• Understand the key differences between iOS and Android platforms, including user demographics, market share, development processes, and monetization strategies.
• Be able to evaluate and prioritize the factors that impact platform selection, such as target audience, app functionality, development costs, and app store policies, to make an informed decision for your app.
• Gain insights into the advantages and considerations of developing for both platforms, including the importance of conducting market research, consulting with experienced developers, evaluating budget and resources, and creating a comprehensive development roadmap.

Mobile apps have become an integral part of our lives, revolutionizing the way we communicate, work, and entertain ourselves. As a mobile app developer, one of the most crucial decisions you’ll face is choosing the right platform for your app. 

The choice between iOS and Android can significantly impact your app’s success, user adoption, and overall profitability. It’s essential to carefully consider various factors such as target audience, app functionality, development costs, and monetization strategies to ensure that your app reaches its full potential and meets the needs of your intended users.

iOS and Android are the two dominant mobile operating systems in the market, each with its own unique characteristics, strengths, and limitations. iOS, developed by Apple, is known for its sleek design, intuitive user interface, and tight integration with Apple’s ecosystem. It caters to a more affluent and loyal user base, with a focus on premium apps and services. 

On the other hand, Android, backed by Google, offers a more open and customizable platform, with a wider range of devices and price points. It has a larger global market share and provides developers with more flexibility in terms of app development and distribution. Understanding the key differences between these two platforms is crucial in making an informed decision that aligns with your app’s goals and target audience.

Factors to Consider When Choosing a Platform

Target audience

Demographics

Understanding your target audience’s age, gender, income, and other demographic factors is crucial when choosing a platform. iOS users tend to have higher income levels and are more likely to engage with premium apps and services, while Android has a more diverse user base with varying income levels and preferences.

Geographic Location

iOS and Android have different market shares in various regions worldwide. iOS has a stronger presence in North America and Western Europe, while Android dominates in emerging markets such as Asia, Africa, and South America. Consider your app’s intended geographic reach when selecting a platform.

User Behavior and Preferences

Analyze your target audience’s mobile usage patterns, app preferences, and expectations. iOS users tend to be more engaged and loyal, while Android users are more likely to try new apps and have a higher tolerance for ads.

App Functionality and Features

Platform-specific Capabilities

Each platform offers unique features and capabilities that can enhance your app’s functionality. For example, iOS provides seamless integration with Apple’s ecosystem, such as Siri, iMessage, and Apple Pay, while Android offers a more customizable user interface and integration with Google services like Google Maps and Google Assistant.

Hardware and Software Requirements

Consider the hardware and software requirements of your app, such as camera, sensors, or specific software libraries. iOS offers a more standardized hardware ecosystem, while Android has a wider range of devices with varying specifications, which can impact app performance and compatibility.

Development Costs and Resources

Development Time and Complexity

The development time and complexity can vary between iOS and Android. iOS has a more streamlined development process with a single programming language (Swift) and a limited range of devices to support, while Android development can be more complex due to the variety of devices, screen sizes, and software fragmentation.

Developer Expertise and Availability

Consider the availability and cost of skilled developers for each platform. iOS developers may be more expensive due to the higher demand and specific skill set required, while Android developers are more widely available but may have varying levels of expertise.

Licensing and Fees

Both platforms have different licensing and fee structures for app developers. iOS requires an annual developer membership fee, while Android has a one-time registration fee. Additionally, consider the costs associated with third-party tools, libraries, and services that your app may require.

Monetization strategies

In-app Purchases

In-app purchases are a popular monetization strategy for both iOS and Android apps. However, iOS users have shown a higher willingness to spend money on in-app purchases compared to Android users.

Advertising

Advertising is another common monetization approach, particularly for free apps. Android has a larger user base, which can lead to more ad impressions and revenue, but iOS users are generally more receptive to high-quality, relevant ads.

Paid apps and Subscriptions

Paid apps and subscription-based models can be effective on both platforms, but iOS users are more likely to pay for premium apps and services due to their higher spending power and perceived value of iOS apps.

App Store Policies and Guidelines

App Approval Process 

Both iOS and Android have app review processes to ensure the quality and safety of apps in their respective app stores. iOS has a more stringent and time-consuming review process, focusing on user experience, security, and adherence to guidelines, while Android’s review process is generally faster and more lenient.

Update and Maintenance Requirements

Consider the update and maintenance requirements for each platform. iOS users tend to adopt new versions of the operating system more quickly, requiring developers to keep their apps updated and compatible. Android’s fragmentation can make it challenging to support a wide range of devices and software versions, requiring more extensive testing and maintenance efforts.

Advantages of iOS Platform

User Demographics and Spending Habits

iOS users typically have higher disposable incomes and are more willing to spend money on apps and in-app purchases compared to Android users. This demographic tends to be more affluent, educated, and engaged with their devices, making them an attractive target for premium and paid apps. iOS users are known for their loyalty to the platform and are more likely to make recurring in-app purchases or subscribe to premium services.

The higher spending habits of iOS users can lead to better monetization opportunities for app developers. If your app relies on a paid or subscription-based model, or if you plan to generate revenue through in-app purchases, targeting iOS users can potentially result in higher revenue per user compared to Android.

Consistent User Experience Across Devices

One of the key advantages of developing for the iOS platform is the consistent user experience across devices. Apple maintains strict control over the hardware and software ecosystem, ensuring that all iOS devices, from iPhones to iPads, offer a seamless and cohesive user experience. This consistency allows developers to create apps that look and function similarly across different iOS devices, reducing the need for extensive device-specific optimization.

The consistent user experience on iOS also means that users are more familiar with the platform’s navigation patterns, gestures, and design language. This familiarity can lead to better user engagement and retention, as users can quickly adapt to new apps that follow iOS design guidelines and best practices.

Streamlined Development Process

Developing apps for the iOS platform is often considered more streamlined and efficient compared to Android development. Apple provides a comprehensive set of developer tools, such as Xcode and Swift programming language, which are designed to work seamlessly together. These tools offer a unified development environment, making it easier for developers to code, debug, and test their apps.

