Mobile applications

- commonly referred to as "apps," are software programs designed to run on mobile devices such as
smartphones and tablets.
3 Operating System:
• Android
• IOS
• Windows
3 different ways to develop Mobile apps: –
• 1st Party Native App development - These types of apps normally run in the native devices, that is, it runs
only in the OS that it is
specifically designed for it.
• Progressive web Application - are essentially a website which runs locally on your device.
• Cross-Platform Application - These are frameworks that allow developing total native applications which
have access to all the native features of IOS and Android but with the same code base.
Xamarin - is Microsoft cross-platform solution that uses the programming languages like .NET, C#, F#. The
IDE preferred is Visual Studio.
React Native- is Facebook’s cross-platform solution which uses the language JavaScript And the preferred
IDE is Web Strome & Visual Studio Code.
Flutter - is Google’s cross-platform solution which uses the language, Dart. The IDE preferred is Android
Studio, IntelliJ IDE, and Visual Studio Code.
Disadvantages of Cross-Platform Application:
1. Slow Code Performance With Limited Tool Availability.
2. Limited User Experience i.e. these apps does not have access to Native only features.
Purposes of mobile applications
• Productivity: Mobile apps can be used to increase productivity and efficiency, such as task management
apps, note-taking apps, and calendar apps.
• Communication: Mobile apps can be used for communication purposes, such as messaging apps, video
conferencing apps, and social media apps.
• Entertainment: Mobile apps can be used for entertainment purposes, such as gaming apps, streaming
media apps, and e-book apps.
• Business: Mobile apps can be used for business purposes, such as expense tracking apps, customer
relationship management (CRM) apps, and sales force automation apps.
types of mobile applications are there mainly
Native applications,
Hybrid applications
Web applications.
Pros Of Mobile Application
1. Offline Access- Provides an opportunity for the user to use offline.
2. Extensive capabilities- Provides a lot of features and functionalities to the user.
3. Personalization- Provides personalization to users to set preferences, creating accounts, etc.
4. Brand promotion opportunities- Provides an opportunity to promote a company brand in various ways.
5. Convenience- More convenient to use in terms of user experience, loading content, the usability of
functions, etc.
6. User experience- UI elements give a better user experience.
7. Speed Performance- Provides a faster performance than the website.
8. Functionality- Provides greater functionality than the website.
Cons of Mobile App –
1. Support and Maintenance- Provides frequent updates and feature addition which is an irritating task for
users to update frequently.
2. Cost- Native mobile apps are costly as for different Mobile OS different apps need to be developed.
3. Compatibility- Mobile apps need to maintain the requirements of a particular Operating System to meet the
compatibility for proper functioning.
4. Use of User’s resource- Mobile apps uses user’s resources in terms of money for buying some application,
also space of mobile for storage.
Websites - are a collection of web pages that are linked with each other where the web pages share the single
domain name.
Examples of some websites are Netflix, Instagram, Amazon, YouTube, etc.
Pros of Website
1. Compatibility- Provides users to use the product regardless of the device and the operating system that the
device runs on.
2. Cost-effectiveness- It is cost-effectiveness in terms of development and usability also with
principles of interaction with users.
3. Broader Reach- Due to multi-device support it reaches a large user set.
4. Updates and maintenance- It costs less to upgrade. Users don’t have to worry about it.
The Cons of Mobile Website –
1. User Experience- It’s often impossible to fit everything onto one page and fails to provide a good user
experience.
2. No Offline Access- Requires good internet connectivity to operate fully.
Advantages Of Mobile Applications Over Websites
Mobile applications are faster- Mobile applications are a little faster than websites, that’s why users always
prefer to use application for any use rather than a website.
Offline Access- Many applications works in offline mode means without connecting to the internet
Better Personalization- Mobile applications take end user’s preferences based on their interests
Use of Mobile Device Features- Mobile applications use device features like Camera, phone call, GPS,
Contact list, etc.
Easy access to information- To access any website user needs to have internet connectivity
Brand & Design Benefits- With the increase in smartphone users, love for using mobile applications is also
increasing.
Push Notifications and instant updates- Enterprises and businesses find it helpful to send instant and non-
intrusive notifications
Productivity Improvement and Cost reduction- Mobile application takes less cost for development and
maintenance
Increased Security- Mobile apps integrate with the device’s existing security features to provide better
security to the users.
