScript. React Native offers you the opportunity to create applications simultaneously at one time and so you don’t need to develop two different applications. Only a single code is enough for both the Android and iOS platforms. In fact, it can be said that the User Interface (UI) of mobile applications got better with the arrival of React Native as it brought improves the graphical elements so as to match with the platform. Which is Easier – React Native or Native as Programming Language Well, if you take an expert opinion from a professional app developer, then yes, the answer straightforwardly is React Native. The reason – JavaScript is a much simpler programming language both in terms of learning as well as debugging. The errors during the compiling tend to get hidden inside the codes, which you can detect later. Talking of Objective-C or Swift, it is considered a hard and strict language but becomes easier to catch with the faults at an early stage while compiling. And also, Objective C and Java are getting upgraded to match the standards of the modern language. React Native again is a winner as it reduces the time of app development and the cost because the app developers can develop one app for two platforms. Comparison on the Basis of Documentation Well, here in this segment both React Native and Native applications actually give a tough competition to each other. The Swift has been cordially received by the app development industry, in spite of the fact that, it has just made an entry. So, far it is doing a good job as far as documentation is concerned. On the other hand, React Native is equally matching its levels by providing code samples, tips, and regular docs. So, here the match seems to be tied. Integrating Functionality Through API or Third Party Library Well, now in this round the Native Application exceeds over the React Native. When you are developing an app using Native and adding functionality, you will get full support from API or third party library. The third party element does not require any further integration. Apart from that if you are choosing a hybrid platform for app building, you won’t face any such limitation as in case of React Native. Another disadvantage of React Native is that it does not support APIs. The issue will be only be sorted out if the native modules are embedded in React Native. But for that to happen, you first have to code Android and iOS, which is a daunting task. Again the native application is a time and effort saver when it comes to using APIs in the app. React Native provides you the option of developing a customizable app for optimal performance. Issues Related to Web App: Who’s the Winner When it comes to web app development, React Native yet again steals the show from Native Application. It has been mentioned earlier that programming in React Native is simpler. Here too, a good comprehensive knowledge of web app development will prove beneficial as debugging flows and toolset architecture becomes easier. Plus, if you are also teaming up with a React.js developer, you don’t need to do web programming. As far as Native Application is concerned, it has got no link with web development. Comparison on the Basis of Community Size You know that React Native has been developed by none other than the top-notch social media platform Facebook. Therefore, the name is adequately enough to describe the number of members active on the React Native Community, which is at present somewhat close to 32k. The React Native also provides you the scope of using the reusable components in your applications because of its open source nature. The native applications does not enjoy the support of such large community and support from peer engineers. The Battle Over Performance of the Apps So, when you compare both programming languages on the basis of performance, Native Applications outclasses React Native. Of course, you can develop simple apps using the React Native, but as soon as you try to implement the advanced technologies such as AR/VR, IoT or Blockchain, it will start creating difficulties. This is where native applications provide a smooth passage for the developers, as incorporating the techniques becomes easier. Publishing on the App Store Once the app development is complete and tested, it’s time for it to get published or released on the App Store; Google Play and Apple Store. However, if you are apprehended whether your app will be accepted

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The Benefits of Having Firebase for Mobile App Development

