New Smartphone Apps to Help Fight Natural Disasters & Giving the Right Directions

In our previous blog post we have talked about the endless scope in the smartphone app market which is likely to grow leaps and bounds in future as well. Once again, smartphone apps have got a new addition in their utility pool. This time, it is related to the natural disasters.

Researchers at university of California have created a new android phone app named ‘My Shake’ with an objective to detect the earthquake. 

MyShake

MyShake is an intelligent application that is able to distinguish between earthquake vibrations and normal vibrations. It uses sensors that are already present in a smartphone such as accelerometer. As soon as the app encounters any suspected movement, it immediately sends a small packet of data to Seismological laboratory including GPS details, amplitude and time of the vibrations. The app then keeps on recording another five minutes of data.

The laboratory analyzes the data of 60% nearby devices to confirm that an earthquake actually occurred in an area.

The app is developed with an idea to use the smartphone sensors in a smart way. However, there is some work that still needs to be done to make the app more usable, e.g., the app is capable to identify an earthquake, but there is need to make it proactive in which it will be able to predict the future occurrence of earthquake in advance.

This smartphone app is also not able to identify the earthquake with a magnitude lesser or equal to five.

Google My Map

Google’s My Map got a complete makeover with some surprising new features to increase the utility and accuracy of maps. It is the major update that happened in app from 2014 with addition of new exciting features.

Some of the new addition in Google My Map are as follows:

1.Users can see a street view look of the places.

2.They can view the photos and videos added by other users.

3.Users can search for a particular address and give custom names to places.

4.My map lets users choose from standard, satellite or terrain based maps.

5.It also allows users to create a customized map for the relatives coming to your area to visit. 

6.Description of places can be added to let them have an idea about what to except while making a visit there.

New version of My Maps can be easily downloaded from Google Play Store from where it is available to everyone.

These applications are the two most recent inventions in smartphone app market which are designed by keeping a special focus on users’ benefits. We are committed to keep you updated regarding all the latest happenings of the tech world, so stay tuned with us for more in the future as well.

Significant Tips for App Store Optimization to Increase its Visibility

Image Source: indexsy.com

It’s no wonder for those who use smartphones that mobile applications and its development are flooding in market every day, as it is an era of smartphones. Where, every now and then a new app is added to app stores whether it is Google play store or iTunes.  With the clutter of new apps being introduced daily in market it is required to properly optimize the apps to rank them higher, for better page listing and categorization.

The properly optimized app means higher visibility on app stores, higher downloads which automatically increase subscribers, maximises buyers, sales and shares of your business.

But the question comes here is how to optimize the apps to gain the above KPI for the successful business.

So, below some significant tips are there to answer all of your queries that can improve chances of getting your app discovered and hence increase its download. The bottom line for ASO is same as great SEO tactics. This means whole story should circulate around keywords or content relevancy. So your app's Metadata, Descriptions, headlines and titles all should   be rich with keywords that people most likely use while searching for your app.

Let’s start app store optimization by breaking down the various important components into 2 categories: On Page & Off Page Optimization

Image Source: slideshare.net

On Page Optimization 

App Icon or logo – The first thing what users will notice is the icon you upload while scrawling the search result. Hence the logo should be iconic and eye-catching. It should give users more than an idea about the app. For example you can provide cool 3d effect which will give more impact on users.

App Name & Categorization - The App name should be remarkable, influencing and catchy. It should also include the keyword. Also, choose the best possible category for your app not only relevant but also based on level of competition and generated revenue. It will influence more users and visits to your app and hence improve your app ranking. For iTunes, Apple has introduce subcategories which helps higher app ranking.

Meta Tags – We need to properly optimize Meta data of your apps, as mentioned earlier as whole thing revolves around keywords, so do brief analysis and brain storming before choosing keywords. The keywords should be highly relevant and the ones with highest search traffic volume. So you need to know which keywords are more often used by your target audience. And in the same way prepare catchy and informative title and description which must contain your keywords. Also you can regularly optimize your Meta as per the need.

