Tag: android app development

11 Best Food Delivery App Development Companies in India

Posted on by Super Admin Testreveal

With the fear of Covid-19 looming large, people are compelled to dine in their houses rather than restaurants. But due to their busy work schedule, cooking is simply not an option all the time. Online food delivery on the other hand is a convenient and hassle-free option. Due to this, many restaurants are hiring online food delivery app development companies. Their aim is to make the most out of this situation, by focusing on developing apps which cater to the customer needs.

In fact, this market is anticipated to touch approximately $126.91 billion towards the end of this year.

Many restaurant owners are constantly innovating for providing their clients with ultimate experiences in food ordering and delivery. Now, the market has stiff competition in the food delivery apps space. In such a scenario, staying at the competitive edge and winning over the hearts of the customers can prove to be a mammoth task.

Therefore, it is important to plan accordingly and partner with an on-demand food delivery app development company at the earliest. If you want to approach a software outsourcing firm for developing your food delivery app, there are several companies operating in this domain.

In general, there are different stages for a food delivery app development process, which is graphically depicted below:

 

Stages of Food Delivery Mobile App Development

 

Here is the comprehensive list of some of the best food delivery mobile app development companies:

 

1. Redbytes

Founded in 2009, Redbytes comprises of a well-equipped team of experts who have proven their mettle in developing incredible mobile apps from simple ideas. The company has handled around 350+ projects all over the globe for clients including some Fortune 500 enterprises, in technologies such as Firebase, React Native, Xamarin, etc.

With a rich portfolio which showcases mobile apps catering to different segments including education, automotive, tracking, IoT, communication, healthcare, etc., Redbytes has laid its hands upon food delivery mobile app development as well. With many renowned clients in its kitty, the company is popular as one of the top food delivery app development company India.

 

2. Five

Incorporated in 2007, Five is a popular growth marketing organization involved in mobile design and development. It has created many advanced digital products which help the businesses to achieve their objectives and a greater ROI. The firm has a remarkable food ordering software online to its credit, which makes it one of the top food delivery mobile app development companies. The company also delivers technological solutions based on Ruby On Rails, React Native, AI/ML, Python, etc.

 

3. ValueCoders

Founded in 2004, ValueCoders is a well-known company based in India, which is into developing food ordering and delivery app. Acknowledged by Deloitte, Red Herring, and NASSCOM for its valuable services in the software domain, the company has worked with over 2000 enterprises spread across more than 33 countries.

With a resourceful team onboard, ValueCoders offers innovative food delivery services online with a wide array of features such as fast and well-organized admin dashboard, easy ordering, offline/online management, in-app search, order and trip management, etc. Further, it also provides various technology-integrated services including AI/ML, Blockchain, etc., to name a few.

 

4. Tapptitude

Since its launch in 2013, the company is popular for delivering advanced food delivery software services. Further, Tapptitude collaborates with both established brands and start-ups to offer pioneering mobile-first products which are in high demand among the customers. In fact, the company provides its support all throughout the food delivery app development process, starting from planning to execution, and scaling the product up.

 

5. GeekyAnts

GeekyAnts is a reputed development and design firm which was incorporated in 2006. It offers outstanding solutions for both mobile as well as web. The company has made remarkable contributions in different technologies such as React Native, React, NodeJS, Vue, Angular, Flutter, Python, etc., which has been highly appreciated by the industry stalwarts.

With a huge list of around 500 clients from all over the world, the firm has set its eyes on delivering state-of-the-art food ordering services. Apart from offering its services in the food industry, it caters to different industries including real estate, healthcare, gaming, finance, education, manufacturing, and so on.

 

6. Cubix

Established in 2008, Cubix focuses mainly on on-demand software development and synchronization of complex, knowledge-intensive solutions, with the backing of a team of expert developers. With over 10 years of industry experience, Cubix looks forward to touching new milestones in the latest technologies including ML, AI, IoT, and Augmented Reality, to name a few. Further, it is renowned as one of the best food delivery app development companies, due to the customer-centric approach it follows.

 

7. Xicom Technologies

Launched in 2002, Xicom is ranked as one of the best companies which is into developing food delivery apps. Further, the company is equipped with over 300 developers who have rich industry expertise, and are proficient in formulating software solutions through different programming languages.

This ISO 9001-certified firm has an excellent track record in working on more than 7500 projects with 1500+ clients spread all over the world. It has been recognized by NASSCOM for its excellence in delivering projects. The company aims to create a niche for itself in the web and mobile application development space by way of offering ground breaking solutions. The firm always tries to stay at the competitive edge by incorporating established practises and advanced technologies in the business solutions it offers.

 

8. Fingent

Incorporated in 2003, Fingent is involved in offering best-in-class food delivery apps, which matches the expectation of the customers. Armed with a team of 250 highly-skilled developers, the company has already launched over 300 apps. Further, the company offers support for businesses by analyzing the current trends and user requirements. Fingent has also made a mark in areas including product development, enterprise software development, Cloud application development, etc., with numerous celebrated clients.

 

9. 10Pearls

Incorporated in 2004, 10Pearls is the perfect choice if you want to get your food delivery app project done by a bunch of first-rated developers. With more than a decade in the software development industry, the company has developed many innovative solutions for a huge list of high-profile clients including PayPal, Johnson & Johnson, and many others. Other areas in which the company has proven expertise include mobility, quality assurance, etc.

 

10. Halcyon

Founded in 2005, Halcyon is a highly reputed company which specializes in designing and developing mobile apps for both small as well as mid-sized enterprises. Further, it has developed several innovative food ordering management solutions which has gone very well with the customers.