For all those developers who have been searching for a robust platform for building mobile and web application, you can bank upon Firebase. The Firebase is a Backend-as-a-Service (BaaS) that offers the developers a wide spectrum of tools and services to develop high-quality apps at a much faster pace. Now, if we were to define the BaaS, it is a cloud computing service model using which the web app and mobile app developers can connect their applications with backend cloud storage and APIs rendered by the backend applications. Initially, James Tamplin and Andrew Lee had founded the Company in 2011 as Envolve, but after Google acquired it in 2014, Firebase had an emphatic growth to become a unified platform for developers. In fact, it allows the developers to develop feature for apps on different platforms like Remote Configs, Notifications and Real-time Databases. In addition, it also helps you to develop storage for the app including authentication functionality. Moreover, Firebase can also be used effectively for app marketing, enhancing the user experience and user engagement. Advantages of Using Firebase For Mobile App Development Now, let’s analyze the various benefits that Firebase offers to the app developers to make their app development journey simpler: Real-time Database Helps to Store and Synchronize Data The cloud-hosted NoSQL database is offered by Firebase real-time database that helps you store and synchronize data between the clients. This indeed makes it easier for the developers to access the data using any of the devices and helps developing collaborative feature. Another advantage of a real-time database for the developers is that they do not need the support of backend to build apps as it comes with SDKs for various platforms, including Android, iOS and Web. It assists in the execution of backend code responding to events activated by databases. Furthermore, it is optimized for offline use too. Firebase has Become Smarter with Google Analytics Now you can easily track down your user’s journey on a number of devices. It means you would know whether he is using a smartphone, tablet or laptop. You can also export your mobile app data to BigQuery with the help of Google Analytics. It can further support in engaging more users once you match the UX based on user id. Firebase Offers Facility of Crash Reporting to Fix Bugs Quickly It has often been seen that a lot of apps suffer due to bug issues, which tends to slow down navigation speed and users opt out of it. The result is that rating of the app also declines. However, you have to credit Firebase as now it is offering the facility of crash reporting to fix the bugs at the quicker pace and with ease. The app developers and QA testers can identify the problems in the stages, whether it is the app version, the device or the OS. The Firebase SDK provides log crashes that ultimately save much time as you don’t have to find the cause of the problem. The coding database is available for both native and cross-platform apps. Fast and Secured Web Hosting The benefit of Firebase Hosting allows you to set-up a single-page, a mobile landing page, web page or progressive web page with ease. It also helps to deliver the content rapidly anywhere. The developers can deploy the web apps as well as static content at CDN (Content Delivery Network). The Firebase hosting also automatically configures the free SSN certificate for custom domains. You can now deploy a local directory to the web with just a single command. Firebase Authentication Nowadays, most of the apps have the login facility and the developer aims to simplify and secure it better. Therefore, the support of Firebase Authentication is there to do that task with an easy sign-in process. It also provides identity solution for the emails, passwords and other important apps such as Facebook, Twitter or Instagram. The Firebase UI is also flexible, customized and drop-in dealing with the UI flow of the users. There is no compromise from the security point of view. Firebase Allows the Content Storage with Ease It has become much easier to store the user-dedicated content that includes texts, images and videos. In fact, you can also develop the final phase of your app from prototype effortlessly using advanced technology. The Firebase team has also provided SDK for cloud storage to link-up the mobile for users that aren’t online. As such they can continue to automatically transfer as soon as connectivity is established. Developers have the Accessibility of Machine Learning As we move on to discuss the advantages of Firebase, we also get familiar that it also provides developers the facility of Machine Learning. This benefit is available for both Android and iOS developers as well as experienced or newcomers. The ML kit has ready-to-use APIs for various mobile functionalities such as detecting the face, identifying the text, barcode scanning and labeling images etc. You have a choice between on-device and Cloud APIs that can be selected according to your needs. Send Notifications and Messages to Targeted Audiences The Firebase Cloud Messaging offers you an opportunity to send notifications and messages to your targeted audiences for free across all devices and platforms with the help of battery-efficient connection. So, if you are interested in sending the push notifications to a specific group of people based on demography and their behavior. In addition, you can choose your own particular time for sending the message, which is more convenient. The developers will be pleased to note that they do not require coding to send the notifications. You can try the A/B testing for sending notifications to choose the best version that fits your need. Send the App Recommendation through Dynamic Links Dynamic Links available with Firebase that enables the app owner to recommend his app to people familiar such as family and friends after the completion and launch of the app. You can make your app viral by sharing a small URL. However, if they

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Why an MVP is Important Part in Mobile App Development Cycle

