March 2017 - Redbytes Software

Posted on March 30, 2017 by rbsupadminnextjssite

According to reports from App Annie, Android stores are set to overtake iOS app store in 2017 in app store revenue. The biggest reason for this is the Chinese app stores that are the main battleground for other operating systems.

App Annie forecasts that Android users in China, access app stores even by using Tencent and Baidu. In 2016, Android stores only made about $10 billion, but are estimated to grow to about $36 billion by the end of 2021.

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This year the app spending on Android is expected to double. Users of Android will spend $41 billion on apps in 2017, topping iOS with a total of $40 billion. The top countries by revenue-U. S, Japan, China, South Korea, and UK. are expected to grow to 85 percent by 2021.

The reports of App Annie is based on data collected from economic conditions, past performances, major publishers and conversation with stakeholders.

Posted on March 28, 2017 by rbsupadminnextjssite

Mobile applications that are generally used in business to solve any kind of enterprise issues is known as an enterprise mobile application. It is important for enterprises to follow the trend of using apps for internal and external services if they wish to succeed in the current app dominated world.

Different types of Enterprise mobile applications include

• Content management
• Customer support
• Payment processing
• Email marketing systems
• Automated billing system
• Collaboration, messaging and business intelligence
• Customer relationship management(CRM)
• Enterprise application integration (EAI)

Factors that make an Enterprise App Successful

For any Enterprise to develop, the first step to take forward is to have a well-planned strategy. After you have the perfect strategy, you can plan the business and go for a suitable enterprise mobile application. Following are some key factors that an enterprise should consider to build a highly buoyant mobile enterprise application to ensure their enterprise-wide acceptance:

• Clarity of business goals and objectives

Having a clear vision about the goal you need to achieve is very important. Once you have a strong objective, start thinking about the platform on which you want your app to be done. Keep your idea concrete to justify your investment in the mobile app development. The goals you need to consider are to:

1) Increase the customer’s perception of brand experience
2) Project the growth of your organisation
3) Increase the business force of your partners and employees
4) Attract new customers
5) Enhance the revenue opportunities

• Build apps keeping the target audience in mind

Another factor to consider before you develop an enterprise mobile app is to understand the behaviour of the mobile users and the way they use the device. How to optimise the user experience?
This might be the main question in your mind and if you have the answer to this question, you have solutions for rest all. This can help enterprises steer the app development efforts to fulfil user expectations, and result in an enchanting user experience for the app users.

• Selecting the apt platform for your Enterprise mobile application

The process of creating a mobile enterprise app is challenging as well as rewarding at the same time. Whether it’s iOS, Android, BlackBerry or Windows Phone, no platform has a clear dominance over the other. So, it’s unavoidable to develop apps for all these platforms on both tablets and smart phones. But. It’s highly critical to choose a development methodology that meets all your cross-platform goals for the enterprise.

1) Native apps: These are built for a specific platform using the SDK platform, tools, languages and operating system (iOS, Android) that are typically provided by the platform vendor. Features of native apps:

• Most reliable and fastest, conventional
• Can get into the wider functionality of the device like: microphone, camera, accelerometer, compass, swipe gestures etc.
• Make use of push-notifications
• Provide access to important device attributes such as geo-location API etc.

2) HTML5-based apps: This is the latest approach used by most of the organizations with HTML5-based development. This helps them to reduce custom development costs for all the platforms. Even though HTML-5 based apps are a cost-saver, it does not provide the advantage of leveraging the native APIs and device capabilities.

3) Hybrid apps (Native + HTML5): Another approach is to include both HTML5 and native development, and adapt the core functionality of all platforms. Depending on the business requirements, you can choose the right platform.

The key method to have the best enterprise is to choose the right framework which is capable enough to meet the changing technology and user requirements.

• Maintain a policy to manage the app within the enterprise

As mobile applications are becoming widespread, enterprises need to ensure that their IT departments control what employees can install and remove from their mobile devices. Also, ensure standard applications and configurations to help the employees derive maximum benefit from their mobile devices.

The system of MAM, i.e., mobile application management is all about managing the apps installed on a user’s device. This has already been used by the organisations through desktops. Now they have to follow the same in mobile devices. MAM provides a higher level of control over the applications.

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Capabilities required for Mobile App Management

1) Authorization
2) OTA application provisioning
3) Regular monitoring of app performance and delivery
4) User and group access control
5) Update the app versions
6) Analyse the usage
7) Event management, reporting and tracking

• Security check for the application

This is the most challenging part of creating an application. With the rapid growth of mobile devices, applications, information protection is critical than before. Particularly when you develop mobile applications for highly regulated industries such as finance and healthcare. Right from password enforcement, data encryption, virus protection etc. organizations need to use robust application security measures to prevent data theft and loss.

Main Security policies that should be followed:

1) Models of devices to be used
2) Minimum requirements needed within the device
3) Networks, data, application etc. permitted to access
4) SSL certificates (data files that digitally bind a cryptographic key to the data of the enterprise)

• Ownership

App management requires a central figure to ensure that they don’t go wrong and loose direction. These project leaders will have to analyse the app from the start to the finish.