A winner of Webby Awards and other accreditations, Halcyon focuses on incorporating advanced technologies such as AI in its software services, for delivering outstanding solutions for the customers.

 

11. TechAhead

Launched in 2009, TechAhead is regarded as one of the top companies that offers high-class food delivery management solutions to the customers. Known for its expertise in delivering software solutions at affordable prices, it is the preferred choice of the customers from India as well as the US. It is also well-versed in UX/UI design, IoT, and many other technologies. Many renowned companies like American Express, Allianz, etc. are already the takers of the valuable solutions delivered by TechAhead.

12. eDeliveryApp

eDeliveryApp is a food delivery app development company that is not jack of all trades and master of none. They are just masters of one trade and that is ONLY food delivery software development. eDeliveryApp Only works in the food delivery domain and does not work on any other software development domain. This gives them a unique advantage over their competitors because their team actually walks, talks and breathes only food delivery app development and nothing else. They have a turn-key software for food delivery that they use as a base framework to build your food delivery system and this strategy drastically reduces the clients time to market the product and yet gives them the top quality product.

The food delivery software framework of edeliveryapp consists of responsive website, native android and ios apps for customer ordering, android and ios apps for restaurant to manage order + web backend for restaurants to manage menu and orders, android and ios apps for delivery drivers + delivery management backend panel with map based birds eye view of everything in real time along with super admin, sub-admin. Their software is ISO 9001:2015 certified so quality wise you can’t go wrong with them. It’s highly recommended to check them out if you are looking for food delivery software.

13. MultiRestaurant Systems

MultiRestaurant Systems is the youngest company in this list however their software is built by people with real world experience in restaurant industry i.e. they were restaurant owners themselves and for this reason their product seem to really very user friendly and meets the needs of restaurant owners really nicely. Another USP they have is that their multi restaurant delivery software is built with MOBILE FIRST approach as they started recently after the mobile boom so their mobile apps are really smooth and intuitive when compared to a lot of other competitors. MultiRestaurant Systems also follows the approach of turnkey readymade software that you can setup and customize as per your use and this helps MultiRestaurant Systems keep the price of their food delivery app development very low. So if you are on a low budget then multi restaurant systems is the team to check out. Their average cost of multi restaurant delivery software with all the modules ranges between $1000-$2000 which is nearly 1/4th the cost of most of the competitors.

Final Thoughts

The companies listed above are quite suitable and approachable for developing mobile apps for the purpose of food ordering and delivery. In fact, they are well-resourced to cater to the needs of the customers by way of their cutting-edge solutions.

Are you searching for a reliable food delivery app development company? If yes, feel free to contact us at info@redbytes.in

7 Common Myths about Android App Development

Posted on by Super Admin Testreveal

There are more than a million apps in the Android community and there is a virtual Android app development community that is earning through downloads and also helping users with a variety of tasks. Nevertheless, Android app development is not something that everybody can do. It requires good knowledge of Java, installation of some Android specific software, software development kit, an integrated development environment such as Android Studio, and a virtual device to test your app on. You also need an ample time and perseverance. And these are just prerequisites. After installation of all these software you need API levels, screen size etc. It is a long way process to go from conception to delivery of your app.

Android apps are changing our lifestyles

We are using Android apps in nearly all activities that we engage in our day to day life. Learning, reading, shopping, commuting, playing, recollecting things, collecting information, writing and the list goes on. In fact, there are very few facets of life that are not facilitated by apps in some way or the other. The community of Android app developers is changing the way we live. You name a field and there are a number of apps involved in it, be it health, education, services, sports or anything else.

Myths about Android App Development

1) A great app does not need selling:

Every newbie developer thinks that if he or she can come up with a great app it will sell by itself; it does not need marketing. However, this is far from the truth. If the app is for a targeted segment or community there is a chance that it will get downloads organically, i.e. without putting up ads, once you put it up in app store, share it in social media and some professional or other niche platforms. However, if the targeted audience is fairly large then you need ads to promote the app.

2) Download starts and money starts to flow:

If you are under the impression that your product is initially going to make you a millionaire just with downloads, then think again. It is not that simple. Thousands of people may download an app, but it starts paying the developer only when the user starts paying money for using the app. It is any body’s guess that the road from development to customers paying to use an app is long.

3) B2C market has a better yield for Android apps compared to B2B:

B2B market is nothing but a strategy that targets other businesses with an advantage of being scalable and structured. It is a common perception driven by the idea that B2C is a vast market. However, it is because of this vast market that the competition is also extreme. B2C apps are comparatively less expensive compared to B2B apps, but the ROI of B2B apps is much higher in comparison to B2C apps.

It is also seen that B2B apps have a large loyal customer retention compared to the B2C market. So if you are already on your way to develop a B2C app, the chances are it’s already on the play store.

4) App development is expensive:

Yes, its true, but only when you are employing a developer or outsourcing the job to an app development company. This is because the major expenditure is in paying the developer for his expertise and knowledge. So if you do it yourself it is not at all expensive.

Secondly, unless the project is complex and involves complex requirements, the project can expect you to spend a little extra due to several developers asking for a partial payments per month until the development completes. Therefore, major of the cost is expedited towards employing the expertise of an agency

5) Android apps don’t help developers earn money:

This myth has come about mainly because of the maze of apps in the android community. Sometimes there are four or five or more apps for the same job. In fact android is better suited for developers for earning money compared to other mobile OS. This is because of the sheer number of android users worldwide. In fact, more than 50% of smart phones throughout the world are android phones. However, this is also true that it is the android users who have the most reservations about paying for an app. In that perspective the developers are right. However, it is also true that a virtual community is sustained by this mobile operating system.

