Currently, every company/business is creating its own mobile-friendly websites and applications via efficient mobile app development companies to provide better customer experience and similar functionalities to a traditional desktop website. However, if your smartphone experiences are restricted to features available on your conventional desktop website then you are certainly missing out a lot of opportunities to deliver great content in context.

Understanding Geolocation Marketing:

Geolocation marketing completely focuses on customers’ needs and requirements via their mobile devices. Learning your customers’ location will help you in serving them relevant offers, deals, and discounts, and promotions and let them take a specific action. Not just one or two, geolocation marketing industry is likely to grow to $32 billion by 2021.

A greater part of world’s population consider their smart phones as an essential tool and as a result, this sort of marketing has indeed proven to be so effective and efficient. A company’s goal is to target potential customers and influence their buying behavior depending on where their mobile phone tells where they are.

Why is Geolocation Marketing so special?

1) It’s completely cost-effective:

Every single time a company completes a page for their business on a geolocation service, they are getting free advertising. Not just that, even next level forms of these marketing such as offers are extremely cost-effective when compared to various conventional strategies.

2) KYC (Know Your Customers) better:

While most of the geolocation marketing offers are made to attract new customers, these services are also an excellent strategy to identify and learn more about your current customers.

3) Reward your loyal customers:

It’s an old marketing saying “It’s better to keep the current customer than trying to attract a new customer.” Identify who your loyal customers are and reward them with special discounts and offers.

4)Attract new potential customers:

Geolocation marketing services are one of the best and effective ways to turn online prospects into new customers. Customers who never before heard or knew about you will have better chances to try your products and services for the first time.

There are some businesses who offer attractive offers to their first-time customers. Once you get to try them then it is in your hands how you retain them by providing the best solutions to their problems.

Well, the capability for smart phones to track and identify a customer’s location in real-time with a scalable level of accuracy is increasingly continuing to grow as cutting-edge technologies continue to transform the smart phone landscape.

Now, let’s take a look at how Geo-location matters in your marketing strategy:

1. As a forecast of characteristics:

From the past couple of decades, the location of a customer or even a business plays a vital part in the forecast/prediction of the characteristics of that specific person. Right from analyzing basic information from a collected household data or from anywhere else in the world, an in-depth landscape of the person or family of the demographic characteristics can be seamlessly built.

Now, this sort of family profile has proven to be very precise and correct in forecasting the characteristics of the make-up of those domains. The important element to keep in mind is that such demographic profiles are developed on the foundation of where they are based in (City or country). So once you figure where they are then you will be able to find out who they are.

In the whole process of this analysis and understanding of consumer behavior, finding out the geographic area can be extremely helpful in simply learning more about the customer than you did earlier. Such kind of information can be used to enhance the vendor/consumer touch point and improve the performance of the business for a mutual advantage.

2. Forecasting past, present, and future behavior

As an advancement from the forecast of other characteristics, analytics can also be utilized to forecast the future behavior of that particular geolocation family. Utilizing the methodologies or strategies created to forecast the character of an area, the behavioral prognosis can be developed to have an idea about the future likelihood of a domain to behave in a particular manner. Understanding the behavioral characteristics and predictions have been extremely used by location experts for better customer experiences.

3. Timing and mechanics of the buyer decision

Geolocation plays an essential part in the timing and mechanics of the buyers’ decision. For instance, environment patterns determine at what level buying becomes possible. Apart from this, there are mechanics of the buying decision that can be affected by location; extremely urbanized locations witness great levels of delivery services utilized.

In today’s modernized era, understanding a customer’s needs and preferences to respond to a particular channel such as email is vital. geolocation plays an essential part in not only forecasting the consumer behavior but also in finding out the most practical means of using sources to fit a customer’s needs depending on where they reside.

Now that we have understood the importance of the geolocation in planning a marketing strategy, let’s know the various ways how businesses can use geolocation data to plan the perfect marketing strategy.

Geolocation Marketing

Lately, beacon technology has been letting businesses exactly locate where their potential customer is at any given time, and then send them appropriate notifications regarding their latest discounts, offers, and other promotional stuff. The utility of beacon technology is one more step ahead in transforming the shift to m-commerce (Mobile commerce) by offering instant relevancy and value to consumers.

For instance, an apparel retailer might send promotional offers to a customer who is near their store or even when that person is visiting their rival’s store. According to a study by beacon platform swirl, more than 60 percent of customers tend to do more shopping at stores that have beacon marketing programs.

