Category Archives: Mobile Apps FAQ

Should You Be Creating Mobile Apps

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To begin with, mobile app development trends are based on demand and one of the consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic, was a remarkable increased demand for certain mobile app categories.

There was an increased number of downloads for Zoom, Google’s Meet, and Microsoft’s Teams increased substantially. At a certain point, capitalization of Zoom exceeded Boing. Mobile apps that were helping individuals to adapt and cope with the disease became very popular and – to meet quickly rising demand – businesses needed to increase investment in development of these apps to improve their capability} to provide unique features.

Over the past 5 years, mobile apps have exploded onto the scene. This is great because it’s simply another way businesses can stay in touch and provide greater interaction between them and their customers. With the constant technological advancements of smart phones, mobile apps are only going to become more relevant for businesses to be able to communicate and profit from such technology.

However, mobile apps don’t necessarily have to be profit-pulling machines. They can also be, or include, games, weight loss tracking systems, puzzles, quotes, etc. In other words, you are only limited by your imagination and even if your mobile apps are marketed as “free”, you can still monetize them in many different ways to make them a profitable venture from the start.

Mobile apps can provide a very simple and quick way for your customers to interact with your business. Whether that be to make a purchase or simply to give you a ring to find out more information prior to a purchase. If your aim from the start is to make money with your app, it’s advisable to do plenty of market research so that you know your customers are taking full advantage of your app.

If you can’t create your app yourself, it’s easy enough to hire a company to create it for you. But again, before you go spending money, you’ll want to be sure you understand what it is your app is supposed to do, how it will help your customers save time and easily communicate with your company, and so on.

If you’re on a limited budget, have a look online and see if there are any free app building resources but if not, and you’ve done your research, then investing in an app to promote your business is certainly a good idea in today’s marketplace.

Mobile Gaming Explained

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gamingIn 2021, expect to see game development engines like Unity and Unreal improve their offerings. This will result in the empowerment of game developers who will take the ball and run with it. Such an improvement will enable them to take more control of the game development process, explore their creativity, and develop more engaging products.

If you’re not familiar with mobile games, you will be soon because this is the next big area of growth expected in the billion dollar gaming market. A mobile game is a computer software game played on a mobile phone. Mobile games are usually downloaded via the mobile operator’s network, but in some cases games are also loaded into the mobile handsets when purchased, or via infrared connection, Bluetooth or memory card. Mobile games are developed using technologies such as DoCoMo’s DoJa, Sun’s J2ME, Qualcomm’s BREW (Binary Runtime for Wireless) or Infusio’s ExEn (Execution Environment).

Other platforms are also available, but not as common.

The different platforms

BREW is the more powerful technology, giving, as it does, complete control of the handset and complete access to its functionality. However this unchecked power could be dangerous, and for this reason BREW development process is tailored mainly towards recognized software vendors. While the BREW SDK (Software Development Kit) is freely available, running software on real mobile hardware (as opposed to the provided emulator) requires a digital signature which can only be generated with tools issued by a handful of parties, namely mobile content providers and Qualcomm themselves.

Even then, the game will only work on test enabled devices. To be downloadable on regular phones the software must be checked, tested and given approval by Qualcomm via their TRUE BREW Testing programme.

Java (aka “J2ME” / “Java ME” / “Java 2 Micro Edition”) runs atop a Virtual Machine (called the KVM) which allows reasonable, but not complete, access to the functionality of the underlying phone. This extra layer of software provides a solid barrier of protection which seeks to limit damage from erroneous or malicious software. It also allows Java software to move freely between different types of phone (and other mobile device) containing radically different electronic components, without modification. The price that is paid is a modest decrease in the potential speed of the game and the inability to utilise the entire functionality of a phone (as Java software can only do what this middle-man layer supports.)

Because of this extra security and compatibility, it is usually a quite simple process to write and distribute Java mobile applications, including games, to a wide range of phones. Usually all that is needed is a freely available Java Development Kit for creating Java software itself, the accompanying Java ME tools (known as the Java Wireless Toolkit) for packaging and testing mobile software, and space on a web server (web site) to host the resulting application once it is ready for public release.

Current limitations of mobile games

Mobile games tend to be small in scope and often rely on good gameplay over flashy graphics, due to the lack of processing power of the client devices. One major problem for developers and publishers of mobile games is describing a game in such detail that it gives the customer enough information to make a purchasing decision.

Currently, mobile games are sold through network carriers and operators portals, meaning there are only a few lines of text and perhaps a screenshot of the game to entice the customer. There is a reliance on powerful brands and licences such as Tomb Raider or Colin McRae, a racing game. There is also the use of well-known and established play patterns, meaning game play mechanics that are instantly recognizable in games like Tetris, Space Invaders or Poker. Both these strategies are used to entice mobile gamers to purchase games for a fee when a limited amount of additional information is provided by the wireless carrier, who typically acts as a third party hosting the game.

Recent innovations in mobile games include Single player, Multiplayer and 3D graphics. Virtual love games belong to both of single player and multiplayer games. Multiplayer games are quickly finding an audience, as players find the ability to play against other people, a natural extension of their mobile phone’s connectivity.

Mobile Application Development

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With the ever-growing popularity of cell phones, PDAs and smart phones, mobile application development has entered its golden age. With this boom in technology, a new outreach of Java emerged – Java 2 Platform, Micro Edition, or J2ME. J2ME provides a full-bodied, elastic environment for applications running on consumer devices, such as internet-ready smart phones and PDAs.

J2ME delivers the power and benefits of Java technology to consumer and embedded devices. J2ME includes great networked support, an ever-growing follower of programmers, and integrated applications that are as user-friendly as many desktop applications.

J2ME-based applications are able to take into account the specific characteristics of the devices they inhabit, making them capable of utilizing each device to its full potential. In summation, J2ME is the standard for mobile application development today – with a following of software vendors, consumers, programmers, and marketers.

Although programmers aren’t as common as they are for desktop applications, many firms offer great J2ME application development packages. Full-service companies like Red Fly Studios, of Ireland, offer J2ME services at competitive rates.

When coupled with a powerful operating system, J2ME can really begin to reach its full potential. Symbian has been a power-player in the mobile operating system game for some time. Symbian is a software licensing company. Established as a private company in June 1998, Symbian has been around the mobile application development game for some time. Symbian is headquartered in the United Kingdom, but employs over 1000 people in its worldwide offices.

To conclude, mobile application development focuses on two things – a programming language, and an environment for it to manifest itself in.

Sun’s Java outreach, J2ME, is a front-runner in the mobile application game. Symbian is the definitive operating system (environment) for mobile applications. When you’re looking for mobile application development, it’s important to consider these two factors and then find the development firm that suits your needs.