Mobile App Development
What is Mobile App Development?
Mobile application development involves creating software specifically designed for smartphones, tablets, and digital assistants, with a primary focus on the Android and iOS operating systems.
The field of mobile app development is experiencing significant growth. Organizations spanning various sectors, including retail, telecommunications, e-commerce, insurance, healthcare, and government, are compelled to satisfy real-time user demands.
Mobile devices, along with the applications that enhance their functionality, have become the predominant means for individuals and businesses to access the internet. To remain pertinent, agile, and prosperous, organizations must create mobile applications that are sought after by their customers, partners, and employees.
Mobile application development may appear to be a challenging endeavor. After choosing the operating system platform or platforms, it is essential to navigate the constraints of mobile devices and successfully develop apps to address the various obstacles associated with distribution.
Select a platform
Numerous independent application development teams opt to create applications for the Android platform first. Approximately 70 percent of smartphones operate on Android, and the Google Play Store imposes fewer limitations compared to the Apple App Store.
When developing a mobile application, Femtosoft Technologies may have other considerations depending on its intended use case and target audience. For instance, if the application is designed for the employees of your organization, it is essential to accommodate the platforms they utilize. This may necessitate the creation of cross-platform applications that are compatible with both Android and iOS devices.
When creating a mobile application for your clientele, particularly if a significant portion utilizes iPhones, prioritizing the development of iOS applications is essential. Additionally, it is important to take into account monetization strategies and expected user behavior, which may be shaped by geographical and cultural influences.
Options for Developing Mobile Applications
There are four primary approaches for developing mobile applications and they are as follows
- Native Mobile Applications
- Cross-Platform Native Mobile Applications
- Hybrid Mobile Applications
- Progressive Web Applications
Each of the approaches for mobile application development presents distinct advantages and disadvantages. In selecting the most suitable development strategy for their projects, developers take into account the intended user experience, the necessary computing resources and native functionalities of the application, the budget allocated for development, the timeline for completion, and the resources available for maintenance of the application.
Native Applications
At Femtosoft Technologies, Native mobile applications are developed using the programming languages and frameworks supplied by the platform owner, operating directly on the device's operating system, such as iOS and Android.
Cross-Platform Applications
At Femtosoft Technologies, Cross-platform native mobile applications can be developed using various programming languages and frameworks; however, they are ultimately compiled into a native application that operates directly on the device's operating system.
Hybrid Mobile Applications
At Femtosoft Technologies, Hybrid mobile applications are developed using conventional web technologies, including JavaScript, CSS, and HTML5, and are wrapped as app installation packages. Unlike native applications, hybrid apps operate within a 'web container' that offers a browser runtime and acts as a bridge for native device APIs through Apache Cordova.
Progressive Web Applications
Progressive Web Applications (PWAs) present an alternative approach for mobile app development by bypassing the need for app store delivery and installation processes. These web applications leverage various browser functionalities, including offline operation, background processing, and the ability to create a link on the device's home screen, to deliver a user experience akin to that of traditional applications.
What Will be the Duration to Make a Mobile App?
Femtosoft Technologies typically invests a timeframe ranging from three to nine months, or even longer, if necessary, in the development of mobile applications. The duration of the mobile app development process is significantly affected by the scope and features of the application.
The Different Phases of Mobile App Development are as Follows
Strategy
At Femtosoft Technologies, the process of developing a mobile application commences with an assessment of the reasons why a mobile app could effectively address a specific problem or be an approach to an opportunity, followed by decisions regarding its design and functionality. During the strategy phase, Femtosoft Technologies will define the app's goals and criteria for success, conduct a market and competitive analysis, investigate customer needs, and identify the target users and use cases the app will cater to. Additionally, we may start evaluating which mobile app development platforms align best with their objectives and requirements. This phase also involves considerations regarding the marketing strategy for the app's launch.
Planning
In the planning stage, Femtosoft Technologies establishes four essential components of the mobile app development process: the teams involved, the tools utilized, the technologies adopted, and the timelines set. At this point, we have a clear understanding of the type of mobile application required, the personnel responsible for its development, and the specific platform or platforms to be employed. During this phase, Femtosoft Technologies will create a product roadmap, outlining the sequence and timing of feature development, set milestones, and formulate a project plan aimed at meeting the desired release date. It is crucial to assess the available resources and expertise, as well as to comprehend the implementation of the selected technology, to accurately determine the release date and successfully meet it.
Design
The design phase marks the point where the mobile app's appearance, features, and functionality take shape. During this stage of the mobile app development process, teams focus on mapping out the user experience and developing user interfaces along with the app's various states at different levels of fidelity. Initial efforts may involve low-fidelity mockups to validate concepts or collect early customer feedback. Additionally, developers and engineers may contribute by creating prototypes or advising on UX and UI decisions during this phase, ensuring that teams remain informed about the requirements and technical specifications of the chosen platforms.
Development
The term development in this context often pertains to the comprehensive software development lifecycle associated with the creation and launch of a mobile application. In this phase, teams define the technical architecture and technology stack, which encompasses the front end, back end, and APIs. They also establish development milestones, find out the application’s development lifecycle, and proceed with coding the application.
Testing
Testing represents an essential stage in the development of mobile applications. In the absence of thorough testing, we cannot guarantee the security, user satisfaction, and functionality of their applications in the intended deployment environments. Throughout this phase, teams engage in quality assurance by developing test cases that evaluate the app's usability, performance, stability, and security across all targeted devices. Additionally, Femtosoft Technologies frequently conducts stress tests to verify that the application's architecture is capable of accommodating unexpected surges in demand.
Release
The concluding stage of the mobile application development process is the release phase. After the application has been launched, Femtosoft Technologies offers support to users and engages in continuous monitoring and maintenance to guarantee the app's availability and optimal performance. This phase frequently aligns with marketing initiatives aimed at promoting the app's adoption. Should the organization choose to implement improvements or modifications that exceed the capabilities of its current development lifecycle, it may opt to restart the mobile app development process.
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