A number of choices exist when it is about platforms available for your customer or enterprise mobile application development. However, the one which is the best suitable can be figured out need a lot of consideration. A Mobile App can be divided broadly into 3 types, the highly functional native apps, the newer HTML 5 software dominated apps for developing cross platform app versions and lastly, the Hybrid apps which have the combination of positives from both native and HTML 5.

Mobile platforms like Apple iOS and Android share a larger chunk of the demand over other OS’s like Blackberry in recent times.  Now, each platform comes with its advantages and disadvantages. Some have the ability to lower the development cost of the apps while some have the tools that will ensure a dynamic presentation. Depending on your purpose, one must choose a platform that enables high performance with limited issues.

Whenever a business enterprise is trying to make a mark in the online world using mobile applications, there are a number of considerations and aspects which need to be put under the lens. Here are the key points to focus on.

1.     Select Maximum Engaging platform

It is important to know which is the most used platform used by your target audience. Each of Android and iOS has a highly segregated user base.  If you are looking to connect with young high level executives, iOS would be the way to go. However, if you are looking to address the mass the in general, Android has a better penetration. By the last quarter of 2015, Android dominated the market with an 82.8% share while iOS shipped only 47.5 million devices.

2.     Digging into technicalities and deciding software’s which can aid business needs

There a lot of technicalities which needs to be identified when selecting the software for the app development.  If you require a cross-platform app but with the efficiency and functionality of native apps, hybrid apps would be the solution. For example, selecting palm OS can be a bad idea in case the businesses requires the application to be run in the background. IPhone OS can help protect the memory and the Symbian in Android enables memory warning callbacks.  Hence, depending on the needs, the OS must be selected.

3.     Ease of development and maintenance

Hybrid apps and HTML 5 are easy to script and maintain compared to the native apps. On the other hand, native apps need the best features to be installed, including faster downloading graphics, camera, GPS and several others. Further, native apps require the application of appropriate languages and coding to work for a particular platform.

4.     Cost considerations

When it comes to the financial aspects in app development, the native apps are costliest to develop. Consequently, iOS developers earn the highest amount of money in making their apps. The debugging, prototyping and various app design processes involve a comparatively lower amount of financial investment especially in cross-platform OS like HTML 5 over the native apps on some of the platforms.

5.     Futuristic prospects

We already know that Apple has been trying hard to save its market. In the second quarter of 2015, its market share dropped by 22.3% but it still was able to save its popularity, thanks to bigger screen devices. Depending upon the business you are in, there is a need to research about the market trends and the devices that your demographics prefer.

As obvious, the selection of the perfect mobile development platform depends upon the nature of the audience and the business to be delivered from it. The choice requires through analytics and understanding both the market and the available app development platforms.

For digital marketers, it’s a common problem of users not interacting with a brand like they are supposed to. The job of a UX designer is to bring about the best conditions under which the end audience is sufficiently encouraged to perform a desired action. The core to understanding this lies in the behavioral psychology that initiates the ‘call to action’.

What triggers a change in behavior?

If you are working on a website or an app that is supposed to encourage users to exercise more, you need to look for the core motivations. Psychology provides two ways to achieve this. Extrinsic motivation like money or some kind of reward can do the trick for some. For others, it’s about the enjoyment or a feeling of satisfaction (reaching a goal) and then sharing their accomplishments with their social connections.

The best example of an extrinsic motivation is the Pact App. Users of Pact exercise to earn money and reach health goals. This would work well with the audience group that isn’t self-motivated to exercise. In other words, these are the people who don’t enjoy exercising. On the other hand, websites like Freeletics try to promote exercising by rewarding points to its users. This would be just like a game that comes up with a level of greater difficulty and challenge every time.

So where does UX fit into all this?

It is only by a deeper understanding of the end user and the way they interact with products, can we expect to come up with an interface that delivers value. Personas, the journey of customer experience can become useful tools to capture insights and thus serve as important references in the design process.

What makes a UX design fit for your users?

Generally speaking, people who use apps and websites to do certain kind of activity, ranging from shopping to exercising, follow these cues.

Users don’t want to think or work more than they need to

They will try to do the least to get things done and it’s better to present all necessary information that will build trust and make them ‘take the action’. Marketers also need to focus on affordability presented on the screen. Also, defaults in forms allow people to do less manual work.

Customers/users have their limitations

Users will only embrace as much information they need before they start losing interest. For UX designers, it thus becomes important to provide all the necessary information in a format that is easy to scan and read better.

