Latest Podcast



Featured Articles

Friday, October 25, 2013

The impact of iOS 7 on mobile app developers

Anton Faulconbridge writes:

It’s the latest tech update that everyone is talking about; for good or for bad, iOS7 is here and it’s something that all mobile app developers need to take into consideration. So, how have these changes to Apple’s system had an impact on third party apps?

Image

Face value

The first thing you notice when you start up iOS7 is the facelift that Apple have given their themes. The redesign has made it stark, minimal and yet dynamic in appearance, making full use of zoom and slide animations. This appearance is very different to the previous versions, making purpose built apps for Apple look outdated instantly. Many of the big players in the game like Twitter and Facebook were obviously aware of the significance of these changes and were able to release an update shortly after iOS7 was launched. Other mobile developers were not so fortunate and have had to completely overhaul their apps in an effort to keep them current.

How it feels

It isn’t just the look that has changed, but also the feel of how these apps operate. Previously, most apps worked on a layer base – clicking through navigation to get where you want to be. However, the minimalist nature of this update has forced many apps to adopt a more swipe-based interface. This means that now, instead of clicking through navigation menus, you simply swipe horizontally to get to the app’s most used features. This means that before, where many app developers only had to think about compatibility, there is now reason to consider the way in which the entire app works.

Compatibility

This really is the big issue when it comes to new software and mobile apps. If you haven’t been updating your app as the new updates roll in then you’ll probably find that your app no longer works effectively on the new systems and definitely no longer looks the part after the iOS7 drop. You might find that if your app requires a lot of memory to run then it will completely crash older devices or freeze on newer models. Unless you follow Apple closely and have a good idea of the changes that these updates will bring, a lot of the compatibility issues can only be worked out after the official launch.

Death of Novelty

Some of the most popular apps on the old systems include the novelty apps like flashlights and spirit levels, among others. Thanks to new additions to iOS7 these apps have been made completely redundant, forcing many mobile app developers to come up with new ideas for money making software. In a way this is encouraging for app developers as they created a feature so useful that Apple have integrated it in all their devices; however it is more than likely they received little or no compensation for their contribution. This means that many developers will need to come up with entirely new projects that are not already an existing feature of Apple devices but would be used on a regular basis – a very tricky task as Apple is constantly evolving.

So far we can see that iOS7 is having a massive impact on mobile app developers so far, and with various bug fixes and additional updates coming out this trend is set to continue.

Anton Faulconbridge is CEO of RantMedia, a mobile app development agency based in Cardiff.
Print
Author: The Fonecast
0 Comments
Rate this article:
No rating

Leave a comment

This form collects your name, email, IP address and content so that we can keep track of the comments placed on the website. For more info check our Privacy Policy and Terms Of Use where you will get more info on where, how and why we store your data.
Add comment

Opinion Articles

Why a mobile TV service is just like a zombie

Mark Bridge writes:

Here in the UK, we’re struggling a bit with mobile TV. Which made me wonder what the problem really was. Well, after a long evening with the finest stilton and the cheapest port, the answer came to me in a dream. A mobile TV service is just like the lurching, drooling nightmare creatures that appear in every zombie film. And once consumers understand zombies, they’ll understand the problems with mobile TV. Let me explain.

Author: The Fonecast
0 Comments
Article rating: No rating

Selling your way out of a recession? Of course you can!

Iain Graham writes:

Everybody these days (apart from a lucky few!) is suffering from a lack of business or reduced sales due to the current 'downturn in the economic climate'. In my opinion, this is the time when sales people should stand up and be counted!

No, I don't mean the hard nosed, foot in the door double-glazing, second-hand car or mobile phone types (no offence!), I mean EVERYONE! Selling is a concept as much as it is a profession.

Author: The Fonecast
0 Comments
Article rating: No rating

Mobile & Contactless Payments

James Rosewell offers his opinion on the current state of mobile and contactless payments.