• Take regular data analytics

It’s important to get to know who all are using your app and how they’re being used. The continuous analysis of these things will help you improve your organisation’s app environment. The things you should keep an eye out are the number of active users, the number of versions and the number of downloads.

• Keep the user expectations in mind

Since enterprise apps are used on a regular basis, the expectation of the user also increases on the side of design menu, loading time, appearance etc. Human resource is the most valuable thing for any company. Each employee has a different set of experiences and this can be effectively utilized while making the app.

• Estimating the Costs

Making and testing of an app is an expensive act and requires up-to-date cost calculations and implementation. Enterprise Apps actually optimize the processing of the company and results in increasing efficiency which can lead to cost reductions. Thus, before going in for making an enterprise app, the purpose and effectiveness of the app should be well studied and calculated.

• Accessing app functionality

While testing the finally developed app, the loading time and functionality are the main things to be checked. Checking for the bugs and other issues is also important. Slow and dysfunctional apps become reasons for user irritation and can harm the company’s reputation.

• Compatibility with all devices

Each device has its own variations and it should be well tested that the app works within all devices. This also ensures that the maximum number of devices including Android, iOS and Windows are used in order to confirm the smooth usage of the app over all platforms.

Whether it is a large/small enterprise, the strategy to have an enterprise mobile application is a key to stay ahead in the current business environment. No one can escape enterprise mobility for sure because technology has been pushing forward so much. Therefore, the question is how soon and how effectively you can make this transformation in your business.

Posted on March 28, 2017 by rbsupadminnextjssite

Consumers prefer retailers to execute mobile applications that can be used for in-store s which offer more convenience and personalization.

Nowadays, shoppers are preferring to use technology such as mobile apps for in-store shopping that can speed up the shopping experience.

A study by Apadmi shows that one out of five customers wishes the retailers to implement applications to make their shopping experiences more personalized and convenient. Retailers can use beacon-powered mobile apps that notify shoppers on in-store offers and recommends about store products.

“Nick Black, CEO of Apadmi, said technology is slowly crossing the retail channels as consumers become more used to shopping on mobile devices, and more consumers will expect to be able to use their devices in-store”.

“There is a need among consumers for retailers to make better use of technology in-store to make every aspect of the shopping journey more enjoyable,” said Black.

“As shoppers continue to embrace mobile e-commerce and retail apps, the in-store experience needs to remain relevant and incorporate the benefits that can be achieved through shopping online.”

Almost 46% of consumers also expect retailers to provide Wi-Fi inside the shops. A quarter of consumers also would like to use mobile apps to check out in-stores, avoid queue or even order products online and pick them up in-store.

The number of consumers downloading such online shopping apps has been increasing day by day with one in 10 people in the UK downloading apps in last 12 months.

Consumers Prefer Use of Retailer Apps In-Store

But many brands are still struggling in the early stages of offering real omni channel experiences such as easy payment, personalization and single customer journey.

Posted on March 21, 2017 by rbsupadminnextjssite

Ed Barton, the CEO of Curiscope has discovered a new app called ‘Virtuali-Tee’, an educational app that works with augmented reality to learn about internal organs inside the body.

This eye-opening experiment is not carried out through various specimens and skeletons but into his own body.

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The AR-based app works using the camera of a smartphone and allows the technology to digitally view the body and show organs such as the stomach, heart and lungs. As the device is moved from one side to another the 3D realistic model also moves. This app can help users look into their own anatomy.

Barton and his co-workers at Curiscope raised almost 75,000 British pounds to make this project a reality.

The app allows the users to tap on a particular organ and get a video description of the things viewed.

The app costs around 20-24 British pounds and works on both Android and iOS devices. It can be downloaded for free, but the app only works with the accompanying of blue, green or red T-shirts.

Also Check : Latest Updated Educational Apps Directory List

Posted on March 21, 2017 by rbsupadminnextjssite

Swift is a new programming language introduced for iOS and OS X mobile app development by the Apple. This program actually adopts the best of C and Objective C without leaving the constraints of C-language. Swift is used to write applications, and iOS is the operating system on which these applications run.

Features of Swift

1) Safe and easy programming patterns are followed
2) Provides modern programming features
3) Provide objective C like syntax
4) Swift is the best way to write iOS and OS X programs
5) Great access to existing cocoa frameworks
6) It doesn’t need a separate library import to support functionalities like input/output or even the string handling
7) Swift unifies the procedural and object-oriented portions of the language
8) Run time used by swift is the same as that of Obj-C system on Mac OS and iOS

The language swift adopts a safe programming feature to make it simpler, easier and fun to work with. Being easy to use, it is the first industrial quality program that is expressive and enjoyable . script-table language.

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Publicly, the program was released on 2010. It is believed that it took almost 14 years for the inventor to come up with the full version of the programme. The swift program is included in the Xcode 6 beta. The idea of the program was taken from other popular languages such as Objective C, Haskel, Ruby, Python, Rust and CLU.

Even though Swift contains the functionalities for building programs, it doesn’t handle anything like user interface, networking, audio etc.

