The “Internet of things” is large number of smart devices and objects which work on connected internet networks. These are completely integrated with sensor detectors and also allow automation as well as remote access. The search engines like Google are flooded with a number of search requests to know the most latest buzz word on the block “IoT”, the short for Internet of things, which is connecting the real world with the virtual world.

Detecting and easing troubles of life is the underlying motive behind the rapid developments in the IoT Analytics by the IoT developers. The time is not far when the people will be flabbergasted to have a car with Internet connection and also have smart fridges which will sense and inform the need for refilling the milk container in 2016. Below are some interesting IoT developments trends in store in 2016.

1.     Superior Robotics

The bigger and better revolution inducing sophisticated mechanisation of work is becoming possible with the advanced Robotic technology empowerment in 2016. The robots unable to walk or do the complex human functions at the nascent stages of development now use indisputable technology for its construction and will be used to perform a number of industrial works like packaging. Robots with set perfect algorithms also will outperform humans in household duties like cleaning rooms, cooking. The IoT analytics inbuilt allow robots to teach the other robots too. 

2.     The accelerating developments in hologram technology  

The dextrous IoT developers have made the hologram technology more impressive in 2016. The real looking 3D images of objects, human figures in high definition which float in the air will now be massively being used in many multimedia movies. The 2016 is seeing the advances in the hologram projection with the help of smart phones.

3.     High demand for Wearable tech smart devices

All the imaginations of human beings are actually becoming a reality with the latest IoT developments in the wearable tech devices. Besides the smart watches, the 2016 IoT trend is catching up for smart clothing and shoes.

4.     3D Printing advancements

3D printing printers are becoming a cheap and easily available to masses with the structural changes evidently happening in 2016.  3D printing has evolved now as cheap metal powder, inks and furnaces will be used rather than the exorbitant priced laser beams. This metallic 3D printers result in 3D prints are offering lot of flexibility for prototyping as the mental prints can be transformed into various shapes before sintering of these metals take place.

5.     IoT sensors for Industrial machinery

IoT are powering a number of Industrial sectors with IoT sensors in 2016. They can collect a lot of data from sensors which are placed on manufacturing equipments. This data collected can be used for production analysis.

6.     The cloud connection in home security systems and software applications

Low cost surveillance and security systems remain the focus in 2016. The home security cameras will become cheaper as the storage of the camera data will be done over the cloud rather than on servers in 2016. The multiplying number of applications will also be connected to cloud to derive benefits of speed, space.

“Experience” has been the buzzword in the web development industry for a couple of years now, but of late, it significance has been growing among users and customers. This must be a good think and in 2015, all forward thinking companies focused on delivering a lingering “experience” through their online platforms. In 2016, it can be comfortably predicted that the term “User Experience” or UX would rise in importance for all stakeholders – the developers, the businesses and the audience.

“UX is all about how we live, about everything that we do and about everything that surrounds us.”

Here are the top 5 predictions for the UX design industry in 2016:

1.     Testers liberated

The increasing significance of UX has led to companies invest more in testing to nullify all possible errors. Testing is a means to improve the quality of the website and prepare it for the real world. Adobe’s Digital Optimization Survey states that only about 44% of global businesses invest around 5% in website/app optimization. In 2016, things are going to change when testing will become a standard practice before anything is deployed for the masses. To ensure a greater degree of credibility, testers would also be helped out by in-app usability testing platforms and other automatic testing tools.

2.     The merge of digital and physical experience

We talk of all the modern conveniences but there’s still more joy in a family shopping experience – when several people go out and have a say on a product they are eyeing for someone. Well, today internet of things makes this possible even when you are on a digital shopping spree. Flipkart has recently launched a social shopping platform called “Ping” where a large group of people can have a say on a singular buy. If your group is searching something for a birthday boy, this collaborative experience makes the “buying” more fun. UX like this would be rewarded in 2016.

3.     Automation and AI take front seat

Artificial Intelligence would have a greater say in the designing of online platform and apps. Businesses are already starting to take a lot of user input to analyze the right type of content, color scheme, imagery, typography and design layout for web projects. Automation would similarly help designers come out with preferences defined by analytics and put them into the final work.

