APP Based

UNIT 15 APP BASED COMMERCE Commerce

Structure
15.0 Objectives
15.1 Introduction
15.2 What is an App?
15.2.1 Classification of Apps
15.2.2 Types of Apps
15.3 Steps for App Development
15.3.1 Defining Mobile App Objective
15.3.2 Preliminary Design
15.3.3 Market Research
15.3.4 Market Analysis
15.3.5 Collection of Users Feedback
15.3.6 Financial and Technical Feasibility
15.3.7 Testing of App Prototype
15.3.8 Launching the App
15.3.9 Official Release
15.4 Mobile Development Frameworks
15.4.1 Native Mobile App Development
15.4.2 Cross-Platform mobile App Development
15.5 App Store
15.6 Apps for Various Domains & Segments
15.7 Let Us Sum Up
15.8 Keywords
15.9 Answers to check your progress
15.10 Terminal Questions

15.0 OBJECTIVES
After studying this unit, you should be able to:
● understand what is an App and its various types;
● describe various steps for App development;
● know about various App development frameworks;
● know about various types of App store;
● know about different Apps for various domains and segments;
● Explain and plan a framework for a business App.

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Application 15.1 INTRODUCTION
In the present time, with the rapid technological disruption, mobile phones
have become an inevitable part of human life. Even though the primarily
function of mobile phones is telecommunication but with the technological
upfront they have made many things possible which were unimaginable
earlier. Now the things have changed with the advent of smart phones, each
person today owns his/her own mobile phone. Accessibility to smart phones
has made our life easier in many ways. The main advantage of mobile phones
are its portability, you can carry them in your pockets wherever you go.
Smart phones introduced a new face to service sector with the invention of
mobile apps. Mobile apps basically are applications designed to perform a
specific task at the user’s fingertip. The services that mobile apps and smart
phone provide are plenty.

15.2 WHAT IS AN APP?

An app is short form of a term called "application," it is basically a type of
software that can be installed and run on a computer, tablet, Smartphone or
other electronic devices. An app is simply a piece of software that you can
get access to and use through the internet. A mobile application, also
referred to as a mobile app or simply an app, is a computer program or
software application designed to run on a mobile device such as a phone,
tablet, or watch.

Fig 15.1: App Icon in a Mobile or smart phone

Many apps are also available for mobile devices and even for TVs. We will
discuss about it in a more elaborative manner in coming heads of the unit,
some are useful for desktop and some are useful for Mobile.

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15.2.1 Classification of Apps APP Based
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Mobile applications may be classified by numerous methods. A common

scheme is to distinguish native, hybrid, and web-based apps. A brief about all
these is give below:

Fig 15.2: Native, Hybrid & Web Apps

1. Native Apps: Native apps are developed for their particular platform,
taking full advantage of the software and the operating systems'
features. These apps can directly access the hardware of the device
such as the GPS, camera, microphone, etc. so they are faster in
execution, which ultimately results in better user experience. All apps
targeted toward a particular mobile platform are known as native
apps. Therefore, an app intended for Apple device does not run in
Android devices. As a result, most businesses develop apps for
multiple platforms. While developing native apps, professionals
incorporate best-in-class user interface modules. This accounts for
better performance, consistency and good user experience. Users also
benefit from wider access to application programming interfaces and
make limitless use of all apps from the particular device. Further, they
also switch over from one app to another effortlessly. The main
purpose for creating such apps is to ensure best performance for a
specific mobile operating system.

2. Hybrid Apps: The concept of the hybrid app is a mix of native and
web-based apps. Apps developed using Apache Cordova, Xamarin,
React Native, Sencha Touch and other similar technology fall into
this category. These are made to support web and native technologies
across multiple platforms. Moreover, these apps are easier and faster
to develop. It involves use of single code base which works in
multiple mobile operating systems. Despite such advantages, hybrid
apps exhibit lower performance. Often, apps fail to bear the same
look-and-feel in different mobile operating systems.