Swift 1.2: This was the first major update of Swift which includes language features and other improvements.
Swift 2: Next major update that contains the checked exceptions and many other major improvements
Swift 2.2: This was a minor update to Swift 2.0
Swift 3: This was another major update which is used in the hacking by Swift.

Swift has been used as the main language for writing iOS and OSX apps. The introduction of this mobile app development program has brought out a main impact on the computing world and shows the long-term future of the programming languages. Developers quite like working with Swift because it motivates the starters.

Learning Swift

Before getting into Swift, you first need to install all the necessary tools that will help you to build the swift apps. Firstly, you need a fast running computer with the upgraded version of OS X. Swift comes with playground features where the programmers can write their code and execute to see the results quickly.

1) Install Xcode and create a playground: Firstly, you need to download Xcode from the Mac app store. Then, while launching the Xcode, look for the playground to get started. Playgrounds are a great way to work on codes and get results.

2) Variables and Constants: Every program will have a way to store the data and in the case of swift, it has two- variables and constants. A variable is a data store that allows the change of value any-time. But, constant is the data store which you can never change once its set. You might think then why it is important to have both the programs together.

One of the advantages of having the variables and the constants separately is that it will point out if mistakes are made. Constants are more important because they are the ones that let the Xcode take decisions on how your app should be made. In Swift, you make a variable using the “var” keyword, like: var name = “Tim McGraw”

3) Different types of Data: There are various types of data and swift handles them all individually. In swift, literally, a string of characters is known as String which can either be long, short or even empty.

4) Operators: These include the basic: +to add, -to subtract, *to multiply, /to divide, =to assign value. Another common operator that you will see is the modulus which is represented by the % symbol. Swift also has a set of operators that perform the comparison on values.

5) Arrays: Here, a group of values is collected together to a single collection, and later on, access their value by checking their position in the collection. An item’s position in an array is known as its index. Swift uses brackets to mark the start and end of an array and each time an array is separated using a comma.

6) Dictionaries: This is another type of collection like an array. But, they let you access the values based on the keys that you specify.

7) Loops: They are simple programming constructs that repeat a block of code for as long as a condition is true. Swift knows what kind of data your array holds. So, it will go through every element in the array, assign it to a constant and then, run a block of your code.

8) Switch cases: This is another type of flow control. One advantage to switch/case is that Swift will ensure that your cases are complete.

9) Functions: Lets you define the re-usable pieces of code that perform specific pieces of functionality.

10) Classes: This is another way of using this language for building complex data types. They are structurally similar but vary in certain functions.

11) Properties: Struc and classes have their own variables and constants and these are called as properties. They allow attaching values to the types to represent them uniquely.

12) Static Properties and methods: Swift lets you create properties and methods that belong to a type. Such properties of Swift are known as static properties and you create one by using the static keyword.

13) Access Control: This feature lets you specify what data inside the strucs and classes should be exposed to the outside world, and you can also choose clarifier’s accordingly.

14) Closures: This is another type of data which is extensively used in Swift. These are quite complicated, but, still expressive and powerful. These are widely used in Cocoa touch.

Swift has now turned to be the most important topic among the top mobile development companies. This is considered to be the most featured and approachable coding language for iOS development companies. By the end of 2016, Objective C is already taken over by swift and is believed to conquer the coding by 2017.

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Best Features of Swift

Open Source: It is an open source programming language that is easily accessible and is less costly for the ones who are trying to step in the platform of iOS development. Swift is already available within Linux and initiatives are taken to bring it to Windows.

Take less time to market with easy coding methods: With the use of Swift, the work can be done within stipulated period of time and can help you utilise different packages to assemble the app at a reduced time.

Least Error Prone: Since this is a functional programme, it supports functions in the form of variables. It generates generic codes which are efficient enough to do amazing things along with the reduction of repetitions as well as efforts.

Easy Maintenance: Safety has been the most crucial concept not only for the start-ups but also for the leading mobile companies. It can handle the functions and is safer than Objective C.

Cost Effective: If you are looking for an iOS app developer to develop native apps, then, Swift can be your ultimate choice. Since Swift comes with combined codes then it can save the enterprise money.

Multiple Faceted Language: Swift is considered to be a multiple faceted programs which enable the iOS app developers to develop all types of apps starting from commonly used enterprise apps to the latest low power apple watch apps.

Initial App sizes can be trimmed down by using Dynamic libraries: By using Swift, you can directly upload to the memory by trimming down the initial app size which increases the final product performance.

Innovative: It includes the best features of all the existing languages and mainly aims to help the developers for mobile app development that is innovative and interactive. It is considered to be the high usability programming language in the future and can solve almost all programs while programming.

Use Latest Research: It takes the positive features of all the existing languages and incorporates them.

High Potential: The easy usability of the language helps even an average developer to develop apps for iOS and also, fix issues with minimal effort.

Use Simple Grammar and Syntax: The programming language Swift can join all the keywords and there is no need for the programmer to end the codes using a semicolon. The grammar and syntax used are much easier than other programming languages.