Mistakes are a part of the process

“Its human to err” and this statement can be very important for UX designers. Designers will need to anticipate what kind of mistakes users might commit and make it easy to rewrite/undo or go back.

Customers are social

Technology has been a great motivator to build relationships, share news, and even encourage buying behavior. UX design should include all this to maximize the effects.

The complicated human memory

We only remember things that we want to. Research also shows that the average human can remember only 3-4 items/tasks at a time. Further, human memory can be fragile and degrade quickly. Only a product and interface worth remembering is carried forward in the journey.

Design is the way we like to interact with the world. The easier it gets, the better can it express and communicate our needs.

Apple has always been in the news for its innovative gadgets and path breaking technologies. Amongst a number of rumors surrounding the release of the second generation Apple watch 2, we are already excited about the launch. While the need to clear off any false notions with regards the watch has become quintessential, we have tried to be thorough about its release date, design, and functionalities.

Coming up – A fascinating new version

 Apple watch 2 is soon to be unveiled personally by Tim Cook himself. This watch has been a hot topic of discussion among tech lovers much before it is due to enter the market. We are definitely expecting some exciting turnabouts but most of the rumors on the internet are just expectations. The watch is definitely promises to have integrated advanced technologies processors which are much better than Apple watch 1.

The rumors surrounding the latest iteration of Apple watch

There are many rumors, but the truth can only be settled after the exact release of the watch. We have sources citing that the Apple watch 2 will have a strong battery which will last for weeks. Rumors surrounding the watch release also suggest that the watch can be expected sometime in March 2016. However, some other sources even suggest that the release date can be postponed till the spring or the end of 2016 and the event in March will focus just around the iPhone 6c. However, there is no definite confirmation on the release date till now.

The interesting features and specifications hoped for in the new watch

By June 2015, an estimated 7 million Apple Watches were sold across the globe. Surveys suggest that the existing Apple users already wish the second iteration to reach in tandem with advanced features of other company’s Smart watches like pebble, having high battery life. We hope this to be fulfilled by the Apple Watch 2.

Apart from that, newer stainless steel Milanese loop straps, face time camera for video calling, and wireless chipset which would allow less dependence on iPhone, are among the many hopes resting on the new watch. Some rumors even suggest a completely new avatar of the Apple Watch 2. Also, newer color palettes could be on this list.

Things that have been confirmed till now are waterproofing, adding GPS system and some other utility features. While native health apps have never been enough, the Apple Watch 2 will have added inbuilt features/ apps which can act as an overall fitness meter, even under water.

To meet the higher expectations, Apple Inc. seems to be working in the direction of making a durable watch with high battery life.  Only time will say how closely the real features will match the rumors. But we can surely expect the best of the technologies to come together!

If you too have been waiting for the release of the Apple Watch 2, this would be the space to watch out for. We will try to dig up anything that comes along the way!

The world is becoming more and more addicted to Smartphones. The variety of unique applications racking up on our devices proves how quickly we are getting hooked onto the technological revolution. User engagement levels are also up and surging like never before, be it about fitness or shopping from the convenience of your home. 5 major developments dominating the scene currently include:

1.     Internet of things leading to creation of apps with an edge

The network connections to a multitude of objects like wearable technology have surged in the modern times. Powered by IoT, wearable technology will grow from a $20 billion market in 2015 to a $70 billion industry by 2025. This has made it necessary for the mobile apps to keep pace with this towering trend. The outstretching imaginations are leading to more and more innovative apps which are beneficial for both commercial and industrial usage.  The smart sensors in the apps will alert and perform a number of useful functions.

2.     Beacon technology- a big leap from the native technology

All iOS users can now get alerts from even the dormant retail store apps as these are woken up by the beacon technology. Whenever customers are physically inside a store, the beacon allows identifying the exact location. If the customer is standing in the jeans section, the message is immediately received by the store app which alerts the customers regarding the discounts on the needed product. This technology is the new profit racking instrument for retailer and the trend will continue into the future.

3.     Craze for building mobile videos in Enterprise Apps

More and more enterprises have sprung up to take advantage of the growing trend in app usage on smaller screen. Hence these apps are leading to excessive profit making for the enterprises. Creative mobile videos have become an important tool for brands and enterprises to reach out. These video ads are no more just meant for the websites; but to directly target customer’s attention clearly on the mobile screens.  The enterprise video market will in fact grow to a $36.84 million industry by 2020. The companies are increasingly seen using multimedia site apps to project their videos ads so as to successfully propagate its image.