4.     Integrated wearable

Till now it was Apple and Google take the front seat when it came to wearable devices. In 2016, brands like Sony, Polo and Nike too would become a player in this industry. Wearable devices have just not entered the market but have become the means to the trendiest technologies that the human race has seen. This development also gives a chance to UX designers to create more magic and push the envelope!

5.     Storytelling

Everyone is eager to hear a good story. UX designers in 2016 can use storytelling through their design to capture the attention of the executive and the investor. Further, user-driven storytelling will promote concepts as if they are a reality already. Easily digestible, short and out-of-the-box, these will be the tools of next generation pitches.

While the developer demand for Ruby on Rails is still high, there’s a lot of scope for both the framework and the language to shine. Both the Ruby language and the Ruby on Rails framework has been a major step for developers and programmers. For more than a decade, Ruby has been running in the wild but that also accompanies a 20+ years of experience, allowing it to stalk specific territories. Let’s take a closer look where Ruby on Rails feels more at home and niches that feel challenges, both existential and technical.

As of today, there are about 894,785 live websites that are running on Ruby and this comprises 0.3% of the entire internet content. The most important niches for Ruby development have been in shopping/ecommerce, business and technology. However, the penetration still seems low for a language that has been able to survive for more than a couple of decades. So what makes Ruby complicated?

The obstacles with Ruby on Rails

It would be fair to say that Ruby usage is sliding but to be specific, it has been losing out to frameworks and languages like Go and Node.js when it comes to performance and scale. Legacy projects are subsequently being rewritten in alternative frameworks. There are several examples proving this, some quite high profile. The first that comes to mind is Parse, the mobile app outfit that recently switched from Ruby on Rails to Go. The obstacle with Ruby here was that the engineers were finding it hard to deal with the explosive growth and Ruby failed to offer the required amount of scaling.

In fact, Twitter had originally been a Ruby on Rails project but was eventually rewritten with Scala and its front end was replaced by a customized Java based solution. Other examples would be the Puppet project server component that switched to Clojure since there were greater advantages with the Java Virtual Machine.

If you are looking up to JRuby, it too has it limits with convenience and speed. As the Parse team rightly suggest, “JRuby is still Ruby”.

The good things with Ruby

Given the above problems, what is still keeping 0.3% of the internet stick to Ruby? As with Python, Ruby too is more useful when it is about task automation or stitching different functionalities from different part of the IT ecosystem. Ruby’s software packages, lovingly called the “Gems” can be installed easily and they are counting 6,400 and beyond. Further, SDK for services and third party applications like Amazon include Ruby libraries and wrappers to make access Ruby apps.

Ruby has also been addressing specialized computing needs with projects such as SciRuby.

However, the best thing about Ruby had been its ability to keep things simple and make the programmer happy. Ruby ensures that web apps can be prototypes in just a fraction of time it would have taken with other languages/frameworks. The demand for Ruby on Rails expertise also compliments front end JavaScripting.

To conclude, it would be right to say that the growth we still see with Ruby is basically to maintain the existing Ruby infrastructure, as opposed to investing it in new objects. In any case, the growth is still there are Ruby developers have an equal lifestyle as any other IT guy!

The apple watches are fantastic in terms of enormous collection of apps which can be availed from its app store. Now watching small videos, playing games, knowing the current weather condition, getting the latest news is possible downloading the various Apple Watch Applications.  The Apple Smart watches are creating a competitive scenario for its competitors by these best applications fetching popularity by the day. The 10 most exclusive applications which are very efficient and fetching higher downloads include

1.     Find Near Me

The best convenience auguring facet of the watch is it is always on your wrist when travelling. Hence, in case one need to find the nearest restaurant, ATM, Bank, using the Find Near Me App Watch App enables to quickly find the address, directions as also get reviews.

2.     Google Maps

While driving or travelling, the Google Maps have proved to be number one Geographical positional systems. Hence, the text based Google Maps on the Apple Smart watch are a welcome provision when one is not carrying the phone or the phone is out of charge. This app also contains links to the recent routes and also saved directions to your home or work which can be enabled even in the offline mode.

