We use them all the time without a second thought. And yet, if one were to stop and think about how that easy-to-use app came to be, it might actually strike one as not so easy, after all.
There’s a lot that goes into developing a mobile app, from when a developer recognises a need that an app can meet right up to when someone who is looking for a convenient way to meet that need downloads and uses it.
Let’s take a quick look at the types of mobile applications as well as the steps involved in the process of developing on-demand mobile apps, in particular. We’ll also take a look at the effects of the pandemic on the app development market, and current app development trends, as well.
Different Apps for Different Devices
While developing apps for mobile is very similar to app development for the web, what sets apart mobile app development is how it has to be device-specific. That means developing the same app twice, for instance, if it was meant to be used on both an iPhone and a phone running Android.
These device-specific mobile applications are called native apps and are developed with a device’s unique features in mind. iPhones, for instance, have an accelerometer, which some apps use.
Some mobile apps, on the other hand, use universal coding languages for web applications like HTML5. These “web apps” look like native apps, and users feel like they’re using an app designed specifically for their device even if they’re using it on a browser.
And then there are apps that use both device-specific and web-based code, called hybrid apps. These are developed using HTML and run on browsers, but are downloaded via App Store or Google Play and use device-specific features.
Other types of mobile app include those that are classified according to whether or not they need support from other apps. Simple standalone apps like alarm clocks or voice recorders work just fine on their own while hardware-dependent apps like Facebook need support from the device’s camera (regardless of device type).
Finally, on-demand apps are those that meet a specific need, such as apps for delivery or e-commerce, ride-hailing apps or health-tracking apps. These are the apps that usually cost the most to develop, particularly when the services of a high-end app development company are engaged.
On-demand app categories include games, business, education, lifestyle, entertainment, utilities, travel, book, health & fitness, and food & drink, of which Statista says games is the most popular category.
How On-Demand Apps are Made
The on-demand app development process may be broadly described as beginning with an ideation stage, which includes concept validation and market research. The need that the app fulfils and the objectives to be reached have to be determined, as well as its user base.
This, in turn, involves getting to know which mobile devices are going to be used and what features users are going to be looking for. Potential competitors are also identified at this stage, as are funding options for covering app development costs.
Then comes the prototyping stage, which involves making a mock-up of the app and figuring out the app’s level of complexity. Only when functionality is worked out can the design or aesthetics of the app be considered.
Marketing tactics for the app may also be considered at this stage because it gives developers a chance to get feedback from the app’s target users. A common tactic for gathering feedback is building a landing page for the app, which also gives developers a way to collect email addresses for reaching potential app users once the app has been made available.
Then comes the actual app development stage, which includes front-end and back-end development, with the former encompassing design and navigation and the latter focusing mainly on data storage. Both front- and back-end are then integrated.
Finally, the app publication stage is when the newly completed and tested app is launched, usually in the App Store or on Google Play. Note that the mobile app development process doesn’t end here, as further feedback needs to be collected so that further improvements can be made on the app. Newer or updated versions of the app can then be made later on.
Mobile App Development Trends
Having boomed in 2019, mobile app market growth skyrocketed the following year due to the pandemic, which in turn has spurred a rise in the demand for app development services. Competition in the app development market has become even more heated as the business opportunities in this space continue to diversify, with statistics from mobile app development company Buildfire suggesting that growth isn’t about to slow any time soon.
- There are 3.2 billion smartphone users and 1.14 billion tablet users worldwide
- 88% of mobile time is spent on apps
- Google Play has 2.87 million apps while App Store offers 1.96 million apps
- Mobile apps are expected to generate more than USD935 billion in revenue by 2023
Business Wire notes how the proliferation of low-cost smartphones in emerging markets such as China and India is also an app-development market driver.
Business2Community likewise notes how the Internet of Things or IoT is likely to continue to influence mobile app development, as seamless data sharing between mobile and smart devices is increasingly becoming the norm. More hybrid apps are therefore likely to be produced because of their ability to work on different devices.
Open source app development tools such as Buildfire, Apache Cordova, PhoneGap, Ionic Framework, Framework7, NativeScript, Flutter and Jasonette will continue to be made available, making it even easier for more mobile apps to be created.
In the meantime, as the effects of the pandemic continue to be felt, Business of Apps points out how video conferencing, delivery, remote education and media streaming mobile apps will continue to be on the forefront of app development.
To enable aspiring developers, startup founders and professionals with coding experience to ride the wave of mobile app development trends, SMU Academy offers the Advanced Diploma in Web and Mobile Application Development programme.
Also open to those with no design or programming experience or background, the programme equips participants for meeting the changing demands of app development.
Participants will have to complete modules for both web and mobile app development covering user interface and experience, front- and back-end development, and the use of frameworks and tools in order. They will be introduced to JavaScript, HTML, CSS, learn to design and prototype user interfaces; and work on a capstone project in web and mobile app development.
Instructors for this programme include key management from technology and education company Tinkeracademy, as well as software and network engineers, consultants, educators, and highly trained and experienced app development experts.
Find out more about this advanced diploma programme and know how you can become a successful, game-changing mobile app developer, today.