With the future outlook, it seems like the Objective-C is the past and Swift is the future as far as mobile app development is concerned. The app developed by utilizing Swift is fast, with upgraded quality and offer better performance. With the help of robust community support, Swift is turning to be a smart programming language which manifests a better connection between the app developer and the target user.

Posted on March 16, 2017 by rbsupadminnextjssite

To take the transportation sector to real-time digital mode the Thane Municipal Transport and the Government of West Bengal has introduced navigational mobile apps for commuter convenience.

To provide real-time location the Thane Municipality has launched ‘whereismytmtbus’ a live tracking system for all TMT buses. The app will provide the expected arrival time, nearest destination, specific route fares, seating availability in bus etc.

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Commuters can also book tickets and renew passes through the ‘whereismytmtbus’ app.

The West Bengal government has also introduced an app called ‘Pathadisha’ App and fare smart card in state-running buses. The app launched by the West Bengal Transport Minister Subhendu Adhikary was an initiative of the Vision 2016 of the WB transport department. This app will help in the smart, simple and transparent way of commuting.

The ‘Pathadisha’ app aims at giving 24*7 service to the common people. The app will also provide smart cards up to Rs 1000 for boarding the government buses.

The initiative of launching such navigational apps will stop theft in expenses of the state transport, save bus employees and passengers from the crisis and bring clarity in the system. This is a part of the process to take the transport sectors to real-time digital mode.

Posted on March 16, 2017 by rbsupadminnextjssite

If your child is one of those, whose eyes are always glued to that screen and whose fingers, tapping continuously, remember, you can get this addiction of theirs to good use. Using best educational apps for kids, make learning a fun experience for them. After all, your kid’s education need not be limited to books.

Here’s a list of 49 best educational apps for kids that you can choose from:

1) PBS Parents Play and Learn

Meant for pre-schoolers, PBS Parents Play and Learn is so fun that your child will ask to play the learning games again and again. It consists of lessons to improve early reading skills, math and science, that have been designed by early childhood experts. Apart from the fun games it offers, the app also gives suggestions to parents about the activities they can do together with the kids, away from the screen.

Available in : Android, iOS, iPad

2) Elmo Loves 123s

The app, Elmo Loves 123s, has everybody’s favourite Sesame Street characters, Elmo and Abby Cadabby, guiding the kids through the world of math. This app helps your child to count from 1 to 20, do simple addition and subtraction and to trace numbers that come with surprises, when correctly answered. The surprises include Sesame Street videos, puzzles and colouring pages, that will surely keep your kids engaged.

Available in : Android, iOS, iPad

3) Kodable

Knowledge in coding has become the need of the century. It may become an inevitable part of every career in future and therefore, here is an app to teach kids to code. With Kodable, kids learn the basics of writing code. They can enjoy by creating video games, animated stories and much more. The app is so engaging that, kids do not even realize that they learn valuable skills like basic coding and programming, problem solving, logic, physics and more, along with the way.

Available in : iOS, iPad

4) Disney Story Central

Bedtime storytelling just got easier with Disney Story Central. The app comes with a large collection of e-books that feature Disney characters like Mickey Mouse, the princesses, and Doc McStuffin. Disney Store Central offers read-along narration and personalized book recommendations apart from rewarding your kids with trophies and awards as they progress.

Available in : Android, iOS, iPad

5) MoMA Art Lab

What your kids end up becoming in future isn’t entirely based on what they learn from books. It is also about the skills they acquire at an early age. MoMA Art Lab helps to increase your child’s creativity by learning to create images, while learning to problem-solve simultaneously. The app teaches the kids to build with shapes, draw pictures and even add photographs to their artwork, thus keeping them entertained for hours.

Available in : iOS, iPad

6) GoldieBlox and the Movie Machine

Godliebox, the toy company, that has been inspiring girls to become innovators, has come up with their first app named GoldieBlox and the Movie Machine. This app helps your kids to learn the basics of animation and to create their own one-second animated GIFs. Who knows, maybe you have an animator in the making?

Available in : iOS, iPad

7) Grandma’s Garden

Your kids are sure to fall in love with this Grandma’s Garden app that features grandma and grandpa characters teaching them basic skills like reading, counting and science. The interactive lessons are so enticing that you will find your kids have the app open in the iPad, whenever they get a chance.

Available in : Android, iOS, iPad

8) The Magic School Bus: Oceans by Scholastic

This interactive story book helps your kids begin a fun aquatic journey with Ms. Frizzle and her students. The Magic School Bus: Oceans by Scholastic app consists of science facts, pictures, games and videos that will surely keep your kids entertained.

Available in : iOS, iPad

9) Kids Weather

It’s a fun app that teaches kids about the weather. The Kids Weather app keeps track of the weather forecast for your area and gives suggestions to kids about dressing according to the weather.

The scientist in your kids will have all fun they need as the app keeps them entertained through its lessons on Fahrenheit vs. Celsius and details on moon phases.

Available in : iOS, iPad

10) Fish School HD

This app features colorful fish that helps your preschooler learn letters, numbers, shapes and colors. Set against the backdrop of the under-sea-world, the Fish School HD app will keep your kid engaged while sharpening his/her skills.

