iOS development - Is it being ignored?

Smart Phones and tablets have gained an overnight growth throughout the globe. If we say these smart phones replaced the old age desktop computers then it will not be an overstatement. Because all that we can perform in a desktop computer can also be done using this small portable handheld device. Hence these are getting more and more popularity over time. These devices run on different platforms like Google’s Android operating system, Apple’s iOS and Microsoft windows 8.1. The game began by apple but now the main player is Google’s Android operating system. Though apple is known for its quality products but at the other hand Google has a tremendous market demand due to its free to use policy. There is a tough competition between these two market leaders.

iOS or Android: Before few years, iOS developers had a tremendous demand in smart phone market. With time, Android developers are now dominating the market with their quality apps for the users. Moreover, Android market is increasing its volume in a rapid pace due to its low cost. In developing countries like India and China, we have seen a tremendous growth of Android devices in past few years. The best part is Android operating system can be used by any smart phone manufacturer like Samsung, Sony, Micromax etc by just a tie-up with Google. This gives the freedom to both the manufacturer and the buyer a wide option of smart phones with different specifications and price. On the other hand, iOS is limited to Apple’s products i.e., iPhone, iPad, iPod. So this encourages the web developers to develop their app first in Android platform.

Cost effective: If we consider the cost of development for an application for iOS and Android; we will find the development cost of an app for Android operating system is 60% of that of for the iOS. Hence Android developers are giving their first preference to develop the app in Android operating system due to low cost of development. Moreover, web developers usually find it difficult to get into the Apple store due to multiple stages of quality check before release. The biggest challenge for the app developer is to create their position secure in a competitive environment in Apple store because apple store contains less number of apps but with better quality. But it is comparatively easier to lunch your app in Google’s play store and it encourages the web app developers to develop their first app for Android operating system.

Wide platform: Undoubtedly Google’s Android operating system has spread its wide network through different countries with different devices at different prices. Hence, if an app developer wants to reach at maximum users then the first option is Android platform. Through Android platform, an app developer can reach at a wide range of consumers of different economic class. On the other hand, apple’s iOS platform is limited to class users who are extremely quality oriented and they are ready to pay extra for quality app. But their size is very less in comparison to that of Android platform.

So, iOS development is getting ignored? Well we can’t say that iOS development is ignored by the app developers but yes we have to accept that it is now limited to a specific class of developers due to many factors as discussed above. Yes when an app developer wants to develop a reliable and quality app for the user without any worry for the cost then he may love to develop his app for iOS over Android because, an iOS app can give the developer more profit and revenue than that of an Android app. You can get in touch with a iPhone development company who can help you develop apps that are stable, scalable and secure.

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What does it take to develop a killer iOS app?

Building a killer iOS app is no child’s play. For almost all the developers submitting an app for Apple approval is quite worrying. As a developer you might have followed the guidelines closely and conquered all the field tests, yet at the last moment Apple can reject your app for a certain reason. The crux of the story is you must know how to design a killer app that the brand will love. However, there are certain common factors, like, determination, innovative idea and focus that are required. And how can one forget about luck? In addition to these, there are several other factors that are needed to taste success in the field of application development, especially for iOS.

The first rule is to customize for the device. The experience that a gamer derives on an iPhone is not similar to that of a gaming console. As a developer, one should be aware of the various limitations that a smaller screen offers. The screen size works drastically on deciding upon the overall experience. So while developing games for iPhones, it is imperative to remember that these are not consoles or PCs. Although this factor is quite apparent but more than often it is overlooked.

Secondly, failure is part of development. Whether you are working on an application or software there are times when your product might not live upto the expectations of the users. Thus, it is important that one ensures that the product being developed should provide value to the customer. It will be better if you ask the potential customers for constructive criticism. This process would provide an idea about where you are lagging behind. As a result the necessary improvisations can be carried out. If your apps are not making people’s lives simpler then it is time to try again.

Simplicity always wins. So remember to keep your products as simple as possible. This will also help you to win the word of mouth publicity amongst the community of users. Apple prefers apps that are simple and user friendly.

The look and feel of a design does not really matter. Steve Jobs had once said that design is how it works. Since he had already dropped a hint on how to woo customers through design, it is preferable that the developers focus on what the users are looking for. A successful iOS app should be easy to handle at every step. You cannot tell the users to stop midway and find out for themselves how it works. If you really want Apple to accept your products then aim at empowering the customers through the design.