Update App Snapshot – Google play and the iTunes store allow up to 5 to 6 screenshots. So the best use of screenshot is to attract more and more people and also for detailing key interaction points of app, hence this the best way of interacting with the audience and better serve your app to them.

App Rating & Reviews – Try to get higher rating and reviews from the customers who have downloaded your apps. Because higher rating and reviews help an app to rank higher on the app store.

Off Page Optimization

Use outside source for optimization – Not only on app store, but you should use outside sources to optimize your Apps. External references for your app listing page increase the possibility to rank higher in app store. Hence, 

- Keep posting on social media about the App features and app listing URL. 

- Write blogs and mention name of the app and app listing URL wherever it is suitable. Not only blogs but use other content syndication platforms as well i.e. articles for spreading information about your App.

- Add App URL at the brand website and at all the social media profiles if possible.

- If it is relevant,  mention the name of your app in press release

- Share app listing URL with internal resources and encourage them to share within their community as well.

Nice video to explore for App Store Optimization -

So all the above activities will increase total number of external references and drive traffic towards your app listing URL.

In the present technology world, a great app can help a brand to grow or serve as a money-making source in itself. All you need is experience mobile application development company and proper optimization of your Mobile Application. Hope above mentioned tips will help you lay the groundwork for optimization of your App.

Leverage Google Webmaster Tools to Track and Improve Your Mobile App Performance in SERP

Only having a mobile app for your business is not sufficient. Its awareness among the users is the second most important task to get worth of your mobile app. There are various ways and channels you can market and promote your mobile app through. The latest one is through search engines which you can include in your other marketing activities. Google has already started indexing Apps as like websites to display them in SERP results.

So it’s very important for a webmaster to know the status of your mobile app to rectify the existing issue and to build future strategy.

Webmaster Tools for Tracking APP Performance

Google is not providing only app indexing but also offers features in Google webmaster tools to track and monitor app performance. Following task can be done through webmaster tools:

#1.

Gives your app developer access to webmaster tools:

As a webmaster you can provide access of webmaster tools to your app developers so that they can access this tool directly to find key information to fix app-related issues. With the help of this tool developers can track the following things:

• Errors in indexed pages within apps.

• Weekly clicks and impressions from app deep link via Google search.

• States on your sitemap (if that’s how you app deep).

Any verified site owner can add a new user. Pick restricted or full permissions, depending on the level of access you’d like to give:

#2.

Track how your app is performing in search results:

The key performance indicator of any app is user engagement with it. Webmaster tools enables webmaster/developers to track performance for your app deep link:

• You can find clicks and impressions within the message centre in your webmaster tool.

• You can now track how much traffic app deep links drive to your app using referrer information.

#3.

Crawling Status of key app resources:

Through the Crawl Error report section within webmaster tool you can check the status of key app resources if they are getting properly crawled or not.

If crawler is unable to access any resources then it shows ‘mismatch’ error. For example, if any resources is blocked then crawler unable to render that resource and shows crowing error. Through this section you can track all issues related to crawling.

#4.

Tracking Android app error:

Despite ‘Content mismatch’ and ‘Intent URI not supported’ error alerts, there other three types of error that can be tracked through webmaster tools. These are:

• APK not found: When crawler is unable to find the package corresponding to the app.

• No first-click free: the link to your app does not lead directly to the content, but requires login to access.

• Back button violation: after following the link to your app, the back button did not return to search results.

We hope the above information is helpful to know about App indexing (Appiness) and implementation of webmaster tools to track and improve your mobile app performance in search engine results page.

(This post is brought to you by an enterprise application development company providing custom web and enterprise mobile application development services to global business)

Why Your Business Needs Both Mobile Apps and Mobile Website?

