When creating a new mobile app, several important factors can influence the choice of technology that will contribute to your mobile app. Here are seven things to consider when weighing the pros and cons of the technologies that will be used in your new mobile app:
Mobile platform
Before you start evaluating any technology, the first question is what your target market is. iOS and Android have their market, demographics, and platform-specific technologies. To make an informed decision about which mobile platform your app will target, you need to consider the range of market distribution. From there, you’ll be able to determine which operating systems and versions you’ll target. In addition, you should consider performance and how you will handle the legacy models of the types of devices you choose.
External Interoperability
Among the factors that influence the choice of technology for your mobile app, one of the most important is whether there are external services that your app will need to interact with or whether the app will come with all the content it needs. This affects several factors, including the need for internet connectivity, the impact on battery consumption, and whether your app will be accessing an already created database or whether you will have to make your service layer for your app.
Authentication
Most likely, your application will need some session or user profile understanding. This implies the need for authentication. Suppose you decide that your mobile app requires an authentication system to support a user session. In that case, you’ll need to determine what type of authentication will be used to allow users to access their accounts. You have two basic options – either you can use third-party authentication systems like Google and Facebook, or you’ll need to create your own authenticator where users enter their email and password. This all seems simple, but it’s a crucial step in considering how your app will be built, both in terms of security and how user accounts and/or roles will be managed.
Interaction with the Device
How will your mobile app interact with the user’s device, if any? Does the app need to know the user’s location? What about any gestures or movements? If so, your app must interact with the device’s GPS and/or gyroscope. From augmented reality apps that require access to rear-facing cameras to video game apps that rely on device motion and require access to accelerometers, you need to consider how your app will interact with the user’s device to ensure that your app architecture can support the end user’s needs.
Increased competition among distribution platform providers is good for developers and consumers in this area. It will likely lead to reduced costs, new features, and better satisfaction of user segments.
Graphics Interactions
There are several trade-offs in the performance and size of your application depending on the type and quality of graphics or multimedia you decide to use. Whether your application will include a flat layout, video content, 3D graphics, or computer animation determines the technology you will use and may limit the devices with which your application and pictures are compatible.
Code Language
Three consistent questions come before all others when choosing a coding language to structure your mobile app:
- What is the specific nature of your app?
- What is the purpose of the interaction?
- Is your mobile app expected to run on different devices?
In order to To determine which code language or framework is best suited for your mobile app, evaluating tools based on applicability to your app’s features, merits, licensing, and stability will provide you with the parameters you need to make an informed decision.
Accessibility
Last but not least, determining how you would like to tailor the various user features will be a strong indicator in choosing the technologies you will need. For example, will your application need to display in different languages for international users? Or, going one step further, will your app cater to users with sensory impairments? Since all types of mobile devices have limitations, determining the technology required to overcome the limitations of your specific device type will play an essential role in the design of your entire app structure.
Final Thoughts
These are a few high-level factors to consider when planning the development of a new mobile app. Stay tuned for future information on how to plan, strategize, build and maintain your digital products.