Micro-moment Marketing

Of course, you already might have heard the term “Micro-moments.” As Google rightly said, smartphones have forever transformed the way we live, and it also has changed the expectations of customers from the brands. It made the way to the consumers’ journey into the hundreds of real-time, intent-oriented micro-moments. Every attribute is a golden chance for businesses to shape their decisions and preferences.

Google’s research says:

— More than 80 percent of mobile phone users prefer their smartphones to influence a buying decision while in a shop.

— 60 percent of mobile phone users are more likely to take an immediate step towards resolving a problem as they have a mobile phone.

— Almost 50 percent of customers who do a local search on their mobile phones go personally and visit a store the same day, and almost 18 percent of those local searches end in purchasing within a day.

Geo-targeted mobile ads

Geo-targeted ad services from Google and MSN let brand advertisers assign search campaign holdings at a local stage. With geo-targeting choices that are available currently, customers can be targeted at area level (Country, city, state, etc.) to find out the best potential ad placements. In addition to that, Google AdWords innovated a geo-targeting attribute: Revenue location targeting. This will allow advertisers to target customers depending on their revenue level zip code.

A better technology that determines true customers and not just their devices

Increasing the effectiveness and influence of mobile marketing practices by using geo-location data to develop more customized marketing for customers. As the usage of the smartphone is greatly increasing than ever before, now is the right time for retailers to find out true customers by their smartphone. Currently, retailers have so much access to various cutting-edge tools and technologies to target right audience by market segments and devices.

The present day mobile apps are garnering a lot of importance when they are becoming the prime instruments to pep up the sales of your products and services. Mobile apps allow you to effectively market your offerings to your target audience; the basic necessity of a small or a large business.

Having said this, it is a common phenomenon to commit mistakes when you are hiring mobile app developers to support your app project.

For all those enterprises who are looking to hire a team of mobile app developers, here are some Don’ts that need to be kept in mind so that you can effortlessly complete your mobile app project.

1. By-Passing the Verification of Credentials

The first and most damaging mistake committed by enterprises while hiring a mobile app development team is to avoid the task of verifying its credentials. In order to get a clear picture of their past works, you should probe into the details concerning how many clients benefited from this team. You can also check out the number of apps the members developed.

2. A Prejudice for Local Mobile App Developers

Enterprises looking to offer their mobile apps to the world at large should avoid having a bias towards local mobile app developers. Not with standing the fact that local developers might seem very tempting because of their proximity, you should keep your options open for remote app developers as well. Blindly falling back on local mobile app developers can hence be damaging to your app which can be bettered by signing up with a team which is located thousands of miles away.

3. Avoiding A Technical Discussion with Developers

Another grave mistake that is committed by companies planning to launch their mobile apps is to sign the dotted line without making an effort to interview the developers. Only when you engage in a technical discussion with the mobile app development team will you be in a position to assess their strengths and weaknesses.

4. Haste Makes Waste

You must have not only heard this famous maxim that haste makes waste, but also experienced it in your real life. Enterprises big or small should be mindful of the fact that mobile app development is a complicated process. Effective apps can be developed when there is a coordination between a designer, a developer and a tester. It goes without saying that all these concerned people should be on the same page when it comes to what is expected from the mobile app.

5. Skewed Towards Costing

No doubt, costing is an important factor that demands a close look when teaming up with an external mobile app development company. However, you should not compromise on the skills of the team when it tempts you with a low development price. Hiring a good mobile app developer is hence a tricky decision that needs to be taken carefully, weighing the skills over the costing constraints.

A cheap app can never be the best. Hence, you should hire a mobile app developer who promises you an effective app that supports your business objective.

6. Lack of Experience in Your Niche

Another common blunder committed by businesses scouting for an external mobile app development team is to hire a team which has no prior experience in your industry. Developers who lack knowledge about your industry will fail to deliver an app that meets the needs of your target audience. Hence, it will be an intelligent move to hire a mobile app developer who is well-versed with the trends in your industry, supported by an extensive knowledge about what features click and what are redundant. Looking into these details will pay you off in more ways than you can imagine.

7. Unprepared For The Road Ahead

Most of the businesses wear blinders which restrict them to stay abreast with the changing needs of end users. Mobile app development calls for continuous updates along with big fixing. These are all the essential sections of the product life cycle that need to be followed at any cost. Any deviation from these rules will seal the future of your app. It is only when you operate with a sense of forethought that you will be able to plan ahead and ensure that your mobile app is prepared for the long haul.