In this technology era, you should be well aware of the fact that trends in technology are booming ahead at the speed of light. So you need to be well acquainted with latest trends in technology especially those who run consumer facing business. Simply relying on traditional pattern can be risky for your business. We all know that computers have now become almost obsolete. With the introduction of mobile technology the landscape of consumer behaviour and the way we do business has completely changed. Number of mobile users are now on rise and it has been predicted that by 2014 mobile internet users will overtake desktop users. Please have look at the below graphical presentation which clearly shows the rise in the mobile internet users.

And if we talk about smartphones then it will not be wrong to say that it has completely changed the consumer’s behaviour and they are using it for conversation purpose, online shopping and also for gamming. Number of smartphone users are rapidly increasing and it has been predicted that by the end of 2016 there will be 2.5 billion smartphones in the world, and according to the Juniper Research annual smartphone sales will surpass one billion per year.

After knowing about these trends, if you are still following traditional pattern then you are really making a big mistake. To exist in this competitive market you need to shift your business towards the mobility side Every business owner who is directly dealing with consumers can face many challenges while shifting their business over the mobile platform. The most common challenge is to decide which one out of mobile app or mobile business will be appropriate for their business.

Having developed both mobile app and mobile website for your business can give you a better competitive edge over your competitors.

Mobile App for Better Performance for Privilege Users

Mobile app for your business is essential for your regular usage because mobile app provides better mobile user experience. It is easily downloadable and accessible and does not require internet in most of apps cases. There is no need to access your business again and again via internet.

As per the details by Compuware it has been suggested that these days’ consumer preferences are totally in favour of mobile apps i.e. 85% ahead of the mobile websites. The most common reason for it is that these apps are more convenient (55%), faster (48%) and easier to browse (40%). The below snapshot shows the benefit of mobile apps vs. mobile sites.

Mobile Website for Better Engagement for new Users

Having mobile app for your business is fine but you should not neglect mobile website. Offering mobile website with mobile apps can give you better competitive benefits. In most of the cases new users are not much aware about your business and do not find it comfortable to download or install your business app. By offering access via both mobile apps and mobile website users can get the flexibility to access business websites without any restrictions. At last we can say that developing both mobile app and mobile website can require little more budget but building them can actually provide long term competitive benefits to your business.

(This information is brought to you by a web application development company providing custom web and enterprise mobile application development services to global business)

FireChat: Another Mobile App that Let You Chat Without a Data-Connection

It’s now a history where people used normal SMS for sending messages to each other when the revolutionary internet messaging called WhatsApp started not much earlier but just in June 2009. And after this launch; it not just changed the whole mode of communication over the smartphones but also affected the BBM messaging immensely. Nowadays even a BlackBerry owner uses WhatsApp to send messages.

Twitter Acquires Cover, an Android Screen Locker - To Improve Its Mobile Services

 

Twitter has acquired Cover, an android screen locker app that lets you customise what apps you see and when. You can read more on how Cover works here.

“We’re excited to announce that we are taking a turn today as we bring the Cover team to Twitter to take these ideas even further” says on Cover blog post.

“Twitter, like Cover, believes in the incredible potential of Android. They share our vision that smartphones can be a lot smarter — more useful and more contextual — and together we’re going to make that happen. We’ll be building upon a lot of what makes Cover great, and we’re thrilled to create something even better at Twitter.”

Mobile App or Mobile Friendly Website: 4 Helpful Points for Your Better Decision

Before you can estimate the advantage of a Mobile App vs. a Mobile Website it’s significant to understand the key differences between the two. Both Mobile Website and App are retrieved on handheld devices such as tablets and Smartphones.

Questions That Help You Make Decisions on Your Mobile App

Mobile applications add value and style to businesses. With smart mobile devices getting popular by the day, it is wise to go with the changing trends. However, building mobile applications for businesses involve quite an amount, research, and time. Here are a few rudimentary questions that can help you find your way in the complex world of mobile applications. Although your app developer can suggest you a few solutions, most of them are biased. They either recommend a mobile platform they are familiar with or simply suggest you things that could escalate their profits. This is why learning some of the basics in app development will help you choose the right path when it comes to building an app for your business.

