eastpointsoftware

Eastpoint Software Android and  iOS Mobile App Development Company UK, Cambridge and London . At the start of a project, you will need to consider which device or devices to build your app for. You will often be asked this early on, as it is an integral part of estimating the project. For mobile apps, one of the main questions is whether you want it for Android or iOS.
 
Sometimes the answer is made for you, but often it's a choice, and one you might need a bit of help on.

What is most used – Android or iOS?


Both Android and iOS are popular in the UK, but slightly more people are on Android. It is understood to have overtaken iOS devices in 2012. Both are widely used. The amount spent on apps is higher for iOS, although money spent in the Play store is going up.
 
So Android app development is best to reach more people?


Maybe, although there are other factors to consider. Android is used over a huge variety of devices and brands. So in theory, that's a huge amount of devices to test. In reality, just like with iPhone, you can chose which devices you want to make your mobile app available to.
 
It doesn't mean it can't be used on other devices, it just means you are not marketing your app as supported/tested on all phone, just specific ones.Obviously, if you already know your target market closely, or perhaps have a customer that has already explained that the app will be used on iPads, your decision is made for you.
 
Are iPhone apps or Android apps cheaper to develop?


Let assume you're picking between either purely iPhone or Android app development (ie, you're doing one or the other only).
 
Is one cheaper to develop than the other?


You would likely expect the app development to be roughly the same. However, resources needed for testing can be different. There are finite iPhones and iPads to test on within the Apple brand.
 
Android is used over a huge variety of devices and brands. So in theory, that's a huge amount of devices to test. In reality, just like with iPhone, you chose which devices you want to make your app available to.
It doesn't mean it can't be used on other devices, it just means you are not marketing your app as supported/tested on all phone, just specific ones.
 
Is there a way to build one app and adapt it to suit both Android and iOS?


You can develop a more neutral app that can be easily adapted across platforms. The benefits are that you can reach more people for less money. The downside is that, since the app needs to work across two platforms, there will most likely be some compromise involved.
 
There more about this in our previous article about hybrid apps, plus some more on Android and iOS app development options.
 
Other types of app


While iOS and Android are the most popular systems that apps are built for, others include Blackberry and Microsoft.
 
About Us


Eastpoint Software Mobile Apps and eCommerce Development Services Company Cambridge, UK and London. Get in touch with us about your mobile app idea on info@eastpoint.co.uk or, as Blondie would say, call me on 01223 690164. Let us know your requirements and we'll see what we can do!.
 
Visit us:  https://www.eastpoint.co.uk/Mobile-Apps/

As we've discussed before, mobile phone apps can be created for Android, iOS (iPhones etc), or both, as well as for other (less used) devices. When building an app this is a fundamental question, and a decision you will likely make early on in the project. Should I build my app for iPhone or Android?
 
What are the statistics – which is most used?
 
As we've discussed before, mobile phone apps can be created for Android, iPhone, or both, as well as for other (less used) devices.
 
In the UK, both Android and iOS are popular, but slightly more people are on Android. It is understood to have overtaken iOS devices in 2012.
 
So pick Android then?
 
Maybe, although there are other factors to consider. Android is used over a huge variety of devices and brands. So in theory, that's a huge amount of devices to test. In reality, just like with iPhone, you can chose which devices you want to make your app available to.
 
It doesn't mean it can't be used on other devices, it just means you are not marketing your app as supported/tested on all phone, just specific ones.
 
Obviously, if you already know your target market closely, or perhaps have a customer that has already explained that the app will be used on iPads, your decision is made for you.
 
Are iPhone apps or Android apps cheaper to develop?
 
Let assume you're picking between either a purely iPhone or Android app (ie, you're doing one or the other only). Is one cheaper to develop than the other?
 
You would probably expect the app development to be roughly the same. However, resources needing for testing can be different. There are a finite iPhones and iPads to test on within the Apple brand.
 
Android is used over a huge variety of devices and brands. So in theory, that's a huge amount of devices to test. In reality, just like with iPhone, you chose which devices you want to make your app available to. It doesn't mean it can't be used on other devices, it just means you are not marketing your app as supported/tested on all phone, just specific ones.
 
Is there a way to build one app and adapt it to suit both Android and iOS?
 
Yes, there is. The benefits are clear – reach more people for less money. The downside is that, since the app needs to work across two platforms, there will most likely be some compromise involved.
 
There more about this in our previous article about hybrid apps, plus some more on Android and iOS.
Other types of app:
 
While iOS and Android are the most popular systems that apps are built for, others include Blackberry and Microsoft.
 
We are Eastpoint Software iOS and Android Mobile Apps Development Services Company Cambridge, London and UK. Our clients, and prospective clients, often ask about the benefits of developing an app in Android or iOS (iOS is also known as Apple or iPhone). Other options include Windows apps and Blackberry apps (although I would say less people enquire about those). If you have any questions and are looking for mobile app development, please give us a call on 01223 690164 or Mail Us info@eastpoint.co.uk. Our tech team love building apps, and are keen to take on new projects.
 