6) Google is all that we need:

Neither Google nor any social media can get you app at top for no reason. There’s always a competition between the Android app developers to personalize the app experience to the users and the app development approaches. People considering Google as their medium to the competition should stop their expectations right now. But that doesn’t mean you cannot get your app to the top. It’s never a big deal to achieve your desired ROI.

7) Native is the need of the hour:

Every app on the Play Store list, be it hybrid, native or web, possess their own pros and cons. Though native apps are known for giving us the best UI experience, it doesn’t always. It’s all about the user’s requirements. Nowadays, many cross-platform tools like Sencha and Codename give the same experience as a native app would.

Final thoughts

Android app development has revolutionized the way technology developers create an application. There might be many more Android app development myths that have crossed the app development industry, but it is recommended to research well to know behind-the-scenes story and plan accordingly. For any industry built on technology and science, myths do prevail making its way to new ideas.

9 Advantages of Custom Android App Development

Posted on by Super Admin Testreveal

The Android app development platform is a great choice, if you are not going for cross-platform app development. They have many advantages that other platforms can’t offer. This platform allows you to develop feature-rich applications with great functionality and usability.

Android, as an open source operating system is used by the majority of mobile phone manufacturers to power their devices. This creates tremendous business opportunities and augments growth.

Most of the off-the-shelf applications available today are highly customizable products. Yet, custom android app development is gaining so much importance.

Let’s see some of the advantages that are characteristic of custom apps alone.

Android Apps Offer Perfect Solution for your Distinctive Needs:

Every business is different, and therefore needs a different solution for their unique business requirements. Packaged products often come with excellent quality and reliability, but they can ultimately be an impediment to your business goals.

Readymade products are designed to meet the requirements of a wide range of businesses. It may include many functions and services that you may not find to be useful. As a result of these unnecessary feature assortments, more system resources are used which will eventually slow down the entire process.

Most of the time, packaged app users may find it necessary to adjust and alter their business operations to accommodate the application. A custom application could always prove to be a better solution than standard solutions, no matter how much customizable it is.

Tailor-made, innovative and individualized processes gives custom apps the flexibility to suite your businesses’ in-house operations. Also, custom apps can be localized to maximize use and increase productivity.

Custom Apps can Save your Time and Money

App development costs can be highly deceptive. The cost of developing custom android app may or may not be lower than purchasing out-of-the-box solutions. But, it helps to stay on time and on budget during the development period.

Readymade apps will not include the costs for installation, customization, data import, training the workforce, and additional support. The long-term benefits of custom made business applications are far better than that of the readymade ones.

Another advantage of custom android app development is that you will have to invest only for those specific set of features that you ask for. You can also exclude recurring licensing costs that come with off-the-shelf products, since you own your custom app.

Very Few Complications and Compatibility Issues

As your application is customized and designed from the very beginning in accordance with the end user requirements, it will be quick and easy to use. Very little training will be required as the application is less likely to include elaborate and irrelevant operations.

There will be very few complications when you operate it with the business software and applications that you already use. With licensing business applications, it is usual to encounter continuous errors while working with it.

Increased Business Security

Custom applications always give you enhanced security. Your product is exclusively built for your business alone. Other application vendors and users outside your enterprise will not have any clue about the architecture of your application.

Hackers often attack the known vulnerabilities in the applications. So business security risks are very high for third party applications

Efficient and Reliable Technical Support

One of the major benefits that come with custom apps is the unparalleled technical support plan that the Android app development companies offer. You will get reliable, dedicated support from the team that was directly involved with your product development. The users are promised with quicker and efficient solutions to all the encountered problems.

BYOD Preference for Android Apps

From the market share of Android apps, it’s quite evident that it has a prominent role when compared to other platforms. Companies who wish to bring in their own policy (BYOD), it’s feasible to opt for custom Android app development as it is available for a wide variety of devices and has high popularity with users from all economic groups.

Easy Customization

Android provides the opportunity for developers to create versatile apps through their easy customisation feature. Be it a complex custom app or a web app integration, this platform provides ample space for easy customizations. This platform is designed in such a way that it can accommodate any requirements of a business and also offers flexibility to integrate multimedia tools, data management functions, and with regular updates.

Open Source and High ROI

Android’s SDK is available at free of cost, thereby minimizing the cost for software licensing. As it is a free open source framework, it enables development of apps without any extensive development costs.

Use of Wearable Devices

Among business, the use of wearable devices is flooding due to its quick communication functionality. As the market for wearable devices is considered to grow more than 45% in the coming years, Android is contributing a lot to bring in the best devices in the digital market for the sake of the users.

Conclusion:

If you have a strategy for developing a custom app and wish to choose a single and stable platform, then Android app development is the feasible option. It’s the most recommended platform because of its market perpetuation, ease of development, integration, and short span of development.

Trends Impacting Android App Development

Posted on by Super Admin Testreveal

There is a huge boom in the growth of mobile app development companies recently. This is mainly due to the proliferation of smart phone and the mobile-first approach of the people.

As the need for apps increases day by day for carrying out multiple tasks, the growth of custom mobile app development also has a great demand. This will bring in new trends and impacts on the entire Android App Development scenario across the world.

According to a survey, the growth of mobile applications is expected to grow by 962.5% between within the end of 2017. With rapid growth and the wide establishment of technology, 2017 is considered to be a year with new emerging trends shaping the mobile app development space globally.