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Online Portal and 3. Web-based Apps: Web-based applications are a particular type of
Application
software that allows users to interact with a remote server through a
web browser interface. It works on any browser whether it is chrome,
opera or Samsung internet browser and the users are not obliged to
download from the app store. These apps have seen a huge increase in
popularity in recent years, replacing desktop applications and
becoming a crucial instrument for small and large businesses around
the world. A web-based app is coded in HTML5, CSS or JavaScript.
Internet access is required for proper behavior and user-experience of
this group of apps. These apps may capture minimum memory space
in user devices compared to native and hybrid apps. Since all the
personal databases are saved on the Internet servers, users can fetch
their desired data from any device through the Internet.

15.2.2 Types of Apps

1. Desktop Applications: There are countless desktop applications, and
they fall into several categories. Some are more full featured (like
Microsoft Word), while others may only do one or two things (like a
clock or calendar app). Below are just a few types of applications you
might use.
● Word processors: A word processor allows to write a letter, design
a flyer, and create many other types of documents. The most well-
known word processor is Microsoft Word. We had elaborately
discussed about this application software in our previous course
(BCOS-184: Computer Application in Business) in an elaborative
manner.
● Media players: If you want to listen to MP3s or watch downloaded
movies, you'll need to use a media player. Windows Media Player
and iTunes are popular media players which are also covered in our
previous unit 14 in a much more elaborative manner.
2. Mobile Apps: Desktop and laptop computers are not the only devices
that can run applications. You can also download apps for mobile
devices like smart phones and tablets. Here are a few examples of mobile
apps.
● Gmail: Gmail is used to view and send emails from your mobile
device. It's available for Android and iOS devices.
● Instagram: Instagram allows to quickly share photos with your
friends and family. It is available for Android and iOS.
● Duolingo: With a combination of quizzes, games, and other
activities, Duolingo app can help learn new languages. It is available
for Android and iOS.

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15.3 STEPS FOR APP DEVELOPMENT Commerce

Development of an app is a comprehensive task involving various steps, a

brief of all the important steps which needs to be followed while developing
any app is described below:
15.3.1 Defining Mobile App Objectives
To clearly set and define the objectives for which App is being made is an
important part of the App making process. Following points are important to
consider before App designing is defined -
● What is the main purpose of making App?
● What are the main features of App that will be useful for customers?
● How this App will be useful in solving problems of the customers?
Predefined App features are very useful in assessing the total development
budget of the App. However, research indicates that app design should
prioritize user involvement over proprietary offerings when it comes to
prioritizing features.
15.3.2 Preliminary Design
Deciding about preliminary design is the first step of an app development, it
is important to take time to design an app's fundamental structure. Before the
next step, it is always advisable to spend enough time to design the App
preliminary. The concept building for production of clear understanding of
each and every small element of the app is important. This phase does not
take much time for simple app design, but will take time in case of complex
applications design.

15.3.3 Market Research

There might be several innovative apps to start various business projects, but
before you move into design and development, it is always better to do
research work in terms of market requirement. A small research project with
the following questions can support the project much before planning and
development work begins -
● What are marketing plans for this App?
● Who are target audience for this App?
● How do you want your customers to use your app?
● Which software platform and framework will be used to make it?
● Which mobile app development language will be used?
● Who are your competitors and what is their strategy? Do they have apps?
If so, what features do they offer?
● What is overall app development budget?
● What is timeline for development? When will App be launched?

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Online Portal and Details on research should also be shared with distribution, product creation
Application
and IT managers including the Software development team. Feedback from
all departments concerned is necessary before the App development work
begins. But the key issue behind evaluating the marketplace is to obtain a
detailed understanding of why and how. How did you say that you would sell
one million apps? You can answer the question quite clearly if you have done
your market research. Wild assumptions find no place.