The banking and mobile industries have big plans for Near Field Communication (NFC) as the mobile payment mechanism of the future. Barclaycard has been leading the way from the credit card sector forming a partnership with Orange, having previously worked with O2, and running a catchy TV advert prompting contactless cards using VISA’s paywave system.

However the reality of NFC payments appears a lot further away. The Point of Sale (POS) technology appears to be badly deployed by some of the first-phase retailers mainly made up of low-value high-volume businesses like coffee shops, fast food outlets and newsagents.

Author: The Fonecast
0 Comments
Article rating: No rating

Insecure Mobile Browsers

James Rosewell writes: I note with interest Barclays mobile on-line banking home page extolling the safety of mobile banking whilst claiming it’s as secure as their non-mobile equivalent. This is on the same page that recommends customers use Opera Mini to access Barclays mobile on-line banking.

Yet following the link to the operamini.com web site and looking at the help section we can read Opera’s answer to the question “Is there any end-to-end security between my handset and — for example — paypal.com or my bank?” and the answer is “No. If you need full end-to-end encryption, you should use a full Web browser such as Opera Mobile.”

Author: The Fonecast
0 Comments
Article rating: No rating
RSS
First107108109110111112113114116

Recent Podcasts

Reviewing our 2015 mobile industry predictions... and looking forward to 2016

Podcast - 15th January 2016

Iain Graham, James Rosewell and Mark Bridge return to review their mobile industry predictions from last year. Which mergers, partnerships and developments did they forecast correctly... and which didn’t work out as planned?

Later in the programme, the team anticipates some of the topics that will be hitting the headlines during 2016.

Author: The Fonecast
0 Comments
Article rating: No rating

Podcast from Mobile World Congress 2015

Podcast - 6th March 2015

Mark Bridge learns about the mobile technology trends at Mobile World Congress 2015 by chatting to James Rosewell of 51Degrees, Dr Kevin Curran from the IEEE and Chris Millington of Doro.

They talk about wearable devices, wireless charging, mobile operating systems and much more... including some of their favourite products from the exhibition.

Author: The Fonecast
0 Comments
Article rating: No rating

Looking back at February: from security scares to multiple MVNOs

Podcast - 27th February 2015

We're taking a look back at the biggest mobile industry news stories from February 2015, including allegations that the UK's security service tried to breach SIM card security by hacking into one of the world's biggest SIM producers.

We also talk about the planned BT and EE merger, the creation of two new UK virtual networks, some acquisitions in the mobile payment arena and a new Ubuntu smartphone.

Author: The Fonecast
0 Comments
Article rating: No rating

Interview with Chris Millington of Doro about mobile retailing, wearables and technology for older consumers

Podcast - 24th February 2015

In today's programme Mark Bridge talks to Chris Millington, who's Managing Director for Doro UK and Ireland.

They discuss the state of mobile retailing in the UK, the future of wearable devices and - as you might expect - smartphones for seniors.

Author: The Fonecast
0 Comments
Article rating: No rating

A month of mobile: O2 counts on 3, Microsoft counts to 10 and Apple counts its profits

Podcast - 30th January 2015

We're back with a month of mobile industry news, including takeover talks and takeover rumours. O2 and Three are said to be discussing a merger... but is there any truth in the suggestions that BlackBerry could be up for grabs?

We also discuss Apple's record-breaking quarterly figures, the highlights of CES and the launch of Microsoft Windows 10, as well as saying farewell to the current version of Google Glass.

Author: The Fonecast
0 Comments
Article rating: No rating
RSS
12345678910Last

Follow thefonecast.com

Twitter @TheFonecast RSS podcast feed
Find us on Facebook Subscribe free via iTunes

Archive Calendar

«November 2024»
MonTueWedThuFriSatSun
28293031123
45678910
11121314151617
18192021222324
2526272829301
2345678

Archive

Terms Of Use | Privacy Statement