4.     The cloud app integration

Millions of apps that have mushroomed on various platforms are becoming very more user friendly with the integration of cloud.  Larger mobile apps are now able to fit in as a small subset of the bigger space, bandwidth and memory availability in the cloud network.

5.     Secured apps are a cut above the rest

The security of the apps has become a serious agenda for all kinds of applications, old and new. Serious competition among brands and businesses has led the need to address any security concerns in the apps at the earliest. While there are about 4 million apps in the major app stores, 75% of them would fall short of passing the basic security tests.  This is directly linked to the credibility of a business and isn’t a thing that can be taken lightly. Developers are thus continuously preparing and updating themselves to meet the expectations.

Mobiles and more specifically smart devices hold our future. As we roll into 2016, smartphones will become the change-bearers.

Ruby on Rails is among the most important and used programming languages and framework used in millions of websites already. More and more websites are shifting towards this language use in the modern times. Being learned and skilled in this language is an added advantage for a web designer to earn gracious salary.  The model view controller pattern applied in this language is hard to master. Hence professionals who have excelled in this difficult but productive web application framework, definitely have their career rolling at a breakneck speed!

Lucrative skill

The graph depiction of number of ruby developers since 2010 clearly suggests an increasing trend proving that this web development language is here to stay. The mind boggling salaries ranging from $70000- $100000 around the world and with quicker and higher raises is definitely driving more towards learning this ‘cash rich’ skill. Professionals skilled at Ruby are a rare bunch and hence attract high demand and less supply. This is also the reason why they are the ones who rule the web development market.

Showcase a Resume with a bright career scope

Like C or Java, Ruby is a general purpose language, although best known for its web programming capabilities. RoR offers several advantages including rapid development, less of coding and a wide resource of 3^rd party libraries. Companies ranging from startups to established multinationals use Ruby to their end. According to the latest (2016) data from indeed.com, Ruby is positioned among the top 10 programming languages, alongside SQL, Java, C#, C++, Python, PHP and iOS. This ensures that a Ruby certification can help you land up in a range of companies and promise a bright career.

Your Career can take off with Ruby on Rails skills

Making a good, secured website is a preliminary SEO requirement. Hence, eradicating any security flaws is the prerogative of the web developers of RoR.  A bachelor in computer science with the technical skills in various web tools including RoR can definitely bring the job seeker in the limelight.

With RoR enjoying a long run (with no indication of slowing down anytime soon), it makes total sense for a newbie in technology domain to master this language and enhance his/ her skillset. Some of the more essential pointers that a new programmer can focus on include the ways to implement upgrades, release codes and also make database changes.

The web applications development can become less intimidating for the people who know Ruby on Rails. Hence, the people who are at any stage of their career can upgrade their skills and add this wonderful tech skill into their CV to get their careers zooming up. The philosophies of this language like ‘don’t repeat yourself’, ‘convention over configuration’ makes it a practical programming language which requires less coding and hence less repetitions unlike other programming software. This makes Ruby a preferable platform for businesses and consequently a winning addition to your CV!

Finding the best hotels in a new place takes just an app! Hotel booking sites like Hotels.com, Expedia, and Venere have recently gained a lot of popularity with 76% leisure travelers accessing them for the better deals and lower prices. The other side of the coin also reveals that most travelers today are less likely to go for branded hotels. Statistics suggest that 13% travelers are looking for mobile convenience when booking accommodation and branded sites are failing short of the required urgency.

Intermediary hotel booking apps have the mobile muscle to come in between the hotels and their guests.  Hotel apps ensure “hospitality on the move” and major brands across the globe are focusing on new mobile strategies to improve their guest’s experience. The fully customizable apps ensure that all types of transactions and searches are made simple, before, during and post the stay. Mobile apps for hotels are also changing the way guests interact with the service staff and vice versa.

Looking beyond the booking process

Several hotels are coming up with apps that facilitate a seamless booking process. Some even step things up a notch to take advantage of in-app messaging and push notifications that would remind guests about valuable information about their lodging and booking. A good example of such an platform is the Ritz-Carlton app that gives guests access to early check-ins, access room services, access special offers, and use their reservation code to stay in contact with their guests at all times.