15.3.4 Market Analysis

A market analysis is a quantitative and qualitative assessment of a market. It
looks into the size of the market both in volume and in value, the various
customer segments and buying patterns, the competition, and the economic
environment in terms of barriers to entry and regulation. The market for
mobile apps is growing rapidly like never before. Due to the pandemic, the
number of apps downloaded has increased a lot.

15.3.5 Collection of Users Feedback

After the App is ready, share it with friends and relatives and co-workers to
get their feedback and modify the App accordingly. Following questions may
be asked during this feedback -
● Is this app useful?
● Will this app be used?
● What is the tentative cost of this App?
● Is there anything which can be added to it to make it more useful?
Another essential aspect of market research is the discovery of existing
applications in the same category to improve the novelty of the product and
to make the new app better appreciated by the consumer. Apps performing
any related role must be studied and evaluated to understand where the
behaviours are wrong and what others are doing right.

15.3.6 Financial and Technical Feasibility

It is always necessary to check the financial and technical viability of the
entire plan before developing app. It is required to verify whether this
software can be developed and whether existing technology funding is
available to develop this application.
Financial Feasibility: Financial analysis is an essential activity in order to
achieve financial viability. It is important to understand App's fixed cost, to
estimate profit from consumers. The financial plan should also cover
publicity, advertisement and web hosting expenses. Rental fee for App Store
should be included as well. A balanced financial plan must be established in
advance
Technical Feasibility: Technical feasibility means checking the possibility if
App can be developed by using the latest technology or not. It is important to
check if organization is capable enough to use the latest technology or not.
After the financial evaluations, there may be some technical questions to
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answer as well. It is better to discover these aspects before investing APP Based
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significant time and money into a project. You might not be able to find
definitive answers to every technical question, but if you do your homework
you will at least be able to intelligently discuss technical concerns with the
programmer/ expert selected/hired to ensure expected outcomes.
15.3.7 Testing of App Prototype
This is an important stage in the lifecycle of app development. After
completing the App with exciting graphics and text, it is important for the
app to be thoroughly tested and corrected under a range of real-world
scenarios. Link to your original records of design and planning and check all
functions.
When checking the Software, take feedback from other users. Mobile online
research tools can also be used to collect feedback and analysis in real time.
Tests for image, graphics and user interface compatibility across the platform
are also needed. When app provides the desired output in all scenarios
including appearance and usability of the interface, it is time to make the
final preparations to launch this mobile app.

15.3.8 Launchingt he App

The process of releasing an app in the market is extremely critical, as it is
largely dependent on the success of this application. For branding and
marketing the App, it is always advisable to hire a good marketing agency
who will make efforts to launch the App in a very professional manner.
Marketing is also one of the most critical activities to get involved at an early
stage in the process. The Digital Marketing Team supports keyword analysis,
important for SEO and App Store Optimism (ASO), both crucial to
discovery. The next step is the submission of the mobile app for sale in
different markets. Before starting this phase, high-quality screenshots of the
application and promotional video and/or demo must be ready for better
results.
In order to promote the app, a website would also be important. This is
important for branding and recognition, as well as for searching and finding.
Promotion of App should be done through organization’s website and social
media accounts, blogs etc. to target niche market, e mail campaigning can
also be done. To increase awareness of the App to target audience, App
Analytics of Google Analytics can also be used in the beginning.

15.3.9 Official Release

Up until this point, App's official release date should be the climax of app
marketing efforts. Influential bloggers and journalists could write some
papers and articles to apprise the people who showed interest in the App
before the launch. There could also be a promotional e-mail drive to attract
downloads and raise momentum. If the app is published, try keeping user of
the app committed by announcing a special deal or promotion using push
notifications so that users open the app. Consider having rewards for
consumers to download App, such as a single discount, or free product or
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Online Portal and service. App marketing has never been stopped and needs new technologies
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every day.
Build a simple collaborative feedback channel and respond to users'
comments and concerns. Updating your customers quickly will work
wonderful. Make sure you evaluate and track those KPIs that identify your
marketing goals effectively.

