App overall is a program or software designed to run on a computer or a mobile device such as a phone or tablet and the term “App” has become very popular since 2010 as it was listed as "Word of the Year”.
Apps are generally downloaded from app stores and most of the apps require the Internet, although being able to access the Web anywhere and anytime is a great development in terms of communication, information, and connectedness, there are also many issues and challenges meet this like Security and putting users' privacy at risk.
Some apps are free but others have a price and some of them include microtransactions and advertising, the revenue is usually split between the application's creator and the app store.
There are 1.2 billion mobile web users worldwide in 2012 and it grows as the web becomes more accessible via mobile devices and in 2014 government regulatory agencies began trying to regulate and curate apps particularly medical apps, the explosion in the number and the variety of different apps made discovery them a challenge So now there is a wide range of review, recommendation, and curation sources, including blogs, magazines, and dedicated online app-discovery services.
More mobile subscribers use apps than browsed the web on their devices, as mobile devices run on battery and have less powerful processors than personal computers and also have more features such as location detection and cameras, mobile user interface design is essential as the user focuses on interaction with their device, and the interface entails components of both hardware and software.
Most mobile devices are sold now with several apps bundled as pre-installed software like email client, calendar, buying music, or other media.
Mobile applications may be classified to:
1- Native Mobile Applications:
All apps targeted toward a particular mobile platform are known as native apps as they are created for one specific platform or operating system you cannot mix and match as you can’t install and use an Android app on iPhone, and vice versa because native apps connect with the device’s hardware directly, they have access to a broad choice of device features like Bluetooth, phonebook contacts, camera roll.
The main purpose of creating such apps is to ensure the best performance for a specific mobile operating system.
Native applications can only be downloaded from app stores and installed directly into devices, the main purpose for creating such apps is to ensure the best performance for a specific mobile operating system.
The native platform can be advantageous because it tends to optimize the user experience. Because it was developed specifically for the platform, it can operate more quickly and intuitively.
the problem with native apps lies in the fact that if you start developing them, you have to duplicate efforts for each of the different platforms as the code you create for one platform cannot be reused on another and this drives up costs.
2-Web-based applications:
A web-based app is implemented with the standard web technologies of HTML, CSS, and JavaScript, the performance of these apps is similar to a web application running in a browser, which can be noticeably slower than the equivalent native app.
These apps can be installed on devices just like native apps, but they run through web browsers and are developed through the HTML5 programming language. Web applications enforce clients to make a bookmark on such page for future viewing. That is the reason why they require the least memory, all of the personal databases will be saved on the server, users can only use the application if they have an internet connection.
As it’s web-based, there is no need to customize it to a platform or OS. This cuts down on development costs but web apps are entirely dependent on the browser used on the device.
3- Hybrid applications:
Hybrid App combines the advantages of mobile web and native app. It is built using HTML, CSS, JavaScript, running on mobile WebView and they are easy and fast to develop, which is a clear benefit, this lowers the cost of maintenance and streamlines the updating process.
It involves the use of a single codebase that works in multiple mobile operating systems, they might have a home screen app icon, responsive design, fast performance, even be able to function offline, but they’re web apps made to look native.
They also load rapidly, are ideal for usage in countries with slower internet connections, and give users a consistent user experience, these apps might lack power and speed, which are hallmarks of native apps.
4-Mobile gaming applications:
this is the most popular category of mobile apps, there is a big number of clients who install games on their telephones So organizations invest a huge amount of time and assets into making games and mobile versions of stationary games because it’s such a profitable market.
Mobile game downloads reach 12 billion, which is nearly 7 times higher than the second most downloaded category on Google Play, the best mobile games like Candy Crush Saga or Angry Birds have become known everywhere in the world.
5- Educational applications:
This category incorporates portable applications that help clients acquire new abilities and information that help users gain new skills and knowledge. For example, language learning apps and tools for kids and for the teachers who use them to make their teaching process better or teach themselves further.
Mobile applications are a move away from the coordinated programming systems, for the most part, found on PCs So it’s important to focus on as there are multiple benefits for businesses across a wide variety of industries Like building Loyalty, increasing your Accessibility, building Continuous Presence, reinforce your brand, increase your Visibility, deliver Information more quickly.
Tiye Solutions covers with the most professional mobile app development team in Egypt to serve all sectors and we focus on what should we consider when choosing an application for our client, its features, and strengthen the positive image of the company by ensuring the maximum level of user service quality.