20
PROCEDURES
The popularity of mobile devices (tablets and smartphones) in our private and
professional lives has encouraged the development of specially-designed mobile
applications or
apps
.
In some cases, apps are mobile versions of existing applications, social networks
and services, such as Facebook, Twitter, YouTube or LinkedIn. In other cases, these
apps take advantage of features that mobile devices may have: camera, WIFI, GPS,
accelerometer or gyroscope.
Applications for mobile devices
CLASSIFYING MOBILE APPLICATIONS
We can classify apps
by their technical specifications
:
1.
Native applications
are developed specifically for a
particular operating system, such as Android, iOS or
Windows Phone. Native applications:
❚❚
can use the hardware features of a mobile device, such
as its camera, GPS or Bluetooth capabilities.
❚❚
can work without an Internet connection.
❚❚
are expensive because a different version must be
designed for every operating system.
❚❚
are available in online stores and at the manufacturers’
own shops.
2.
Web applications or web apps
are web pages that
are automatically opened by the operating system of the
user’s mobile device. Web apps:
❚❚
adapt their visual format to the dimensions of each
user’s device.
❚❚
can be used by any device.
❚❚
do not have access to many of the devices’ functions.
❚❚
require an Internet connection, so they are slower.
❚❚
are accessed through the web page’s URL.
3.
Hybrid applications
are a combination of the two previous types. They contain the same browser as the mobile
device. Hybrid apps:
❚❚
have access to some of the device’s functions.
❚❚
are distributed though app stores.
❚❚
are the cheapest apps to develop.
APP
NATIVE
APP
HYBRID
APP
WEB
Language
Development cost
User interface
Performance
Multiplatform
Development time
App stores
JAVA, -C, .NET
HTML, CSS, Javascript
HTML, CSS, Javascript
Apply
27.
Design your own application. There are online services that can help you create a very
complete application without any knowledge of programming. One of these services
is Mobincube. Try this service and then discuss your experiences with the class. Before
you use the service, be sure to read the conditions carefully.
ADVANCE
EDITION
