What’s New in the App Store? Mobile App Marketing and much more

Apple unleashes all new opportunities for iOS Apps marketing at the latest WWDC 2017 event. You can share your iOS app development story, create campaign for in-app features and much more.

As of January 2017, the store had 2.2 million iOS apps available for download. – Statista

With renewing its hardware/OS and launching some new ones on 5th June at San Francisco WWDC 17, Apple hasn’t forgotten these 2.2 million iOS apps. With the release of iOS 11, the App Store has been redesigned from the ground up to provide a beautiful place to showcase amazing apps and to help customers discover new favorites.

There’s more to the story. What’s that? Let’s find out.

Games and iOS Apps

Games are the top selling elements of the App store. There are over half a million games available in the app store. And luckily, these games are getting their own home. App store designed a dedicated home just for games.

• It will provide the users with recommendations and new releases.
• It will also provide updates, compelling videos and top charts.
• The games will be categorized under 24 different categories.
• The game developers would be able to leverage these categories to get featured.
• This will make the navigation easier for the users.

Not just the games but apps will have their own home too.

• Apps will also have its own tab from social media to photography apps and more.
• Apps will be divided into 24 categories like games to make the navigation easier.
• App store promises to provide updates, recommendations and videos for the apps too just like for games.

What’s Today?

Today – is where you can find the editorial stories from around the world. Apple has made it possible for the developers to share their iOS app development stories with them. After going through the editing, if the team finds your story appealing, congratulations, your iOS app will get featured. If not story, a developer quote can also be featured on Today.

Along with the stories there will be key mentions as ‘game of the day’ and ‘app of the day’. This can be your chance to market your iOS app aptly and reach a wider audience. Moreover, Today will feature exclusive premieres, new releases and a fresh look at all-time favorites, as well as recommended tips and how-to guides to help customers use apps in innovative ways.

So if you have a great story behind your iOS app development, share it with the Apple team.

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Hurdles in Large Scale Adoption of IoT Technology

As you all are aware Internet of Things or IoT lets you connect multiple devices within a network. All the connected device are either wireless transmitters or receivers of low-frequency energy. As a subset of internet it lets you connect two or more devices for data transmission and communication.

By operating with one smart device(usually smartphone), you could remotely control any other connected device. Often IoT app solution in smartphones and tablets are used for pairing with other devices.

Why organizations restrict themselves from adopting IoT technology

Despite, IoT led solutions depict a rosy picture, there are several roadblocks that pull away organizations from large scale adoption of IoT technology. Listed below are some of them.

• Once installed, mobile applications used for IoT technology are difficult to update. As the IoT led app solutions integrate multiple products, any alteration to the app is akin to change in the IoT device in itself.
• Any change to the IoT mobile app will require changes at the design level of the app. This means any change will have a rippling effect on the entire IoT network system.
• Developing complex IoT apps call for highly qualified and skilled software developers either in-house or outsourced. It means you need to set up a learning center to train and produce class engineers.
• As IoT technology constitutes many interconnected devices, any component upgradation needs to be reflected in multiple components. Often changes are incorporated in the mobile application, in remote cloud storage and in other IoT components plus subsystems.

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A Guide to Mobile App Development Process

You have a brilliant idea for developing mobile apps, now what? Many of the entrepreneurs are still not clear about the mobile app development process. The app development process should be clear enough before you opt to hire dedicated app developers for your idea.

In 2016, there were 2.6 million apps available on the Google play store, and 2.2 million mobile apps available in the Apple store.

The development of these millions of apps has gone through a lot of thinking and planning. It is important to understand the development process and strategize accordingly.

Few questions you need to be clear about before moving with app development process

The key step is that ‘flash of insight’, the idea. Once an entrepreneur has an idea we recommend they compile details by answering some of the following questions.

• What platform should the app be on:
• iOS (iPhone – iPad – iWatch)
• Android
• Cross platform
• Will it be static or will it have new content added on a regular basis?
• What key features would you like to have in your mobile app?
• Will it link to Social Media Platforms like Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and others?
• Does it require 2D or 3D animations?
• Does your mobile app need connections to backend databases?There are other important questions to be answered in order to get your app development process to be butter like. One of the essential factor to consider is budget. As you might suspect the more complex an app is the more it will cost to build.But apps offering more functionality also have the potential to offer higher returns. It’s important to have realistic budget goals when heading to product development.