3.     Runtastic 

The health and fitness apps on the Apple Smart watches are undoubtedly excellent. The  sensors in the Runtastic app measures the heart rate while performing sports activities like running.  Also, with the Apple phone alongside can facilitate GPS tracking too.

4.    Pcalc

The apple calculator with much better user interface gives faster calculation ease as it is very much responsive.

5.     TuneIn Radio Pro

From around 100,000 radio stations from across the world accessible from a single app. this app is definitely loved and can be heard anywhere even while standing in queues at the bank. The sound in the Apple Smart watch is not too loud so as to disturb the people around.

6.     Vine

Viewing of small amusing videos with audio on the wrist watch is a fun activity possible only on the App Watch App Vine.  The movies are too long for viewing on the wrist watches.

7.     Fantastical 2

Setting reminders and getting reminded for the special events, appointments, lunches, exercise routine is possible over the Fantastical 2. There is no need to scourge for the phone to know your busy schedule when you have this app.

8      BBC news

Getting news updates of your favorite categories and also the top headlines can keep you organized with the BBC news app. Though not the whole story, a gist of the story on the watch can surely arouse the interest to read the whole story on your iPhone later.

9.     Pro Camera

The Procamera is an excellent camera with remote control features. The timer settings allow delaying the photo clicking and also one can input the number of photos to be shot in advance. It allows viewing the images from the gallery.

10.     Slack

The short and to the point messages or emojis as also voice messages can be sent across to the other users of this app.

PHP is being used by 81.7% of internet, in websites that have known server side programming. Again, 98.7% of these PHP websites use the 5^th version of the language. This shows that PHP 5.0 is arguable the top coding language today and the best examples lie in the form of Facebook.com, Twitter.com, Pinterest.com, WordPress.com, Wikipedia.com, Baidu.com and more.

For someone looking into a career in PHP, the future seems bright. However, it is also important to understand you are able to maintain the high code quality, PHP’s naming conventions, visual styles, and other technical settings allows developers to come up with homogeneous codes that both easy to read and maintain. The experience and personality of the coder also comes into play when differentiating a code that is “okay” and a code that is “awesome”.

Naming

Naming conventions have always been undervalued by software developers. While no one denies that having a nice name makes things easy, many opt for cryptic abbreviations, juts to save some typing. It is generally advisable to have English names for class names, comments, method names, database tables field names and variable names. It is common consensus that English is always easier to remember than special characters.

Vendor namespaces

Vendor namespaces are the base for namespaces and package keys. This provides two advantages. Firstly, there isn’t an extra requirement for a central package key registry and secondly, it allows the coder to easily integrate third party packages like Zend framework components, Symfony2 components or for that matter, any PHP 5.3+ based library.

Turn on Error Reporting

Error Reporting can be a highly useful function and enabled all throughout the development phase. Among the commonly used feature here would be E_ALL, spotting all critical errors with warnings. It is mandatory that we turn on this feature before putting our code to production.

Using the DRY Approach

DRY or ‘Do not Repeat Yourself’ ensures that there is no redundant code in our scripts. Codes that violate DRY are referred to as WET solutions and are common to programmers who enjoy unnecessary typing!

WET code:

$mysql  = mysql_connect ( ‘localhost’,  ‘mysqladmin_uid’, ‘mysqladmin_pwd’ );

mysql_select_db( ‘DB_NAME’ ) or die( “Sorry !! No database selected!”);

DRY version:

$db_host = ' localhost ';

$db_user = ' mysqladmin_uid ';

$db_password = ' mysqladmin_pwd ';

$db_database = ' DB_NAME ';

$mysql = mysql_connect($db_host, $db_user, $db_password);

mysql_select_db($db_database);

Indentation / use of white space

Not just in PHP, but whatever language you may be working upon, it is necessary that the coding is properly indented and there is sufficient amount of white space wherever necessary. This helps in maintenance and enhancing the readability.

Don’t trust the user, ever!

If the application you are working on requires user inputs, make sure that it is designed to handle all kinds of possible inputs. Initializing your variables with some initial value can also be a tool against hackers, though it might not seem relevant to the business flow.

Lastly, use Cache whenever required and never resort to copying extra variables. These should keep your script sane and your application efficient.

