Monday, 23 February 2015

Tips and Tricks for Using HTML5 for Your Mobile Development

Developing mobile apps is no more a trend. Rather the business owners are now being compelled to create mobile apps. In this regard, HTML5 is a significant technology that offers a comprehensive solution. It has become one of the most popular markup language which is undoubtedly packed with enhanced technical advancements as compared to other development tools. HTML5 is especially helpful when the developers are looking for a faster outcome. Additionally, it is also necessary that the tool is user friendly as well as cost effective. Both this features are a part of the fifth version of the HTML technology.

There are certain tricks that can further help the app developers to ensure that the development process is fast and productive –


HTML5 web development, HTML5 development services, Hire HTML5 DeveloperChoose an apt UI framework: The UI framework that you are choosing should be suitable for your needs. A new HTML UI framework is released almost every day. Each framework offers a somewhat different combination when it comes to controls. However, the trick here is to opt for the framework that allows you to develop a list of controls that you are looking for. There are demo pages for most of them. As a result, the developers can check them out prior to commencing with the development. This process will also enable the developers to get a feel about the performance of the app.

Reusable Data: The primary aim of using HTML5 is that it makes the use of codes redundant. Therefore, codes once written can be used for about 90% – 95% throughout all platforms. Moreover, there is no need of any specialization as far as the developers are concerned since they are already accustomed with similar type of web development.

Decide on the features to be included: In regards to the features that are used to develop HTML5 apps, you must be aware of the features that have to be included. This is required to ensure that the same features are included during the development process. Depending on the device, the app resolution can be changed too. Additionally, notification management and bluetooth access could be managed as well with the help of HTML5 development. Native methods are applied to remove any gap that can arise during the development process. This will lead to a creation of a cheaper and smarter way to include mobile apps across all platforms.

Codes must be well structured: The trick is to present well structured codes. These are instrumental in reaching out to the server in fastest possible way. Whenever the time to call the server increases the app performance falls dramatically. This affects the SEO rankings of your website as well. Hence, it is necessary to provide the code in the app in an organized manner. It ensures a better user experience.

Maintain a single sheet for CSS: This is another trick that can accelerate your development process. Maintain a single CSS sheet instead of one style sheet paper. Handling numerous pages while developing a website is quite cumbersome. Instead of creating style sheets repeatedly, it is better to strategize how you want the project to look like across various screen sizes. Planning out about how the data would be flowing from one screen to another will be helpful as well.

Consider the upper limit: When you are building a mobile app it is necessary to take the upper limit into consideration. Under this circumstances, you will be able to design the variables. The latter leads to the changing of values. Hence, it is necessary to mention the type of variable.

Make the apps looks like native ones: The developers make an extra effort to make the mobile apps appear like the native ones. One of the first tips that can work in this regard is by hiding the address bar in the mobile application. The tag can be utilized to run it at full screen mode. The users, however, will be able to access the address bar although it remains hidden from the view. jQuery Mobile can execute this automatically.

AddToHome JS library from Cubiq is a good option for iOS app developers. This add on will demonstrate instructions to the users. The app can be added to the iOS home screen. This enables the app to have its own icon.

HTML5 development is a perfect tool to target a market that is already witnessing a boost. The above mentioned tips and tricks will only help in delivering better solutions to meet the rising demands. To get maximum benefits of HTML5, you may consider hiring services of a custom
HTML5 web development company.

We provide
HTML5 development services. To hire HTML5 Developer from us, please reach out to us at Mindfire Solutions.

Thursday, 18 December 2014

Making Developers Aware of iOS 8 Features

iPhone development company, iPhone development services, hire iPhone developer IndiaThe latest version of Apple’s mobile operating system is now available in the market and showcases numerous improvements from notifications to the Touch ID sensor. It has many additions as well as improvements to its credit, like the introduction of the new programming language called Swift, integration of information related to health as well as smart home gadgets.

Developers already had their access to iOS 8 since June so that they get the option to make them able to explore the features, understand the changes and subsequently test the apps. The iOS 8 provides the developers with the scope of working on an adaptive user interface with APIs characterized by context sensitivity, extended functionality, a totally new programming language and many more.