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Applications and use cases of 5G for IoT solutions, AR and VR

4G LTE is already getting a hype. We can estimate that cellular operators will keep on developing this technology for next 3-4 years.  On the other hand, development of 5G is in talks. Moreover, estimation states that the year 2020 will mark as the rolling out of 5G technology.

The smartphone companies engaging in building phones that are 4G compatible. While, we expect 5G to be in the market soon, these manufacturers are now trying to embed the compatibility for 5G in the new generation of smartphones. There are several applications and industries that will be benefited by this technology including mobile broadband providers, ultra-reliable and low-latency communications; and massive machine-type communications providers.

Applications of 5G

Compared with the current 4G LTE technology, 5G is targeting to reach both High speed (1 Gbps) and low latency (1ms or less).

What drives the necessity of this emerging technology? The answer is ‘need for speed’ and ‘internet of things popularly know as IoT’. A generation has evolved demanding faster, higher-capacity networks that can deliver video and other content-rich services.

There are few of the applications that won’t be able to survive with the current LTE technology like industrial automation and utility services, vehicle-to-vehicle and vehicle-to-infrastructure transportation, home automation, AR/VR and many more. The rise of 5G is inevitable. It will be a heterogeneous technology that ensures the latency, throughput and capacity requirements. Moreover, network slicing would be the major feature of 5G technology.

By 2025, Huawei forecasts that there will be over 270 networks worldwide where there are local or regional areas with full 5G capability.

Mobile broadband

The broadband evolution has allowed the users to experience faster data speeds and lower latency. However, this has increased the demand of services and mobile applications that are data-heavy. Nevertheless, the transfer of the massive data by the user has revolutionized the ‘cloud’ technology. The speed and latency to transfer the data, however, still needs development. Many other data intensive applications both consumer-oriented and business to business are also on the verge of emerging. Moreover,  illustrations include virtual and augmented reality, 3D and ultra-HD video and haptic feedback applications.

Internet of Things

The wireless industry has significantly identified IoT-based solutions in the recent times. Vodafone’s project to develop a “Cellular IoT” (CIoT) open standard is one example. However, there are two types of IoT solutions and  applications that would revolutionize the 5G technology.]

• Massive machine-type communications

The attributes of  M-MTC type of applications are massive volume of connections, low cost devices for wireless sensor networks, connected home, smart metering, smart agriculture and many more. These type of application, however, would be feasible even through the 4G networking. But when it comes to huge number of connections with relatively efficient connectivity, we definitely would like to think beyond the existing technology.

• Task critical applications

This is mainly a machine-to-machine connection where high reliability and low latency are essential factors. Moreover, examples of such applications are connected cars, home automation and remote surgeries (healthcare).

How 5G will revolutionize way of communication.?

Smart Cities

Smart cities will have huge demand of data communication in multiple domains like public transportation, emergency services, water management, etc,.  However, integration of these data simulation with IT system leads to  better planning and real-time. This results in the automated responses to changing situations.

Smart City applications needs an integration with deep network sensors. Though, for effective data flow and communication through this sensor networks, it is necessary to have a ubiquitous connectivity through a network capable of supporting multiple data flows with varying performance requirements, as efficiently and reliably as possible.

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WWDC 2017: The Important Announcements

Apple made some huge announcements at WWDC 2017, San Francisco. The conference started with the keynote speakers announcing major Apple releases. Apple unveiled major updates like Homepod speakers, Machine Learning Framework, iOS 11, ARKit & many other updates which seem to be exciting for the iOS developer community and business for implementing on their existing products and solutions and also updated the audience with some new releases.

So, let’s see what were the major announcements of the event.

Apple’s HomePod Speaker

Amazon’s pioneering device, Echo, lets you play music, look up basic information and control your home accessories. Google’s Home has the ability to tie in to multiple Google accounts, so you can check your calendar for the day, set and manage reminders in Keep, and report traffic conditions on your commute using Maps data. Apple showed off HomePod on Monday, and it will be available in December. This will open new opportunities in the iOS app development industry.

Apple recently announced a product that is a 7-inch high speaker called the HomePod, fitted with an A8 chip that adjusts sound based on the shape and size of the room it’s on and respond to commands. It is fitted with Siri and has been designed to rival the Amazon Echo and Google Home speakers.