Technology raising the bar

The increasing demand of self service hotel apps have been met by technology that has helped automate requests both on and off the property. Businesses that have deployed these mobile apps invariably improve their guest satisfaction score, regardless of being independent properties or as a part of a hospitality chain. The digital experience is possible long before the arrival and this provides enough opportunity for the hotel to reinforce their service experience.

Catering to instant gratification

Mobile application across the hotel industry ensures on-demand services with just some taps on a smart screen. One of the best examples of such a service is i-Guest, deployed by several boutique hotels. Developed by FCS Computer System, this multilingual application allows guests to customize every part of their hotel experience, right from accessing property amenities to ordering dinner. Apps like this offer a range of convenience including mobile check in/out, room service requests, housekeeping requests, laundry orders, scheduling spa appointments, valet parking requests and restaurant reservation, without the need to go to the front desk. Sometimes this bundle of features also includes mobile concierge, local information, current news, travel guides and other locational services.

Increased staff efficiency

Self service apps don’t just connect the hotel and guests but also makes it easy to organize staff participation. With every employee’s login time registered and tracked, it’s more convenient for hotels to schedule orders coming from the guests.

All of the above only prove that if you are associated with the hotel industry, it’s time to take apps more seriously! The power and popularity of apps today is beyond boundaries and there are many opportunities to be explored.

The Internet of Things (IoT) is here to change our world for the ‘awesome’! IoT has been the best definition when we talk about this “connected world” of ours. With millions of devices connecting people and their experiences to the internet, it has made it easier to track, analyze and bring out new inventions like never before. However, the sad part if 87% of the “internet educated” mass (us) don’t quite understand what IoT stands for.

The ‘movement’, as we would like to call it, deserves attention and here are the things you need to start off with:

1. By the year 2008, there was more number of devices connected to the internet than the total population of the world! It is also estimated that by 2020, the number of devices connected to the internet will cross 50 billion and IoT will be the reason for $19 trillion in cost savings and profits.
2. By 2020, we will have more than 6.1 billion smart phone users – almost all with IoT potential in some form or the other
3. The adoption of Internet of Things has been rather slow with only 50% of Americans knowing that smart refrigerators and smart thermostats are already in use.
4. The IPv6 standard for Internet addresses ensured that there are as many numbers of internet addresses as there are atoms in our earth! This would mean that companies can develop small devices capable of online connections, without running out of IP Addresses.
5. One of the major parts of IoT is Connected Homes. By the year 2019, we will have 1.9 billion devices connecting homes and this will result in a $490 billion growth in revenues.
6. As of today, only 7% of US consumers own a wearable device but in the period of the next one year, this value would have crossed 28%.
7. By 2020, 20% more US consumers would own a smart refrigerator or smart watch.
8. Again, by 2020, 14% of global consumers would own some kind of internet-connected clothing.
9. Internet of Things is more than devices and gadgets. A Dutch company has been using sensors on animals to tell farmers when they are pregnant or sick. Each animal (cow) fitted with this sensor sends around 200 MB of data annually.
10. 60% of Americans are already sharing car data with their manufacturer in lieu of free maintenance sessions. This has also opened up a huge window of opportunity for advertisers.
11. By 2020, Gartner Research suggests that 20% of the vehicles on our roads would be giving off information to a central database via some kind of wireless connection. Sierra Wireless is already in function for manufacturers like Toyota, Volvo, Tesla, BMW and Ford.
12. Another interesting product of Internet of Things is Autonomous Vehicles. Recently, an unmanned Audi A7 drove for more than 550 miles between San Francisco and Las Vegas. The brain for the drive was NVIDIA processors!
13. 2008 was the year when Proteus Digital Health was approved a patent that concerned swallowable pills having sensors embedded inside it. The sensor would now be transmitting data whenever the user takes his/her medication. This way, family members were informed about the intake schedule.
14. China dominated in IoT with more than 27% of machine-to-machine connections.
15. Connected kitchens will help save as much as 15% of the current costs in food and beverage industry.

Phew! That was incredible! Stay tuned for more exciting trends around this technology in the coming days.

Sources:

1. http://www.wired.com/insights/2014/11/the-internet-of-things-bigger/
2. http://www.forbes.com/sites/bernardmarr/2015/10/27/17-mind-blowing-internet-of-things-facts-everyone-should-read/#25fe82831a7a

Mobile apps have taken over our life and it’s unnecessary to suggest how much they imply for businesses trying to get to potential customers. Whether it shopping or booking a cab for a ride to the workplace; there is nothing that doesn’t have an app alternative. Regardless of the size of a business or the industry it belongs to, a mobile app developer would be one of the top assets and investments.