Available in : Android, iOS

11) Khan Academy

From practising math facts to learning how to write code, if there is anything your kid wants to learn, he/she will surely find it on the Khan Academy. Though the app is meant for every age group, including adults, upper elementary kids are going to be benefited the most out of the free learning opportunities it offers. All they need is a Khan Academy account that can help them to keep track of their learning.

Available in : Android, iOS, iPad

12) Cookie Monster’s Challenge

PBS Kids and Sesame Workshop have collaborated to come up with an app named ‘Cookie Monster’s Challenge.’ The app prepares children for school through mini games that teach self-control, focus and following directions. There are nine levels of the games and at the end of each level, the kid will be rewarded with pieces of a cookie-making machine.

Available in : iPad

13) Science 360

With videos that cover every topic under science, the app, SCIENCE 360 will grab the attention of even the most reluctant student. You don’t get to see an app with so many amazing science lessons, all at one place, very often.

Available in : Android, iOS

14) Ansel & Clair’s Adventures in Africa

This Ansel & Clair’s Adventures in Africa app instills a sense of adventure and exploration in children. It features Ansel, an amiable travel photographer, and Clair, a clever robot, who guide your kids through the exotic locations of Africa. Along the way, the kids get to solve quests and puzzles, play games and watch animations.

Available in : Android, iOS, iPad

15) Star Walk

If your kid is interested in learning about stars and constellations, Star Walk is the app he/she needs. The best feature of this app is that if you hold your tablet towards the sky, the app recognizes the constellation it sees and names it. Apart from that, the app also lists solar systems and satellites.

Available in : Android, iOS, iPad

16) Habitat the Game

This Habitat the Game app teaches your children to take care of the environment. The user adopts a virtual polar bear that can stay healthy only if real world actions like turning lights off and conserving water, are completed. What more do you need to create an impact in your child’s mind about being eco-friendly?

Available in : iOS

17) Impoppable

Bubble bursting had always been our favourite childhood game, wasn’t it? With Impoppable, your kids get to do it virtually. At each level, the user has to pop bubbles that add up to a particular number. This fun app will help kids to gain number sense and review basic facts.

Available in : iOS

18) Super WHY

Based on the TV series, the Super WHY app consists of four interactive games featuring the main characters Alpha Pig, Princess Presto, Wonder Red, and Super Why. Kids can play along with the characters to practice on the alphabet, rhyming, spelling, writing and reading.

Available in : iOS, iPad

19) Sushi Monster

You can now stop complaining about how your kid doesn’t practice his/her math facts. The Sushi Monster is more fun than you think and it encourages flexible thinking of numbers than plain memorization.

In this app, the kids have to satisfy the hunger of “Sushi Monster” by feeding him with the right combination of numbers. It’s a fun way to enhance your kid’s math skills without making them realizing that they are learning.

Available in : iOS, iPad

20) Alphabet Car

This fun app helps your kid to learn the alphabet letters, words and spelling through an interactive game of 40 levels, ranging from easy to hard. The phone can be used as a steering wheel to drive the bus towards the correct letters and words to win. 3D graphics and personalized car customization features of the Alphabet Car app, makes it interesting.

Available in : Android

21) Hello English App

The Hello English App helps kids to master the language from an early age. It helps to enhance reading, writing, speaking and listening skills, while building your kid’s vocabulary.

Available in : Android, iOS, iPad

22) Spelling Bee

The Spelling Bee app comes with over 2300 words and various levels of difficulty, ranging from easy to hard. Introduce this app to your kids and you will see them transform from beginners to advanced spellers in no time.

Available in : iOS, iPad

23) Duolingo: Learn Languages Free

If your kid is interested in learning new languages, this is the best app for them This award winning Duolingo: Learn Languages Free app can be used to learn Spanish, French, German, Italian, Portuguese, Dutch, Irish, Danish, Swedish and English in a fun way. You play a game and there, you get to practice your speaking, reading, listening and writing skills at the same time.

Available in : Android, iOS, iPad

24) eTABU Word Search

It is a fun app to improve your kid’s reading, word recognition, vocabulary and mental flexibility skills. See your kid’s language skills improve by using this enticing and highly entertaining eTABU Word Search app.

Available in : Android, iOS

25) Edukitty Preschool

This fun app by Cubic Frog Apps consist of a variety of games that include matching games, 3D alphabet, Biggest/smallest, Left/right, up/down, find the colour or shape and at the end of the game, the kids get to collect a sticker. The Edukitty Preschool app comes with a customization option, where the parents can easily delete the games that might be too challenging or hard for their child.

Available in : Android, iOS, iPad

26) Kid Mode: Free Games and Lock

This Kid Mode: Free Games and Lock app comes with a huge variety of educational games meant for children less than 8 years of age. It consists of live Sesame Street videos and games categorized by age, making it fun but also safe by its parental lock feature.

Available in : Android

27) Rocket Math

Math turns fun with this app for your kid. With this Rocket Math app, your kids get to build his own rocket and go for fun math missions, which include identifying odd/even numbers, doing square roots etc. At the end of each mission, the kids can earn a gold, silver or bronze medal and beat the high score.