The iOS 8 has over 4000 new APIs that have resulted in making the apps bolder and more responsive. These features are listed below:

Adaptive User Interface: The introduction of Auto Layout has compelled developers to think differently about user interfaces. Previously the developers had to keep in mind the different ways the users may come across the apps specifically the landscape and the portrait meaning the horizontal as well as the vertical views. Adoption of Auto Layout has been successful in getting rid of this particular issue. It is a tool that helps in simplifying the process involved in fitting the apps to screens in the developer suite of Apple named Xcode.

Home Kit Framework: This feature connects all devices in a certain location and is used for discovering devices at home, configuring along with providing them with necessary commands with respect to the user’s requirements. The latest version also provides for grouping of the actions on the basis of selected zones which can further be triggered with the help of Siri. The basic zones that have the provision of configuration through the framework are Rooms, Homes, Accessories, Services and Zones (upstairs or downstairs).

PhotoUI.framework: With the help of the Photo kit framework, the developer or rather the user gets the option of editing photos directly in the camera roll app without importing those as it was in the earlier versions. The photo kit feature incorporates a thread safe element to fetch, catch thumbnails and assets of full size. The framework requests changes to the assets, receives notification on the changes that are made by other apps along with the conversion of the digital assets in a lucid and easy to use format.

Health Kit framework: It is a relatively new feature that provides a framework to the user for the complete management of the information related to the health of the individual. This feature has made the sharing of health related information easier for the different apps irrespective of the source of the same as to if it is coming from devices connected to an iOS device or being manually entered by the user. The information of the user’s health is then stored in a secure and centralized location letting the user see all of the same displayed through the Health app.

Cloud Kit Framework: This feature is related to managing the content that has the provision of being changed in specific instances when the app has to run on several devices. It thereby allows the developer or the user to design the apps in such a way so as to gain control over handling the data. The iCloud storage are of four types namely, key value storage, iCloud document storage, Core Data storage and Cloud Kit storage.

App Extension: A great feature of the iOS 8, App Extension enables the user to make changes and modify the architecture of the system in a systematic way like handling the customization of the notification bar, addition of filters to the photo library amongst many others.

Handoff Mechanism: This unique mechanism helps the user to start an activity on a particular device and then resume the same without any further complication on another device. It is a great feature of the iOS 8 that offers the user the comfort of continuing a process or an activity on different devices without undergoing the pain of shuffling them again and again.

Local Authentication Framework: This framework named as the TouchID adds an extra cover of security to the apps that can use the feature for the purpose of authenticating a user prior to accessing of the complete or some of the content that may be stored in the app. It asks for a pass code the moment a user tries to get access to a particular app.

Notifications in the 8th version of the iOS are easily accessible, Siri is a lot more user friendly and responsive. It also enables the use of the TouchID by third party apps, navigation of mails have been made easier by a single swipe. With the latest version, the keyboard has become smarter, photos and camera have become more advanced, the Health kit feature results in unification of medical information while Home kit provides for a smarter and master control of the home. The totally revamped version has allowed for the group functioning of the messages, the continuity feature acts a bridge to link Macs and Mobiles along with advanced family sharing options that lets the members of a family spread media files to up to 6 people. To get maximum benefits of iPhone development, you may consider hiring services of a certified iPhone development company.

We provide iPhone development services. To hire iPhone developer India, please reach out to us at Mindfire Solutions.

Tuesday, 2 December 2014

Mobile Development Trends for 2015

mobile app development companies in India, offshore mobile application development, hire mobile application programmerThe development of mobile apps reached the mainstream in its true sense with the users ending up with an app for all kinds of jobs. But you will be surprised to know that the mobile app development is still in its beginning stages. A number of research studies have explained this fact. According to them while 2014 witnessed the development of apps for everything, in 2015, the focus would be on convenience. It is estimated that in 2015 the app market will grow by leaps and bounds. It will offer huge growth as well as monetary returns. Therefore, app development is set to evolve as a lucrative market with its varied approaches from the developers. These professionals are striving to introduce both comfort and convenience in routine tasks through the apps. In addition, mobile commerce will enjoy a boost too. These factors will definitely lead to certain major developments in the world of mobile apps in 2015.