Now, talking of mobile app developers, there are thousands in any neighborhood. However, not all have the talent, technology or the infrastructure to be able to create a successful application platform. Hiring a quality developer will not just save you money but also add credibility to your brand.

Here are the top advantages of hiring a professional mobile app developer:

The internet of things and growing business opportunities

The Internet of Things (IoT) is fuelled by a flood of data coming from mobile devices and other internet enabled devices. Internet of Things has been helping organizations to store, analyze and use data to their advantage like never before. Now, all this data has the power to transform business models and many leading brands are already working on this. From retail to manufacturing, production and logistics, data has become the tool to optimize the value chain and build better customer experience.

Now all of this would be possible only if you are working with a resourceful and experienced mobile app developer. Professional developers will have the tools to quickly develop and deploy apps that bring in more data from users.

Directly engaging with customers

The growing use of mobiles for shopping and services has automatically led to the increase of transaction volumes; right from content downloads to status updates. An app that would be able to wind a small flame across the organizational network and database can trigger the mobile-first approach to better serving customers. For example, a bank that has a good enterprise app with features like push notifications will have better control over customer engagement. On the other side, customers too would find interacting with the brand / service more convenient.

Collaborative app development for new opportunities

Modern organizations, big and small, are increasingly seeking agile development platforms that allow them to communicate with a wide range of users. Whatever be the platform, it should help empower differentiated and efficient mobile apps that are compatible across devices. Now, having a mobile version of everything isn’t as easy as it may sound. An app can duly replace the need to create responsive yet tricky mobile websites. Since most of the end users are accessing from smaller screens, it is only profitable to invest in a dedicated app that fits the situation well.

Designed for flexibility

Apart from the risks, an app makes it much more easy and flexible to interact with a business/service than a website alternative. Modern customers are looking for quick, easy, safe and convenient options and there’s no better solution than an app.

PHP is the largest used programming language in the web development community. It is used in more than 80% of all the websites that are “live” today. Its CMSs and Frameworks like Joomla, Drupal, Cake, Magento, Codeigniter and WordPress are being deployed by some of the most successful and hi-tech web platforms. In fact, it has been the language that brings Facebook to all desktops and smart devices!

However, it also has its fair share of haters. Many developers have commented that PHP stands good for as long as you are limited to website and web applications. Sometimes, the codes can become very dirty and a burden to maintain. However, all of it depends on how you are coding.

Here are some good and bad things that are true to the PHP programming language:

The GOOD

Easy to learn: PHP is arguably among the most accessible and easier programming language available. All due thanks to the excellent documentation and the updated online resources, it is very easy to understand. This also makes PHP one of the most popular web programming languages ever. According to Josh Lockhart, New Media Campaigns, “PHP has a small learning curve, fast development iteration and facilitates higher ease of development”.

PHP continues to evolve itself: Created back in 1994 when we had no concept of closure and namespaces, PHP has continued to evolve to become the best updated language for modern web development. PHP followers would say that people who want to move away from the language have most likely failed to understand its full capabilities. One will regard this statement when checking enhancements like Hack and HHVM Virtual Machine.

Easy to work upon: Spare the developers – their job is writing codes. But what about users who look up to the PHP platforms for their business? Well, PHPs CMSs solves all major problems of website maintenance and upgrades. CMSs like WordPress, Joomla and Drupal have made it easy even for a non-developer to create and maintain a high-functional website. Further, a huge CMS community comes to help with its plugins, fixes, ad-ons and other answers.

It gives you the job: For a developer knowledgeable in PHP, getting the job becomes quite easy. PHP has a huge demand in the market and as already pointed, 80% of websites are looking to work with PHP. So, if you are expert in PHP, you get the job and the money that comes with it!

The BAD

Haters will be haters! However, there has been massive “thumbs down” on the PHP language, its framework and even the ecosystem. Sometimes, the language can bring surprises and is criticized for being inconsistent. The biggest complaint against PHP is it being “opaque, saddled with weak and complex typing and with negligible traces of stacks”.

For modern developers, the disadvantages with PHP lie in:

ü  A lot of “legacy baggage” like magic quotes, globals, etc

ü  Less focused compared to other languages

ü  Inconsistent language, especially its argument ordering and function names

However, we would say that if one knew what PHP caters with, these inconsistencies can be played through and a greater setup can be focused on.