Let’s have a look at the latest trends in the Android App Development

1) Internet of Things(IoT) is Growing Higher

IoT is said to be the next internet or an industrial revolution by enterprise owners and consumers. A network of objects connected through the internet to exchange and collect data using embedded sensors. The growth of IoT is in the middle of a major boom.

Apps that cater and integrate to IoT will go a long way in the case of development. IOT can bring a major change in fields like education, health, security, smart homes, auto-mobiles etc.

2) Location-Based Services (LBS)

The trend of using GPS is common these days and this leads to the growth of location-based services. The service provides real-time information to users about all the whereabouts. This method can be used in key areas like travel and tourism, navigation, security systems, payments portals, retails etc.

3) Rise of Artificial Intelligence & Advanced Machine Learning

At the start of 2017, augmented reality will not only be an important part of mobile app development but also in augmenting the app capabilities. Machine learning and augmented reality play an integral part in creating robust apps that function, learn and adapt autonomously rather than just completing already set instructions.

Some of the important apps that utilize AI are Siri, Google Now, Prisma etc. By the use of advanced analytics, AI will be able to provide better and powerful insights to business users. Due to the advantages that AI have, giants like Facebook, eBay, Google, IBM etc. have started working on this new technique.

Google has declared lately that they will continue their integration of Google Assistant into Android devices in the coming year with more intellectual skills and improved features.

4) Wearables

In Android app development, the importance of wearable technology plays an important part. Smart watches have already become popular and has got good responses. Recently, several sports and fitness brands have come up with wearable devices that are sensors oriented.

Even the health care industry is very much using this technique. These days, more apps have been developed that offer the wearable version and support such devices.

5) Beacon Technology is Gaining Importance

Beacon Technology was first only available for the iOS devices, but now this tech has been introduced to the android app development trends. Multi-functionality and easy access to track the location is the main feature of this technology.

Beacon technology is used for:

•  Find temperature of particular place
•  Detect danger
•  Used in retail industries like industry employing beacons, with heavy hitters like Lord & Taylor and Macy
•  Can be used in hotels to replace hotel room keys with beacons. E.g.Starwood Hotels
•  The Major League Baseball is using beacon technology to reach out to their fans to upgrade the seating facility inside the stadium
•  American Airlines uses this technology to upgrade their connections with customers inside the airport

6) AR & VR

Augmented Reality and Virtual Reality, both are gaining a lot of media attention lately, offering enormous growth in mobile app technology.

Virtual reality is actually the method of recreating a real life situation artificially. When you are using this tech, the user will feel and experience a situation as that in real life. In this cutting edge tech, primary stimulation is done by stimulating the user’s hearing and vision power.

VR is done by using a code language called as Virtual Reality Modelling Language(VRML). This coding language helps in creating the images and specific interactions required.

Uses of VR

• Used to enhance the imaginary reality in different fields like entertainment, games, 3D movies, video games etc.
• Can be used as stimulator’s in flight for pilots.

Augmented Reality is used in mobile apps and blended into digital components to showcase as a real thing. This tech makes the confusion in users of what is real and what is computer based. This tech enhances and stimulates the senses to hear, feel and smell.

Features of AR

• Used in Entertainment purposes- games and videos.
• Have a great potential in bringing change in the medical field. It can be used to in remote surgeries and for the treatment of PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder).

7) Android Instant Apps

Google has developed instant apps for quick access to their android app users. With one single click, you can download the required app to your mobile like loading the web pages. In short, the entire app won’t be downloaded but only a part of it.

These instant apps would be useful at times where you need to downloaded certain apps for just one time purposes.

8) Improvement in Android App Security

App security is very important because this can effect our wallet details, personal data, hardware etc. To satisfy users, Google has brought new steps to improve the Android operating system. Thus, total security of the app will be increased and there will be more permission requests before downloading apps.

Android app security should be a big target for the coming years and Android app developers need to focus more on implementing new cyber security features within the apps.

9) Android In-App Payments

E-commerce has already become an integral part in the mobile app technology. Online payments can trigger the development of payment apps. Google has introduced a new app called the Android Pay with more secure and advantageous features. This app is considered to be perfect for storing all your credit/debit card details and personal data’s safe.

10) In-App Search

A handy feature that has been incorporated in Android phones for quite some time. Using this feature you can get information about any content on your smartphone within no time. The google search bar seen within apps which allows you search contents is an ample example of this feature.

This new feature has already been already introduced to apps like G-mail, YouTube, Spotify etc. and developers are trying to bring in the feature to more apps,

Nowadays for each and everything there is an app and they can bring you instant updates on anything around the globe. Keeping the users engaged is the main challenge that is faced by the mobile app developers.

Along with all these new trends, mobile UX design and hybrid HTML5 is to show importance in the coming years.

When it comes to mobile app development, developers cannot rely on outdated trends and tools. It is important for each and every developer to enhance their skills according to the latest android app development trends & development techniques. Hence, 2017 is considered to be a year with lots of new advancements and revolutionary changes in the Android App Development companies aiming to satisfy their users all around.

Security Checklist to Consider for Android App Development

Posted on by Super Admin Testreveal

Thousands of apps are being released to major app stores every day. Yet, most of them wither before they even have a chance to bloom.

The effort, money, and time that is put into developing apps are enormous. Once you’ve got a lot of negative feedback from the users, there will be hardly any second chance given to prove the worth of your app. So ensuring security should be a major step taken by app development companies.

Security check is implanted into all the latest releases of Android app development to bring in a number of features for its users.

As security has become more of a concerning element for Android users, Google has launched a new security-focused page on Android developers site. This site provides tips for app creators to make their apps free from issues.