Let’s take a look at some of the impending trends:

HTML5 to be recognized as the best platform for mobile development: In the past few years HTML5 has garnered huge popularity as a mobile development platform. It is expected that this trend will continue. Rather its popularity will increase in the coming year. As far as iOS 7 is concerned, it supports JavaScript as the language in its XCode tool chain. Today, however, iOS is no longer a dominating platform. Hence, the developers are looking for more option for cross platform development. Under such current situation, besides, iOS and Android, HTML5 is evolving as the next best thing in this field. Besides, as an open source project, the PhoneGap is a good choice which is also supported by Adobe. As a matter of fact, there is a continuous development as far as its features and hardware supports are concerned.

Android vs. iOS: It is expected that Android will come out as the clear winner in this war. In comparison to iOS android has been constantly growing as a mobile platform. In the last years the number of developers using Android has grown by 71%. However, presently, iOS receives better developer’s revenue owing to its huge market as well as the low end Android phones.

What cannot be overlooked in this war is the presence of Google. Amidst iOs and Android’s war, Google seems to be gaining significantly. It is also gradually uniting the split version of Android. Moreover, it is also moving most of the functionalities to the Google Play. In this regard, too, the Android apps seem to be the final winner.

More and more new OS-es will be coming into existence: Of course, Android and iOS are still the two dominant forces in the world of mobile OS. But gradually other operating systems will be catching up with these two. Although Windows and Blackberry are still lacking behind but it is speculated that by 2015 new operating systems will be gaining popularity in the commercial market. Ubuntu’s mobile version, Firefox OS, Sailfish and Tizen are some of the OS-es that might also gain popularity in the market.

Boost in connected objects: Google recently bought Nest, the maker of smart apps. Along the same line Samsung has also launched a washing machine that is entirely controlled by Wi-Fi in addition to the smart televisions and video games. It is expected that in 2015 more of such connected devices will come into existence. Such technological products might include wearable items, household appliances and several other products.

Native apps to decrease: It is an often repeated cycle in the world of technology in which a new product gains popularity and rises, the older versions slowly become redundant. The same trend will be noticed in 2015 as well. There will be changes in the mobile platform scenario where the new, riding trends in the web will result in the decrease in the popularity of the native mobile applications.

Rise of the Meteor: This is one app that is expected to rise steadily in the coming year. Owing to its awesome features more and more users will choose this framework in the future. One of its biggest advantages is that it offers updates on real time UI without putting any efforts. It is also extremely productive and simple to use.

Bend towards the wearable devices: This trend has already being in 2014. By next year there is a possibility that more wearable items will come into existence. As a result apps related to these devices will also be developed on a large scale.

The digital platforms today require more security than ever. This year there have been several incidents where these platforms have been hacked as secured data have been leaked. Hence, there will be a trend towards securing the apps more strongly in 2015. Hence apps that can improve the security rates will also be developed. Offshore mobile app development companies in India can help you build projects within allocated budgets and time schedules.

We provide offshore mobile application development services. To hire mobile application programmer from us, please reach out to us at Mindfire Solutions.

Tuesday, 25 November 2014

Android 5.0 Lollipop Vs Apple Ios 8 - War of the Giants

Android development company, Android application development, hire Android app developerThe Fall of 2014 witnessed the release of two vital mobile OS – the Android 5.0 Lollipop and iOS 8. This is one of the most interesting things that have happened in the mobile world over the last few months. However, the launch of iOS 8 might seem to be of little interest to the Android users. But if you are interested in the mobile technologies then it is important to consider both these releases. It has been often witnessed that ideas flow from one good operating system to the other. Previously both these operating systems were largely compared depending on their polish as well as features. While Android had more customizations and features, iOS was known for its superior finish. However, the latest releases have forever changed the way these two will be compared in the future. Apple has updated OS in a way that now it has as many features as Lollipop.

Design: The Material design of Android Lollipop ranks it on the similar platform of iOS polish and finish. Although on the surface it might appear similar but in reality they offer different kinds of user experiences. From Google’s point of view this is an ambitious release as far as its design is concerned. Android has offered a stock look for over several years. With Lollipop it has broken away from that stereotype. But the sad news is that all the features of this new design are not available for the users. The users mostly use UI skins whether it is Samsung, HTC or any other device. Presently only Nexus smartphones are offering Lollipop in its truest color. It is really sad that the other users will probably miss out on the layers, textures, shadows as well as the transparencies that have been designed so exquisitely.