Moreover, the iOS platform has a smaller number of devices and screen sizes compared to Android, which has a fragmented device ecosystem. This reduced fragmentation simplifies the development process, as developers need to target fewer device configurations and can focus on optimizing their apps for a limited set of hardware specifications. As a result, iOS app development can often be completed faster and with fewer compatibility issues compared to Android.

Higher App Revenue Potential

iOS apps have a track record of generating higher revenue compared to their Android counterparts. This can be attributed to several factors, including the higher spending habits of iOS users, the premium positioning of the iOS app ecosystem, and the streamlined in-app purchase process on the App Store.

iOS users are more accustomed to paying for apps and are willing to spend more on in-app purchases, resulting in higher average revenue per user (ARPU) for iOS apps. Additionally, the App Store’s curated approach and stringent review process create a perception of higher-quality apps, which can justify premium pricing and encourage user spending.

While the Android platform has a larger global market share, iOS apps often generate more revenue in key markets such as the United States, Canada, and Western Europe. If your monetization strategy relies on app purchases, in-app purchases, or subscriptions, targeting the iOS platform can potentially lead to higher revenue potential.

Strong Brand Recognition and Loyalty

Apple has a strong brand reputation and loyal user base, which can benefit app developers targeting the iOS platform. The Apple brand is associated with quality, innovation, and user experience, and this perception extends to the apps available on the App Store. iOS users tend to have high expectations for app quality and are more likely to engage with apps that meet Apple’s design and performance standards.

The loyalty of iOS users can also lead to higher app retention rates and long-term engagement. Once an iOS user finds an app they like, they are more likely to stick with it and continue using it over time. This loyalty can translate into a stable and profitable user base for app developers.

The strong brand recognition of iOS can help app developers gain visibility and credibility in the market. Having an app featured on the App Store or being associated with the iOS ecosystem can lend legitimacy to your app and attract more users who trust Apple’s platform and curation process.

Developing for the iOS platform offers several advantages, including access to a highly engaged and affluent user base, a consistent user experience across devices, a streamlined development process, higher app revenue potential, and the benefits of strong brand recognition and user loyalty. However, it’s essential to consider your specific app requirements, target audience, and business goals when deciding whether to prioritize iOS development over Android or pursue a multi-platform approach.

Advantages of Android Platform

Larger Global Market Share

One of the most significant advantages of the Android platform is its larger global market share compared to iOS. Android devices account for over 70% of the worldwide smartphone market, with a strong presence in emerging markets such as Asia, Africa, and South America. This vast user base presents a massive opportunity for app developers to reach a wider audience and potentially generate more downloads and revenue.

The larger market share also means that Android apps have the potential to impact a more diverse range of users, spanning different demographics, geographies, and socioeconomic backgrounds. This can be particularly advantageous for apps targeting specific regions or user segments that may have a higher concentration of Android users.

Greater Device Diversity and Flexibility

Android offers a greater diversity of devices and form factors compared to iOS. The Android ecosystem includes a wide range of smartphones, tablets, and wearables from various manufacturers, each with its own unique hardware specifications and features. This diversity allows developers to create apps that cater to specific device capabilities or user preferences.

Moreover, Android’s flexibility extends to software customization. Device manufacturers can customize the Android operating system to differentiate their products and add unique features. This flexibility enables developers to take advantage of device-specific APIs and create tailored experiences for different Android devices.

Lower Entry Barriers for Developers

Android has lower entry barriers for developers compared to iOS. To start developing Android apps, developers need to create a Google Play Developer account, which has a one-time registration fee of $25. This is significantly lower than the annual fee of $99 required for the Apple Developer Program.

Additionally, Android development can be done on a wider range of operating systems, including Windows, macOS, and Linux. This flexibility allows developers to use their existing hardware and software setup without investing in platform-specific tools. Android Studio, the official IDE for Android development, is also available for free, further reducing the cost of entry for developers.

More Customization Options

Android offers more customization options for both users and developers compared to iOS. Users can customize their device’s home screen, widgets, app icons, and system settings to suit their preferences. This level of customization allows developers to create apps that seamlessly integrate with the user’s personalized device setup.

For developers, Android provides more control over the app’s appearance and behavior. Developers can create custom UI components, modify system-level features, and integrate with third-party apps and services more easily. This flexibility enables developers to create unique and innovative app experiences that may not be possible on the more restricted iOS platform.

Open-source Advantages and Community Support

Android is built on an open-source platform, which offers several advantages for developers. The Android Open Source Project (AOSP) provides access to the Android source code, allowing developers to examine, modify, and contribute to the platform. This transparency can lead to a better understanding of the Android system and enable developers to create more efficient and optimized apps.

The open-source nature of Android also fosters a large and active developer community. Developers can collaborate, share knowledge, and leverage community-created resources such as libraries, frameworks, and tools. This community support can accelerate development, solve common issues, and provide guidance for best practices and emerging trends in Android development.

The Android developer community contributes to the creation of alternative app distribution channels, such as the Amazon Appstore and F-Droid. These alternative app stores provide developers with additional opportunities to reach users and monetize their apps, especially in regions where the Google Play Store may have limited access or restrictions.

Considerations for Developing on Both Platforms

Increased Development Costs and Time

Developing apps for both iOS and Android platforms simultaneously can lead to increased development costs and time compared to focusing on a single platform. When targeting both platforms, you’ll need to allocate resources for platform-specific development, testing, and maintenance.

Developing for iOS and Android requires different skill sets, programming languages, and tools. iOS apps are typically developed using Swift or Objective-C, while Android apps are developed using Java or Kotlin. This means you’ll need to either hire separate development teams for each platform or invest in training your existing team to be proficient in both ecosystems.

Each platform has its own design guidelines, UI components, and user experience conventions. Designing and implementing a consistent user interface across both platforms while adhering to their respective guidelines can be time-consuming and require additional design resources.

Testing and quality assurance also become more complex when targeting both platforms. You’ll need to test your app on a wide range of devices, screen sizes, and software versions to ensure compatibility and optimal performance. This increased testing effort can prolong the development cycle and require more extensive bug fixing and optimization.

Maintaining Consistent User Experience

When developing for both iOS and Android, it’s crucial to maintain a consistent user experience across platforms while still respecting the unique design patterns and user expectations of each platform. Users should be able to easily navigate and interact with your app, regardless of whether they are using an iOS or Android device.