Some of the most common security vulnerabilities of android apps include the following:

1. Inadequate Transport Layer protection
2. Client side injection
3. Poor authorization & authentication
4. Security decisions through untrusted inputs
5. Broken cryptography
6. Lack of binary protections
7. Improper session handling
8. Unintended data leakage
9. Insecure data storage
10. Weak server side controls

Android operating system has several built in security features which makes attacks less frequent. These features allow enabling security easier during android app development. The main in-built security features include the ones given below.

•  Android Application Sandbox can be used to isolate the app data and code execution from other apps.
•  Data can be protected using an encrypted file system in case of device loss or theft.
•  Application data can be controlled by enabling application-defined permissions.
•  It enables user granted permissions. This will restrict access to the user data and system features.
•  Includes technologies to reduce memory management errors which include ASLR, ProPolice etc.

Since ensuring the safety of user data is a very crucial step in confirming your app’s success following the given below security check-list is important for every app developer:

1. Apps should use permissions that are necessary for integrated features. Developers should pay more attention to the permission factors that are used by the app’s libraries

2. The registration and activation process should be well made.

3. Never store sensitive information on external storage, since the data will become very easy to exploit.

4. Network transactions should be adequately protected as it involves transmission of private data.

5. Strong input validation is very important for app security.

6. When using native code, attacks that can be induced from data coming over a network or IPC should be controlled by carefully handling the pointers and managing buffers.

7. Use parametrized queries to submit to SQL database in order to stay safe from SQL injection.

8. JavaScript injection is a common web security issue when using the WebView as it makes use of website content that will include HTML and Javascript.

9. Use authorization token instead of frequently asking for user credentials so as to reduce fishing attacks.

10. Android offers a lot of methods to protect data, such as data isolation, entire file system encryption, cryptography, and secure communication channels.

11. Its better to use Android based Intent, Binder, or Messenger than Linux based network sockets and shared files to execute IPC.

12. In Android, Intent is preferably used towards an application component for asynchronous IPC.

13. For RPC related IPC, using Binder or Messenger is preferred, which can ensure mutual authentication of endpoints.

14. Loading code from outside of your application APK, can increase the risk of code injection.

15. Use of sensitive APIs and data from external storage should be verified as safe enough before using it in an app

16. Properly configured SSL should be in place to secure communication between clients and servers.

17. A new building block is introduced for anti-abuse- SafetyNet attestation(it’s an API for developers to vaguely evaluate whether the used Android device is genuine)

18. As several untrusted contents are handled in web view improvements are made in Android Lollipop. Now the Web View is showcased as an independent APK with regular updates

19. Mandatory use of application sandbox (a security mechanism to separate running programs to execute untrusted programs/codes)

20. Enhance security with Device Management Solutions

21. Methods to defend users against PHAs (Potentially Harmful Applications)using Verify Apps, which potentially enables steps to validate threats targeting the system

22. Verified boot is a protection layer that help to improve security checks using cryptographic integrity to detect changes in the operating system

23. Android O has now introduced “seccomp” (a security measure used in Linux kernal) which stops the exploitation by potentially harmful apps.

These are the few best practices that needs to be considered to maintain security while Android app development. Whether you are an Android developer or an entrepreneur, knowledge on a few caveats is important to set the right place in app market.

Where to Start Android App Development?

Posted on by Super Admin Testreveal

“Where to start android app development?” This is a question that every budding developer has faced in the beginning of their journey. App development is not just about learning the code syntax. There are a whole lot of tools and Android app development software that you need to get familiar with.

This article will help you to get started.

The Android Software Development Kit

The SDK comprises of a collection of tools that helps you in android app development.

The IDE is a part of the SDK, and is the main program that lets you write code, organize and edit various files, call libraries, perform testing etc. There are two important IDE for Android, viz., Eclipse and Android Studio.

Eclipse: It is the default IDE for Android, which allows you to work with Java and XML files.

Android Studio: Android Studio is a good alternative to Eclipse, though it can’t be used for every need that you may have, currently. The IDE is directly developed by Google at present, and is in the prolonged beta.

Here are some great resources for you to start learning the basics.

Android Developer Hub

Android developer hub is Android’s official developer website. You can get access to awesome tools & downloads, a never ending list of library items, code samples, training and everything related to Android here.

Codementor

You can get a lot of tips, tutorials, and expert advice from experienced Android developers in Codementor. The site will also allow you to sign up and receive email updates.

Android Weekly

This is your ultimate source to get free subscription to weekly newsletters and content rich articles, tutorials, videos, and more.

Udacity

This is an 8-week online class to learn android app development. The course is taught by Google engineers, which helps you to learn some of the core concepts better.

Android Debug Bridge

The ADB is a command line tool that allows you to communicate with a plugged-in Android device. The client-server program will let you make changes to the device. Here are some helpful resources.

Vogella: This will start right from the basics and takes you through the working of the ADB and the different scopes of using it.

ADB User Guide: This resource comes as Google’s official documentation and gives you a detailed idea about using the tool.

Android Developer Guidelines

Google gives you a great number of tutorials and guides, so that you can understand how to program your apps. Some sections are:
Google services, where you get features like map & locations, sign-in services etc.
API Guides, where you can read about adding tons of functionalities, such as basic animation and connecting to the web.
Sample Codes, for adding various functions.

Android Design Guidelines

Just like Apple’s User Interface guidelines, Google has it’s own set of design guidelines for it’s developers. Here, you can read the instructions and tips related to different topics on creating application interfaces such as animation, usability, layout, style etc. For e.g., the guideline details how you can design an interface that adapts not only to the mobile phone interface, but also tablets, TVs, and even watches.