CHAPTER 4
Mobile security - refers to the measures taken to protect mobile devices, such as smartphones and tablets,
from threats such as viruses, malware, and hacking attempts.
Mobile Security Practices:
• use of secure passwords,
• installation of anti-malware and anti-virus software,
• implementation of encryption and remote wipe capabilities,
• careful management of app permissions
Key Challenges in Mobile Security
• Variety of Platforms and Devices Available
• Different mobile operating systems
• Rapid Pace of Development in the Mobile Industry
Importance of securing mobile devices
Protection of Personal Information: Mobile devices often contain sensitive personal information such as
contact details, financial data, photos, and passwords.
Business Data Security: In corporate environments, mobile devices are used to access and handle sensitive
business data.
Prevention of Malware Attacks: Mobile malware, including viruses, spyware, and ransomware, can infect
devices and compromise their functionality.
Mitigation of Phishing Attacks: Phishing attacks targeting mobile devices are on the rise, aiming to deceive
users into providing sensitive information or downloading malicious software.
Secure Remote Access: With the increasing trend of remote work, mobile devices are often used to access
corporate networks and sensitive data from anywhere.
Protection Against Device Theft: Mobile devices are prone to theft or loss, putting the data stored on them at
risk.
Compliance with Regulations: Many industries and jurisdictions have specific regulations and compliance
requirements regarding the security and privacy of mobile data.
Maintaining Trust and Reputation: Security breaches can severely damage the trust and reputation of
businesses and organizations.
Mobile Security Threats
Threats to Mobile Security
Malware: Malware is a type of malicious software that is designed to infect mobile devices and steal data or
damage the device.
Data Theft: Mobile devices contain a vast amount of personal and sensitive data, such as contacts,
messages, photos, and financial information.
Phishing attacks: Phishing attacks are attempts to trick users into revealing personal information, such as
login credentials or credit card numbers.
Wi-Fi Attacks: Public Wi-Fi networks can be a security risk as they are often unsecured and can be accessed
by anyone.
passwords and credit card numbers, that is transmitted over the network.
5. Lost or Stolen Devices: Losing a mobile device or having it stolen can be a significant security risk,
Mobile Device Management - refers to the process of managing and securing mobile devices, such as
smartphones and tablets, within an organization.
Key features of Mobile Device Management
Device Enrollment: MDM solutions allow organizations to enroll mobile devices in their management system,
Device Configuration: MDM solutions allow organizations to configure devices to meet their security and
compliance requirements.
Device Monitoring: MDM solutions enable organizations to monitor devices for security threats and unusual
activity.
Remote Wipe: MDM solutions allow organizations to remotely wipe a device in case it is lost or stolen, or if an
employee leaves the organization.
App Management: MDM solutions enable organizations to manage and control the apps that are installed on
mobile devices.
Security Management: MDM solutions help organizations enforce security policies on mobile devices
Importance of Mobile Device Management
Mobile Device Management - is a critical tool for organizations that want to ensure the
security of their mobile devices and protect sensitive data.
Mobile Development - is the process of creating software applications that run on mobile devices, such as
smartphones and tablets.
Two main types of Mobile Application
Native - apps are built specifically for a particular platform and are installed directly onto a user's device. Web
- apps, on the other hand, are accessed through a web browser and do not need to be installed onto a user's
device
Mobile Development Stages
Planning: This involves identifying the purpose of the app, defining its features and functionality, and creating
a user interface (UI) design
Development: This involves building the app's features and functionality, which may involve using
programming languages such as Swift or Java.
Testing: This involves testing the app's functionality and usability to identify and fix any bugs or issues.
Deployment: This involves publishing the app to the appropriate app store or distribution channel, such as the
Apple App Store or Google Play Store.
Considerations in Mobile Development
1. Platform: Mobile applications can be developed for specific mobile operating systems, such as Ios or
Android, or for multiple platforms using cross-platform development tools.
User Interface Mobile applications must be designed with the unique constraints of mobile devices in mind,
including smaller screens, touch-based input, and limited processing power.
3. Performance- Mobile applications must be optimized for performance to ensure that they run smoothly on
mobile devices.