Available in : Android, iOS, iPad

28) LumiKids

This app, meant for pre-schoolers, helps them take the first step towards sorting by colour, shape and size. LumiKids helps to improve your kid’s visual-motor coordination without frustrating them with complicated text or voice-over instructions. Also, the games adapt to your kid’s ability level, thus, making it fun yet challenging for them.

Available in : iOS, iPad

29) Phonics Genius

You won’t find a better app to improve your child’s vocabulary. The app, Phonic Genius, is loaded with 6000 professionally recorded words that have been grouped into 225 categories. It is meant for children aged between 1 and 6 years.

Available in : iOS, iPad

30) Pizza Fractions 1

The concept of fractions gets simplified with the Pizza Fractions 1 app. It gives your child a visual approach to fractions and the adjustable difficult levels help the beginners to start from scratch.

Available in : iOS, iPad

31) Middle School Math Planet

Middle School Math Planet is another fun app to brush up your middle schooler’s math skills. The app comes with over 30 out-of-the-world games, where the users can fly spaceships and help aliens complete their tasks while learning basic math concepts like geometry and fractions.

Available in : iOS, iPad

32) ABC Ninjas

Your kids will never forget alphabets after using this ABC Ninjas app. It comes with a game where the kids are supposed to slice capital letters or lower cases with a name or phonetic sound.

Available in : iOS, iPad

33) Vocabulary Spelling City

Learning vocabulary is always stressful for your kids. However, Vocabulary Spelling City comes with games like Word Unscramble and Hang Mouse making it more interesting.

The app is meant for children of above 6 years. They can play 9 games using 10 word lists of the vocabulary. Parents can also add customized wordlists to the app for their kids to use.

Available in : Android, iOS, iPad

34) TodoMath

Designed for kids above 5 years of age, TodoMath guarantees to take your child on a daily math adventure. Ranging from a 10-15 minute drill practice session, a Mission mode to a Free Play Mode, this app is going to keep your naughty munchkin engaged for hours while brushing up his/her math skills. The app ranges for the children under the age of 6 to 10 years.

Available in : Android, iOS, iPad

35) Jack and Jill: A Toddler Adventure

Your kid gets to go on an adventure journey with Jack and Jill while completing puzzles, singing- along, participating in sailboat races and, searching and seeing games.

Available in : iOS, iPad

36) Storybooks

This fun Storybooks app loaded with free story books, with fun pictures, text, and audio, is perfect for the voracious reader in your kid aged between 2 and 8 years.

Available in : Android, iOS, iPad

37) Grammaropolis

The app welcomes you to the world of grammar. Different parts of speech inhabit Grammaropolis, whose personalities reflect the role they play in a sentence. For example, the pronoun is hell-bent in taking the noun’s place while the conjunction wants everyone to get along.

Available in : Android,

38) NASA

The NASA app provides a large collection of images, videos, mission information, news, NASA TV and other similar content for your little scientist to discover.

Available in : Android, iOS, iPad

39) Hooked on Phonics

The app comes with lessons in the form of games and stories to get your kids literally hooked on phonics.

Available in : Android, iOS, iPad

40) IXL

IXL provides your kids with additional lessons to the school curriculum in subjects like maths, English, social studies and science. On completing milestones, the kids earn online prize pictures. If your kid gets most of the problems right, he/she can easily jump to the next level and if then they’ll need to practice more. The app consists of written and audio explanations for each problem but contains no videos.

Available in : iOS, iPad

41) Scratch and Scratch Jr.

The Scratch and Scratch Jr. apps designed by MIT intend to teach programming to kids. Scratch is meant for kids aged above 7 years while Scratch Jr. is meant for those aged between 5 and 7 years. Using the app, kids can learn to program their own computer games, art and applications and share them with rest of the online community. The kids will get feedback from real users and they will get to see the number of viewers for anything they have created.

Available in : Android, iOS

42) Dragon Box

Dragon Box is an app that has successfully managed to get kids to learn math through their fun games. Kids easily move through 200 levels of games without even realizing that they are learning basic math concepts like geometry and algebra.

Available in : Android, iOS, iPad

43) Epic!

This Epic! app is an e-book library meant for kids less than 12 year of age and contains more 10,000 e-books in their collection.

Available in : Android, iOS

44) My Incredible Body

An amazing app that teaches kids about human anatomy through visuals, 3-D animated videos, informative narrations and virtual tour.

Available in : iOS, iPad

45) Wild Kratts World Adventure

With this Wild Kratts World Adventure app, kids get to explore habitats across the world. The game consists of 30 levels each of which is a mission on animal science with the help of creature power.

Kids earn creature power “selfies”, habitat stickers and WoW Facts at the end of each mission.

Available in : iOS, iPad

46) Shape Gurus

This enticing app teaches kids to match, sort and arrange according to colour and shapes. Shape Gurus offers a series of geometric puzzles that join together to tell a story. The puzzles get difficult as the levels progress.

Available in : Android, iOS, iPad

47) Pacca Alpaca

This fun Pacca Alpaca app helps your kids to learn numbers, colours and shapes in different languages.