8. Uninformed About Cross Platform Functionalities

Another pointer that should be kept in mind is to avoid all those development agencies that lack cross platform skills. Now is the age of mobile apps compatible with Android and iOS platforms. There will come a time when you need to churn out mobile apps that can be launched on platforms like Blackberry and Windows. In line with this evolving technological trend, it pays for you to sign up with a mobile app development team that ranks high with cross platform app development skills.

9. The Jack of All Trades V/s A Standalone Freelancer

By now, you have understood all the factors necessary to launch a successful mobile app. The development process calls for the individual skills of many professionals who are well-versed in their respective domains. In this regard, you should not be tempted to sign up with a standalone freelancer even if he demonstrates expertise in various technologies.

A development team which thrives with the intelligence of a business analyst, a UX designer, a front-end or UI Developer, a tester along with a strong maintenance team can become your best choice. Thus it makes sense to hire a professional team as against a freelancer who has extensive knowledge about multiple platforms.

10. Repeating the Same Blunders

Learning from a mistake is the stepping stone to progress. You must have made a wrong choice in the past with a bad selection of a mobile app development team. Now is the time to take the support of a professional team which offers you a satisfactory end product. Never should you repeat the same mistakes in teaming up with a team which does not guarantee you a solid mobile app.

11. Don’t Ignore the Striking Differences Between An Agency and a Mobile App Developer

A loud noise is made by big brands calling themselves as potential agencies to support your mobile app development activities. While they can be great agencies, you should base your choice on the value addition that they will provide to your end product. Introspect whether such agencies are the right choice. Choosing a mobile app development partner is indeed a tough task when you can be tempted to sign up with famous OEM brands.

Key Takeaways

Having learnt the complexities involved in churning out a mobile app, it pays to tread safe while choosing a mobile app development team. Look into all the above common mistakes that businesses make when they are just about to sign up with an app development team. Once you ponder over these blunders, you will be able to make the right choice about a professional team that guarantees you a solid app that continuously meets the changing needs of your target audience. To err is human and to learn from these mistakes pays you off big time through a mobile app that spells success to your business; in more ways than you can imagine.

After experiencing the imaginative power of virtual world through mobile games, AR (Augmented Reality) and VR (Virtual Reality) are getting more organized to offer streamlines solutions to various industries. As these technologies break the surface of traditional approach towards the way we experience physical world in surroundings, the era of new realities begin. VR has grown more mature since its inception to produce more real sensations while AR continues to virtual objects to real world environment.

But the future is turning to Mixed Reality (MR) that enables the best of virtual and augmented world. Through the convincing entanglement of AR and VR in MR, you can play virtual games with characters that can interact with your real-world environment. However, due to the puzzling amount of technologies hitting you hard, it is important to discriminate these different reality-based technologies. Let’s delve into the subject to learn more.

Introducing different realities at a glance

1) Real-world environment

The real world environment is the one in which we all live and exist and is usually understood as the natural or physical world. Most of the things you experience in natural environment are either tangible or perceptible. The creations of virtual environment is often inspired by the representations of real physical world in a new, more comprehensive or amusing format that involves people, landscapes, civilizations, and other integral aspects.

2) Mixed Reality (MR)

Mixed reality is composed of technological spectrum of multiple realities enhanced by independent technologies like VR and AR. Mixed reality can be best explained as virtual spaces in which real world environment or people are actively integrated into virtual environment to produce a unique space of visuals where both physical and digital objects seems to interact seamlessly in teal time.

Unlike VR, MR provides you with much controlled, fascinating experience that blends real and digital elements so that you can manipulate and interact with real and virtual objects or environments using powerful imaging and sensing technology.

3) Virtual reality

Virtual reality can be enabled as computer generated graphics, video, music to create vivid experience in your senses. VR can be an umbrella term for all virtual reality experiences that are not completely real. Being the most known technology, Virtual Reality can offer immersive, intuitive and tricky experience that makes you believe you are actually exploring a completely different world from the one you live in. It has HMD (Head Mounted Display) or headset tethered to the PC or console.

VR delivers deep level of immersion, a total escape into strange, impossible world that engages and stimulate all of users’ senses in a way that makes them forget the actual reality in their vicinity.

4) Augmented Reality

Augmented Reality, as the phrase suggests, augments the intensity of reality by overlaying the ready digital graphics in real-world elements to produce the experience where users can enjoy some aspects of virtual world right into their physical world. The most suitable example that embodies AR technology would be the most renowned mobile game Pokémon GO. The main principle around which the concept of AR revolves is the idea of keeping the real world in the centre while enhancing its appearance through supplements of digital details and new perceptions.

