Why Do Developers Say it’s Easier to make iOS Apps over Android Apps?

If you’ve noticed, developers often make and release apps for the iOS platform before the Android platform. Have you ever wondered why Apple users get all the apps before Android users do? There are a multitude of reasons for it, though the most important one is that it’s simply harder to make apps for the latter. 

You have to write more code 

Android apps are coded in Java, while Android apps use Swift. On an average, you have to write at least 40% more code to include a feature in your Android app. 

The Integrated Developer Environment difference
 
With iOS apps, you are supposed to use the Xcode IDE, while Android developers use the Android Studio. The Apple developer environment is much easier to use, and it provides developers a lot of libraries and classes. If you’re experienced enough, you can have a working app up and running within the day. For Android, though, developers have to do a lot more work. Also, Android emulators are very slow, so it takes longer for developers to test their code. 

Mobile app development malaysia

The operating system problem
 
Most Android users use out-of-date operating systems: research suggests Lollipop is only used by about 12% of all users. Because platform users are so hesitant about upgrading to a newer OS, developers have to make the app compatible with several difference versions at once. 

The fragmentation factor
 
Android devices come in all shapes and sizes, and there are always major differences in the hardware they’re running on. Some phones have dual core processors, for example, while others have octa core processors. There also tend to be vast differences in screen sizes. Apple’s devices, on the other hand, are uniform when it comes to hardware and screen sizes. It’s much easier for developers to make apps for them.
 
As you can see, building an app for Android is a pretty complicated task. It is difficult to find good developers for the platform. Putting in the time and effort necessary to get an Android app is worth it, though: it has a market share of over 70 percent, after all.

Pros and Cons of Wearable Tech You Should Know

Wearable technology has been making waves globally since Apple introduced its first generation Apple Watch in 2015. While there were several wearable devices introduced in the market before the Apple Watch (like Fitbit HR), the device has become a global phenomenon and remains the most popular piece of wearable technology in the market.  

Mobile app development

Many people and organizations worldwide are on the fence about purchasing wearable technology, though. If you are planning to purchase some wearable tech in the future, here are some interesting facts we thought you should know:

Pros
 
1. Hands-free access to information: Wearable tech devices are designed to give you access to information without the constant need to tap buttons like you do with your smartphone. You can get access to information – like message notifications or a review about the place you are visiting – automatically or with a gesture. 

2. Healthcare Benefits: Wearable technology is being adopted by healthcare providers worldwide to make it easier to diagnose and treat diseases, as well as to help users keep track of their health needs.
3. They look good: Some wearables devices make a great fashion statement and can complement your regular casual or business look. 

Cons
 
1. Radiation and health care: While wearables can help you keep track of your health, some of them may emit heat and radiation that may hurt your body with prolonged use. 

2. They are harder to use because they are small: It’s harder to make accurate taps on or read content on the tiny screens most wearable devices have. Some are also positioned awkwardly, which makes it hard for them to be used conveniently. 

3. Low battery life at the moment: Wearable devices tend to have a short battery life. Manufacturers are doing their best to address this problem though by introducing solar panels for solar charging, or movement-based charging.  

As wearable technology advances, we expect the cons listed here to become irrelevant at some point in the future. Wearable technology is clearly here to stay – and, if you’re an entrepreneur or health care service provider, this is perhaps the best time to enter the market with a wearable product or an app. Consult Openwave to know more!

Keep Your Audience in Mind While Developing your Mobile App

App downloads are expected to double over the next four years, according to expert estimates. Apple reported recently that over 160 billion apps have been downloaded from its store till date – so you can see that a staggering number of apps will be downloaded over the next few years. 

If you're planning on building a new app, it's vital for you to keep your audience in mind during the deployment stage to maximise your app's chances of success. 
 
Here are some pointers that can help during the development and marketing process:

Who’s going to find your app most useful?

Are kids going to be using your app, or is it meant to be an in-house communication app for your company? Your website should be geared to the preferences of your target audience. Smartphone users tend to be a picky bunch, in general – they use innovative apps designed by some of the top developers in the world on a regular basis and expect new apps to be on that level. 

Have you tested it out in a real world environment? 
 
An app that has slow loading times or isn’t optimised for some devices is sure to fail. You need to carry out extensive testing in a real world environment to ensure your app runs well without lagging and doesn’t have any major bugs. 