To achieve a consistent user experience, consider the following:

• Design a unified visual language: Establish a consistent visual style, color scheme, and typography that reflects your brand and app’s personality. While the specific UI components may differ between platforms, the overall look and feel should be cohesive.
• Adapt to platform-specific conventions: Respect the design guidelines and user interface patterns of each platform. iOS users expect certain gestures, navigation styles, and UI elements, while Android users have their own set of expectations. Strike a balance between consistency and platform-specific best practices.
• Provide similar core functionality: Ensure that the core features and functionality of your app are available and work seamlessly on both platforms. Users should be able to perform the same key tasks and access the same content, regardless of their device.
• Optimize performance: Ensure that your app performs well on both platforms, considering factors such as app size, loading times, and responsiveness. Optimize your app’s performance to provide a smooth and reliable user experience across different devices and network conditions.

Leveraging Cross-Platform Development Tools

To streamline the development process and reduce the effort required to maintain separate codebases for iOS and Android, consider leveraging cross-platform development tools. These tools allow you to write a single codebase that can be compiled and deployed to both platforms, saving time and resources.

Some popular cross-platform development tools include:

• React Native: Developed by Facebook, React Native allows you to build native mobile apps using JavaScript and React. It provides a rich set of UI components and APIs that map to their native counterparts, resulting in near-native performance.
• Flutter: Created by Google, Flutter is an open-source UI software development kit that enables building natively compiled apps for mobile, web, and desktop platforms from a single codebase. It offers a wide range of customizable widgets and tools for fast and expressive app development.
• Xamarin: Xamarin is a Microsoft-owned platform that allows developers to build native Android, iOS, and Windows apps using C# and .NET. It provides a shared codebase for business logic and platform-specific UI layers.

When choosing a cross-platform development tool, consider factors such as performance, developer productivity, community support, and access to native platform features. While cross-platform tools can significantly reduce development time and costs, they may have limitations compared to native platform-specific development.

Next Steps

Conducting Market Research and User Surveys

Before diving into mobile app development, it’s crucial to conduct thorough market research and user surveys to validate your app idea and gather insights about your target audience. Market research helps you understand the competitive landscape, identify potential opportunities, and assess the viability of your app concept.

Start by analyzing existing apps in your niche, their features, user reviews, and ratings. Look for gaps in the market that your app can fill and identify unique selling points that set your app apart from competitors. Conduct user surveys and focus groups to gather feedback on your app idea, features, and user preferences. This valuable data will help you refine your app concept and ensure that it meets the needs and expectations of your target users.

Consulting with Experienced Mobile App Developers

Developing a successful mobile app requires technical expertise and knowledge of best practices. Consulting with experienced mobile app developers can provide valuable insights and guidance throughout the development process. These experts can help you make informed decisions about platform selection, technology stack, architecture, and user experience design.

When consulting with mobile app developers, discuss your app idea, target audience, and business goals. Seek their advice on the feasibility of your app, potential challenges, and recommended approaches. Experienced developers can also provide estimates for development time, costs, and resources required, helping you plan and budget accordingly.

Consider partnering with a reputable mobile app development company, such as Dogtown Media, or hiring freelance developers with proven track records in your niche. Look for developers who have experience in building apps similar to yours and can provide references and a portfolio of their work.

Evaluating Budget and Resource Constraints

Developing a mobile app can be a significant investment, and it’s essential to evaluate your budget and resource constraints before embarking on the development journey. Determine the available financial resources you can allocate to app development, including design, development, testing, and marketing expenses.

Consider the different development options available, such as native app development, cross-platform development, or hybrid app development. Each approach has its own cost implications and trade-offs in terms of performance, user experience, and time-to-market. Assess which approach aligns best with your budget and resource constraints while still delivering the desired app quality and functionality.

In addition to financial resources, consider the human resources required for app development. Determine whether you have the necessary skills and expertise in-house or if you need to hire external developers, designers, and quality assurance professionals. Factor in the time and effort required for project management, communication, and collaboration among team members.

Creating a Development Roadmap and Timeline

Once you have conducted market research, consulted with experienced developers, and evaluated your budget and resources, it’s time to create a development roadmap and timeline. A well-defined roadmap outlines the key milestones, deliverables, and dependencies involved in the app development process.

Break down the development process into manageable phases, such as:

• Planning and requirements gathering
• UI/UX design
• Development and coding
• Testing and quality assurance
• App store submission and launch
• Post-launch maintenance and updates

Assign realistic timelines to each phase, taking into account the complexity of your app, available resources, and potential risks and contingencies. Regularly review and update your roadmap based on progress, feedback, and any changes in requirements or priorities.

Effective project management is crucial to ensure that your app development stays on track and within budget. Use project management tools and methodologies, such as Agile or Scrum, to facilitate collaboration, track progress, and address any issues or delays promptly.

By following these next steps–conducting market research, consulting with experienced developers, evaluating budget and resources, and creating a development roadmap – you’ll be well-prepared to embark on your mobile app development journey and bring your app idea to life.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) on Choosing the Right Mobile App Platform

How do I determine which platform, iOS or Android, is best suited for my app?

To determine the best platform for your app, consider factors such as your target audience demographics, app functionality requirements, development costs, and monetization strategies. Conduct market research and analyze your target users’ preferences and behavior to make an informed decision. If your app caters to a premium, design-focused audience, iOS may be the better choice. If you’re targeting a broader, more diverse user base or require greater flexibility in customization, Android might be more suitable.

Can I develop my app for both iOS and Android platforms simultaneously? 

Yes, it is possible to develop your app for both iOS and Android platforms simultaneously. However, this approach requires more resources, time, and effort compared to developing for a single platform. You’ll need to consider the increased development costs, the need for platform-specific expertise, and the challenge of maintaining a consistent user experience across both platforms. Cross-platform development tools like React Native, Flutter, or Xamarin can help streamline the development process, but they may have limitations compared to native platform-specific development.

How much does it cost to develop a mobile app for iOS or Android? 