As an entrepreneur, you have taken a right decision to develop a mobile app for your business enterprise and stay ahead of the competitors. However, there always remains an apprehension whether your app will be successful or not. So, to counter that trepidation and lower the risk factors, you can rely on the Minimum Viable Product or MVP, which helps the business organizations and startups in evaluating the risks and threats before putting an idea into life. Definition of the MVP The Minimum Viable Product has been a great asset for the business enterprises. It allows the developers to test the idea of the app with the customers. The MVP can also be considered as the base architecture of any mobile app. One of the vital aspects of the MVP is that includes the most essential features of the app that you think is necessary. The development team initially receives a feedback from the potential users and thus they can make out what the response of the product is in the market. They can also analyze what are the specific segments that needs an improvement and where the performance is not up to the mark. You can either release the MVP to a set number of targeted audiences or launch it directly into the market. If the users are not pleased with its features, you know there is something wrong in the app idea and it needs to be refurbished. Why is the MVP Necessary for Your Mobile App? With the competition getting stiffer, the importance of having an MVP for any mobile app has enhanced in the current scenario. It is a point where you actually get to know whether your app idea is really unique or not. It offers you the shortest possible route to reach the market and have an access to the real user experience to evaluate your project. Fastest and Accurate Way to Receive User Review About the App Maybe you come across some idea one fine day and spend days and months building an app based on that. This surely is an unreasonable approach because you cannot predict what the end result would be. But having an MVP will provide an opportunity to get the fastest and accurate method to receive the user opinion on the app. You will only have to focus on implementing only those features, which will enhance the user experience and people need it. MVP is Considered as Core of the App The major function of the Minimum Viable Product is to only emphasize on the primary idea and key app features. It does not concentrate on the other secondary or not so important issues. As such, the ideology of Lean startup gets the benefit of MVP approach. The Lean Startup can be defined as a startup, which commences with lowest budget within a reasonable time. The MVP app offers adequate value to try it intending to get the maximum number of customers within shortest possible time. You are at the least risk step. It also reduces the cost of app development as only basic features are implemented. Therefore, we can say that MVP does not indicate that the app owner is falling short of budget estimate but rather he gets the core idea of the market. MVP Helps to Evaluate the App Performance The Minimum Viable Product is also proving to be quite a handy tool for evaluating and rating the performance of the app. The developer can check if he is moving in the right direction and making use of the latest technology and trends while creating an app. Ultimately, it is the users who would actually determine whether or not your MVP app has been successful or not. How this is done? Firstly, you get to know if you have been successful in solving the problem of the users through the app. Secondly, you get to test the success rate of the app during the initial stages only, which helps in saving money and time as well. MVP Allows to Deal with Security Issues Better Today, undeniably, the app security has become paramount specifically if your app has in-built payment facility. The MVP will help you in identifying the security loopholes and resolve them appropriately. Another advantage of fixing the security issues at the initial stage is that your app remains bug-free right from the beginning, which in turn increases the conversion rate of the app. It also allows users to navigate seamlessly. Creating an Improved Version of the App The Minimum Viable Product lets you analyze whether the app is getting the user attention in the market or not. If you feel that you have not got the expected feedback or failed to connect the app idea to the users, then, it’s time to redesign the product and look for creating a better version of the app. Few Examples of Popular Apps with Great MVP Success If you research well, you will come across many living instances where the successful MVP launch resulted in immensely popularizing the apps. Let’s discuss a few of these: Uber The cab booking app – Uber also started its initial journey with the MVP launch. In its very first version, Uber mainly focused on establishing a good connection between the drivers with the users and also added the facility of credit card payments. However, soon it stated getting tremendous response and today it has transformed into a billion dollar business with a plethora of advanced features. Instagram Next, we come to one of the most popular photo sharing app Instagram with the largest number of users. Talking about its initial version, the users had limited number of filters when sharing the photos. Also, the market was flooded with better photo editing apps, when they entered into the venture. However, slowly and gradually, the company started gaining the impetus and added Unique Value Proposition (UVP) allowing users to edit and share the photos at the same time. In addition, now it

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How the IoT is Changing Apps