Google has also come up with a new design metaphor, Material Design, which will add innovation and the possibilities of technology & science into it.

Git

Git is a version control system that can be directly integrated into the Android IDE. You can manage old and new project versions with the help of Git, and use it as a backup tool. Two of the most popular Git repository services are GitHub and BitBucket.

Vogella, Bitbucket Tutorials, and GitHub Guides contain a lot of guides and tutorials for people who want to get trained in the area.

developer.android.com: This is one of the best place to find Android related resources. This site contains a vast supply of information with detailed contents for the beginner level in addition to some of the more experienced developer content.

Know the basics of Java : To be successful in Android app development, every developer needs to have a good grasp of Java language, Android app architecture and Android API. Java is a language used in Android and once you learn it, connect your concepts with XML designs to apply with Android principles.

Envatotuts+ : It’s a free resource with written tutorials. There is a huge selection of tutorials and courses which range from a general view to more specific tasks. It also contains general Java tutorials, geared up specifically towards Android app development.

Udemy : This is a free solution for learning Android development. It contains different courses of varying lengths, where the contents are taught by talented and experienced instructors.

While you are certainly heading towards Android development, a look through the materials illustrated above will definitely help you to collect a little background knowledge.

9 Tips to Prepare for an Android App Developer Interview

Posted on by Super Admin Testreveal

Android is the most popular mobile platform currently. A career in android app development would be many fresh graduate’s dream job. Well, not so fast. The first skill you need to have is the skill of cracking the android app developer interview.

Several things are known by all like the importance of having a well written resume, being honest, using a good body language, reaching the site early etc. But, most will be ignorant about ways that could make them stand out or face job interviews confidently.

The following tips will help you in preparing for an Android app developer interview in a better way.

1. Be Prepared for the Whole Interview Experience

Attending the interview is not just about being prepared to answer the technical questions alone. While you have to work your way around that, nailing the non-technical and non-verbal part has got a huge impact on the success of your overall performance at the interview.

You should be prepared to answer all those friendly questions along with the uncomfortable ones like why you were jobless for a certain period. You should be prepared for the tricky questions as well. For e.g. if the interviewer asks you, if you are more comfortable working with a team or alone, you should answer the question taking into consideration the nature of the company.

So many candidates leave the interview without asking further questions to the interviewer, thinking that it’s not their business or that the interviewer might feel irritated. This is not a recommended practice as showing your curiosity in knowing the details convey your interest in proceeding further.

2. Be Yourself and Don’t Bluff

Whatever you know, answer it confidently. If you are asked a question that you don’t know, tell them that you are not sure and then continue with the answer. Never try to explain a wrong answer confidently. That can make your interviewer doubt on your correct answers also.

3. Keep Updated about the Latest News and Trends in the Industry

Even though you might not be able to have a detailed knowledge about everything, it will always give you an upper hand when you are aware about the latest trends and technology in the android app development industry. So, listen to tech news constantly and make it a habit to research about similar topics. You can follow known bloggers and watch Google I/O. This will give the interviewer an idea about how interested you are in the field.

4. It is not Enough to know the Languages Alone

It is often a misconception that having an in-depth knowledge about the programming language is what makes you a top developer. Well, this is definitely not so. Make sure that you have enough idea about the android app development process as a whole – from conception of a project idea to marketing tactics. Even possessing a certain level of entrepreneurial spirit will prove beneficial in a developer’s career.

5. What Exactly do you Know about the Company?

This tip can seem so obvious, but most are careless even to go through the company’s website before appearing for the interview. Research well about the company’s background so that you don’t have to face an embarrassing situation while attending the interview. Speak about your interest in working with them. Always remember that this is a chance which you could cleverly use to impress the interviewer.

6. Develop an App to Showcase your Skills

Rather than explaining your skills and capabilities, it is better to show them in real. You can either develop a new app or focus on improving your college project if that is good enough. You can keep your project updated when you advance with your skill set and experience. The point here is to show than to tell; giving a reason for the interviewer to feel convinced is your own responsibility.

7. Data Persistence

Every application needs to store data either as a cloud file, template files, temporary cache, etc. Since mobile platforms are resource constrained, it requires more care while choosing the right strategy. During an interview, be confident to talk about the alternate persistence strategies and also how you can combine different storage options. Having a deep knowledge of hard technical details can be more important than just knowing the theoretical generalities.

8. Knowledge on tools

It’s quite certain that bugs might occur while app development. Your speed in determining where and what went wrong can portray that how good you are as a developer.

You might be asked to debug a problem within a sample app during an interview. So, be sure that you are familiar with the common templates for detecting such vulnerabilities.

9. Know what you’re doing

A vague idea and understanding of technical concepts cannot get you much farther in an interview. If you don’t know something, don’t be afraid to say so. Know the purpose behind every code and functions during development and how it contributes to solve problems.

Overall, maintain a good attitude, no matter what happens at the end. Take every chance as a learning experience to sharpen your interview skills for the next time. Good luck!

Please feel free to share any more ideas you might have.

How Costly Is It To Develop an Android App?

Posted on by Super Admin Testreveal

Technology is ruling the world like never before. In this era, you will see various brands boasting about their apps in every direction. Many others are busy marketing about their upcoming app. Customers are glued to mobiles devices all the time, exploring new apps each day. If you are going in the same direction and thinking of developing an Android app for your business or startup, you need to know all about app development costs and investment.

Here is a guide which will give you enough information related to the cost of an app development.