The cost of developing a mobile app for iOS or Android varies depending on factors such as app complexity, features, development approach, and the hourly rates of the development team. On average, a simple app can cost between $10,000 to $50,000, while more complex apps can range from $50,000 to $500,000 or more. It’s essential to evaluate your budget and resource constraints and prioritize features accordingly. Consider the development costs and the ongoing expenses for app maintenance, updates, and marketing.

How long does it take to develop a mobile app for iOS or Android?

The development timeline for a mobile app depends on various factors, including the app’s complexity, features, the size and experience of the development team, and the development approach. A simple app with basic features can take around 2-4 months to develop, while a more complex app with advanced functionality can take 6-12 months or longer. Creating a detailed development roadmap and timeline, breaking down the process into manageable phases, and regularly reviewing progress can help keep the development on track.

How do I ensure the success of my mobile app on iOS or Android? 

To ensure the success of your mobile app on iOS or Android, start by conducting thorough market research and user surveys to validate your app idea and gather insights about your target audience. Consult with experienced mobile app developers to get guidance on technical feasibility, best practices, and development approaches. Evaluate your budget and resource constraints realistically, and prioritize features and functionality accordingly. Create a comprehensive development roadmap and timeline, and regularly review and adapt based on feedback and market conditions. After launch, continue to gather user feedback, analyze app performance metrics, and provide regular updates and improvements to keep users engaged and satisfied.

Mobile applications continue to be a foundational building block of any business looking to form strong and lasting relationships with their customers and/or employees. In a world put on pause by the global Coronavirus pandemic, businesses and workplaces responded strategically with cloud-based solutions. From launching mobile applications to support contactless customer interactions to supporting a fully remote workforce – all of this is powered in some way by mobile app development. And as a dedicated  android app developer hyper-focused on delivering top-tier Android apps, with a presence in San Diego, New York, and London

As of 2019, the global mobile application market was valued at 154 billion USD and is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate of 11.5% from 2020 to 2027. Staying one step ahead of Android mobile app trends will allow businesses to leverage this staggering projection while positioning themselves for success. 

Understanding your business needs and which mobile app trend(s) will resonate with your customers the most is essential for any growing business in 2022. As experienced mobile app developers ourselves, we can say with confidence that producing a top-rated Android app will involve one of these emerging trends.

Apps for foldable devices 

Yes, you read that right. Foldable cell phones like the famous hot pink Motorola RAZR are making a comeback in 2022. Except this time your touchscreen is what is folding in half thanks to advances in flexible display technology. 

Samsung is leading the front in foldable devices and has reimagined how we view our smartphones. With a foldable screen, your smartphone can easily become a tablet when you need it. Producing apps that work seamlessly across screen sizes while utilizing the multiple-display aspect of foldable devices will be well-worth the investment for companies updating or creating new mobile apps.

Blockchain 

Applications for blockchain have exploded since cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin have entered the scene. Blockchain is a decentralized and distributed database allowing secure transactions and information to be stored digitally. The upshot being that no centralized organization is required to manage the data. 

There are tremendous advantages for businesses to pursue blockchain – providing an additional layer of trust, security, and traceability while reducing costs. Industries that will benefit most include financial institutions, healthcare, non-profits, and government agencies. 

Metaverse and AR 

Chances are you’ve heard the term ‘meta’ mentioned recently, especially if you are active on social media platforms like Facebook. Facebook recently changed their name to Meta to harken in the anticipated evolution following the Internet itself – the Metaverse. The Metaverse is a hyper realistic virtual reality (VR) space where people can work, relax, shop, explore, and socialize. Augmented reality (AR) makes use of your immediate surroundings by enhancing your environment with objects, characters, and other superimposed objects. 

Any organizations interacting with Millenials and Gen-Z’s, being early players in the Metaverse could make a big impact on your app’s growth. In 2021 alone the AR and VR market reached 28 billion USD and is predicted to grow to 250 billion USD by 2028. From game development to remote workforce training, there are really endless possibilities for VR or AR to innovate. 

5G 

Almost half (47.5%) of all cell phones in the world are expected to be 5G enabled in 2022. 5G is simply the fifth-generation of cellular network infrastructure and provides multi-Gbps data speed, ultra low latency, and high density connections. Essentially 5G will soon be the foundation for mobile communication.

For app developers, this will open up new use cases for Android mobile applications including cloud AR/VR, autonomous driving, remote machinery control (for example remote surgery), smart grid, and wireless health.

Summary 

Understanding the top mobile app trends for Android devices in 2022 will help you stay ahead of the competition and release effective and highly rated apps for your clients or employees.
Apps for foldable devices, blockchain, AR and VR, as well as 5G are top trends for Android app development in 2022. Working with a trusted and experienced app developer to integrate these trends into an innovative app is a winning strategy. Dogtown Media has launched over 200 apps, and counting, with an experienced team in both iOS and Android. 

If you’re interested in learning how Dogtown Media can help bring your solution to the market contact us. We’d love to help!

From advancements in cloud computing to an increasing remote workforce, the start of 2022 has undoubtedly been a rollercoaster riding off the momentum of a few incredibly disruptive years. As we head into Q2, reflecting on the trends we experienced within the application development industry, we thought it would be useful to pause and analyze some trends making waves early this year, and give some context around how these may develop into the rest of 2022! Of course, as a prominent San Diego app developer, we’ve constantly got our ear to the ground to understand what trends in iPhone app development and Andriod app development and how these may influence projects for our clients.

Now, it’s no secret that app development has skyrocketed within the last decade, and continues to grow at an exponential rate. As a result, the way we code, integrate, and automate applications is constantly changing. To stay ahead of the game, it’s vital that you know what may be coming next in the app development industry. 

Of course, we can’t predict exactly what will happen in the technological world, but we can learn from current application development trends that were popular in 2021 and how they’ve developed in the early part of 2022. From low-code/no-code to artificial intelligence (AI), this article will be exploring some of the most significant trends we expect to see in for the rest of 2022 – keep reading to learn more!

Low-Code/No-Code

Ever hear the term “low-code/no-code”? If not, you’ll probably want to familiarize yourself with it as it’s rapidly becoming a vital tool for developers. So, what is low-code/no-code? In short, it’s a type of development platform that utilizes a visual software to allow developers to essentially drag and drop application components, connecting them together to create mobile or web applications. 

