Mobile Computing

Lecture 1
Types of Mobile Applications

Mobile Application Software is an app that runs on a smartphone. It has portability. They work the same as the
business apps. They use specific programming languages to perform a task or solve a problem for the end-user.
Mobile applications in mobile computing are categorized based on their functionality, development approach, and
platform compatibility.

Types of Mobile Applications

There are four kinds of mobile applications. They are -

1. Native apps.

2. Web apps.

3. Hybrid apps.

4. Progressive Web Apps (PWA).

Native apps

These are designed for specific mobile operating systems like Android, IOS, or Windows. Here, Android is developed
using Java and IOS uses Swift or Objective C. They are published on Play Store or App Store.

Examples: Google Maps, Spotify, Telegram, WhatsApp, etc...

Technologies used: C++, Java, Objective-C, Python, React Native, Swift.

Advantages:

1. They have best performance.

2. More secure.

3. These are user interactive.

4. They have access to full features of device.

Disadvantages:

1. They are developed only on single platform.

2. These are expensive to maintain.

Web Apps

Mobile web applications are optimized for mobile devices and they are accessible through a web browser on a
smartphone. These are developed using HTML/CSS/Javascript. They run with the help of web browser applications
like chrome, safari, Firefox etc.

Examples: Amazon, Canva, Netflix, Walmart etc.

Advantages:

1. It is easy to development.

2. Easy to maintain.

3. These are cheaper than Native and Hybrid apps.

4. They work on all platforms.

Disadvantages:

1. These are device browser dependent.

2. Poor user experience.

3. Slow performance.

4. These are less interactive with device utilities.

Hybrid apps

Hybrid apps combine elements of both native and web apps, using a single codebase to run on multiple platforms.
These are deployed on container that uses mobile WebView object.

Examples: Facebook, Gmail, Instagram, LinkedIn, Twitter, Uber, Yelp.

Technologies Used: HTML5, CSS, Flutter, JavaScript, Appy Pie, AppMakr, Ionic, Objective-C, Swift, React Native,
Wrap-Up.

Advantages:

1. These are cheaper to maintain.

2. These are easy to develop.

3. They have access to features of device.

4. Faster development due to single codebase.

Disadvantages:

1. These are slower as compared to native apps.

2. Less interactive than native apps.

Progressive Web Apps (PWA)

PWAs are web apps that provide a native app like experience. These are designed and developed similar to web
apps. These apps take support of services workers. These are published on play store or app store.

Examples: Pinterest, Starbucks, Adidas.

Technologies used: AngularJS, CSS, HTML5, JavaScript, Lighthouse, Polymer, PWA library, WebAssembly.
Advantages:

1. They provide fast and responsive performance than web pages.

2. These are easy to maintain.

3. These are cheaper than Native and Hybrid apps.

4. Works on all platforms.

5. They can work offline.

Disadvantages:

1. They have limited hardware and software support.

2. Technical options such as Bluetooth or NFC cannot be used.

There are 32 app categories in play store. These categories can be narrowed down to six mobile applications.

They are -

1. Educational apps

2. Lifestyle apps

3. Social media apps

4. Productivity apps

5. Entertainment apps

6. Game apps

Educational apps

These apps are used to educate the students. They often cover a wide range of subjects and may incliude interactive
lessons, live quizes, videos, online exams and other educational resources. Users can track their progress and
customize their learning paths.

Examples:

 Khan Academy

 Duolingo

 Unacademy

 Ace academy

Lifestyle apps

Lifestyle apps cater to various aspects of an individual's lifestyle, including health, fitness, travel, food and more.
These apps help users to maintain a healthy lifestyle, plan trips, manage finance, or explore new hobbies. These
apps enrich daily living and enhance life style choices.
Examples: Airbnb, Headspace, MyFitnessPal

Social Media apps

These apps are enable users to create, share, and interact with content and connect with others. They can share
text, photos, videos, and live streaming. Some of the peoples can learn knowledge from these apps like LinkedIn
also. They provide a platform for connecting with friends, following influencers, and staying informed about current
events, pop culture, and more.

Examples:

 WhatsApp

 Facebook

 Instagram

 Snapchat

 Twitter

Productivity apps

Productivity apps are designed to enhance efficiency and organization in work or daily tasks. They often include
tools for task management, calendars, document editing, and team collaboration. These apps boost efficiency and
help users stay organized in both personal and professional settings.

Examples:

 Microsoft Outlook

 To-do-list

 Evernote

Entertainment apps

Entertainment apps provide a wide range of content such as music, movies, TV shows, web series, books, podcasts
and news. Generally, peoples used these apps for removing their stress or to entertain themselves. They can also
provide a personalized experience based on user preferences. These apps bring entertainment to users fingertips,
allowing them to unwind and relax.

Examples: Netflix, Amazon, Spotify, Pocket podcasts, YouTube

Game apps

These apps are interactive applications designed for entertainment and amusement, often involving challenges,
strategy or storytelling. They can range from casual games to complex multiplayer experiences. These apps offer a
range of gaming experiences, from simple and relaxing to competitive and intense.

Examples: PUBG, Candy Crush, Subway surfers, Free fire