For the first time in the history of the Android phones the UI (user interface and UX (user experience) has a clarity of purpose. Moreover, the design is equally available to an array of handheld devices and is in perfect sync. This is where Apple lacks behind. It is one of those things that Apple has not offered for quite some time now.

The iOS 8, on the other hand, has introduced only minor changes from its previous version, iOS 7. Last time the most noted change in introduced by Apple was OS X Yosemite.

As far as the visual appearance is concerned both have similar color patterns as well as languages yet there are several differences. The primary difference lies with the navigation style of how an app is accessed and then getting back to the home button. The Android version has updated its soft menu bar and is offering a way to get in and out in a semi-omnipresent style.

Thus, in this aspect the Lollipop seems to score over iOS 8.

Performance: Quite similar to its predecessor iOS 8 comes across as a 64-bit OS that runs on the 64-bit hardware. Although the devices from Apple are considered less powerful for this reason when compared to Android’s controls but when considered from both OS and hardware aspect, the iOS is known to outperform the more powerful Android devices.

The Android L, on the other hand, completely supports a 64-bit processor and is packed with a completely new runtime. The app performances in these devices, thus, stand improved and far better than that of its contemporaries.

Battery Life: Project Volta’s batteries are used for the Lollipop devices as these are known for projecting better battery life. When compared to KitKat it has been noticed that they offer 1/3 longer battery and the runtime, too, is less demanding. This factor also helps the batteries to perform better.

iOS 8 is also suggested to be more efficient than ever. But the batteries are quite heavy as compared to the ones found in iOS 5. With increase ratio in the performance, the sizes of batteries have grown too.

Software Updates: This is an aspect where iOS scores over Android. While the Apple users can access the updates immediately once launched, the Android users wait till the manufacturers introduce the updates for the handheld devices. However, with the introduction of the Google Play the users can update their software every six weeks.

Eco-systems: In this regard both the operating systems have evolved. The iOS and Android have set off as OS for the mobile platforms. Gradually they had improved and were introduced for tablets. Both of them have their focus set on in-car systems, home automation and health monitoring. Although their approaches are different, their focus is the same.

It is perhaps too early to predict for the OS-es right now. They would have to be in the market for a decent period before a verdict can be passed. What it looks at this moment is that both the operating systems are looking quite similar than ever. To get the maximum out of your android apps, you need to look for an Android development company that provides expert android development service to clients.

We provide Android application development services. To hire Android app developer from us, please reach out to us at Mindfire Solutions.

Wednesday, 12 November 2014

The Rise in Marketing Through Mobile Apps

offshore mobile application development, mobile app development services, hire mobile app developersAccording to Forbes.com, “In 2014, app downloads are expected to top 179 billion. By 2017, this is going to rise to over almost 270 billion.” The download figures clearly indicate that mobile applications have become an inseparable part of modern lifestyle. The rapidly increasing popularity of mobile apps encourages many enterprises to switch from web-based marketing to mobile marketing. A constant increase is also being noted in the number of companies carrying out marketing campaigns through mobile apps. Mobile apps help businesses in promoting their products or services by targeting the most relevant customers regardless of their current geographical locations. Both large and small businesses can further reap several benefits by carrying out marketing through mobile applications.

Advantages of Using Mobile Apps for Marketing Products or Services

Target a Much Wider Audience: Many reports have highlighted the rapidly growing popularity of smartphones, tablets, phablets and other mobile devices. So a business has options to launch applications for a wide variety of mobile devices. An enterprise can use apps to promote its products or services by targeting more than one billion smart devices. It can easily convey the marketing materials and promotional offers to millions of customers and prospects without putting any extra effort.

Reach Customers Anytime and Anywhere: Most users keep their mobile devices within arm’s reach. Many users even carry their smartphones, tablets and phablets throughout the day. So the mobile apps enable businesses to communicate with their customers and prospects anytime and anywhere. Along with conveying the marketing materials, the mobile apps can also be used by enterprises to send messages and notifications. A number of reports have highlighted that messages or notifications sent through mobile applications are read by the recipients in mere seconds.