15.4 MOBILE DEVELOPMENT FRAMEWORKS

Over the last few years, the number of smart phone users around the world
has grown enormously. There are various types of Mobile Development
Frameworks as discussed below:
15.4.1 Native mobile app development
The majority of mobile frames are for cross-platform construction. Generally,
the development of a mobile app utilizes frameworks developed by the
mobile platform company. We generally use the iOS SDK for iOS—the IDE,
i.e., the development software pack. For the development of an Android app,
Android SDK is the choice. The frameworks are in the SDKs, each of which
has the programming languages. SWIFT or Goal-C are used for iOS and
Kotlin or Java for Android.
Typically, native apps are fast. They are fully compliant with the hardware
and native functions of the computer, such as camera, accelerometer, etc.
They may be very costly, on the other hand. A business or company must
concentrate on all major mobile platforms, especially Android and iOS. This
means that a separate development team is required to develop an app for
their business. It is necessary to maintain the app after deployment which
makes the process of setup very expensive.

15.4.2 Cross-platform mobile app development

Mobile cross-platform frames are designed to build mobile applications on
more than one platform. Most, if not all of the common cross-platform
frames have support Android and iOS development. There are following
frameworks as discussed in detail below with their respective advantages and
disadvantages:
1. Ionic: Ionic is an Angular and Apache-Cordova cross-platform system.
It helps you to build applications for more than one mobile platform. An
application will work for both iOS and Android on the Ionic cross-
platform system. Ionic apps have been created and are built like web
apps using standard web technologies such as HTML, CSS and Angular.
But Cordova, depending on it, makes it possible to use the native
features of the unit. Various advantages and disadvantages of Ionic are
discussed below:

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Advantages APP Based
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● As a company owner, you not only need to employ two sets of software
developers, but you can use your current web development team to
create a mobile app for your audience.
● It saves time and expense by using the Ionic production system.
● Ionic uses web technology, so working with them is easy.
Disadvantages
● In comparison to native apps, ionic apps are less effective.
● Ionic is not the best choice to create apps with high requirements for
graphics processing.
2. Xamarin: In 2016, Microsoft purchased and opened Xamarin from its
owners. Xamarin is a C#-based cross-platform architecture that takes a
particular approach for designing cross-platform applications. Unlike
hybrid frameworks, which use web technologies, it compiles the
individual platforms into native code. Various advantages and
disadvantages of Xamarin are discussed below:
Advantages
• Apps that are built using Xamarin have little or no difference as
compared to native app output.
• Xamarin helps to create rich UI experiences.
• Xamarin will only share about 90 percent of the codebase for all
platforms for you to build the user interface separately for each platform.
• A standard UI can be built across all Xamarin Forms platforms.
Disadvantages
● Xamarin implementations are typically very wide. A simple Android app
"Hello World" could take around 16mb.
● Xamarin developers do need some knowledge of their mother tongues.
For iOS and Kotlin/Java for Android, Swift/Objective-C.
● While Xamarin itself is free, IDE used for production can be very costly
for businesses.
● The incorporation of third-party libraries into Xamarin is often a
concern. Although Xamarin tools and libraries provide complete support
for native technologies, Xamarin may not be provided by a vendor.
3. React Native: React Native is a Facebook mobile platform for the
development of mobile applications. It is developed on JavaScript and
ReactJS. Contrary to hybrid applications, React Native also uses online
technology internally. The web views are not included. It uses actual
components of Android or iOS to create user interfaces. It has XML like
JSX (Javascript-XML) for the creation of the user interface. React Native
then calls for the platform-specific native rendering APIs, i.e. Rendering
the programme on the screen with Swift and Java. Various advantages
and disadvantages of React native are discussed below:

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• Respond Native's creation of software saves time. It has a "Hot Reload"
feature which lets you view code changes on the phone right away.
• Like Ionic, a new group of developers is not needed to be employed.
With React Native, web developers can easily migrate to mobile
applications.
• Several ready-made components can be used for production.
• React native-built applications are fast and comparable in compiling
them to native code, with native app results.
Disadvantages
• The output is not like that of native apps, as with other cross platform
apps. No issue with easy applications. However, applications that require
advanced features would develop problems.
• Apps developed with React Native may have memory management
problems due to their Javascript history.
• Apart from the React Native team ready-made parts, third-party vendors
exist. But the components that they create most frequently appear to be
inferior. There are a lot of bugs and malfunctions sometimes.
4. Flutter: Flutter is a Google-developed mobile user interface to create a
beautiful and interactive interface that takes another approach to cross-
platform creation. Unlike hybrid apps that make use of web views, or
React Native apps that use native components, Flutter apps fully compile
to native code. This native ARM-code compilation means that there is no
layer between the system and the CPU that makes apps that are entirely
native to Flutter. Flutter can do this by using its own graphics engine
called Skia, a popular Google-owned 2D graphics engine. Flutter is
developed with a Dart programming language that is object oriented.
Various advantages and disadvantages of flutter are discussed below:
Advantages
● Flutter apps are very fast at about 60 fps (frames per second). There are
even measurements by some developers in Germany of 120 fps.
● As usual, a single codebase means time and money is saved.
● As with React Native above, Flutter also gives ability to see changes
made in code, the instance which is made on mobile hardware, emulator
or simulator. This also makes debugging the app much easier.
● Flutter is open source. So is Dart and its graphics engine- Skia.
Disadvantage
● Developers have to learn a new language as Flutter doesn’t make use of
any previously known language. Although Dart is fairly easy to pick up
and this isn’t really an issue.
● Games and apps that require a lot of device-specific functions are better
off not developed with flutter.
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There are many items that rely on knowing the right structure to use. The best APP Based
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choice is to create a game or app that needs a significant number of device-
specific functions. However, if your mobile app is reasonably simple, cross-
platforming is the best choice because it saves time and money.
Comparison among all these four is given below:
Table 15.1: Comparative Analysis of Mobile Development Frameworks
Basis React Native Ionic Xamarin Flutter
Developers Facebook Drifty Microsoft Google
Language JavScript TypeScript C# Dart
Performance Close to native Moderate Moderate Amazing
controller
Code 90% 98% 98% 50-90%
resusability
Testing Mobile device Any browser Mobile device Mobile device
or emulator or emulator, or emulator
test cloud
GUI Uses native UI HTML, CSS Uses native UI Use Proprietary
controller controllers widgets and
deliver UI
Apps Airbnb, MarketWatch, Olo, Stroyo, KlasterMe,
Discord, Pacifica, Apx PostMuse
Instagram JustWatch Reflectly

Check Your Progress A

1. Fill in the blanks with appropriate words:
i) ………………. is an essential activity in order to achieve financial
viability.
ii) ………………. means to check if App can be developed by using
the latest technology or not.
iii) For the development of an ………………. app, Android SDK is the
IDE of choice.
iv) ………………. frames are designed to build mobile applications on
more than one platform.
v) ………………. is an Angular and Apache-Cordova cross-platform
system.
2. State whether the following are true or false.
i) Feasibility problem relates to whether a mobile device app is more
suitable than a web application.
ii) Native apps are fast.
iii) In comparison with native apps, ionic apps are more effective.
iv) While Xamarin itself is free, IDE used for production can be very
costly for businesses.
v) React native-built applications are fast and comparable in compiling
them to native code, with native app results.
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Online Portal and 3. What are the advantages of Flutter Apps?
Application
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4. What do you mean by React Native?
……………………………………………………………………………
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15.5 App Store