The mobile app developers are maturing with experience in devising higher number of useful mobile applications in 2016. With IoT, Cloud computing, wearable devices creating a buzz in 2016 the Mobile App Development trends also reflect some of these latest revolutionary impacts like the launch of IoT mobile apps for connected cars. The mobile apps are also converging with the cloud technology in 2016 hence, are becoming bigger and better. Some interesting trends in 2016 in mobile development are worth noting.

1.     Horde of enterprise mobile apps launches

The mobile Smartphone devices are absolutely the most used interfaces for web and overtaking desktop surfing by leaps and bounds. A research further suggests that the apps being faster and more convenient than the mobile websites are mushrooming on the web in higher numbers.80% of time spent on web is for shopping and surfing time is via Smartphone apps. The apps are first thing which are used for personalized jobs like hiring a taxi and ordering food. Hence, the enterprises have no option but to remain in line with the trend. They need to aggressively focus their marketing by developing their enterprise apps to witness a good lift in the bottom-line in 2016 and also remain competitive.

2.     Mobile app security enhancement

Elimination of the weak security problems in the Mobile App Development are the focus plans of most mobile app developers in 2016. The ecommerce stores are paying more attention to the security of their apps to prevent the leakage of the important details fed by their customers. Beefing up stricter security protocols is the agenda in 2016.

3.     Cloud technology to rule on the apps 

The cloud computing in apps is gaining ground in 2016. This technology is conferring a number of benefits. The app users are now able to sync their apps with a number of smart devices. Both large and small apps can conveniently manage the speed, security and other functional issues in the cloud.

4.     Increasing number of wearable apps on the Smartphone

The ever-growing trend of wearable technology has made the developers busy in making the multifunctional wearable apps. These apps make the wearable Smartwatches or smart glasses interesting gadgets.

5.     IoT apps for connected cars

The connected cars are ultimate fascinating IoT developments in 2016. The apps of advanced technology are being made in 2016 for this IoT. The apps of connection of cars basically sought connection with the traffic signals. This helps the users to know in advance the traffic ahead, or any kind of car mishaps which are creating the traffic besides knowing the directions and alternative routes.                              

6.     Additions of  offline and voice command features

The progressive web applications of 2016 are also featuring an option to work offline on apps. Also, integrating intelligent personal assistant feature in the apps is on the schedule for the year 2016. This includes making the mobile apps use voice commands given by the users to perform the task. This step towards gaining more convenience while driving, bathing is definitely what the customers can look forward in 2016 and beyond.

A Loosely typed language is a language that can create variables of different types easily. It refers to those programming scripts that do not require defining a variable type. To put it simply, while declaring a variable in these programming scripts, there is no need of defining or classifying the data type stored in them. While working with these programming scripts, you need to use a sign for each variable type(like string, integer, float, etc.) to declare them. You just need to assign a string value to the variable, to define that our variable is an integer. This is the reason why PHP is a loosely typed language. 

What is PHP Script?

As PHP does not require defining the variable type. As a result, you are not restricted to a limited type of data. Quite inevitably, it proves to be highly beneficial for programmers, as they enjoy optimum flexibility.

The PHP script is very much popular among programmers and developers to develop various kinds of applications. As a loosely typed language, this particular script offers golden opportunities to programmers for designing great software programs. It is the most widely used language for developing web applications. There are many factors that attract developers and users to use PHP in their applications. Here in this article, we have jotted down the reasons that make PHP so popular among all – 

1. Optimum Flexibility

While creating dynamic applications, it is the flexibility of a loosely typed programming script that renders the most useful assistance. Because of their nature, dynamic applications are quite tough to work with. Often, these applications have to determine actions based on unknown data. Using the PHP programming script proves to be the best shots, in this context. It does not enforce data types on variables, and hence offers complete flexibility in complex programming.

2. Complete Programming Liberty

In cases of strongly typed languages, the programming rules are already pre-set and pre-determined. Therefore, the programmer cannot do any changes to it as per preference. In this context, however, situations are completely different with PHP. By allowing programmers to set their own programming rules, this particular programming script offers them freedom of operation.