Personalize Marketing Campaigns: A business can also use mobile apps to gather detailed information about the customers. For instance, an enterprise can use mobile apps to know the habits, hobbies, preferences and socioeconomic status of its target audience. The vital customer data collected through the apps can be used by the company to make its marketing campaigns personalized. The personalized mobile marketing campaigns will help the business in increasing its sales and revenues.

Build Long-Term Relationships: To remain profitable in the longer run, each enterprise has to build long-term relationship with its customers. Along with attracting new customers, it is also important for the business to keep the existing customers engaged and happy. The mobile apps make it easier for businesses to attract new customers by conveying attractive offers and special deals. Likewise, the applications can further generate repeat business by delivering impressive customer service. A business can further use the applications to improve the quality of customer service by collecting customers’ feedback and response.

Facilitate Marketing Content Creation: The quality of marketing content often impacts the marketing campaign results directly. So each business has to invest time, efforts and funds to deliver attractive and engaging marketing content. Often enterprises find it a daunting challenge to design marketing content for web-based promotional campaigns. But an enterprise can create mobile marketing content without putting any extra time and efforts. The mobile content along with specials and promotional information can also be conveyed to the target audience effectively through mobile apps.

Allow Customers to Buy Products on the go: The webs stores have made it easier for customers to buy products without any hassle. But a business can make it easier for customers to buy products through their mobile device. A customer can further use his mobile device to buy desired products on the go. So a business can use mobile apps to modernize its sales and transaction process. It can create an application that allows customers to select items and make payment regardless of their current locations. The right mobile app can further help the business in getting more sales and inquiries.

On the whole, a business can get higher ROI by carrying out marketing campaigns through mobile apps. The business can further use certain tools to launch applications for different mobile platforms. So it becomes easier for a company to promote its products and services regardless of users’ mobile devices and operating systems. Offshore mobile application development teams can help you build projects within allocated budgets and time schedules.

We provide mobile app development services. If you would like to hire mobile app developers from us, we would be glad to assist you at Mindfire Solutions.

Friday, 24 October 2014

Challenges and Opportunities in mobile app development

top mobile app development companies, mobile app development services, hire mobile app developersThe challenges posed infront of a mobile app developer is a huge one nowadays. While the opportunity to work in this industry is vast but the constant evolution of handheld devices is redefining usability as well. Thus, such a development poses new questions like which device to target, how to secure data or how to create effective and user friendly apps. The mobiles explosion dictates that in the next few years it will become imperative to improve the services while delivering mobile experience. The scenario is similar in the IT departments as well where more corporate users are resorting to handheld devices for accessing enterprise data. Thus, the need of the hour for the developers is a cross or multi platform development initiative.

Rapid development in the mobile world leads to a number of challenges

The first challenge that the mobile app developers will face is the Context. This includes the preference, situation and attitude of the customer. Preferences refer to the information that the customer has shared personally or via social networks. The situation and action of the customer are dependent on his location as well as the conditions he is presently experiencing. Context is important because it helps in delivering the right kind of app solution only when there is ample information about the device the customer has, local context of the same device, what are his preferences and the sensors around the devices. Gathering this kind of data is always a challenge. Hence, it has to be stored across multiple systems to which the app requires to be connected.

Another problem is the pace with which the smartphones are progressing. Apparently it sounds easy to develop as well as submit an app for a 7-inch or 10-inch screen to an app store. But the process is not that easy as in the near future, the developing process will become tougher with devices in new sizes coming to the front. The need for flexibility for the apps will rise too for ensuring better user experience. Currently, there are tablets, phablets and the Window 8 smartphones. In the near future there will be further modifications and collecting data will expand significantly as well.

Every mobile app developer realizes the importance of security but for them this means that each operating system has a separate custom architecture. There are times when various mobile platforms offer varying degrees of support to secure data that is stored on the device. On the other hand, every mobile does not require same amount of attention regarding security. Whatever the situation, the responsibility to secure data lies with the app developers. Hence, incorporating encryption is an absolute necessity. At the same time the developers also look for alternate ways to protect data. The other options include the archiving of the data periodically.