Apps were in the beginning planned for efficiency assistance such as email,
calendar, and contact databases, but the public demand for apps caused rapid
expansion into other areas such as mobile games, factory automation, GPS
and location-based services, order-tracking, and ticket purchases, so that
there are currently millions of apps accessible. Apps are in general
downloaded from application distribution platforms which are operated by
the owner of the mobile operating system, known as App stores. Most
popular types of APP stores are such as Google Play Store and IOS App
Store (iOS), explained in detail below:

Types of APP Store

1.Google Play Store: Google Play Store, in the past known as Android
Market, is a digital distribution service operated and developed by Google. It
provides as the official app store for certified devices running on the Android
operating system, allowing users to browse and download applications
developed with the Android software development kit (SDK) and published
through Google. Google Play also serves as a digital media store, offering
music, books, movies, and television programs.

Fig 15.3: Google Play Store

The services integrated in Google Play are Google Play Books, Google Play
Games, and in earlier times included Google Play Music before being
discontinued in favor of YouTube Music and Google Podcasts in December
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2020, Google Play Newsstand before it was phased out in November 2018, APP Based
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and Google Play Movies & TV before being renamed to Google TV in
September 2020.

Google states in its Developer Policy Center that "Google Play supports a
diversity of monetization strategies to benefit developers and users, including
paid distribution, in-app products, subscriptions, and ad-based models", and
requires developers to comply with the policies in order to "ensure the best
user experience". It requires that developers charging for apps and downloads
through Google Play must exercise Google Play's payment system. In-app
purchases unlocking additional app functionality must also use the Google
Play payment system, except in cases where the purchase "is exclusively for
physical products" or "is for digital content that may be added outside of the
app itself (e.g. songs that can be played on other music players)

Find & download apps or digital content

a) On your device, open Google Play Store. or visit the Google Play store on
a web browser.
b) Search or browse for content.
c) Select an item.
d) Select Install and pay item's price.
e) Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the transaction and get the
content.
2. iOS App Store (iOS): The IoS App Store is a digital distribution
platform, developed and maintained by Apple Inc., for mobile apps on
its iOS & iPadOS operating systems. The store allows users to browse
and download apps developed with Apple's iOS Software Development
Kit. The Apple Store app provides a more delicate way to shop for the
most up-to-date Apple products and accessories.

Fig 15.4: iOS App Store

How to get the App Store on iOS?

1. Launch Settings app on your iOS device.

2. Now, tap on Screen Time.
3. Now Content & Privacy Restriction.
4. Next, you have to enter your Restrictions passcode.
5. Now tap on iTunes & App Store Purchases.
6. Click on Installing Apps.
7. Now, make sure the switch next to Installing Apps is ON. If in case, it
is Off turn it On.
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Online Portal and
Application 15.6 APPS FOR VARIOUS DOMAINS &
SEGMENTS
There are various types of Apps developed and confined to various domains,
a brief about all that is explained below:
1. Augmented and Virtual Reality App: Virtual reality apps are one of
the most popular apps developed in the segment. Many of the VR based
app are most popular among users few examples of such apps are
Pokemon Go, Google Map etc. Pokemon Go with its augmented reality
mode broke the app market and became viral. The well-known social
application with Google Maps became top app from last many years as
the number of users of this application is constantly growing. Another
VR app worth mentioning is Just a Line, an experimental app that allows
you to make simple drawings using your phone in augmented reality,
film a short video, and share it with your friends. Mobile virtual reality
or VR has never been that affordable. Anyone who has a smartphone can
purchase a cardboard VR headset to get the experience of VR apps
available for download in app stores or to watch 360-degree videos on
Youtube.

2. Artificial Intelligence Apps: Artificial Intelligence is more than just an

assistant, it learns from user behaviour, it is integrated into chatbots and
thus leverages user experience in-app. AI can not only make your app
smarter but also saves money. No doubt everyone who has a smart phone
has at least heard of Siri or Google Assistant or similar AI apps that aim
to make our life easier by searching for information using voice
commands.