We all love the convenience of smartphones. The opportunities it provides are seemingly endless, from checking up on your friends via Instagram to checking up on your finances via mobile bank applications. I’d argue that very little time is spent actually talking on the phone, meaning that smartphones without apps would be virtually useless. In 2018, the number of smartphone users skyrocketed to 2.53 billion. With that in mind, you can be sure that the mobile app development field will continue to grow along with the Internet of Things (IoT). The IoT is helping to create a giant network where apps can thrive. Systems that once had no business being connected will now be able to easily share information. The accessibility the IoT brings to the table has created a hunger in the market for applications that utilize the technology in smarter and more creative ways. IoT Mobile Apps of Today Thanks to the IoT, apps can connect and share data from essentially anywhere, creating opportunities to expand upon the types of mobile applications we use on a daily basis. These apps can benefit us in countless ways, from our home life to our health. In this way, data sharing and IoT connectivity is proving to be a strategic advantage. Uber While it may not be the first thought that comes to mind when you think of Uber, this transportation company is considered one of the first to embrace the IoT. The app seems simple: A passenger presses a button to call a car, and a self-employed driver “claims” that ride. For this transaction to take place, the IoT comes into play. The location sensors assigned to both the passenger and the driver are constantly sending data, such as locations and ratings, to Uber’s data system in the cloud. This data is then used to connect the driver and passenger with one another. Blossom They aren’t kidding when they say there’s an app for everything. This platform was created to remind homeowners when they need to water their lawns. Blossom creates a schedule for you based off the weather forecast in your area and other general weather data that contributes to the ideal lawn care plan. The app asks you questions such as the type of plants you own, the rain levels in your area, and what kind of watering system you have. A “perfect” schedule is then generated through this two-sided data system to help both homeowners and the environment – knowing precisely when to water your lawn equals lower water usage in the long run. Whistle This isn’t your ordinary health tracker. Whistle is a device for our furry friends that can track their activity, location, and even sleep. The app keeps track of your pet’s whereabouts and can use a GPS to tell you when they’re at home, when they’re outside of their “safe zone,” and where they’ve traveled within the past 24 hours. The data collected through both the owner’s phone and the collar device work together to keep your animals safe. Whistle will also keep track of how much exercise and sleep they’re getting, which can be used to ensure their optimal health and wellbeing. Humans spend over five hours on their phone daily, with 92 percent of that time spent on apps. With findings like these, it’s apparent we will continue to see the growth of mobile phones and the apps available to download on them. The expansion of the IoT and its offerings are inevitable. Together, these technologies will have a tremendous impact on society and our day-to-day lives in the years to come. Looking To The Future The IoT is one of the most influential technologies to have emerged in our time. In essence, the IoT is made up of objects that have an IP address and can share information over a network. Setting up this network is like creating an “ecosystem” for your devices. Your cell phone, car, electric kettle, and home security systems will all have the capability to be connected through one network. This growing technology is streamlining nearly all aspects of life and will make a big splash when it comes to how we use our phones. Our need for innovation is at an all-time high, and developers must be able to keep up. In some cases, teams are created to expand on app creation and IoT integration. Before long, it won’t be enough for companies to have one developer who acts as a catchall; they will need various individuals who specialize in distinct fields such as the IoT. Companies will face considerable obstacles in their attempt to keep up with the ever-changing trends in the IT sphere. “The challenge all CIOs and their organizations face in 2018 is to modernize and simplify their IT environments in order to launch new and expanded mobile, data analytics, Internet of Things, artificial intelligence, and other digital initiatives,” says Oracle CEO, Mark Hurd. Integrating the IoT into mobile apps is an opportunity to simplify the lives of consumers, but the companies working to do that may face more roadblocks in the beginning when looking for the optimal system for efficient production. Because most developers don’t yet have the knowledge to create their own IoT system at this early stage, it makes sense to use an already existing IoT platform as a springboard. Using this method can save you valuable time that can then go toward creating, editing, and perfecting the platform. It’s more logical to devote your attention to the de facto production of the application once a model platform has been chosen. The IoT also proves its usefulness by delivering data that companies can use to reach broader audiences and more accurately cater to their customers’ wants and needs. Once the IoT has employed its ability to quickly collect high volume data from mobile apps, companies can store and organize this data more efficiently. In the long run, this will save companies money and time and allow them more

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The Advantages of Mobile App for Healthcare Industry