As a result, low-code/no-code app development tools are lightening the load for many developers, taking away some of the many responsibilities that they’re dealt with when creating apps. For instance, one of the primary advantages of low-code/no-code is the transition of IDEs, or integrated development environments (a software suite used to build apps) to the cloud, making them optimized for advanced integration and automation. 

In addition, low-code/no-code is also being written with the help of artificial intelligence (AI) which we suspect will continue into the new year (and for many years to come). For example, Github’s Copilot, a platform that assimilates and assembles billions of lines of code, is the next evolution of low-code/no-code tools for developers. In prior generations, these products weren’t overly “smart” as they were only intended to help developers write cleaner code. With recent advancements and the help of AI, however, these programs are now able to write complete code for developers. 

The Integration of AI

Speaking of AI, there’s a good chance that you’ve come across a mobile or web application that utilizes machine learning algorithms to optimize your experience within the app.

For example, have you ever used the “live chat” option when you had a question for your bank? If so, you probably recall getting an automated response from a chatbot with a list of options to choose from. Thanks to AI, banks are now able to provide “lightning-quick” responses to their customers without the need for direct human interaction.   

Or, maybe you’ve been required to use telemedicine to consult your doctor due to the global pandemic. Well, we’re here to tell you that you’ve probably come across some machine learning algorithms during your experiences with telemedicine. From studying symptoms to collecting results and comparing that data against data from other patients to determine the appropriate self-care, AI has undoubtedly revolutionized the mHealth industry.

Regardless of where you’ve come across it, the simple fact of the matter is that AI has become an integral part of the application development industry. And, it’s safe to assume that we will see more and more developers utilize machine learning and AI throughout the development process. 

A Need for Developers

Did you know that the global application development software market is anticipated to reach USD 733.5 billion by 2028? After all, it makes sense due to the growing trend of cloud-based solutions, an increase in the usage of the Internet of Things (IoT) technology, as well as the recent surge in the demand for advanced applications that improve work efficiency, resolve business issues, and streamline business operations. The application development industry, however, isn’t entirely prepared for this expansion. 

As mentioned previously, low-code/no-code development platforms are being deployed to enable rapid production and adoption of functional software to meet the unique needs of businesses. And, while these platforms are helping remedy this expansion by alleviating some of the many responsibilities of developers, the recent demand for streamlined business applications has created a profound need for tech-savvy individuals in the application development space.

For years, Dogtown Media has been empowering businesses of all sizes with modern digital solutions. As a go-to provider of development solutions to many clients, we work tirelessly to craft intelligent apps with brilliant, intuitive, and innovative design. Through our expertise in multiple verticals, our team delivers the solutions that our partners need to navigate the changing business landscape.

In light of our dedication and passion for delivering high-quality solutions, we’re honored to have been listed as a Top Andriod App Developer in Los Angeles by Clutch for 2021.

Last year was a challenging year for many, but we were able to overcome the obstacles in our mission to lead our partners. Today, we’re excited to look back on the achievements we’ve made this year and celebrate our success with all of you!

At Dogtown Media, we value the thoughts and feedback of our clients — they help us truly understand how we can innovate on certain aspects of our services. They also remind us of the reason we do what we do and keep us motivated to aid our partners. In 2021, we’re proud to have collected multiple 5-star ratings from our customers through Clutch. More impressively, we’ve accumulated an overall perfect rating across all new reviews!

In all of these new reviews, we’ve also obtained a perfect NPS score as our clients have shared their willingness to recommend our services to their colleagues! We’re incredibly delighted to see these stats, and it’s all thanks to our partners for taking the time and effort to leave their honest feedback.

What Our Clients Are Saying

We’re always deeply grateful when we receive great remarks from our clients! Here are some recent quotes that have reinforced our belief that top-tier quality development practices truly make the difference.

“They were an effective team, met deadlines, and created a great end product.”

— Sarah Bauerle Bass, Director, Risk Comm Lab, Temple University

Lastly, we’re also proud to be recognized on the visual portfolio site Visual Objects this year!

Ready to partner with us for your next development project? Say hello to our team for a free consultation!

Enabled by an expansion in technological capability and new opportunities in mobile application development, today’s smartphones are paving the way for users to gain more insight into their health. From fitness monitoring to wellness apps, mHealth – also known as mobile health – is an umbrella term that denotes the practice of medicine, or health-related services supported by a mobile device. And this mobile health revolution is fundamentally disrupting the healthcare industry.

Today, across the country from suburban cities such as New York and Los Angeles, to up-and-coming cities like Austin TX there are nearly 500,000 mHealth apps available through mobile app stores supported by such platforms as Apple and Android. And even with the immense amount that’s taken place in the mHealth space over the last 5 years, the sector is estimated to reach a whopping $289.4 billion dollars by 2025! What’s the reason for this massive uptick in growth? It all comes down to user sentiment. 

What’s Driving mHealth Growth?

At the foundation of mHealth growth is a shift in the resoundingly positive response we’ve seen from individuals in how they feel receiving health-related services via a mobile app. A recent report produced by Grand View Research found that the mHealth market is currently valued at 40.5 Billion in 2020 is set to grow at an exponential rate to its target value of $289 billion by 2025 and continue at a 17.7 % increase into the foreseeable future. 

Potential in mHealth Apps

With this incredible growth in mHealth apps, it makes a person wonder what is driving this shift in user sentiment? The simple answer is opportunity. With new ways for users to access medical services, insight, and health-related services all from the convenience of their mobile phone, we’re finding a shift in how individuals feel about mobile health services. This access to new technology and early providers of mHealth services entering the market acts as a litmus test showing that consumers are ready for mobile to play a major role in how they receive health services. 

Some examples of the value mHealth can provide:

• Sleep monitoring
• Integration with medical devices to provide device information
• Mental health services by facilitating remote counseling services
• Transmit medical records and information
  
• Fitness tracking and general fitness applications

What Are Some Examples of Success mHealth Apps?

This begs the question of what mHealth apps are proving to be effective in the mobile application industry. We’ve spent some time digging into the mHealth space and gathered a few examples of some of the most popular mHealth apps. 