4. Security: Mobile applications must be designed with security in mind, including secure data storage and
transmission
MOBILE DEVELOPMENT PLATFORMS
iOS Development: iOS is the mobile operating system developed by Apple, and iOS Development involves
using the iOS Software Development Kit (SDK) and programming languages
Android Development: Android is the mobile operating system developed by Google, and Android
Development involves using the Android SDK
React Native is a cross-platform mobile development platform that allows developers to use the React
JavaScript library to build native mobile applications for both iOS and Android platforms.
Xamarin is a cross-platform mobile development platform that allows developers to use C# and .NET
Flutter is a cross-platform mobile development platform that uses the Dart programming language
PhoneGap: PhoneGap is a mobile development platform that uses web technologies such as HTML, CSS,
and JavaScript
POPULAR PROGRAMMING LANGUAGES FOR MOBILE DEVELOPMENT
Swift is a programming language developed by Apple and used for iOS, macOS, and other Apple platforms.
Objective-C: Objective-C is an object-oriented programming language used for iOS and macOS
development.
Java: Java is a popular programming language used for Android app development.
Kotlin is a modern, concise, and powerful programming language that is designed to work seamlessly with
Java for Android app development.
JavaScript is a popular programming language used for mobile web app development.
C# is a programming language developed by Microsoft and used for building cross-platform mobile apps using
Xamarin.
Dart is a programming language developed by Google and used for building cross-platform mobile apps using
Flutter.
TOOLS AVAILABLE FOR MOBILE DEVELOPMENT
Integrated Development Environments (IDEs): IDEs are software applications that provide developers with
a comprehensive environment for developing and testing mobile apps.
Emulators and Simulators: are software tools that allow developers to test their apps on virtual devices
without the need for physical hardware.
Debuggers: are tools that help developers identify and fix errors in their code.
Source Code Management (SCM) tools: SCM tools such as Git or SVN are used for version control and
collaboration.
Build automation tools -such as Gradle, Fastlane, or Jenkins are used to automate the build and deployment
process of mobile apps.
Cross-platform development tools such as React Native, Xamarin, or Flutter allow developers to build
mobile apps for multiple platforms using a single codebase.
App analytics tools such as Google Analytics or Firebase Analytics are used to track and analyze user
behavior and app performance.
Mobile user experience, or mobile UX, is the way that users interact with a mobile application or website on
their mobile devices.
Key Elements of Effective Mobile UX
Simplicity: Mobile screens are small, so it's important to keep things simple and avoid clutter.
Usability: Mobile apps should be intuitive and easy to navigate.
Responsiveness: Mobile apps should respond quickly to user interactions.
Visual Design: The visual design of a mobile app plays a significant role in user experience.
Consistency: Users should be able to easily recognize and navigate through different sections of the app or
site.
Contextual Relevance: Mobile apps should provide relevant and timely information based on the user's
context.
Accessibility: Mobile apps should be accessible to users with disabilities.
Performance: Mobile apps should load quickly and be optimized for different device specifications.
Error Handling: Mobile apps should handle errors gracefully and provide helpful feedback to users.
Reasons Why Mobile UX is Important
Multitasking: Mobile devices offer multitasking capabilities, and apps should be designed to accommodate
interruptions and background tasks.
Retention and Engagement: Mobile users have many options to choose from, and if they have a negative
experience with an app or website,
Brand Image: A well-designed mobile app or website can help to create a positive brand image and build trust
with users.
Business Objectives: Mobile UX design can help to achieve specific business objectives, such as increasing
sales or driving customer engagement.
Differentiation: In a crowded marketplace, mobile UX design can help to differentiate an app or website from
the competition.
COMMONLY USED MOBILE UX TESTING TECHNIQUES
Usability Testing: Usability testing involves observing users as they interact with the app or website and
gathering feedback on their experience.
A/B Testing: A/B testing involves comparing two versions of an app or website to see which one performs
better.
Heat Mapping: Heat mapping involves tracking user behavior and interactions with an app or website and
generating a visual representation of the data.
Eye Tracking: Eye tracking involves using technology to track where users are looking on the screen as they
interact with an app or website.
Surveys and questionnaire can be used to gather feedback from users about their experience with an app or
website.
User interviews involve speaking directly with users to gather feedback on their experience with an app or
website.