Available in : iOS, iPad

48) This Is My Food – Nutrition for Kids

This Is My Food – Nutrition for Kids app teaches kids about food and nutrition. It is loaded with fun facts, animated diagrams, and mini games to keep your kids engaged.

Available in : iOS, iPad

49) Telling Time with the Smurfs

The Telling Time with the Smurfs app uses Smurf characters and a circumstantial storyline to teach your kids to tell time.

Available in : Android, iOS

50) PocketPhonics

PocketPhonics is an early reading and writing app that teaches letter sounds, first words, and handwriting to toddlers. It emails a certificate after the toddler has mastered each of the levels. It is designed to increase the challenges on higher levels.

Available in : iOS

Posted on March 14, 2017 by rbsupadminnextjssite

The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) along with the Indian Regional Navigation Satellite System (NAVIC) has developed a new mobile app which will enable the Indian fishermen to check international water borders.

According to Rakesh Sasibhushan, Chairman and Managing Director of Antrix Corporation Ltd, a commercial arm of ISRO, the NAVIC based mobile app would ensure safety and prevent the fisherman from accidentally wading into international waters.

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The NAVIC which has seven satellites in orbit is the Indian equivalent of GPS, which provides opportunities for Indian entrepreneurs to develop Indian specific-apps.

ISRO is also coming with a specific proposal that aims at the Indian Industry. This mobile app is also planned to be launched in regional languages to help fishermen to navigate to Potential Fishing Zone(PFZ).

Posted on March 14, 2017 by rbsupadminnextjssite

‘Internet of Things’ is a network of devices that are connected to the internet. It is used to search any info, upload images and connect with people. Since these products are connected to the Internet, they have their own IP addresses and can connect with each other in order to automate tasks. IoT is basically the interaction between humans and machines that can unlock possibilities.

Key features of IoT

1) Can enable the services across several fundamental sectors in the economy
2) The needs of the customers are met through global distribution models and continuous global services.
3) It provides an opportunity to new commercial sectors to support mass global deployment
4) Value-added services will become the main factor to income and mobile operators are bringing in new capabilities to make this happen.
5) Mobile apps are leverging the IoT.

Building Blocks of IoT

The multiple building blocks of IoT are connected to operate and communicate:

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1. Application and User Interaction

This generally involves the collaboration between people, applications and business processes.

2. Cloud Server

Cloud computing is the only platform that can support massive and unpredictable data. Cloud server supports IoT by providing network, storage and power. The massive data generated by IoT can be analysed within the cloud with proper data solutions.

3. Sensors

Sensors are devices that detect a wide variety of information and generate output as data to send via wireless technology. The IoT sensors are called as node that collects information and sends it through communication protocols like Bluetooth, Zig Bee, Z-wave, Wi-Fi and also, by wired communication.

4. IoT Gateway

IoT Gateway acts as a bridge between Internet and objects. They also provide the secure channel required for the transmission of data and usually run Real-Time Operation Systems (RTOS).

5. Connectivity(Network)

Internet connectivity is used with the connected device or with the connected hub, base station or the smart phone.

6. Energy-Efficiency

Many devices in IoT might be difficult, dangerous and costly in terms of charging or replacement of the battery. Therefore, they are operated for a year or are able to wake up only periodically to relay data.

7. Security

Data security is a critical component in case of IoT since it deals with many confidential and case sensitive data.

The way consumers live, work, and play is changing and is reshaped each day with the connected devices. Use of intelligence and connectivity to everything we use can produce enormous amounts of data that companies can use for:

• Improving their operations
• Creating new ways of doing business
• Better ways to serve their customers

The growth of IoT is becoming a reality faster than we can imagine. Retailers who hesitate to use them are opening ways for promoting other competitors to swoop in and capture the market.

The IoT movement provides the retailers opportunities in different critical phases like:

• Customer Experience
• Optimising Supply Chain
• New channels and revenue stream

Customer Experience

IoT provides an opportunity for retailers to develop a vastly improved ecosystem in the industry. It connects with the digital world allowing real-time interaction with consumers both inside and outside the retail store.

The increasing demand of smart phone will be a platform for these interactions. This is either done through location-based beacon technology, which retailers use to interact with customers directly as soon as they enter the store. Apple’s iBeacon technology is already used by brands like Lord & Taylor, Hudson Bay, mobile marketing platform called Swirl etc. to deliver promotions to their customers.

By the interaction acquired through IoT, retailers can leverage the data to improve the customer experience. The brand named Hugo Boss has already started using heat sensors in their clothing store to track the movement of the customers. This will help them to arrange products in the right way according to the high-traffic areas.

Optimising Supply Chain: In more complex supply chains and increasing digital channels, the connected devices and products provide the retailers the opportunity to optimise certain operations. For example, RFID (Radio-frequency identification) Technologies can improve the precision of inventory tracking by using the electro-magnetic fields to identify and track objects.

Integrating IoT can also reduce costs and help in improving store operations. Lighting and temperature control within the store can be maintained using sensors to provide customer support and more cost effective energy use. Using sensors, many of the functions that employees currently perform manually, such as tracking inventory, changing prices tags items can increase the store experience.