A dull and monotonous waiting hall, the long queues, desperation to get inside the doctor’s chamber, gloomy faces of ailing patients; this is the picture one would imagine maybe a decade ago while paying a visit to a hospital. However, in the recent times, the scenario has drastically changed and most of this credit goes to the mobile development industry for introducing the booming healthcare apps. We can put it like this that the healthcare apps have been the vital forerunner for transcending and reversing the condition of medical and healthcare industry. But, before we look into the key reasons on why healthcare apps have rather become a necessity, let’s have a glance at some of the important stats and facts. According to Statista, the healthcare sector will become one of the top revenue contributors and it is estimated to reach a figure of $58.8 billion in 2020 from $25.39 in 2017. The report by Research 2 Guidance indicates that there are 3,25,000 healthcare apps available worldwide and Android is leading the way forward in mHealth platform. Yet another survey from Accenture Consultants point out that the download in the number of healthcare app has doubled in the past couple of years. Healthcare Apps a Boon for Doctors and Medical Staff In the first instance, the healthcare apps have become a boon for the doctors, nurses and various other medical staff associated with the hospital. The apps help to update the doctors about the heath condition of their patients. In fact, according to a stat, 93% of the doctors believe that healthcare apps can bring improvement in patient’s health and 80% of the physicians are using the mobile technology to deliver the patient care. In fact even the prescription of the doctors have become digitalized, which means it can be accessed on your device. It helps them (medical professionals) to view all your reports through the app makes it easier to take quick and apt decisions in emergency cases. The information can be exchange within a wink of an eye. The apps help to prepare a customized approach for treating each of the patients because every ailing person needs a special care. HealthCare Apps are Blessing in Far Remote Areas Today’s is era of internet and with Smartphones reaching to every nook and corner, people living in rural and far-flung areas can also expect to get best health services. The on-demand apps helps them to book appointment with doctors and buy medicines online without having to travel to the hospital. In addition, they can also get information about important healthcare tips from time to time through push notifications. The Benefits Patients Receive from the Healthcare Apps The patients are the ones who receive the most benefits of the healthcare apps whether it is scheduling a quick appointment with the doctor, finding an appropriate specialist with hands on experience, viewing the medical test reports from labs online, purchase medicines and other products at affordable prices and so on. Besides that they can also have a video chat with the doctor and discuss their health issues face to face after paying a reasonable fee. The users can maintain a healthy diet by consulting the dietitian and nutritionists online. All these factors tend to enhance the engagement of patients more. Plus, they can also know which medicine has been prescribed for which disease and what its side effects are. The Internet of Things Collaborating with Healthcare Apps The Internet of Things or IoT is the buzzword today and this futuristic technology has rightly collaborated with the medical and healthcare apps to deliver out of the box results. According to a prediction, the IoT healthcare market is skyrocketing and will reach about $136.8 billion by 2021. There is no doubt that IoT is going to streamline the entire process. This driving technology has simplified the task of the healthcare professionals. They get to access all information and data on their smart devices as many of the advanced medical equipments are connected with the patient’s body to monitor the vital parameters. Apart from that, the IoT combining with healthcare has also initiated much better way to manage the resources. The medical staff can check their large stock of goods easily and maintain it systematically. Moreover, it has become easier to follow the instructions from the doctor and also helps to curtail the cost of overall treatment for the patients. The Emergence of New Business Models and Opportunities Not that the healthcare apps have also shown their special focus on doctors and patients, but it also has provided new business models and opportunities. The medical staffs no more use outdated practices but instead mobile apps such as RefferalMD for making the referrals. This is basically a cloud-based referral management system. They can also write the resourceful referrals, which in turn help the healthcare organizations to promote themselves through the upsurge in the patient information in digital form. In the recent times, the circumference of the healthcare industry has expanded by leaps and bounds and become much diversified. People download healthcare apps for various purposes such as to reduce weight, women’s health and pregnancy care, elderly healthcare etc, which creates new vibrant opportunities in the process. Reduces the Risks of Wrong Diagnosis During the earlier days, we heard a lot of cases where the patients had to even endanger their lives due to an error in the diagnostic approach. But the healthcare apps have nullified all such possibilities that became life threatening for any patient. Since the doctors receive an accurate report of the patient’s health condition, it helps them to prescribe the most accurate medicine with right dosage and chemical compositions. They can even store the patient’s notes with cloud facilities. Even the medical staffs can keep the record of the patients in more precise manner and enter the essential data without committing any mistakes. Reduction in Medical Bill and Expanses One of the major advantages of the healthcare apps have been the reduction of

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eWallet Mobile App Development: Key Features and Cost Estimation

