Mobile applications development

Le système d’exploitation et le type d’appareil mobile

TST offers you create an application for the most popular operating systems , that is, Android and iOS , but if your budget is limited, you will need set priorities. This is a choice that is not always easy to make. Android far dominates the global market with a share of 87.8% while iOS has only 11.5%. The situation is different in some countries like Switzerland and Japan where iOS and Android are neck and neck.

The application will be optimized for tablets , without forgetting that some of them can only be designed for smartphones.

The type of mobile application (native, hybrid and web app)

A native, hybrid or web application? This is an important question, because developing native applications can be up to twice as expensive than developing hybrids. Here are the main characteristics of each of the solutions selected by TST:

- Native application. This is the most expensive solution. A native application is developed for a given system and only for that one. So if you want a native app for Android and iOS, you actually have to create two separate apps. The development of native applications is done with the programming language of each operating system: Objective C for iOS, Java for Android, C # and Visual Basic.NET for Windows. The advantage of these applications is that they provide excellent user experience . Their interface is fluid and responsive. They also have the ability to implement all the features specific to the mobile device such as GPS, camera, Bluetooth or fingerprint recognition.

- Web application. The web application is nothing more than a website that adapts perfectly to the screen size and characteristics of mobile devices, so that it looks like the native application. It is accessible via a browser (Chrome, Safari, Firefox), so it is impossible to publish it on the stores and install it on the phone. This is perhaps its greatest advantage: any Internet user will be able to find your web application by performing a simple search via a browser. In addition, only a development in HTML5 is required to be able to reach all mobile devices, regardless of the operating system. By far the easiest and fastest, this solution is also the cheapest, but remember that a web application cannot offer mobile-specific features . However, you will still be able to collect data using cookies.

- Hybrid application . Now that you know the differences between native and web applications, it will be easy for you to understand the principle of a hybrid application . It is a mix of the two to keep the logic of web technologies and, at the same time, to integrate the application more strongly into the operating system of the smartphone. It is therefore possible to develop a single application for Android and iPhone which, like a native application, will be available from the Stores and installed on the device.

The perfect solution depends on the characteristics of your project. There may be some performance issues, such as reaction times or slower screen loading that may impact the user experience. If your application should be used often, this may not be the best solution.

The business model

The design and development of your app will also depend on how you plan to monetize it. Here are the main solutions selected by TST:

- Paid application . Mobile users will have to make a micro payment to download the application from the Store. This model is used less and less because it is very unprofitable. Even though mobile users pay only a small fee, the fact that they cannot test the product before purchase increases their expectations. They remain very poorly tolerant of imperfections, and many of them do not hesitate to mention them in the comments, discouraging potential buyers at the same time. In this regard, it is interesting to note that iPhone users are more inclined to pay for apps and their content, while Android users make more use of free content.

- Freemium application . It is free to download to allow mobile users to test a limited version. They will still have to pay to be able to continue using the application after a trial period, acquire additional features or disable advertisements.

- Free application with advertising . To hope to generate significant revenue with this model, your application will need to create high traffic and achieve a good retention rate. Beware of antipub software which puts this business model at risk.

The design

By "design" we don't just mean the logo, icon, colors and animations of the app. It is also the organization of its content and its typography. Design is the most important step in any mobile app project. TST accompanies you at the end of this step, to find the prototype of your future product that you can visualize, “touch” and… change, if necessary, without much risk for your portfolio.

Consider preparing sketches or mockups of your application. This will make it easier for you to present it to TST developers. If you don't have any ideas for the design, there might be similar apps or websites that you want to learn from. Do not hesitate to point it out to TST developers so that they can better understand your expectations.

The description of the application

The development of your application requires the establishment of specifications. TST developers can help you build a notebook to suit your needs, so don't hesitate to ask for help.