Apple also announced that it had prioritized the speaker’s sound, which can be lacking on rival devices. HomePod has an array of speakers to create virtual surround sound.

iOS 11 – Time to Update Your Mobile Application for new iOS

With the introduction of extensions, iOS 10 made a remarkable advancement. What’s next you ask? iOS 11 with more awesome features.

• Apple’s upcoming mobile software, iOS 11, includes a more helpful Siri.
• Peer-to-peer (P2P) payments within iMessage. This will enhance the use of iMessage extension for your iOS app development.
• A control center that assembles all functions at one place.
• iMessage will now synchronize messages across devices, so deleting a message in one app will delete it across all devices. It will also feature a new toolbar for emoji and stickers within iMessage.
• Multitasking made easy with this iOS 11.
• The Photos app in iOS 11 can create collages of pictures and videos called ‘Memories’ that can spot key moments such as anniversaries or birthdays.
• Apple has also introduced a feature that knows when users are driving and triggers a new “Do Not Disturb While Driving” mode.

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3D Touch – A feature that makes the iOS app development even more user-friendly

3D touch is a more sensitive version of the forced touch which is a pressure sensitive multi-touch technology which is designed to add another method of input to Apple’s devices. With the launch of iPhone 6s and iPhone 7, Apple is taking the Force Touch technology altogether to a new level. It uses the capacitive sensors integrated into the display of the mobile phones. iOS app development got enhanced with the introduction of 3D touch feature.

Talking about the force touch technology, it is a pressure sensitive technology exclusively available on Apple Watches, which later arrived on  Retina MacBook, MacBook Pro, Magic Trackpad 2, and iPhone models like iPhone 6S, and iPhone 7. On the basis of different levels of forces applied to the device, trackpads and touchscreens can be able to distinguish the Force touch.

Why can 3D Touch feature be helpful to your iOS app development strategy?

One of the most convenient features that 3D touch brings to iPhone users is access to shortcuts from the home screen. This allows your users to leverage the features of your iOS apps without really getting into the app. This one benefit of the 3D touch feature will increase the usage and the functionality of the app as it would make the iOS app more user- friendly.

With the Peek feature, holding your finger down opens a popup window which reveals additional content within the app. This feature can be that bonus you give to your audience which will enhance your iOS app usability.

3D touch opens up some new possibilities. Yes, it’s started with secondary menu kind of functionality, but it can evolve much further. Hire dedicated iOS developers to leverage this unique 3D feature for your iOS app.

How Does 3D Touch Work?

In terms of functionality, iOS app development with 3D Touch is really very smart. If one wants to take a selfie, you don’t need to launch the Camera app. Simply light press on the Camera app, and you will get the option to Take Selfie right on your Homescreen.

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A mobile app to track body motion using beacon tracking device

Beacon has made its way to being a technology that will prove to be a support to most of the industry verticals. It is a proximity transmission device that notifies the users about its existence. Also, beacon has helped over 600 organizations in 42 states and 5 countries market smarter through the collision of creative ideas and powerful web technology.  Nowadays, beacon tracking is also a trending technological enhancement.

Beacons are used for various activities like mobile proximity marketing, indoor mapping, mobile tour guides, tracking and business intelligence and much more. The most recent usage of a beacon is seen in tracking the body motion. With a simple app and beacon adoption, you can track a body in motion. Moreover, this proximity based solution not only is a source for real-time marketing but also real-time motion tracking.

Sports biomechanics and body motion tracking

Sports biomechanics, as explained by Wikipedia, is physics for sports. It is a quantitative analysis of an athlete’s or sports’ activities. It also involves the analysis of kinematics and kinetics (motion, time, velocity, position and speed).

One of the famous examples of biomechanic analysis is the one we saw in the Tom Cruise starrer, a Motion Pictures movie, Mission Impossible: Rogue Nation. The very noticeable and breath-holding scene where Benji (Simon Pegg) has to walk through a security check where his movements will be analyzed in-order to grant further access. This was all a part of the scene where Ethan Hunt dives into the tunnel to change the data underwater.

The body motion tracking includes tracking of gait, position, kinetics, speed and relevancy of motion. Motion tracking using beacon tracking device is becoming popular nowadays for monitoring the athlete’s activities.

Beacon tracking device for training your team

It is important to understand certain angles in certain sports. Other factors, moreover, that drive the sportsman’s performance are speed, timing, force and more. It would really be an enticing advancement if the coach could guide the athletes with accurate measurements. And to capture these measurements, we have a beacon tracking device along with an app.