Fig 15.5: Artificial Intelligence

3. Retail Shopping Apps: These days retail shoppers are not lacking
behind in competition. They have also started leveraging benefits of
new technology by developing their online apps. Nowadays a shop
doesn’t have to be big to start taking benefits from creating its mobile
app. The advantage of having a mobile application for even a small
328 business is that it increases brand recognition and brings the e-
 commerce user experience to a whole new level, it helps to build APP Based
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customer loyalty, to collect feedback as well as simply stand out from
the crowd. For example, Max, FBB and Reliance Trends have made
their omni channel presence.

4. Restaurants and Food Delivery Apps: More and more people prefer
to check the place and its menu before actually going there.
Restaurant and food apps encourage clients’ interaction, develop
loyalty, and increase brand recognition.

Fig 15.6: Food Delivery Apps

In 2020, the top food app became Uber Eats with its sales system,
built-in navigation, and online payments. Another popular app in the
food sector turned out to be Domino’s Pizza app that helps you to
place your order using AI and track your pizza location on the map
and also allows pre orders and thus saves waiting time.
5. Mobile Wallets, Banking and Finance Apps: In coming years, the
number of financial apps users is going to reach in billions. On
average users check their bank account and make some transfers
using apps every day. Mobile wallets, and other popular online
payment trends in the last years, is a great option for those who do not
want to carry the plastic debit and credit cards but rather just take
their smart phone whenever they go out. Android users can install
Google Pay while people who prefer iOS can use Apple Pay. The
online payment apps provide great ease and convenience to the users.
Also have some add on benefits such as cash back, discounts etc.
which is found to be more lucrative.
6. Video Streaming Apps: Video Streaming are one of the most
popular apps especially in the adolescent segment. Gone are the days
when people used to wait for going to the theatre to watch any movie.
A huge upsurge was noticed in the times of COVID especially in the
entertainment industry. Most of the movies were launched on these
platforms giving viewers a wide access with no extra cost.

Fig 15.7: Netflix

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Online Portal and Netflix, the leading TV show broadcasting service, was ahead in
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annual consumer spending in 2020, while YouTube was number one
in time spent. YouTube Kids aimed at children aged 4 and up, meant
to protect them from inappropriate content, also remained among
leaders in some countries. The video streaming service for gamers
Twitch was in the top five apps by time spent in countries such as the
US, Canada, Australia, to name a few.
Check Your Progress B
1. What do you understand by Google play store?
……………………………………………………………………………
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2. How to get the App Store on iOS?
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3. What is augmented reality or virtual reality based apps?
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4. State some of the popular examples of retail shopping apps.
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……………………………………………………………………………

15.7 LET US SUM UP

An app is short form of a term called "application," it is basically a type of
software that can be installed and run on a computer, tablet, Smartphone or
other electronic devices. An app is simply a piece of software that you can
get access to and use through the internet. Many apps are also available for
mobile devices and even some TVs. Mobile applications may be classified by
numerous methods. A common scheme is to distinguish native, hybrid, and
web-based apps. Native apps are developed for their particular platform,
taking full advantage of the software and the operating systems' features.
Web-based applications are a particular type of software that allows users to
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interact with a remote server through a web browser interface. The concept of APP Based
Commerce
the hybrid app is a mix of native and web-based apps. Then there are few
popular desktop applications such as word processor and media players and
mobile apps such as Gmail, Instagram, duolingo etc.
Development of an app is a comprehensive task involving various steps,
which needs to be followed while developing any app such as, defining
mobile app objectives, preliminary design, market research, market analysis,
collection of users feedback and information about competitors, financial and
technical feasibility, testing of app prototype, launching the app, official
release.
Over the last few years, the number of smart phone users around the world
has grown to the trillions. Many companies are now focused on developing
mobile apps for their consumers with a website. There are various types of
Mobile Development Frameworks such as, Native mobile app development-
typically, native apps are fast. They are fully compliant with the hardware
and native functions of the computer, such as camera, accelerometer, etc.
Cross-platform mobile app development: these are designed to build mobile
applications on more than one platform. The most popular cross platform
development frameworks are Ionic, Xamarin, React Native, Flutter.
Apps were in the beginning planned for efficiency assistance but the public
demand for apps caused rapid expansion into other areas. Apps in general are
downloaded from application distribution platforms which are operated by
the owner of the mobile operating system, known as App stores. Most
popular types of APP stores are such as Google Play Store, which is a digital
distribution service operated and developed by Google and IOS App Store
(iOS), which is a digital distribution platform, developed and maintained by
Apple Inc., for mobile apps on its iOS & iPadOS operating systems.
There are various types of Apps developed and confined to various domains
such as Augmented and Virtual Reality Apps, Artificial Intelligence Apps,
Retail Shopping Apps, Restaurants and Food Delivery Apps, Mobile Wallets,
Banking and Finance Apps, Video Streaming Apps.