With mobile devices and apps hogging the light, payment methods have gone digital. Initially, people moved out of traditional norms such as paying in cash to more advanced and faster technologies such as internet banking and paying through debit or credit cards. But as they say that technology is on constant evolution and transiting to new phases, we have seen an emergence of a new player; the eWallet mobile app, setting up one record after the other. The mighty successful stories of Paytm, MobiKwik, PhonePe, and others have been truly inspirational. Paytm for example, has more than 450 million registered users. The same can be said about other mobile payment apps too. However, we talk about the global scenario then WeChat Pay is leading the way forward with 600 million worldwide users, followed by AliPay having 400 million users on the board. Furthermore, Market Research Future has presented a Global Forecast Report estimating that the eWallet market would grow at a CAGR of 15% and is expected to reach around $2100 billion within a span of six years from 2017 to 2023. Technologies that are used in eWallet app development The eWallet apps are becoming smarter and operationally superior with the integration of future technologies such as the Near Field Communication, Bluetooth, Beacon, scanning of the QR codes, and Blockchain technology. Let’s analyze these technologies in some details: The Near Communication Field or the NFC is one of the future related technologies that help in information sharing as well as transferring of money with great ease. The eWallet apps are using the NFC technique facilitating their users to send money without applying contacts. Most of the eWallet are integrated with the facility of the QR code. These make making payments very convenient. You can send the money usually to your known acquaintances or the ones connected on your social media. Here you need to scan the QR code on the other person’s device when conducting the transaction. If you have to make payments to individuals who are within close proximity, then you can choose the Bluetooth and the Beacon technologies. This is a fast, secured, and reliable method of making the payment. As time is proceeding ahead, the eWallet apps have also begun using Blockchain technology, which is developed to initiate the cryptocurrency. This method is highly secured and encrypted. But many governments have still not legalized cryptocurrency and so you cannot implement this technique if you are building the app for a particular region. Lastly, there are specifically built payment apps to fulfill the business purpose. Using this type of eWallet, you can transfer a lump sum without any element of risk as there is no third party involved here. The Vital Features of eWallet Mobile App For a better understanding, it would be convenient to categorize the important features of the eWallet App into three zones: The User Preference Features Features Important for Admin Panel Additional Features Features Essential from the User Perspective User Registration At first, as it happens with most apps, the user has to register his account on a compulsory note. He has to use his mobile number and email id. He would receive a verification code and upon entering the code, his account gets registered. Some eWallet apps also use the KYC (Know Your Customer) to secure the transfer of money. Linking the Banking Account In the next step, you need to link your bank account details with the eWallet from where you would be making the transactions and other payments. You can add your card details, CVV number, and date of expiry of the card. This information is highly confidential so be very careful while entering the inputs. Adding the Money into Account You have to provide the option of adding more money into their wallet. They can use their card details and use a 3D secured pin, password or use the ATM’s pin to add money. Fund Transfer or Receive Fund The eWallet offers you the option of sending money to someone either by typing the number of the recipient or by scanning the QR code. You can alternatively use NFC or the beacon technology for sending the money. The money can be received in the same way. The eWallet Passbook It becomes important to add an eWallet passbook using which the users will be able to check their transaction history. You can use the filter option to go for a more advanced search. Sending Money Back to Bank These days the eWallet apps are also offering an additional option where the user can send the money back into his bank account if he does not keep an excess amount in the wallet. And furthermore, each of the apps has set a monthly limit for using the wallet. You cannot do more transactions if that amount exceeds the limit. For instance, for Paytm the monthly limit is RS 10k. Bill Payment or Recharge The eWallet app allows you to pay your important bills such as electricity, water tax, and phone bill in the most convenient manner. You can also recharge your mobile phone or the internet broadband connectivity using the same app. Paying for Insurance The app allows you to pay your insurance premium on time. In fact, you can also pay your income and sales tax with the help of an app. Flight and Train Reservations In recent times, eWallet apps like Paytm has introduced the facility of booking flight, train, and bus reservations using the app. You just have to enter your journey details and follow the easy steps to make the payment. In fact, you can also book your movie tickets online and choose your preferred seat in the cinema hall. Shopping for Grocery and other Products The eWallet apps are extending the user-oriented features and in this context, they are offering online grocery shopping along with other category items such as accessories, apparel, household items, electronic appliances, mobile phones, and even cars and bikes. Promotional and Discount

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The Comprehensive Guide on the Mobile Application Architecture