Companies often rush through the development process without bothering to test their product. There is nothing more annoying to an experienced smartphone user than an unfinished or unpolished product. 

Mobile app development

Pay attention to user opinion about your app and act immediately 
 
The reviews your app garners will play a significant role in its popularity. If your app has a five-star review, users are four times more likely to download it than if it had a three-star one. Paying attention to user complaints and addressing them immediately without wasting any time can help make your app popular overnight.
 
Hiring an experienced app development team will also help a lot. If your development team has launched successful apps before, their experience will come in very handy when you launch your app. 

Here’s what you should keep in Mind While Building your Mobile App

App downloads on the Apple’s store crossed the 160 billion mark recently, and we’re likely to see a two hundred percent increase in app downloads over the next four years. Clearly, mobile apps are very popular at the moment and are only going to get more so. As a startup, this is the perfect time to make a mobile app for your business and take advantage of the mobile phenomenon.

To help make the process easier, here are some factors you should keep in mind while building your mobile app:

Do you know what your app is going to do?

Can you answer this question? If you’re taking too long to answer it, chances are you need to take a closer look at why you’re building a mobile app. Apps are supposed to provide a useful or unique service to customers and make life easier for them. Keep a clear goal in mind before starting work on it.

Adapt it to different screen sizes

You need to remember that people will use apps on smartphones as well as tablets, with big differences in screen sizes. Your app has to be accessible and look good on a variety of screen sizes. Also, communication apps tend to work better on smartphones and shopping apps on tablets.

Mobile app development

Do your developers know what they are doing?

If you’ve hired a development team, make sure they have experience in building apps. Some people hire developers who have experience building apps on Android but not iOS and ask them to build iOS apps, which sometimes end badly.

Use analytics tools to modify your app

You need to use analytics tools to find out how customers are using your app and make changes to it accordingly.

Promote your app as much as possible

Making an app is only the first step of the process – people need to know your app exists if you want them to download it. You need to spend some serious time promoting and marketing your app.

There are some app builders you can use for creating your app. However, it won’t be as polished compared to getting professional developers in Malaysia to do it for you.

Top Ways to Use Mobile App Marketing for Social Media

The effort that you put into marketing your app is just as important as the effort you put into designing it. Nobody is going to use your app - no matter how good it is - if they don’t know it exists, after all. 

Social media is a great marketing platform for app developers, being cheap, global and instant. It is a great way to put your app out there, get user feedback for your app, and to drive up demand and retention rates.
 
What can you do with social media? 
 
Social media is a great tool for marketing, even if you have no marketing experience. You can use human connection elements to build a relationship with your customers and get them to see you as a person selling a product, and not just a product.
 
Apart from building a relationship with your customers, you should also use social media to provide useful information about your app. Write or hire someone to create content for you, including blogs, infographics, videos, and articles. 

Mobile app development Malaysia

 
Here are the top social media platforms and how to get the most out of them:

Twitter

The maximum post length on Twitter is 140 characters, so your posts on Twitter have to be concise and to the point. If possible, leave space for re-tweeting, which will enable users to share your posts with their friends.  Twitter is mainly used by mobile users, so it’s perfect for app developers.  

Facebook
 
Facebook can be very effective if you’re willing to pay for ads, as the platform allows you to target users most likely to try out or buy your app. It takes less than 5 minutes to design an ad, too. Apart from paid ads, Facebook will let you post photos, videos, and informative content. 

Instagram
 
A picture is worth a thousand words, so they say. Instagram is a great tool for visual marketing- use photos to tell your story.
 
There are over 3 million apps on the Google Play Store at the moment, in direct competition with your app. Only a minor percentage of these apps make any money. If you’re struggling with getting users for your app, it might be worthwhile to consult professional developers in Malaysia from Openwave.

Reasons to Reconsider Your Stance of Not Being Mobile App Friendly

When people began to prefer browsing on their smartphones over their PCs, with some even spending more time on their phones compared to their TVS, companies began rolling out apps in an attempt to take advantage of this trend. Not many companies succeeded, though. That wasn’t surprising, seeing as we’re still in the nascent stage of mobile technology.

Some business owners are content with having just a website to promote their business – they don’t bother with mobile apps. If you’re one of these business owners, here are some reasons to reconsider your stance on not being mobile app friendly:

Do you think your app is just another version of your website?