Must Read: 

6 iOS/Android App Development Questions to Ask Before You Start

1. A lot goes into the business model

The right business model helps a lot in fetching revenue. Thus, this is the main step which takes up a comparable amount of your budget. Your expense highly depends on the way you want to launch your app and the way you want your customers to connect with it. You might have to shell out some more bucks if you are in for some full-blown e-commerce experience.

2. Android – the costlier platform to develop apps

It is rightly said that, developing an iOS app costs much less than Android. Reason being, iOS apps are quicker to develop as well as does not require more of build cost. While on the other hand, if you have chosen Android app, then be ready to have more amount in hand.

Android also has a wider penetration in the market and targets a huge number of users, which makes the development costlier. Again this depends on the area where you are launching your app.

3. Let’s go into the app type and functionality details

With all the background set, it is now time to actually spend time and money on actual development and building of the app. The type of app and the functionalities you want to include will be the deciding factor for your budget.

There is no end to how dynamic an app can be. For instance, there are dynamic apps which are connected to a website to retrieve information. Other than this, there are game apps which demand more time and investment. They are the most expensive ones due to tonnes of functionalities they have.

4. Investing in design is also important for an impact on customers

Although functionality is the major focus most of the time, you need to give importance to design as well. The design is indeed the first impression. Thus, catchy icon, vibrant colors and other such factors makes an app a success. If you really want a compelling design, you should be prepared to invest some serious cash on a design team which will come up with the best design depending on your product.

Investing in design is not necessary all the time. If your focus is only a bunch of audience, then investing in design won’t fetch you much profit. But if you are aiming at a wider audience and market, then you need to compete well and make sure there is no compromise on design.

5. Is it a freelancer or an agency who will develop your app?

This aspect is to be decided when you are preparing the business model. For each type of developer, there are several benefits. If your budget is low, a freelancer will easily fit into your budget. But a freelancer might or might not be skilled well. Chances are he might take more than required time. So there’s always a risk here.

While on the other hand, big agencies come with a heap of experience. They always stay upto the reputation of their brand, hence their work is always good. Major issue again is the high cost which might go beyond your budget.

Thus, there is no such fixed cost for any type of app you intend to develop on Android platform. But the above factors are the major ones which contribute to the budget of you app.

Videos Are Essential For Your Mobile App. Here’s Why

Posted on by Super Admin Testreveal

If you use apps or know about android app development or iPhone app development, then you have definitely viewed or heard of app preview videos. Google and Apple app stores are maxing out at almost 2 million apps each and new apps stand out because they infuse bright colours with bold designs or simply because they are developed by reputed organizations. In a sea of developers and designers, each with their own unique ideas, mobile app preview videos help your product stand apart from the crowd.

What an app preview video does is it increases the chances of your iPhone or Android app being downloaded and it does this by simply allowing prospective users to take a look at what your app offers and how it works. We can tell you off-hand that a paid app has a higher chance of being downloaded if buyers can preview what your app does before investing their money.

Here is an example for an app video:

 

App stores are the battleground where iPhone and Android apps compete for downloads regardless of the effort that has went into android app development or iPhone app development, budgets or marketing strategies. The best apps as well as the obscure ones are given equal opportunities to strut their stuff in elaborate app descriptions, screenshots, ratings and reviews.

User Psychology

The only thing standing between your app and a million downloads are the users. Unfortunately, users are lazy. Studies have shown that more than 60 percent of iPhone or Android app store visitors don’t even look at the two most effective means of describing what an app does – screenshots and descriptions. This means that 60 percent of prospective users won’t even bother to check what your app does. App preview videos are the next best thing in these situations because almost everyone will tap a play button instead of scrolling through text.

Videos Are Essential For Your Mobile App. Here's Why
Image courtesy: Apple
 

StoreMaven reports that adding preview videos increases conversions by 20 percent for App Store and 35 percent for Play Store. In other words, people are more likely to download your app if they watch a video of it first. Did you know that app preview videos can affect the ratings of your app? Tune conducted a survey which revealed that apps with preview videos were generally given a higher rating than apps without them. The average rating for apps without a preview video is 3.81 stars, almost half a star lower than the average rating for apps with a video: 4.24 stars.

Videos Are Essential For Your Mobile App. Here's Why  Image courtesy: Tune

In App Store and Play Store, higher ratings help new apps move up in app rankings and app rank is the default sorting filter applied in both stores when people are browsing. Newly released apps don’t have a tonne of reviews which prospective users can read so unless there are other pointers, like preview videos, users will classify the app as suspicious and move on to other options.

Ankit Jain, former head of Google Play search said at a recent Google I/O conference “Video previews are the next level of screenshots. With a short video, you’re able to show the user really what it’s like to play with your app. Giving potential users an accurate impression of what your app is all about is an approach that keeps on giving… developers have told us that uploading a video can really help gain user adoption, and users in a lot of studies have told us that video previews are amongst the most convincing features of an app details page.”

Videos Are Essential For Your Mobile App. Here's WhyImage courtesy: Tune

If you have spent your time, effort and money for android app development or iPhone app development, then you want it to have higher ratings. Almost 60 percent of the ratings are achieved through app descriptions and user reviews but where can you find that extra edge to push your app in front of the competition? 40 percent of smartphone users consider app preview videos among the top three deciding factors for a download.

To sum it up here’s why preview videos are essential for your mobile app:

1. It engages users more directly than text or screenshots.
2. Videos are easy to share and have the potential to become viral, unlike text.
3. Users prefer watching videos to scrolling and reading.
4. Videos communicate ideas more clearly and effectively in very little time.
5. It provides a demo of your app so users know what to expect.