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Elements of Design Thinking for Enterprise Mobile App Development

By now, every tech savvy individual would have known the impact of mobile app development, either from a user point of view or a vendor’s. While thinking of any successful app developed, there is one thing we would find it hard to imagine is design thinking. The fact states that approximately 77% of the design element is required to make an app a real success considering all the other technical areas are performed properly.

Why Design Thinking is core to Mobile App Development?

The best IT companies know the importance of keeping the UI/ UX at forefront. Delivering a strong mobile user experience is absolutely critical to application design. The appearance of a mobile application is important but design thinking is much more than that. It is important to understand the empathy factor with the users. Ideo, a global design agency, defines Design Thinking as a human-centered approach to innovation that draws from the designer’s toolkit to integrate the needs of people, the possibilities of technology and the requirements for business success.

Building a better Mobile User Experience

Now that we have seen in a nutshell why the design thinking is important, the IT professionals also should think about bridging the gaps between the enterprises and end users with it. One of the most attractive element in User Experience is when a user feels that the icon is real. It should tell the story behind the shadows. It is also how developers, designers or IT professionals should think while building enterprise mobile apps. They should actively work with users to understand their needs. Design thinking focuses on this element by developing deep empathy for the users and create solutions that address their needs.

Understand your Users

User research is the primary factor behind the success of your mobile app development project for any enterprise. For any enterprise, it is impossible to provide services in the most effective way without any knowledge of user’s actual needs. The quicker you understand, the better quality you can deliver to your users. There are no predefined set of rules to follow when it comes to design thinking.

User research helps to gain deep insights into consumer behaviour while adjusting for unique elements of your product and user. There is always a chance during user research that your design thinking may change quickly, yet the goal remains the same. However, this requires an adaptability to change the designs if required in order to increase the chances of your app to be a successful one.

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Go Global with IoT based solutions – Smart SIMs

IoT is amending almost every physical object that is surrounded by us in an ecosystem of connected things. From home to parking spaces, IoT based solutions are connecting more and more everyday things, simplifying our lives, saving us time and money.

A survey from Analyst firm IHS forecasts that IoT market will from an  installed base of 15.4 billion devices in 2015 to 30.7 billion devices in 2020 and 75.4 billion in 2025.

Though smart homes, parking, plants, smart driving have gained a lot of media attention, now the growth drivers behind these statistics is expected to come from the business models based on M2M (Machine-to-Machine) IoT. IoT ecosystem has got a significant boost when the GSMA announced about its embedded SIM specification. It allows remote, over-the-air provisioning of machine-to-machine (M2M) devices, enabling mobile networks, with more robust SLAs to become networks for IoT delivery – cellular IoT.

The main aim of IoT based solutions is to gather data remotely from the physical devices. The range of applications for smart SIM cards spans the entire physical world. Any physical device that needs attention and study can be easily tracked with the Smart SIM card. Let’s go through some common uses of IoT Smart SIMs.

1. Smart IoT SIMs and GPS

One of the most common uses of SIM cards in IoT is for tracking objects, people, and pets using GPS. Knowing the physical location is vital for both commercial and personal purposes.

Let’s take for an instance, businesses that regularly accept shipments across state or country can use products that are embedded with the Smart IoT SIMs to keep a track on the location of their goods and shipments.

Moreover, IoT SIMs can also be useful for finding lost pets, tracking children,  items like bicycles or a kid’s backpack, or even family members having any diseases like Alzheimer.

2. Payment processing with Smart SIMs

Smart SIM cards help businesses to process credit cards with wireless Point-of-Sale (POS) systems. This makes an ease for the people in both brick-and-mortar locations and open markets. Moreover, it lowers the upfront costs for the retailers while establishing secure connectivity to banking and credit card institutions.

IoT connected card readers, however,  are separate machines that make use of Smart SIMs, for rapid processing demand along with highest customer confidence.

3. Resource Management with Smart SIMs

Smart SIM cards when integrated with meters helps to manage the resources with systems. Municipalities and utility companies are able to track water wastage and water with the Smart SIMs. This leverages the water managers to keep track the miles of distant pipes. Moreover, it also helps them to make sure there are no blockages that could lead to flooding or unsafe work conditions. These IoT based solutions can also help communities conserve water during droughts.

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