Kardia Mobile – Kardia is a consumer medical device that pairs with a mobile application geared towards providing users with vital heart information. Kardia captures medical-grade EKG data at any time. This can be a phenomenal mHealth app for individuals who have life-threatening heart conditions and need to be able to gather life-critical information anytime anywhere. 

Medisafe – Medisafe is a medication management platform that helps patients by reminding them to take medication. This intuitive monitoring and management platform provide incredible benefits to patients who may experience challenges remembering to take their medication or have trouble remembering if they took their medication. This and other similar services have been incredibly beneficial in the age of covid when in-person doctor visits and in-home checkups are less common due to the nature of

Fitbit – Fitbit is an activity tracker that monitors the steps a user takes per day. These wearables can also measure things such as heart rate and other health metrics to give you a better assessment of your activity and whether or not you are hitting your health goals. Paired to a mobile application, these devices offer uses the capabilities to check their health metrics on the go via their initiative mobile dashboard.

Opportunity for Entering the mHealth Sector

With mHealth adoption on a tear, now is a better time ever to enter the mHealth market. As a trusted development partner for many organizations bringing their applications from idea to the app store, we’ve seen how exciting of a time this can be to bring a mHealth application to fruition.

If you’re interested in bringing a mHealth app to the market, consider working with our highly skilled team of application developers here at Dogtown Media. With over ten years of experience in the application development space, we’re confident we can be your trusted partner in bringing your mHealth application from idea to reality.

But, while this is a noble quest to help us become more aware of how we spend our time, it doesn’t fit in with Facebook’s revenue model, which relies largely on digital advertising.

Timing Your Social Media Activity

You can find the time tracker in the Facebook and Instagram apps by going to Settings > Your Time and Settings > Your Activity, respectively. Be careful, though — the information only speaks to time spent on the mobile app, and it doesn’t factor in time spent browsing on your desktop.

The dashboard does let you set a time limit for the day, and the app sends a notification when you’ve crossed the self-imposed limit while letting you scroll and interact with content anyway.

Facebook, for its part, isn’t harvesting the self-imposed time limits as advertising targeting tools. The social media mogul, located just outside of San Francisco, will also run a back-end experiment where it won’t give these time-tracking tools to select users. This will help the company compare the time tracker’s efficacy.

Pivoting to a More Positive Experience

Kevin Systrom, Instagram’s CEO, tweeted, “It’s true … We’re building tools that will help the IG community know more about the time they spend on Instagram – any time should be positive and intentional. Understanding how time online impacts people is important, and it’s the responsibility of all companies to be honest about this. We want to be part of the solution. I take that responsibility seriously.”

Facebook’s recent move in optimizing News Feeds towards your friends’ content, rather than low-quality viral videos and other clickbait, resulted in a slower growth rate than usual this year. It even lost 1 million European users in the second quarter of 2018, leading to shares dropping by $120 billion.

Instagram’s Product Director of Well-Being, Ameet Ranadive, described the reasoning behind Facebook’s change, saying, “The changes to the News Feed back in January were one step … giving people a sense of their time so they’re more mindful of it is the second step.”

Balancing Long-Term Strategy

But won’t this cause further revenue loss and market devaluation? It’s not fazing the two companies, according to Ranadive. He says, “There may be some trade-off with other metrics for the company and that’s a trade-off we’re willing to live with, because in the longer term we think this is important to the community, and we’re willing to invest in it.”

iOS and Android are also trending towards mindfulness; iOS 12’s coming with an app tracker that shows you how many minutes you’ve spent in each app. It’ll even send you a weekly report so you don’t ignore the tracker in favor of continuing extended social media browsing. Android’s time tracker app takes things a step further: it greys out the app, rendering it inaccessible. If you really need to get on Facebook, you have to open Settings and unlock the app manually.

Do mobile app developers need to be fearful of the future of app engagement? Certainly not. Just because time trackers make us more mindful of how we spend our time doesn’t mean the end of mobile phone habits. If anything, it’s a reflection of the fact that consumers value quality over quantity. Continuing to deliver a valuable, high-quality app experience remains the surest way to set yourself up for success.

(1) The company bundles the Google search engine and Chrome app into the operating system (OS), instead of letting consumers make their own choice; (2) Google stops phone manufacturers from releasing phones that use forked versions of the Android OS; and (3) the company “made payments to certain large manufacturers and mobile network operators” in a deal to only include the Google search app on handsets.

A Risky Domination

The EC isn’t out to get Google. But with Google dominating the market share for search engine traffic and advertising revenues, it’s not exactly in a position to argue that it’s only one of many key players. The commission warned that Google must cease all “illegal conduct to an end in an effective manner within 90 days of the decision.” Basically, this means the company needs to stop pre-installing its search engine and Chrome on Android devices and allow manufacturers to ship Android phones that have forked versions of the OS.

Google plans to appeal the case, with a spokesperson saying, “Android has created more choice for everyone, not less. A vibrant ecosystem, rapid innovation, and lower prices are classic hallmarks of robust competition.” Additionally, this decision could disrupt the Android’s free business model, says the company.

Margrethe Vestager, the current European Commissioner for Competition, says, “Today, mobile internet makes up more than half of global internet traffic. It has changed the lives of millions of Europeans. Our case is about three types of restrictions… Google has used Android as a vehicle to cement the dominance of its search engine. These practices have denied rivals the chance to innovate and compete on the merits. They have denied European consumers the benefits of effective competition in the important mobile sphere. This is illegal under EU antitrust rules.”

Leading the Ranks in Fines

Android developers need not worry, however; these updates should only affect manufacturers and the way they bundle apps together on brand new phones. But there might soon be an open market for forked Android versions that developers can contribute to.

This fine is now the highest fine by the EU for anti-trust yet, with Google’s previous fine at second highest. Intel takes the third-highest fine spot with a $1.2 billion fine. Intel’s followed by two Microsoft fines, at fourth- and fifth-highest fines of $1 billion and nearly $660 million. Facebook takes the sixth-highest spot with a ‘measly’ $130 million fine in 2017 for giving regulators misleading information on its 2014 WhatsApp acquisition deal.