 
Visit us:  https://www.eastpoint.co.uk/Mobile-Apps/

 
Our clients, and prospective clients, often ask about the benefits of developing an app in Android or iOS (iOS is also known as Apple or iPhone). Other options include Windows apps and Blackberry apps (although I would say less people enquire about those).
 
So those are some of the devices you can build apps for, and deciding which device type to target depends on your audience and your requirements.
 
If you're finding it difficult to narrow it down, to start off with, think of it like this:
 
Do I want a native app or a hybrid app?
 
This means – do I want to build an app for a specific device (say, Android phones) or do I want to create an app that will run on several devices?
 
Native= built for one type of device
 
Hybrid = intermediary technologies used to create a single version across different types of devices
 
The basic pros and cons of each are as follows:
 
Native apps pro:
 
Native apps are built specifically for one particular device, so all functions are designed to run , to a high standard.
 
Native apps con:
 
Potentially you are missing out on other phone markets because those with an Android mobile cannot use your app. If you have the budget, this isn't much of a con, since you would simply invest the money in a sister app that is designed to run on a different device. But if your funds are limited, investing it all in one app could limit opportunities.
 
 
Hybrid apps pro:
 
Most likely money saved on rolling your app out across several devices, while still maintaining a very good, but maybe not optimum, standard.
 
Hybrid apps con:
 
The app will potentially not work as well as if it had been made exclusively for that device, since it has been adapted to run across more than one device.
 
So that's something to think about – native or hybrid. Next, you need to think about what device or devices it will run on.
 
Android Mobile App Development Cambridge, London and UK:
 
In the UK, most people are using either an Android or an Apple phone, and most mobile apps would be made for either or both of these, if the objective was to make it available to as many people are possible.
 
iOS Mobile App Development Cambridge, London and UK:
 
As mentioned above, this is one of the most used and most popular type of app, along with Android.
 
Windows Mobile App Development Cambridge, London and UK:
 
After those two, Windows is probably the third most enquired about from our perspective. If building a Windows app, it will usually be for a specific reason that you are targeting Windows and not Android or iOS.
 
Some final thoughts: What's the difference between an app for a phone and an app for a tablet?
 
See my upcoming article!
 
Mobile app development, Cambridge
 
If you have any questions and are looking for mobile app development, please give us a call on 01223 690164. Our tech team love building apps, and are keen to take on new projects. We are Eastpoint Software Android, iOS and  Windows Mobile Application Development Cambridge and London, UK.
 
We work with big and small companies and also have experience as an outsourcing partner, if your company does not have the skills needed in-house. You can email us any app development enquiries at info@eastpoint.co.uk
 
 
 
Visit us:  http://www.eastpoint.co.uk/Mobile-Apps/

 
Optimising a website is the new having a website – think how often you browse and buy on a tablet or phone, or how often you see others doing it.

The US general manager of Alibaba.com said this year that creating a seamless shopping environment on a mobile phone “will be crucial for any business that wants to grow in 2014”.

Shopping on your mobile or tablet – how many people do it?

Statistics show that more people are buying this way, as a quicker alternative to firing up the PC. With a mobile or iPad, it's easy to buy on the go when you remember something, or while relaxing in the evening. These devices are convenient and to hand.

Research company eMarketer predicts that in two years, a quarter of all eCommerce will be done via a mobile device. That's potentially one in four customers looking to buy on their tablet or phone.
The famous USA sale day 'Black Friday' is coming up soon – last year figures by Custora High-Growth eCommerce Index showed that 40% of all online shopping was done on mobile devices that day.

Does a website always needs to be optimised?

Usually, yes. It can be pot-luck whether a traditional website created for a typical browser window works on a tablet or mobile.  Often it's there in spirit but can look messy – tiny writing, weird buttons, overlapping products etc.

Going back to what Annie Jie Xu of Alibaba said, it is about creating a 'seamless' shop for customers. Think about whether you would continue shopping on something clunky and confusing.
Optimisation for eCommerce is about streamlining the process to suit the small and medium sized screens of mobiles and tablets.

eCommerce Mobile App Development UK – when to invest

Any eCommerce platform is likely to benefit from mobile optimisation, as it makes shopping easier for customers and can lead to a higher conversion rate.

We see mobile device optimisation as a sensible choice, people will keep using phones, and customers will keep buying online, in the easiest way possible. Mobile devices are to hand, they are already turned on, and with an optimised website, it should be hassle free.

In terms of budget, it comes down to what you need and what you expect. Project costs will vary significantly from project to project. We suggest speaking to a software company about mobile app development.

About Us

We're Eastpoint, a Cambridge-based software company with experience in ecommerce web and Mobile App development Company in Cambridge, London and UK.

If you're looking for an online shop or eCommerce platform give us a call or send an email – we have worked on various eCommerce projects and have several options to get the most of your budget. Get in touch with us about outsourcing that part of the  project. We have experience working with partners and agencies on software products. Call us on 01223 690164 to discuss what you need and how we can help.


Visit us: https://www.eastpoint.co.uk/