The differences that separate MR from VR and AR

Although sometimes reality technologies seem to appear similar, the real-time applications and potential of MR separate it from other technology-enabled realities.

  • Mixed reality contains hybrid configurations

Mixed reality is hybrid of multiple realities that encompass various creative configurations of augmented reality, real environment and augmented virtuality. Mixed reality is where users simultaneously explore real and virtual environments, navigating it without telling which is real and which is imaginary.

  • Mixed reality offers more immersive interactions

Mixed reality makes it possible for you to immerse yourself in the physical world while interacting with a virtual environment. As a result, mixed reality users tend to forget where they are even though they constantly remain in actual world.

  • Mixed reality creates more balanced environment

By combining the aspects of both AR and VR, mixed reality enables users to enjoy the balanced environment where users can have one hand in the virtual reality and can have it in the digital path  and the other in the digital imagery, ultimately transforming the way you interact, work and play games.

  • Mixed reality is not entirely virtual

Unlike virtual reality that drives exclusively virtual experience, MR creates unparalleled space where virtual objects are properly harnessed to augment the real world elements to a convincing extent. Hence, what you get eventually is not entirely virtual or completely real, still making users believe the spurious nature of digital interactions.

  • Mixed reality offers more intuitive manipulations

Because you can play and try so many options with mixed reality, users can engage in more variations of similar objects and better chance of intuitive manipulations. For instance, you can see objects in its varied sizes as you change your perspectives and distance from it.

Finally, how MR stands out as a versatile reality?

It is easy to get perplexed about understanding the role of mixed realities among other types of realities especially when it is the cohesion of intermingled technologies. However, the way MR works adds clarity to how MR functions differently. In mixed reality, your physical environment is scanned to generate a 3D map-like structure of your surroundings.

Due to MR technology, device gets smart enough to understand what goes where, and how to place the digital contents in realistic backgrounds. Thus, MR allows users to interact with mixed, digitally-powered realities using human gestures without losing touch with their physical environment, eventually emerging as a versatile reality technology.

Conclusion:

After maturations and increasing adoptions of virtual and augmented realities, the border between real world environment and virtual space has blurred and faded away, developing the new innovation called Mixed Reality. By offering breathtaking experience to users, MR technology continues to create unique environment where user experiences resemble the visuals exhibited in sci-fi movies. Since they are accessible to everyone, many companies show sincere interest and invest in developing MR-based solutions. MR still needs more attention and awareness. We hope to see more in the area of mixed realities in future.

The use of Google cloud platform is not something new nowadays. A large user base are making use of its possibilities to save the device space and access the data anytime they lost their phone data. Have you heard about Google cloud functions, a joint venture of the Firebase and Google Cloud Platform teams?

Back-end code is often required for web and mobile applications to perform actions such as processing long running tasks or sending out notifications. The back end runs on a server in case of conventional approach. This phenomenon is made a lot easier than you can think by using firebase cloud functions in which the back-end code runs in the cloud.

For new users who would like to learn more about firebase cloud functions, here is an overview of its features, working and implementation, capabilities and other advantages that made it the talking point.

What are Firebase cloud functions?

This server less compute solution from Google is ideal for setting up event driven applications. The cloud functions in fact help to run backend code automatically as a reaction to the triggered events. And cloud functions for firebase is exclusively for firebase developers that enable them to add server-side code to integrate its features. A collaboration of HTTPS requests and Firebase features lets you trigger events. The Google’s cloud will store your code and a managed environment runs it. So you can be free from the role of managing and scaling the servers of your own.

Integration with Firebase platform:

The use of cloud functions together with Admin SDK lets the integration across firebase features. For third party services integration, there is option to write web hooks on your own. As the cloud functions lessen the boilerplate code, it gives way for easily using Google Cloud and Firebase within your function. The written functions can respond well to events by other Google Cloud and Firebase features.

Types of triggers:

When you write a function, it can respond to events created by Google Cloud features and Firebase which are termed as triggers.

Some of the most common triggers include:

  • Realtime Database Triggers: In this case, users can respond well to changes that occur in the Firebase Real-time Database.
  • Firebase Authentication Triggers: At the time a user account is created or deleted, code is executed in response through Firebase authentication. This trigger gets invoked in many cases such as a user sets up an account and password, a user signs in for the initial time with federated identity provider and more.
  • HTTP Triggers: At times of an HTTP request, such triggers are invoked.
  • Cloud Storage Triggers: A firebase cloud function is executed in case files and folders are uploaded, updated, or deleted in Google Cloud Storage.