3. Simplicity & Cost

The PHP language is one of the most simple programming languages. Like other languages, it is bound to have its bits and bytes, but still, it is compatible to run on any system productively. Writing a PHP script is pretty much straightforward and simple as opposed to another language. It also allows programmers to write customized scripts. The cost factor also makes PHP popular! As PHP is an open-source framework, that means it is completely free to use and is fully supported by documentation.

Summing Up

PHP programming script has gained traction with ingenious programmers and has become their current favorite, but as any other script PHP also comes with its share of drawbacks. While working with PHP, programmers need to have proper knowledge, otherwise, they might create vulnerable programming codes. As a loosely typed language, PHP creates some major possibilities of errors. Say, for instance, your code needs integer input, and your variable is in a string. As the most undesired output, the entire function will break. However, it is possible to overcome this issue by creating a properly structured and organized programming code.

So now you know why PHP is a loosely typed language and why it is so popular. PHP has various advantages  and it is widely used for web application development. Want to know more details about PHP? 

Stay tuned to this space! 

Or are you looking forward to having your dedicated web application built by using PHP? Contact GoodWorkLabs, one of the best web application development companies in Bangalore. Reach out to us and our team will discuss further about your requirements. Email us at – contact@goodworklabs.com or call at +91- 9863077000

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Gone are the days of traditional software development designs. The present times herald the need of for a change, and it is lean UX that is leading from the front on this endeavor. What this particular concept does is brings out the best possibilities in a designer’s toolkit and combines them in a unique manner. And this is where it establishes relevance with the existing trends.

The practice of UX development and design is perhaps impossible, without functional knowledge on the topic. Look around and you will find many designers working on it, but without knowing the nuances of the topic. As the most undesired outcome, they are belting out nothing but poor designs. There is a need of knowing the nitty-gritty of lean UX for using it to the advantage of startups.

Read on and discover the benefits offered by this unique concept.

Collaboration and coordination

Lean UX promotes collaboration and cross-functionality to the tee. As a result, software designers no longer have the liberty or luxury of working separately. In the first place, the process demands perfect communication and coordination within the entire production team. Regular team engagement is required on a daily basis. If you are one of those passionate product designers, lean UX will not let you keep your team members waiting for your assistance, each time there is a need of figuring things out.

Stripping away heavy deliverables

Another significant benefit of Lean UX is that it allows the stripping away of heavy deliverables. Improved techniques are adopted, which give designers the opportunity of building shared understanding with teammates. Other than that, lean UX completely transforms the perceptions of designers. Earlier, it was only about the design features and the documents. But, after the emergence of Lean User Experience, Designers think about the workability and functionality of those features.

Reframing according to market feedback

Additionally, designers have perfect access to market feedback. Quite inevitably, it proves to be highly beneficial for them. Market feedbacks render useful assistance by helping designers reframe existing design conversations. Moreover, they can perform this reframing, in complaisance with the objective goals of business. What lean UX ensures is a great way of thinking about software management. And it is easily understandable by designers, which is a major benefit for startups.

The book

Of late,“UX for Lean Startups” by Laura Klein is stirring up great excitement amongst potential UX designers and developers. Some of the major benefits of referring to this book are:

• Say, for instance, you are a first-time designer and wish to breeze through the pages of a book on Lean UX. Quite inevitably; an excessive amount of technical jargon will make the entire process quite difficult for you. Well, this is where, the book mentioned above stands apart from its contemporaries. Its comprehendible language makes sure that you understand every bit of it.
• The book also speaks about certain useful methodologies, perfectly usable in the software testing process. These methods happen to be cost-effective as well as quicker compared to the ones that are currently prevalent.

So, if you lack a formal training on User Experience and wish to do your startup alone, this book will prove to be your best investment.

For someone conversant and interested in new technologies, it’s a whirlwind of terms. UX, IxD, CX, UCD, guerrilla research, emotional design, strategic UX, etc all seem to be fancy names for the name things. Keywords in resumes are getting more ‘cool’ and at the same time more complicated. This is the same when one talks about lean UX and agile UX. Many think that both these terms refer to the same end – the connection between design and product development. Both aims towards making designing faster, both implicate a broader user experience and both bring in tools that facilitate the processes. So, why are there two different terms for the same thing? Let’s check out the differences.