Some business owners mistakenly think apps are just supposed to be a smaller, miniature version of their websites. However, customers who choose to download an app for a business choose to do so because they expect something more from it than what your website can provide – a convenient and simple way to access your most popular services. To put things simply, customers often use websites to browse for information and apps to opt for popular services.

Mobile app development

Do you think you’re safe because your website is responsive?

Are you one of those people who think having a responsive website is all it takes to be “mobile friendly”? A responsive website may help you attract customers, but apps are what will help you keep them. Apps add a touch of personalization that your responsive website never could.

Failing once doesn’t mean you should just give up

When the mobile app revolution started out, many business apps failed, simply because businesses and app developers had no idea of what they were doing or what customers wanted. We’ve come a long way from those early days, though. If you built an app before and it didn’t take off, you might want to give it another shot.

There are a large number of resources available online – many of them free – that let you build, maintain, and update a mobile app smoothly. Some mobile app developers also help you build an app from the ground up and provide post-deployment services at an affordable price. Get in touch with expert developers in Malaysia today!

Why Your Restaurant Business Needs a Mobile App to Flourish

Many people now spend more time on their smartphones as compared to their TVs or PCs. With smartphone sales headed through the roof – with more than 2 billion people expected to own one by 2019 – a large number of brick-and-mortar businesses are scrambling to put their businesses online through websites and apps.

 If you own a restaurant business and are on the fence about getting an app, here are some ways your restaurant would benefit from an app:

Your app will put your restaurant out there
 
Most people these days check a restaurant’s menu as well as reputation online before venturing there. Potential customers will be able to learn more about your restaurant through your app. Any glowing reviews visiting customers leave behind will influence customers positively – it’s a proven fact that customers are more likely to pay attention to other customers and their opinions instead of anything you claim about your restaurant. 

Mobile app development

 
Build customer loyalty through your app
 
Customers are more likely to visit your restaurant if you give them regular freebies or discounts on your food items. A loyalty program for returning customers – managed through your app – will help improve customer engagement and build loyalty towards your establishment. 

An app makes billing and reservations easy
 
A well-designed restaurant app gives customers access to several innovative features, including ordering on their smartphone screens and the instant generation of a bill. It’s hard to keep track of several tables and their unique orders during peak hours – an app can automate the entire process. Customers can also make reservations on their apps before visiting your restaurant for guaranteed seating. 

Your customers can order food online with a few taps 
 
Your customers will be able to order their favorite dishes from your menu with a few taps if you offer home delivery. You can also let them store their order history for when they order next time to make it faster. 
 
Are you planning on building a mobile app for your restaurant business? You can use several freely available tools to make a multi-platform app in quick time. The better alternative it to hire the services of professional developers in Malaysia to do it for you, as this may be a worthwhile investment in the long run.

Quick Fixes for Making your Website Mobile Friendly

These days, more than 50 percent of all browsing is done on a smartphone as compared to a PC, a laptop or other internet ready devices. Google has taken note of this trend and is planning on ranking down websites without mobile friendly content on their search engine listings since 10th Jan 2017. If your website isn’t mobile ready yet, it’s time you work on it or risk losing on a lot of visitors.

You don’t need to be a web developer or expert programmer to get your website mobile ready. Here’s our brief guide to help you get your website mobile ready in some simple steps:

Write Catchy Headlines

Large headlines tend to look bad on mobile screens. You need to write short but catchy headlines to give your visitors an idea of what your content or website stands for.

Don’t Use Popups

We’ve all been there, browsing our favorite content on our cellphones only to have a giant popup block it. We recommend that you avoid using popups. Full-screen popups contribute heavily to bounce rates.

Mobile friendly website

 Make Sure Your Content is Engaging

It’s not enough to have a good-looking website – your content has to be engaging too. Write short, precise sentences and make small paragraphs that look good on smartphones. Avoid being too wordy. Mobile browsers usually have short attention spans. Try to separate your content by interesting subheadings wherever possible.

Optimize Your Videos and Images

 Slow loading times contribute heavily to bounce rates and the pictures or animations on your website are often the culprits. Optimize your videos and images to get them loaded quicker on your website.

Check if you are Mobile Ready

Finally, use MobileTest.me to see if you’re mobile ready. It lets you browse your website on some virtual smartphone models. You can iron out kinks, if any, at this stage.
 