When you are developing or constructing anything you need a robust foundation. This is precisely applicable if planning to create a mobile application as well. With the times changing, the business enterprises are focusing more on building the apps to reach out the target audience. This is making the competition fiercer with several players entering into the arena. Therefore, it becomes imperative to get the right groundwork for which choosing the apt app architecture becomes important. In fact, many mobile apps simply fail to impress the users because of the poor architecture. Defining the Mobile App Architecture Mobile app architecture can be defined as the set of different methodologies, techniques and procedures carried out to successfully build a comprehensively structured mobile app according to the specific needs of the business enterprise. While creating the app architecture, you also have to take into account the programming of the wireless devices such as the Smartphone or the tablet etc. The Multiple Layers of the Mobile App Architecture Design The mobile app architecture design basically consists of multiple layers, but we would be focusing on three vital layers including: The Business Layer As the name suggests, it mainly comprises of the business units, the workflow, and the components. The Presentation Layer This layer particularly focuses on the components of the User Interface and the UI process components. Data Layer This layer is created from the combination of the data utilities, data access components, and service agents. Important Factors to Consider While Developing Mobile App Architecture It is essential for any app developer to be familiar with the crucial factors that are taken into consideration before delving into the steps of mobile app architecture. Deciding the Device Types Today we have N numbers of smartphones that belong to a different category. The type of the device can be categorized mainly based on the operating system they run on. For instance, Android smartphones are relatively different from the iOS Apple phones. This would be a pivotal deciding factor before choosing the app architecture. In addition, the devices can also be categorized into these important types such as the size of the screen, the size of memory, choice of the framework, CPU features, screen resolution, and storage capacity. The selection of the device becomes essential during the app architecture development due to the software and hardware requisites. Choosing the Appropriate Navigation Type The app navigation is one of the key factors that determine the success of the application. It includes both the client side as well as the server side. Thus, the customer needs and priority should top the list while choosing the type of navigation for the app. You need to remember the fact that app navigation has a large influence on user experience and so, you should go for the optimal. For instance, you can select the tab control, the single view, gesture-based navigation, scroll views, stocked navigation bar, and navigation based on a search. In order to make sure that you have developed an app that would aptly suffice the requirements of the users, you have to follow certain guidelines. The Importance of Bandwidth Status It is extremely essential to take into account the bandwidth situation or think about the local internet network of the demographic region where you are targeting the audience. Often the slowness of the internet speed frustrates the users and he churns out of the app. There are times when there is no internet connectivity or very limited net access. To counter such scenarios, you have to consider the worst possible internet network when developing the app architecture. You need to develop your caching, data access mechanism, and state management considering the fact internet speed is very limited. Besides also think about the power consumption and speed when working with the software protocols and hardware. Playing with the User Interface Designs This is one area where you get an opportunity to showcase your creativity and thus user interface gains much importance in the app architecture design. But don’t forget the thumb rule; which is simply is the best medicine for designing User Interface. Make it highly interactive and intuitive. Managing the Process Flow of the Mobile Application We have already mentioned above that the app architecture design is a multiple-layered structure and it’s important to discuss the guidelines of the three important layers. Presentation Layer The presentation layer bases itself mainly on how to present the app before the audiences. Therefore, the job of the app developers is to get across the right set of end users who can be complacent with the app infrastructure and design. You also need to consider the deployment factors based on the client. Apart from that, you need an accurate data format to be inserted into a robust data validation process for boosting the security aspect of the app. Another good practice is separating the business ideas for presentation of layer code. Data Access Layer The layer specifically targets the app securities related to data and other areas. The app developer has to be careful and offer the scalability so that it can fulfill the future requirements of the business when any changes are made. It becomes imperative to opt for the best data access technology so that there is no compromise on the security and functionality of the app. It would be better to choose the table-based identities for providing a simple design structure for the purpose of the data storage. This also lets the flow of the data across the boundary layers. The data access functionalities are all summed up in one place in the layer. It also maintains the mobile app data connections along with the CRUD (Create, Read, Update and Delete) management operations and data sources. You can opt for the least privilege approach so as to prevent the unauthorized access or secure against corrupting the data. Business Layer When we are talking about the business layer, we have to take into account activities including caching, security validation,

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