Test the application as many times as possible. If the app is bug ridden it will be rejected then and there. In order to create a killer app you cannot afford such mistakes. Moreover, the brand does not entertain any product that provides poor performance or can be subjected to negative reviews. Therefore, it is imperative to test what you are developing unless it is completely bug free and good to go.

A good developer has a vision which is reflected through his products. A killer app should reflect a vision. This will also help you to stand apart from the crowd. There are several developers who submit their apps at Apple. Why would the brand pick your product? What is special about your product? Thus, you need to work really hard to get noticed to be an iOS app developer.

The ability to listen to the potential customers is always helpful. This is one of the most vital skills that an entrepreneur must possess. Mere statistics would not help to build a killer product. Rather it is advisable to adopt various ways to connect to the people and find out what they are looking for or what do they think about the new app that you have developed.

Finally, quality is appreciated by all. A developer should be aiming at providing a user friendly, innovative and quality product to the users. You can get in touch with a iPhone apps development company who can help you develop apps that are stable, scalable and secure.

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Features of iOS 8 that Developers Should Be Aware of

iOS 8, the latest OS version of iPad or iPhone from Apple have finally come up and have instantaneously captured the market with a lot of buzz. If the feedbacks that have already gathered in the forums as well as message boards are to be believed, this version has striking similarities with the earlier version, though with some added features, which are still not very apparent to the users.

From the developers’ point of view as well, the latest version comes up with a string of new features that are really awe-inspiring. The developers need to know about them so as to have an improved grip on the operating system.

Additional toolkit for the benefit of the developers

The latest version has finally managed to get rid of some of the limitations that the 7^th edition of the OS had, with the help of certain add-ons. The version has come up with some of the most exquisite built-in or embedded controls, which the developers can use for enhancing the applications.

New workarounds for developers

Because of the presence of so many new as well as additional features, the process of development has also undergone a sea change. While the previous versions saw use of C programming language for development of the apps, the new version will need the use of newer languages for development of apps.

App Extensions

iOS 8 comes up with a string of app extensions that help the developers to extend the functionality of the app as well as the content all through the system with the supply of an app extension code, which helps them to customize the functionality within the perspective of the task that are predominantly of the users. The developers have the option of using the extensions for placing the power of the app depending on where the users would require it most. The version comes up with 7 types of app extensions – share, today, photo editing, customer keyboard, storage provider, customer actions, and document picker.

Touch ID

The latest edition comes up with a property by the virtue of which developers are now able to use Touch ID for authenticating a particular user, prior to accessing the app contents partially or fully. Data collected through fingerprint is safeguarded and hence can never be accessed by any other app including iOS.

PhotoKit

This particular feature provides the developers a string of new APIs that help them work with the images as well as videos that are generally managed and taken care of by the Photos App. Thus, developers are able to make technical adjustments by the virtue of which, the users can edit the images directly from the camera roll instead of having to import the images at first and then edit them. The most important features that the Photokit comes up with include a thread-safe architecture that fetches and caches the thumbnails along with full-sized assets, asking for changes in the assets, taking stock of the changes that are made by other applications and doing resumable editing of the content of the assets.

HealthKit

This is another extremely critical feature that helps the developers to incorporate fitness and health related services. It also helps them to store all the shared health and fitness related issues and information in a single location so as to be accessed as well as shared by the end users. The feature helps to store the information in a secured and centralized location. It also provides the users the option of deciding which data needs to be shared and which should be left aside.

It also helps access to any health related data that are shared and can also deliver user related information without the need of implementing the specific devices that are designed to track fitness.

Games

The new version has something new for the developers when it comes to games as well. The new range of technology that the new version has come up with has made implementation of the game’s graphics as well as the audio features much easier. The developers now are able to take the advantage of several high level frameworks for easier development and use of several low-level enhancements for harnessing the GPU power to the fullest extent. If you are looking for iPhone app development companies we can help you develop stable, scalable and secure apps.

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iOS 8 Launching Soon. What’s new in store?