So if you are confident that your iPhone or Android app is sure to hit the top-10 list, give the users a preview of your app because if there’s one thing we know, it’s that people like to tap play buttons on their smartphone screens.

5 Simple Tips To Make Mobile App Videos

Videos Are Essential For Your Mobile App. Here's Why

Now that you know why app preview videos are important, let’s get on with understanding how to make them and ensure the efforts of your android app development or iPhone app development team doesn’t get wasted.

1. Define a script. On Apple’s App Store your preview video has 30 seconds to tell users about your app and convey its usefulness. While Google’s Play Store does not have a time limit, studies show that the average viewer will look at a video for two minutes before moving on. This sort of constraint implies that you need to brainstorm ideas to highlight the most compelling features of your app and write a script which will effectively showcase each of them. Unlike Play Store, App Store does not allow localisation of videos. This means that for an iPhone app, the same preview video is viewed all over the world so including text or narration is not the best idea since you are limited to one language.

2. Capture the video. Apple’s app preview guidelines state that absolutely no real-world footage should be included in the video, unless you have developed a camera app. Your preview video should contain only animation and in-app features. We suggest using expanding dots to convey taps and moving arrows for gestures. Of course, if your app works on only one or a few screens, a preview video won’t really get you anywhere. Play Store, on the other hand, provides a set of loose guidelines/suggestions which, if followed, will ensure that your preview video effectively communicates the usability of your Android or iPhone app.

3. Add music. Including a sound track in your preview video will make it livelier but, for legal and moral reasons, you are limited to using audio tracks for which you have acquired licensing rights. Let’s just say Beethoven wouldn’t like his compositions to be used in an app without his knowledge. For this reason, several app developers source audio from SoundCloud and look for royalty-free tracks. If you are showcasing your Android or iPhone app being used then it is a good idea to include the UI sound effects to give a sense of continuity to viewers.

4. Format your video. Apple’s guidelines are very particular when it comes to preview video resolution, file type and even pixel shape. Your video has to be shot at the native resolution of devices on which it will be viewed. This means that for iPhone 6 users your video should have a resolution of 750 x 1334 and for iPhone 6 Plus: 1080 x 1920, any other resolution and your video is rejected. A tool called FFMPEG will help you easily reformat preview videos.

5. Upload your video. Play Store allows you to link promo videos from YouTube so post your preview video on YouTube and then link to it. Be sure to make the video Play Store specific, for example – don’t include an end slide that says “Download from App Store and Google Play”. App Store is more specific when it comes to preview videos – you need to upload the video using Safari, Apple’s web browser. Apple rejects videos which have non-square pixels but luckily, there are several online tools which will convert your video into a square-pixel format.

So, you are armed with valuable video making knowledge. You can go ahead and make an app preview video that will make your Android/iPhone app shine brighter than the competition! Do you have experience creating an app preview video? We would love to hear from you in the comments section below.

Six iOS/Android App Development Questions to Ask Before You Start

Posted on by Super Admin Testreveal

Independent research shows that between 2009 and 2017, the projected number of mobile app downloads will be over 102 billion.

As a business owner, you might take these numbers as proof enough to start with iOS or Android app development. But don’t let the numbers alone steer your decision. Your customers may or may not want to download an iOS or Android app for your business just yet.

Ask yourself these 6 questions before you invest the time and money in Android or iOS app development:

Also Read: 

How to Start an Android/iOS App Business

10 Popular Apps iOS App Development Companies can Learn From [2016]

1. Would your business offerings fit into a mobile app design?

Several B2C businesses have found success in mobile apps, especially in the e-commerce domain. Buoyed by this success, the interest in Android app development or iOS mobile app development has surged in other industry verticals as well. Even so, it’s imperative to assess and evaluate the mobile experience. It can be a challenge to develop the right mobile app experience and design for enterprises operating in niche areas such as heavy engineering, manufacturing, and the automobile industry.

2. How are you going to acquire customers?

Getting customers to download your application for Android or iOS can be difficult – irrespective of whether it is a paid or free app download. Factoring in the various user acquisition channels suited to your area of operation can help enhance acquisition. When doing so, measuring the lifetime value of your app against basic parameters such as the cost per install (CPI) is important as well.

3. Will your app really solve a problem?

Be sure to identify your customers’ pain points before you chart out a development plan for your mobile app. An app should go someplace your existing customer acquisition plans cannot reach. If you’re a business that wants to stay connected with customers and be available to meet their needs at any hour of the day, then you most likely need an app.

4. Are you prepared to foot the costs – before and after?

App development, deployment, and maintenance is an enduring process in that it needs both time and money. Experts recommend that you test a beta version on a smaller sample before you plunge head-on into an Android or iOS app. This approach will give you a fair idea about the funds your mobile app strategy will consume in the long term.

Recommended Read: 

5 Awesome Optimisation Tips for iOS App Development Companies

5. How aware are you of your customers’ preferences?

Before you show your mobile app developers the green light, take a step back and get into your customers’ shoes. Be sure to have a clear idea of why your customers would want to use your Android or iOS app. Also ask yourself whether the app will directly solve a problem for customers. Evaluate the benefits of a paid app versus a free app download. Keep your customers’ preferences in mind all through your app building process to keep it as close to their needs as possible.

6. Do you have the right mobile app development team to fuel your dream?

There are several skilled individuals who need to work together to build a mobile app for Android or iOS. These include front-end and back-end developers, UX designers, and QA engineers. As a large company, you might have the resources to foot the costs of developing an Android or iOS app. But if you’re not in the big league yet, outsourcing an app would offer more value.

Got something to add to these points? We’re eager to hear about it. Let us know your thoughts in the comments section below.