It seems like everyone nowadays has a mobile app. There are hundreds of thousands of them that reside in the Android Marketplace and the AppStore...and the lists grows daily. Everything from Games to Productivity software is covered, you can really find an app out there for just about everything.
So what goes into making an app? Is there a process around it? What tools are used to develop these? Apple vs. Android?
We had a guest speaker, Chuck Hudson, explain to us some of the ways that his company (and his previous companies) are putting these apps out on the market). Below is a summary of that guest lecture:
1) What goes into making an app? Is there a process? Making a mobile app is really no different than making a non-mobile application. The same kind of thought process should be put into it. Prototyping, Design, Requirements, Testing, etc. All of these are critical components that need to be thought out. Chuck stressed the importance of Prototyping or Storyboarding. Even if it's just mapping out screens on napkins, Chuck says this is a critical part of the process. And keep screens down to a minimum (10 - 15 max). The less complex the better. He also stressed getting your app out onto the market as soon as possible. Better to put out a less than ideal app soon, than wait for something with all the bells and whistles. Another motto he spoke of was "make sure your app does one thing very well." So rather than have a "jack-of-all-trades" type app, seek to get something that will really excel at one thing, and then uses future releases to build on that and add additional functionality. Finally, he stressed the importance of sound testing. He stressed the use of Beta Testing, getting the app in the hands of your consumers for their opinions. This is really the best kind of feedback you can get, and will help you make better apps.
2) What tools are used? Android or Apple? Developer kits have been created that make the process of creating apps much simpler. It's like working with templates instead of starting from scratch. It keeps development time down, and you have an established set of parameters and protocols that you have to follow. Chuck mentioned the importance of testing your apps with an actual device however, instead of relying on the simulators that come with the Dev Kits. These kits are free for both Android and Apple, so literally anyone can build and app and publish it to the appropriate market/store. Android vs. Apple? Well Chuck was a bigger fan of Apple since they were first to market with the iPhone back in 2007. But Android has made some great strides the past few years. He mentioned fragmentation and how Android has some work that needs to be done with regard to that (too many different kinds of Android). Android has a faster certification process, and Apple's is a little more stringent. Ultimately, in this market, you almost have to create your app for both OS's, so prepare for that.
Mobile Development is definitely taking off, and it's a very exciting discipline. I'm excited to get started with our own app development in the program.
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