The latest as well as the most eagerly awaited version of Apple Inc, iOS version 8 was finally launched in the month of June. The operating system was launched along with its beta version. However, the full version of the OS is going to be launched soon when it will be available for public download. Now the question here is – in what way will the new version be different from its previous editions? Let us take a fresh look at the issue.

As per the market indications, the new avatar of the OS will have a modified as well as improved integration between various Apple devices. Moreover, the new version will come up with a brand new set of continuity features that are specifically designed to connect as well as synchronize iOS devices like iPhones, iPads and Mac PCs in a never-tried-before way.

As per the experts, from the technical point of view, iOS 8 is basically an improved version of edition 7. However, the 8^th edition is expected to put more emphasis on integration between OS X Yosemite and iOS 8. Besides, there is also a feature that will provide the users the privilege of starting a particular task on a particular device and then wrap it up in another, without any hiccup or interruption whatsoever. For instance, if one starts composing or writing an email on an iPhone, the individual will be able to complete writing the same mail in an iPad or a Mac PC.

Moreover, the new version is expected to be much faster, more user-friendly, simpler, and has more number of intuitive ways as well as new features like new Messages app, QuickType keyboard, an extensive iCloud Photo Library, and an all new Health app.

Then there are other high profile features that include a “healthkit” that is designed to gather information from the already existing fitness gadgets or trackers that the user might be using. This healthkit will also be designed to be in ‘sync’ with iPhone 6 that is expected to come up with sensors for measuring and recording heart rate, blood pressure, as well as various other health care related parameters. Once it gathers all the information, it displays all the collected data in a singular interface for easier as well as effortless viewing.

Then there will be some more value added features that will include iCloud Drive, Family Sharing, manual camera API, Refined Notification Center, Time-Lase Camera Mode, and a much improved emailing mechanism, along with a touch spotlight searching mechanism. Basically, the new iOS will act like a base or foundation of iPad, iPod touch, and iPhone and is expected to be designed to work seamlessly and beautifully.

The new device will undoubtedly be an engineering wonder, and will be designed to take the fullest advantage of state of the art technologies that are integrated into Apple device.

The Interface will be elegant as well as intuitive

The interface of the new device will be extremely intuitive. This means, the moment a user will pick the device up, the person will come to know how to use the device. This is simply because the iOS will be astoundingly user-friendly as well as easy-to-understand.

Furthermore, the features and the apps that the device will come up with will make it an extremely powerful, innovative, as well as simple to use gadget.

Images

The images or photos the device will click will be ready to be edited as well as shared in a jiffy, right from the device, irrespective of time or location. This understandably helps the users to upload images as well as videos in albums or social media accounts within a split second or two.

Other features

Other value added features like dual core processor, accelerated graphics, wireless antennas, multitasking, and much more make this an absolute dream gadget for which, people are expected to put their money gleefully.

As some of the experts have put it, with this new version of iOS, there is simply no limit to the things that the users will be able to do. If you are looking for iPhone application development companies we can help you develop stable, scalable and secure apps.

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Benefits for Small Business with iOS Development

Several reports have highlighted the steady increase in the global market share of Android. But the reports also highlighted that Google Play Store is still way behind Apple App Store in terms on revenue and ROI. So iOS development can help both large and small businesses in reaping several benefits. The small businesses and startups can even invest in iOS app development to increase sales, inquiries and conversion rate. Also, a small business can implement the right iOS app development plan to create and promote a popular brand.

Benefits of iOS Apps for Small Businesses and Startups

Enhance the Visibility of Products

Most small companies find it a daunting task to make their products visible to the most relevant customers. The iPhone or iPad application will make it easier for small businesses to increase the visibility of their existing and new products, while targeting global customers. As iOS apps have become an integral part of modern lifestyle, the business can further promote its products through the app. On the whole, iOS app helps a business in advertising its products or services effectively, and getting more leads and sales.

Target Customers Residing in Different Regions

The huge popularity of iOS apps has made it easier for small businesses to advertise their products or services by targeting the most relevant users. Also, the app enables small businesses to target customers residing in different regions without investing any extra funds. The company can further opt for advanced iOS app development to enhance its credibility and brand presence by adverting the products or services to customers regardless of their current geographical location and time zone.