The mobile app developers face real challenge in creating vital apps every year. They are also engaged in created various versions of the existing ones. In an agile market, it is difficult to keep up with the development, design and operational methods without the DSL program model. This approach is recommended as it is compact and offers codes that can run across all devices and multiple platforms. It also helps to build variants by providing a code base that is slightly different.

How to turn the challenges into opportunities?

Whilst the challenges in the mobile app development world are a reality but it cannot be denied that the opportunities to succeed are numerous as well. Sustainable app development and accurate delivery system are all it requires to ensure that these challenges are converted to opportunities. Development and testing efforts should be enhanced so that the platforms to target can be properly identified. This will further ensure that better returns are gained on development investments.

The development practices should be reliable as well as consistent across all the leading platforms. The look and feel of the app will render a consistency and the code components can be reused as well. As the mobile technology is still developing, there are end numbers of ways to ensure that they perform more efficiently. The greatest opportunity in this regard is that with the outstanding growth potential in the mobile app industry, the developers will also be highly in demand. You can hire developers from top mobile app development companies in India who can help you build mobile apps within allocated budgets and time schedules.

We provide mobile app development services. If you would like to hire mobile app developers from us, we would be glad to assist you at Mindfire Solutions.

Wednesday, 10 September 2014

Is Apple's Swift an answer to what developers wish ?


iPhone development company, offshore iPhone apps development services, hire iPhone consultantAt WWDC 2014, Apple introduced the 1st version in Swift, Apple's new programing language. Programmers are having a look-see in Swift and also giving a few early suggestions. What the Swift framework will provide developers was amongst the very important announcements made during the Apple's Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC). Lots of programmers discovered the syntax of the Objective-C is difficult to get regularly, hence Swift might give an increased output to many. The majority of developers will be looking towards upcoming projects for applying Swift, which means about one year down, many stated that they are moving forward much faster. As an example, Marco Arment, developer and writer, stated in a blog that he would likely require some time to catch on the latest behaviors along with the guidelines and expectations of it.

On an exciting and unexpected step, Apple is starting many of the Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) 2014 video presentations with the people, a year ago only the registered developers were having access to them. Apple announces Swift is created for safety. It is crucial to keep in mind that this form of Swift does not prevent memory corruptness which could occur because of multithreaded coding anyway, though. There wasn't any discussion of threads or concurrency by any means within the language documents. In addition to this multithreaded opening, the remainder language appears to be protected from memory corruption bugs. There isn't an option to temporarily get away with the safeties, such as Rust’s unsafe block, hence whatever insecure stuff you might like to carry out will need to be in the C or even in the Objective-C.

The interest in powerful and easy to use developing languages, such as Python and Ruby, has expanded all over the developer society in the last few years. Swift is believed to become yet another move in the same direction. Swift stands out as the successor to the Objective-C, that is what, is now taken to develop Mac applications. The latest language comes with complete support of the Cocoa as well as Cocoa touch, the frameworks for the iPhone apps and also Mac OS X apps, therefore apps could be designed for the iPhone, Mac computers, as well as iPads. Apple continued using Objective-C for the past 20 years, however a company representative mentioned that this is beginning to show its age. Apple invented the code after thoroughly investigating exactly what developers want, or even more important, their dislike regarding the present programming languages. As stated by Apple, Swift will be the modern development language for modern developers. Swift makes use of similar LLVM compiler which Objective-C at present makes use of, therefore programmers could carry out Swift, Objective-C, as well as C code, everything within the same program.

Swift has also a unique feature known as Playgrounds, which give users with live comments while they code, which makes it possible to check what exactly will probably take place within the application. Playgrounds additionally offer total control over time within a program so that users could see exactly what his or her code does each moment. Apple has produced a guidebook offered to developers in the iBooks regarding Swift, in addition they will have the ability to submit apps developed by the recently designed language at the time the computer manufacturer introduces OS X Yosemite as well as the iOS 8. To get maximum benefits of mobile apps, you may consider hiring services of a certified iPhone development company.

We provide offshore iPhone apps development services. Companies hire iPhone consultant from us at Mindfire Solutions. If you are ready, please contact us today.