15.8 KEYWORDS
App: An app is short form of a term called "application," it is basically a type
of software that can be installed and run on a computer, tablet, Smartphone or
other electronic devices.
Flutter: Flutter is a Google-developed mobile user interface to create a
beautiful and interactive interface that takes another approach to cross-
platform creation. Unlike hybrid apps that make use of web views, or React
Native apps that use native components, Flutter apps fully compile to native
code.
Google Play Store: Google Play Store, in the past known as Android
Market, is a digital distribution service operated and developed by Google. It
provides as the official app store for certified devices running on the Android
operating system. 331
Online Portal and Hybrid Apps: The concept of the hybrid app is a mix of native and web-
Application
based apps. Apps developed using Apache Cordova, Xamarin, React Native,
Sencha Touch and other similar technology fall into this category.
Ionic cross-platform system: Ionic is an Angular and Apache-Cordova
cross-platform system. It helps you to build applications for more than one
mobile platform. An application will work for both iOS and Android on the
Ionic cross-platform system.
iOS App Store: The iOS App Store is a digital distribution platform,
developed and maintained by Apple Inc., for mobile apps on its iOS &
iPadOS operating systems. The store allows users to browse and download
apps developed with Apple's iOS Software Development Kit.
Native Apps: Native apps are developed for their particular platform, taking
full advantage of the software and the operating systems' features.
These apps can directly access the hardware of the device such as the GPS,
camera, microphone, etc.
React Native: React Native is a Facebook mobile platform for the
development of mobile applications. It is developed on JavaScript and
ReactJS. Contrary to hybrid applications, React Native also uses online
technology internally. The web views are not included.
Technical Feasibility: Technical feasibility means to check if App can be
developed by using the latest technology or not. It’s important to check if
organization is capable enough to use the latest technology or not.
Web-based Apps: Web-based applications are a particular type of software
that allows users to interact with a remote server through a web browser
interface.

15.9 ANSWERS TO CHECK YOUR PROGRESS

Check Your Progress A
1. (i) Financial analysis (ii) Technical feasibility (iii) Android (iv)
Mobile cross-platform (v) Ionic
2. (i) True (ii) False (iii) False (iv) True (v) True

15.10 TERMINAL QUESTIONS

1. What are the three broad classifications of an app?
2. What are the various types of desktop and mobile apps?
3. What are the activities required for concept building?
4. Describe the various steps of an App development process.
5. What do you mean by financial and technical feasibility of the plan?
6. What are the two types of mobile development frameworks?
7. What is an app store? What are its various types?
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8. What is an ionic cross-platform
platform system? State its advantages and APP Based
Commerce
disadvantages.
9. What is Flutter? State its advantages and disadvantages.
10. State the differences among React native, Ionic, Xamarin and Flutter.
11. What are different types of apps in various domains and segments?

These questions are helpful to understand this unit.

Do efforts for writing the answer of these questions
but do not send your answer to university. It is only
Note for your practice.

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