Effectuate Customer Communication

To achieve higher conversion rate, a business must respond to customer without any delay. The iOS app makes it easier for small businesses to respond to the text messages or emails sent by the customer immediately. The mobile application will allow users to send emails or text messages directly to the customer care department or company, without calling the office. Thus, the customer care executive can respond to the customer communication immediately, and impress him a build long-term relationship.

Create and Promote a Popular Brand

The iOS apps further make it easier for small businesses to create and promote their brands. After developing the iOS app, the company has several options to increase its visibility and downloads. It can further optimize the look and feel of the app to keep the users engaged. The users will further love to use the app to buy products or services directly from the web store. Thus, a business can increase the popularity of the iOS app to promote his business as a popular brand.

Avoid Investing in Heavy Infrastructure

Apple has further included feature in iPhone and iPad to make these devices more enterprise-friendly. Nowadays, the iOS devices support a wide range of enterprise technologies including Exchange, Active Directory and Exchange. Likewise, a small business also has option to manage these iOS devices more effectively by using several mobile device management (MDM) solutions. Thus, the small companies are no longer required to invest in heavy infrastructure or expensive software to support the Apple devices. With Apple making its mobile devices more enterprise-friendly, it has become easier for small business to curtail the overall iOS development cost and efforts.

Unlike large businesses, the small companies cannot deploy in-house developers to create and update their iOS apps. But a company still has option to hire offshore or freelance mobile developers to launch the iOS app without putting any extra time, money and effort. Along with developing and deploying the app, the programmers will further help the business with the iOS app maintenance and updates. You can get in touch with a iphone app development company who can help you develop apps that are stable, scalable and secure.

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How Swift offers the best of features of other languages ?

Apple's latest Swift programming language derived most of its features from a broad sample of scripting & programming languages, due to which iOS & OS X developers are enjoying it. On an InfoWorld slideshow, Peter Wayner digs up 10 features which make Swift very good such as data structure declarations, tuples, signed & unsigned integers, as well as, closures. In addition, he explains the source & progress of the features in previous languages such as JavaScript, Haskell, C#, Python, & Java. Apple's latest programming language upgrades iOS development through creating excellent ideas created anywhere else. Swift could technically be "new," according to the Swift documentation, Swift is just like a bunch of top concepts used in different programming languages, brought introduced with a new name.

Dictionaries is from the JavaScript - JavaScript developers have long and used square brackets to take an integer like a typical array or take a string which therefore responds like hash table. At present Swift programmers could do the same. Apple names the hash tables as "Dictionaries" and provides a clean syntax in initializing them. Inferred data types are from the functional programming languages - In todays programming, nobody wants to spend keystrokes indicating data types for each variable. Nowadays various well compilers began inferring types through the data, that is generally simple enough in case a variable is initialized. It started with a few functional languages, such as ML, and appeared in Haskell, Scala, & Opa, among others. Due to Swift, iOS developers may now save some keystrokes. Data structure declarations is from C# and the Java - Java launched Generic types with Version 5 so that programmers can notify the compiler which of the data type would be moved to the HashMaps, Arrays, or to the Collections. The greater-than & less-than signs, aka angle brackets, mentioned exactly what types will pushed inside. Microsoft included those to C#. At present it will be Swift's move to allow programmers notify the compiler what to anticipate.

String templating is from Cold Fusion, JSP, & the others - Lot of programming tools provide methods to insert a variable's value to a template. Web tools like Cold Fusion & Java Server Pages have offered an easy option to mix data to HTML with templates. Swift features a sleek templating system with the escaped open parentheses, with the expression to evaluate, with a closed parentheses. 3 additional characters would be the smallest amount of keystrokes required to provide this function. Optional semicolons is from JavaScript and the Python - Some JavaScript & Python programmers in past couple of years, have discussed if semicolons are really optional. Is a semicolon essential or just a good form? Swift weighs in certainly into the discussion: Semicolons are actually optional at end of the lines. If you'd like to pack several expressions within the same line, you may need a semicolon, however in case you place them to individual lines, you don't have to wear out right pinkie tapping the semicolon key. Protocols (aka interfaces) is from the Java and the C# - While programmers make elaborate object-oriented class structures in the Java & C#, they usually start with an interface in the foundation. Interface is usually a basic class which defines structure for any of the functions which the classes need to provide as long as they like to fit the definition. Swift having the term "protocol" in sketching out the blueprint for the collection of classes.