What is Agile UX?

The agile revolution is rooted in software creation. In the days of the past, design wasn’t as valued an asset as it is today. Consequently, less attention was paid to its form and less investment was made in designers. Software development was all about being able to deliver results – the look of the interfaces didn’t matter.

However, design gradually became important for a more functional product. It facilitated a better user experience, easier handling of interface, intuitive user interaction and consequently, a faster understanding of the product. Agile design concept followed a simple set of principles:

• Interactions and individuals against tools and processes
• Working software against comprehensive documentation
• Change response against following plans
• Customer collaboration against contract negotiations

These are still the golden guidelines that are being used to develop agile digital products. To be a fit for the new concept, UX (user experience) need to change focus and working techniques. Agile UX today, essentially unifies designers and developers to support a more intuitive and easy product development.

What is Lean UX?

The main difference between Agile UX and Lean UX proceeds from the ‘startup culture’. Startups, as businesses in competition, are expected to deliver products as fast as they can and develop better sales strategies for the business to survive. Thus, it is essential that a vast amount of knowledge in the form of data and information is gathered to serve the iterations of a product. The goal of Lean UX is to present the best way to develop a minimum viable product and push it towards the customers as fast as possible. Generally, the process involves bringing out the core product first, checking its market demand/acceptance and then bringing out newer versions/updates to realize a better adoption. The lean development process involves several learning loops, involving build – measure – learn.

It’s a lean UX if a product is being constantly updated by gathering customer/user feedback. Thus Lean UX requires better understanding of customer behavior, giving it the alternative name of “Executed UX”.

Which is better?

Agile UX bring out a more polished product from its onset but Lean UX would support several versions of product that is constantly being polished/refined. The method you choose would thus depend on the type of product you are working at.

If we could go back in time to the year 1999, not many would believe that there would come a day when watches could talk to us, vehicles could drive themselves or houses can prepare themselves to welcome you back! Well, today, all of this is reality. Widely known as the Internet of Things or IOT, technology has come a long way in making our lives simpler, safer, easier and more convenient. It’s an exciting idea when we begin to think of what technology would be capable of, ten or twenty years from now.

Internet of Things has been here for some years now but the journey had started as soon as internet started playing a greater role in the lives of humans. Back in 2008, the number of things that was connected to the internet surpassed the total population of this planet. Also, by 2017, the market for IOT will surpass the sale of PC, smart phone and tablets combined. Another report from the IDC suggests that the global IOT market would grow to $7.1 trillion by the year 2020 which was just $1.9 trillion in the year 2013.at the center of all these innovation unfolding itself in industrial, geographical, technological and home environment would be the “connected person”. Technologists, across the globe are working to build a massive networking and infrastructure to gain a more pervasive connectivity. The concept of smart cities, smart cars, and smart buildings will word through sensors in your phone, in your body, etc.

The aim of IOT is to extend smarter networking, data collection, deep optimization and predictive analysis. This would be done by leveraging actuators, sensors, mobile communication, microcontroller, big data and other technologies. IOT will allow vaster amount of information to be gained through more number of connected devices across industries and environments like transportation, energy, healthcare, education, administration, security, etc. A great example of IOT would be small sensors which could be stuck to a patient’s body. These devices would be constantly relaying health related information and help monitoring, analysis and special services for assisted living. Consequently, IOT would help people live healthier, longer and independently.

IOT today has been the result of several small developments over the years. However, there have always been some key challenges to allow the level of interconnection that is required to build smarter ‘things’. A good example would be the Internet Protocol Version 6 (IPv6) that addressed sufficiently to accommodate billions of devices that bring in data and support automation.

For industries and workplaces, IOT facilitates expanded inter-connectivity, communication and operability. Sensors in ID card would be automatically detected by sensors in the doorway and before an employee reaches his desk; his system would be ready with the schedule of the day.

Wearable like the Apple Smart Watch and Google Glasses facilitates easy and independent travel, a better monitored exercise regime, making communication hands free and working on the intuition of the users. The concept of IOT is both simple and complex but for the connected person, it opens up a world of possibilities.