How PhoneGap Mobile App Development is Beneficial for Businesses as well Developers

More and more IT companies made the switch from other platform to PhoneGap in last one year or so. It is because PhoneGap allows an easy execution of mobile application development and it also runs on all the mobile operating systems easily.

This technology is not only becoming popular among the enterprises but lots of developers are also opting for this medium because of the language which is already available on this platform. This helps the developers to easily develop an application and reduce the effective time to market.

Let’s talk about the benefits of mobile application development in brief for both the developers as well as the business.

Things to Deliberate Before Developing a Mobile App

Mobile devices are so common and so popular that people are not buying desktops and laptop’s any more. Mobile device is catering to all their needs and it is always with them. Gone were the days when people use to wait for the newspaper in the morning now they read all the news online anytime they want.

Even advertisers are seeing the importance of mobile device and they are trying to capture their prospective customers on this medium. Now companies wants to create application which can help their customer as well as promote their product. Mobile website are becoming as popular as regular websites and even google is giving an option to create ad campaigns specifically for mobile.

But before you create mobile application for your business, you must deliberate these couple of things which are:

Effective Mobile App Development - Do’s and Don’ts

As per the recent survey conducted by ICD, every forth persons owns a smartphone in USA. Smartphones and tablets are changing the way of life. Now, there is an application which is helping us in almost every vertical of our life. More and more businesses are creating apps to grab more customers from the market. Some of the application are also being made for company’s employees.

However, developing software’s for enterprises is really not a simple task. The developer has to understand the need of the market and the desired outcome of the enterprise before outlining the structure of an application.

Developers most of the time has to work with multiple technologies and highly distributed environments in order to build a robust application which can be run on the multi-cross platform. The growing rate of smartphones and tablets only add pressure to develop better applications.

WhatsApp Adds Push-to-Talk Voice Messaging Feature To Mobile Platform

WhatsApp messenger is essentially propriety, cross platform prompt messaging application for smartphone. It is available to all the mobile platforms of blackberry, android, Series 40, iOS etc. which has bought revolution to the messaging market. It has over 300 million monthly active users all over the globe. WhatsApp has been constantly updating its features from last couple of months. The location update as well as file transfer feature were also updated recently.

Company announced the availability of this new feature while proclaiming the amazing figure of 300 million active users all over the world. WhatsApp was able to achieve a whopping 50 million new active users in just 2 months. More and more people are opting for WhatsApp because it gives them easy, cheap and convenient way of communication. It has been observed that WhatsApp is also popular among the mid-age people who are professionals. One can exchange free messages across the country as well without any charge with WhatsApp.

Cross-Platform Push Notifications Service from Amazon

Amazon Web Services (AWS) is offering a new service that aims to make it easier for developers to send push notifications to Android and iOS applications.

Amazon pitches Simple Notification Service with Mobile Push as an easier way for developers to add notifications than previously has been possible. Using one API, developers can send notifications to iOS and Android-based devices, including

Top 5 Features of Windows Azure Mobile Services

Windows Azure Mobile services as the name suggest what all it offers besides that it also offers some interesting features that we would really like to know! In today’s post I am going to share such interesting facts which one should know while dealing with Windows Azure.

Current Situation: Different Platforms and Opportunities it offers!

With the recent surveys done by VisionMobile’s “Developer Economics 2013”, it shows that android is still leading the market when it comes to mobile application development. In this survey, they produced a statistics chart given below –

In this you can see clearly that android is leading with 72% and there is a hike of 4 points from the previous year. On the other hand, iOS is in 56% with a loss of 5 points from the previous one. After this, the third most popular platform is HTML and HTML 5 with 50%, well you can’t compare it with regular operating systems rather it is a programming language that has showed a promising performance for developers and clients to develop or work on.