Google’s appeal and subsequent court hearings mean that this case is far from being over; it is expected to last years, and the outcome could be a completely different decision than the one the EC laid down this year.

What do you make of the EU’s hefty fine? Do you think it’s justified? Let us know in the comments!

Google’s been a heavyweight competitor against Apple. But its Android system is bloated, which any Android user will confirm. The tech giant just invested $22 million in a non-Android mobile OS, KaiOS, to help Google gain a greater market share of foreign emerging markets across the world.

An Established Player Around the World

Many tech enthusiasts may remember KaiOS faintly; that’s because it’s Mozilla’s failed Firefox mobile OS. It’s already in production and use among mobile users all around the world, and the OS works with many phone manufacturers and mobile data carriers.

One of KaiOS’s biggest markets is India; they’ve worked closely with India-based carriers Reliance Jio, alongside Sprint, AT&T, and T-Mobile. Micromax is an Indian mobile manufacturer, and one of KaiOS’s biggest proponents. HMD Global, a Finnish manufacturer, and TCL, a Chinese smartphone manufacturer are other customers using KaiOS in their phones.

The company has offices all over the world, literally: Hong Kong, San Diego, Shanghai, Taipei, Paris, and Bangalore are just a few that are home to KaiOS employees. KaiOS originally began as a fork of Firefox OS’s codebase, and it’s an OS made for feature phones that don’t lose out on their ‘intelligence’ with the minimal OS.

Making Feature Phones More Robust

Anjali Joshi is Vice-President of Product Management on Google’s newest team, Next Billion Users. She says, “We want to ensure that Google apps and services are available to everyone, whether they are using desktops, smartphones, or feature phones. Following the success of the JioPhones, we are excited to work with KaiOS to further improve access to information for feature phone users around the world.”

Google is working with KaiOS to “make the Google Assistant, Google Maps, YouTube, and Google Search available to KaiOS users,” says CEO of KaiOS, Sebastien Codeville. Mobile developers (and web developers) can contribute to KaiOS with a very low entry barrier; it runs on HTML5, CSS, and Javascript. There are more than 40 million KaiOS phones in use, and bringing Google products to the OS will add more Google customers than ever.

Why Move Away From Android?

Google’s not moving completely away from Android. But recently, the company pushed Android to reduce file size by slimming down. Pre-installed apps should become smaller, and ideally, Android should be loaded onto new devices to take up less than 1GB of RAM. Only the future will tell if this is a realistic ambition. Currently, Android still takes up almost 3GB.

On the other hand, KaiOS devices come with 512MB of RAM and 4GB in storage. Feature phones are notoriously lighter than smartphones, but just in case feature phones continue their stronghold on users across the world, Google is set to go.

Will Apple follow in Google’s footsteps? We know that once one of the tech giants makes a move, the others are apt to follow closely in fear that they’ll be left behind if they don’t catch up immediately. Regardless, this is a smart move by Google. It not only benefits the company, but it allows many more users to tap into the potential of its technology.

Venture capitalist Mary Meeker is a rarity among her colleagues; being a woman in a traditionally male-dominated field, Meeker releases a thorough, densely-packed report of insights into Internet trends once a year. She’ll release updates periodically throughout the year, but this report has become a highly-anticipated annual event for most Internet and tech professionals.

Meeker’s Internet Trends report is extremely meticulous; it tackles questions you probably haven’t considered before. We’ve boiled down the almost-300 slide presentation into some key insights below.

U.S. Immigration

Immigration has been a hot topic of contention with the Trump administration and tech giants. Google spoke out against Trump’s ban of Muslim immigrants, and Meeker pointed out something very interesting this year: more than half of all Silicon Valley companies are founded by immigrants or children of immigrants.

This includes the pillars of Silicon Valley: Amazon, Apple, Google, and Facebook. Oracle also counts two founders as children of immigrants. PayPal’s four founders are all immigrants.

What does this mean? The political climate of rejecting world perspectives and experiences of immigrants as we turn away those fleeing from genocide and political abuse could be severely detrimental to the U.S.’s tech scene. At a time when China is leading the way in artificial intelligence (AI), the U.S. cannot afford to close our doors to immigrants, many of whom possess unique backgrounds and strong willpower.

China’s Rapid Growth

China’s Alibaba is growing, reporting strong gross merchandise volumes. And while it still lags behind Amazon in worldwide revenue, Alibaba’s margin numbers are strong at 60% over Amazon’s 37% margin figure. Both companies offer very similar services: cloud computing, physical retail stores, payment processors, digital entertainment, and IoT-enabled devices.

It’s important to note, however, that Alibaba is expanding internationally to India, Pakistan, Indonesia, and Singapore. Amazon’s still struggling to integrate Prime member rewards into the Whole Foods business model, but they’ve been making good headway since the acquisition.

User privacy in the U.S. isn’t a clear concept yet, but Chinese citizens have been more willing to trade personal information for product benefits compared to U.S. consumers. And Chinese companies are getting more spots on the list of top 20 Internet companies while continuing to push AI development and investment.

Internet and Mobile Phone Adoption Across the World

The world continues to adapt to the Internet; half of the world, around 3.6 billion people, now utilize the Internet. Smartphones are cheaper to buy now, and Wi-Fi connection is growing to include rural areas previously unable to be connected.

Going mobile means most people are spending more time online. Smartphones have changed our lives, and now we spend almost 6 hours a day online in 2017, compared to 5.6 hours a day in 2016.

As the web continues to achieve worldwide adoption, it will become saturated. It will eventually reach a point where only a few thousand people are joining Internet connectivity, which will become a problem for Internet telecom companies. Internet adoption is slowing down year-over-year, but we’re spending more time on our phones than ever.

However, this is great news for e-commerce businesses; your product has the possibility of reaching more people than ever today.

E-Commerce

Speaking of online businesses, e-commerce grew in 2017. 13% of all retail purchases occur online. This makes room for new shopping app development.

People are now going to Amazon for product searches before looking at Google’s results. But the Seattle-based company still relies on social media, like Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube, to inspire or nudge consumers to come buy something.