Creating News Channels and Revenue Streams

The news system of IoT provides new opportunities to the retailers to create new revenue systems. Products such as household appliances, comfort products, home security, health and wellness etc. are becoming a main part of the IoT system.

Lowe’s, a store for home décor and appliances have launched a new platform called the Iris platform that can communicate with different devices like Z-Wave etc. This was designed with an open interface where the manufacturers could integrate their products. Home Depot’s Wink and Staples’ Connect are other platform examples that use the IoT management system.

How to make IoT a Reality in the Retail Industry?

At the beginning, you may find it difficult to move on with the Internet of Things strategy. It might be hard to accommodate a new device into the existing complex IT infrastructures. In order to lay foundation of IoT support, you need to mainly concentrate on two areas:

1. Technology
2. Organization

Technology

Technical capabilities are critical for IoT functions. To get the maximum out of the IoT devices, IT firms will have to develop existing investments in key areas such as analytic infrastructures, customer-facing problems etc.

Applications

1) Development and debugging tools
2) App factories
3) API management strategies to provide the business with API and visibility capabilities
4) Embedded operating system

Organization

A well-organized company with the right culture, talent, governance and organizational structure is one of the most important ways to drive IoT strategy. IT and technology should work together to leverage the technical aspect of IoT.

Key organisational elements

• Clear understanding of the business strategy
• Approach that promotes impact and potential benefits of IoT
• IoT enabled solutions should be designed and implemented with business needs in mind
• Repeated testing

Technological Challenges for IoT

• Device Management
• Device diversity and interoperability
• Integration of data from multiple sources
• Data volume and performance
• Flexibility and evolution of applications
• Data Piracy

Examples of IoT In Retail Industry

IoT provides retailers with a whole lot of new experiences; but, the fundamental objective remains the same as that of the traditional retailing industry. Wearable’s form a part of the Internet of Things using bluetooth, devices like Smart watches or other devices that connect to iPhone/Android uses internet apple watch, glasses etc. which can be connected to the smart phones and any sort of data can be transferred between the devices.

Some of the examples where IoT was used include:

1) Rebecca Minkoff used smart mirrors in dressing rooms

To bring out the actual concept of a connected store, Rebecca has introduced smart mirrors in her in-store dressing rooms. The items in her store contain RFID tags which help in the recognition of an item. The product details can be pulled up to the smart mirror which shows the different style of the item with the available size and colours.

2) ‘Target’ has now introduced beacons for shoppers

Across around 50 stores target has introduced the usage of beacons to make hyper-local content accessible to shoppers via ‘Target Run’. The customers who have downloaded the target app can connect it to the bluetooth and receive notifications of products as push-notification.

3) Amazon launched dash button for Dash Replenishment Service

The dash replenishment service uses sensors built into devices like washing machines, pet feeders etc. to automatically reorder placement products. Through the new service, Amazon aims at making commerce so seamless for their customers.

4) Ralph Lauren’s PoloTech Shirt tracks Heart Rate and Calories Burned

Ralph Lauren has introduced Polo-tech t-shirt, a smart workout shirt that monitors the vital activity stat of the wearer in real-time. The black-box filled with sensors that are snapped into a place near the rib cage will allow syncing the data to the iOS app. This will allow the customers to track the biometrics and also to calculate the data of their daily workouts.

IoT challenges for retailers and the future journey

In 2016, according to IDC, the amount spent on IoT was at $737 billion and the forecasted rate that it would reach is about $1.29 trillion in the coming years. Currently, IoT is seen on enterprises with transportation, manufacturing and utilities.

The most difficult thing a company has to manage is how to overcome, analyse and act relevantly on the data connectivity with different devices. Simply collecting the data is not just enough but, the retailer has to transform it into useful information.

At this starting stage, the main thing retailers need to realise is that IoT is not just about sensors and connectivity, but is the output got from a business by creating new experiences. The true transformation occurs when you start exploring through the network of IoT strategy with your network of customers, suppliers, assets and extended ecosystem.

Posted on March 9, 2017 by rbsupadminnextjssite

CNN has officially launched the news network CNNVR with Journalism unit and Virtual reality platform. CNN has made this big push by adding 360 videos to its Android, iOS apps and website.

Over the past few months, CNN has been experimenting with 360 videos by primarily publishing video as on Facebook 360. According to Farkas, the CNN’s 360 videos have reached more than one million views.

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The CNN network has been training correspondents from different countries like New York, Atlanta, London, Hong Kong, San Francisco, Dubai, Johannesburg, Tokyo, and Beijing to produce its reports.

CNN has published a new 360 video story about the running of the bulls in Pamplona, Spain on Tuesday. In the upcoming days, the network is going to take its viewers into an operating room to see the separation of conjoined twins, as well as onto a glacier.

“We are trying to give you access to places that are incredibly rare,”Farkas said.

CNN recently also launched a VR app on Google’s Daydream headset. The CNNVR unit also has plans to experiment with augmented reality and also to increase stream events live in 360.