Tuples is from Lisp & Python - Early languages such as Lisp believed that everything had been a list or perhaps a tuple, but more advanced languages such as Python provide explicit syntax for the matching within the N value delivered from the method using the N variables which will be bound to them. Swift pursue with this tradition. Automatic reference (akin to garbage collection) is from Java, C#, and (gasp) Objective-C - Previous reports suggested that the Swift had been sporting garbage collection, those of automatic routines which sweep by memory reclaiming bytes no more being used. Java & C# programmers enjoy garbage collection, at least until it leads to their machine towards freeze up for a moment. Swift having automatic reference counting, an identical solution that has been used often by Objective-C users. Signed and unsigned integers is from C# and Objective-C - Swift comes with signed & unsigned integers that are with 1, 2, 4, & 8 bytes exactly like Objective. Closures is from Lisp & Scheme via JavaScript - JavaScript programmers picked up closures from the languages such as Lisp & Scheme which completely developed the concept of Lambda functions. Swift at present presents closures and ability to pass on functions like first-class objects.You can get in touch with a iphone app development company who can help you develop apps that are stable, scalable and secure.

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Increase Productivity for iPhone Application - a Developers Perspective

Despite the rapidly growing popularity of Android, a developer can still get higher returns by developing iPhone applications. But frequently changing choices of users have made it essential for the developers to explore innovative ways to deliver richer user experience. Many users, nowadays, prefer using apps that helps them in making more productive. So the developer must monitor the ongoing and upcoming trends in mobile development to make the iPhone app more productive. He also needs to consider a number of critical elements to increase productivity for the iPhone application.

5 Critical Elements that Make iPhone Apps More Productive

1) The Right Features and Functionality

A productive mobile application must meet the user’s specific needs. Often developers build mobile apps with additional features and functionality to impress users. You must understand the mobile app is not just the mobile version of a desktop browser based interface. So it is not essential to create the iPhone app with additional features that does not fit the mobile situation. Many users expect the app to deliver relevant, easy and quick information. As the application will not be used to detailing editing of the information, it must provide the right features and functionality.

2) Deliver the Value Quickly

Most mobile application users do not prefer consuming the information in lengthy sessions. They rather want to receive and access the information in smaller chunks at a time. So you can increase the productivity for the mobile application by delivering value quickly to users. Instead of controlling bounce rate, you should aim to enable bounce rate. As many reports have highlighted a productive iPhone app enables users to receive relevant information in leas then 20 seconds. You can always consider optimizing the app with basic social media principles to make them continuously pay partial attention.

3) Deliver Constant and Timely Communication

The popular iPhone apps always deliver information in context. The apps are designed with features to inform the users, instead of being driven by the. Nowadays, many people love to use the mobile apps that deliver information even when there is no internet connection. You can always enable the application to cache the user’s favorite or frequently accessed data. The feature will enable the app to deliver value even when the user is on the go or away from Wi-Fi. As each user wants the iPhone app to deliver continuous and quick bursts of relevant information, your app must productive enough to deliver brief, timely, and relevant communication.

4) Optimizing User Experience

You also need to concentrate on the look, feel and design of the iPhone app to increase its productivity. The execution will further help the app in delivering richer user experience. Often users fail to connect with the app, when they feel that the app is not executing. So it is also important to make the users feel that the application is functioning at the speed of their brains. You can always consider including animation to make the users feel that the iPhone application is executing at the speed of their brains.

5) Make the App Flawless

The productivity of an iPhone app can be further impacted by bugs, errors and flaws. So you must test the application thoroughly before uploading it to the App Store. It is also important to make and implement a comprehensive testing strategy to ensure that the app is running flawlessly. When the app runs without any interruption, the users will be impressed. The absence of the bugs or errors will further make the iPhone application more productive.

A developer can further make the iPhone app more productive by concentrating on the new features and enhanced capabilities of the most recent version of iOS. Apple updates iOS with new features to attract and impress the users. The users also love to use apps that allow them to take advantage of the innovative features of the mobile operating system. So the developer can always take advantage of these capabilities to make the iPhone application more productive. You can get in touch with a iPhone application development company who can help you develop apps that are stable, scalable and secure.

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