Freelancing

With promises of better work-life balance and flexible scheduling, freelancing is experiencing a major boom right now. It grew three times faster than the total workforce in 2017. The on-demand workforce, like Uber drivers, saw a 23% growth over 2016.

Education

In the same vein, education is increasingly a way for 9-5 employees to get faster raises and promotions. Since the job market is saturated with Bachelors degrees, any leg-up on education through YouTube, Udemy, Udacity, or similar yields better performance during annual reviews.

Additionally, skyrocketing student loans provide major incentive for employees to advance their education in an attempt to pay off debt.

Transportation

People are choosing to hail a ride-sharing service over using their own car. Consumers are also buying less cars, keeping them for longer, and opting for Uber over driving. Ride-share companies like Uber and Lyft saw a 150% increase in rides in 2017. More Uber drivers are signing on every day, which is good since consumers are hailing the ride-sharing cabs more often and for longer trips.

Mobile Ad Spending

Although people are spending more time than ever on mobile phones, companies aren’t switching their spending to mobile fast enough. This creates a gap of $7 billion in mobile ad space.

Of course, data privacy and regulation in addition to safe-for-work ad monitoring are currently the points of contention with most Internet advertising companies. This leaves a big opportunity for large consumer-base companies with massive staffs dedicated to advertising, like Facebook and Twitter, to step up and take a bigger piece of the revenue pie.

Cryptocurrency

Cryptocurrency has been exploding in the news, and its ups-and-downs on the market are being closely watched by more crypto traders than ever. Even Wall Street banks are lining up to implement blockchain into their ledgers, which have been hacked before, and create their own cryptocurrencies for consumers.

Coinbase’s user count went up by four times since January 2017, and although initial coin offerings are being watched more closely due to previous scams, cryptocurrency isn’t going anywhere anytime soon.

The Data Unveils All

As tech enthusiasts, the Internet is the most cohesive product to connect our world today. And even though it’s become second-nature to log onto social media or email first thing in the morning, we’re all leaving behind more data about browsing habits, engagement, and buying patterns than we’d like to think.

Fortunately, Meeker’s report aggregates a lot of that data to create actionable insights for entry-level employees as well as high-level executives. It raises important questions while answering others. What’s your favorite takeaway from the report? Let us know in the comments!

This year’s Google developer festival, the I/O conference, showed that the shift to ‘AI-first’ for the company was in full swing. Held each year in Mountain View right outside of San Francisco, the event has served as an opportunity for the tech titan to demonstrate why it’s still leading in innovation.

2018’s I/O showcased the recent fruitions of Google’s AI ambitions. As the company revealed the plans for its products in the coming year, it became readily apparent that integrating AI into everything was the name of the game.

Making Google Assistant More Human

Google’s AI-powered voice assistant is getting a small internal makeover to better fit into household dynamics. For example, the product received a “continued conversation” update, which eliminates the need to keep saying “OK, Google” before every interaction you have with the Assistant. This will hopefully create a more seamless conversational-style experience for families.

Another feature the company plans to roll out is the ability to ask multiple queries in one sentence like a person would naturally do. The Assistant will also remember past questions and answers for faster retrieval. Google will offer six new voices, including that of famous songwriter John Legend.

Google took a page out of Amazon’s plans for their Echo Dot Kids Edition; the company plans to add a “Pretty Please” feature, which kids can use to improve their manners. When you say “please” with your question, the Assistant will compliment you and respond back politely.

The scariest feature being released for the Assistant is the Duplex — it makes calls on your behalf, and it sounds extremely human, to the point where Google added “umm”s and “uhh”s into the robot AI’s speech pattern. This has caught quite a bit of negative press, and Google is taking the criticism in stride to make a product more palatable to the public.

Google Photos and Google Lens

Google Photos and Google Lens are receiving new built-in editing tools, like greyscale photo colorization, brightness correction, rotation suggestions, and other quick-fix recommendations. Make no mistake, Google is using our photos to improve its visual search and AI algorithms, but it also works in the background to edit your photos, create movies and collages, and organize albums automatically.

Photos will also offer to spot your friends in images, convert images into PDFs, and spot color or spot greyscale any of your photos. The company developed this mobile app to entice new users to use their photo-editing services over other competitors.

Google Lens will offer a new feature where you can highlight and select text from an image, whether it’s in a book or a street sign. Another new addition is “Style Match”, where Google uses object recognition and machine learning to find styles and accessories that are similar to a photo you have taken.

A Deep Focus on AI

The company is rebranding its Google Research Division into Google AI. Google is prioritizing research and development on the fields of neural networks, natural language processing, and computer vision. As customized hardware for AI takes off, the company is also hard at work on their third-generation TPU (tensor processing unit). CEO Sundar Pichai says the newest TPU is eight times more powerful than the last version.

Google is also focusing on continuously improving its TensorFlow software in addition to optimizing the TPU hardware. It released a new machine learning software development kit for iOS and Android developers. The models support face recognition, text detection, barcode scanning, image labeling, and recognition of landmarks and prominent buildings.

Google Maps

Google plans to add AI, in the form of its Google Assistant, into its Maps app. Assistant will give better recommendations to users. Google combined the phone’s camera with computer vision to incorporate augmented reality (AR) into street-view maps. The AR will add arrows to street view to show you where to turn left or right, and the camera integration gives Maps an edge over Apple Maps or Waze.

Google News

The tech titan’s news platform will integrate with other Google services to create a more cohesive subscription experience for users who follow free and paid RSS feeds. Leveraging AI could give Facebook a run for its money.

Android P

The newest version of Android, dubbed “Android P”, wants you to spend more time outside and with your loved ones. The updates to the mobile operating system will let you set controls for limited screen time, information on how to use your phone, and turn on “shush” mode to silence your phone during quality time.

The company is also beginning to transition Android to become usable on phones that have no buttons. Multitasking will be easier because virtual buttons can understand multiple gestures.

Google’s Game Plan

Google’s making a lot of changes, and most of them center around improving user experience with AI. This coming year is shaping up to be a busy one for the search engine giant. It will be exciting to see the end result from all of these endeavors.

The company is on a mission to make its name synonymous with ‘AI.’ If all goes well this year, it may achieve exactly that.