If you’re still struggling to get your website mobile ready, there are many experienced developers Malaysia out there who can help you out at an affordable rate. You may also look into getting an app built for your website – everyone is doing it these days, and it’s almost a given that the best websites also have mobile apps.

5 Ways in Which a Mobile App Can Help a Restaurant Business Grow

Restaurant owners often have to deal with fluctuating customer attendance, especially during holidays or the weekends. Sometimes customer numbers can be very high, outnumbering staff members and making it very hard for the servers to keep up with orders. 

Mobile technology can help in such cases. Not only is it easy to implement, but it also provides a range of advantages like streamlined service and reduced waiting time for both customers and restaurant staff.
 

Almost everyone carries a smartphone these days. In fact, over by the year 2020, over 6 billion smartphones are expected to be active in the world. Here are 5 ways why getting a mobile app developed for a restaurant is good for business:

1)    Reservations at the touch of a button:

Instead of calling ahead, customers can instead use the restaurant app to check for places and reserve places accordingly.
 

2)    Automated advertising to lure more customers:

It was typical for restaurant flyers and coupons to make their way to a potential client’s mailbox. These days, a significant amount of this promotion is carried out through apps and online social media instead. It is convenient for customers and cost-effective for restaurants. 

Mobile app for Restaurant

3)    Convenient billing options for fast service:

Restaurant Billing is a very complex process, as commonly there are at least a dozen tables occupied at one time by a moderately popular restaurant and each table places a unique order. Last minute additions to a bill are also very common. A restaurant app takes out a lot of the hassle involved in billing by making the process semi-automated. It can also calculate a tip to make things even easier for customers.
 

4)    Ramp up online orders and home delivery:

Customers can place orders for their favorite foods through their smartphones, remotely and conveniently.
 

5)    Drive business growth:

A well-designed restaurant mobileapp made by a competent developer can give a significant edge to any restaurant business. A restaurant app not only helps with the running of a restaurant business, but it can also be utilized for promotion and distribution of a product. Apart from that, it is a good way for a typical restaurant business to keep a tab on its competitors.

Start writing your restaurant’s success story today with a mobile app!

What Works The Best For Enterprise Apps? – Native Vs. Cross-Platform

As mobile technology advances and consumer behavior depicts increased smartphone usage, businesses around the world are placing immense importance on adopting an active mobile-first strategy and building a mobile app. However, the challenges that arise with enterprise app development have confounded business owners for a while. One among them is the choice of development platform for app development. The native vs. hybrid debate has been on for a while, spawning countless arguments amidst developers and enterprise owners.

 

Here we’ll break it down to the bare essentials and help you choose the right platform for business app development:

What Do Enterprises Need?

Before developing and launching a mobile app, ask yourself the following questions

• Do you need an app that solves a common problem your business faces and improves productivity?
• Do you need an app that delivers high-performance?
• Do you need an app that has excellent built-in functionality?
• Do you need an app that benefits the end-user?
• Do you need an app that provides offline experience?

If your answer is YES to all these questions, your enterprise needs can be easily met with a native app instead of a cross-platform app, here’s how:

1) Provides Unmatched User Experience

When it comes to speed and reliability, nothing can beat native apps. Unlike cross-platform apps, customer-required data is present on the phone instead of external servers.

2) App-Specific Development Possible

The biggest drawback of using cross-platform apps to power your enterprise app is that it could only provide a generic UI and UX. Native apps are designed with gestures and navigation that platform-specific users are more accustomed to, which in turn, leads to better user experience.

3) Enhanced Versatility

Since native apps make use of the device’s native language, it provides limitless versatility and allows easy inclusion of animations, graphics, etc. without compromising on performance.

4) Full Use Of Native Device Hardware

A native app can enable you to exploit a particular Smartphone’s built-in functionality to your advantage. For instance, iPhones come equipped with a fingerprint scanner that you can use, which is not the case with a majority of Android-powered devices. This allows easy incorporation of hardware-related features like gestures, geolocation tagging, multitouch functions, etc.

5) Easy Upgrades And Maintenance

With OS version updates, the native app can be easily updated, unlike cross-platform apps which require a revamp of the entire code to fit the latest upgrade.

Native apps provide tremendous benefits over cross-platform apps when it comes to enterprise app development. Get the help of expert native app developers and employ a successful mobile-first strategy today!