Some of the other triggers include Cloud Pub/Sub Triggers, Cloud Firestore Triggers and Crashlytics Triggers.

A function’s lifecycle

The cycle starts off with writing codes for a novel function by the developer. Followed by that, an event provider will be selected. The conditions are then defined according to which the execution of function happens. The function is then deployed by the developer and Firebase takes the role of connecting to the chosen event provider.

Here are the probable step wise happenings of the rest of the function’s cycle:

  • The code gets evoked once the function’s conditions matches the event generated by event provider
  • The instances get cleaned up in case the function remains idle
  • More instances are created by Google in case many events are handled by functions making them busy
  • Once the updated code gets deployed by developer to update function, the older version instances get cleaned up and new instances replace them
  • In case the function gets deleted by the developer, it is followed by cleaning up of instances. The connection or link between the event provider and function also gets removed.

Implementation path

This phase involves three main sections including setting up of cloud functions, followed by writing functions and finally deploying and monitoring.

Let us see in detail:

The Firebase CLI is installed at first. In the particular Firebase project, the cloud functions are initialized.

JavaScript code is written in order to manage events from Google Cloud services, Firebase services and other similar event providers.

The functions are finally deployed by making use of the Firebase CLI. The Firebase console can be used to see and look for through the logs.

Privacy and security

It is common that developers look to power over application logic in server in order to keep away from interference from the client side. As here it is completely insulated from the client side; that is not a problem with Firebase cloud functions. You can be sure about keeping up the privacy and follow what exactly is needed.

Zero maintenance

The maintenance part is the headache for the users handling all platforms but the case is different in Firebase cloud functions which has zero maintenance. All what you have to do is to set out your TypeScript or JavaScript code to the servers with just a single command. Firebase will do the rest by automatically scaling up computing resources to synchronize with the users’ usage patterns. Unlike other platforms, there is nothing to think hard regarding server configuration, provisioning new servers, credentials, or decommissioning old server.

Running code in cloud- key benefits:

When the code is running in the cloud instead of the traditional approach, you can come across various advantages:

  • There is no necessity for you to run your own server and maintain it.
  • In case of the back-end code, an isolated code base can be used
  • The billing is done only for the code’s real executing time
  • High scalability is possible in case of the cloud infrastructure

More use cases with firebase cloud functions:

Apart from the many advantages and benefits when using firebase cloud functions, here you can see the possible user cases:

  • User notifications are send out at times of events
  • Welcome email is send out at time of a user sign up
  • Confirmation emails are send out in case the users subscribe or unsubscribe
  • In order to make the data base clean and up to date, Real-time Database Tasks are performed which are automated
  • In case a user deletes his account, the contents are deleted from the database
  • For a Real-time Database list, the count of elements are tracked
  • Intensive tasks are executed in the cloud itself and not in your data base
  • At the time of uploading of an image into the database, thumbnails for the same are generated automatically
  • Bulk emails can be send to users for particular cases
  • Even in cases of third party services, integration is possible
  • In case of insertion of text into the Real-time Database, Google Translate service helps with the translation
  • Payments are processed in a lot easier way

Firebase cloud functions have in fact set the technology world on fire with its innovative technologies and the way it has positively impacted the whole scenario. In short words, this innovative cloud functions just remain as a folder in your project which contains an index file and their own node modules.

You can simply run your back-end code without giving a second thought. However, organizing them can get messy if you follow an unstructured way. The most accepted solution is to name the files by the way in which it triggers and you can get the most out of this innovative solution.

Parse which is an open source back-end service platform is also a part of the SDK, which enables developers to create all sorts of apps that run on Windows 8, Android, iOS etc. The company Parse.Inc was acquired by Facebook in 2013 and later in 2017, it was shut down along with all its running services.

The efficiency of Parse hosting server can be harnessed in 2 way: Parser server hosting, self-hosting. Out of this, the parse server hosting is preferred as it can host parse applications using the available migration alternatives. And using these services, developers can utilize the benefits of Parse & Parse server.

Here are the infographics that outline some of the reliable substitutes for parse which can be availed this year.

parse alternatives

As businesses are globalized and expand beyond borders, their services are becoming widely available to people living in far located lands. Due to mobile apps that allow you to reach every corner of the world, businesses today can take advantage of unrestricted access and cater to consumers efficiently. One of the factors that have played barriers in business growth is language.

English, despite being a predominant language across the globe, is not known to everyone on Earth. This means your app is unable to target the audience with little knowledge about English, limiting the brand engagement and revenues. The best way to address this situation is to develop multilingual apps. However, this optimal solution involves a handful of challenges which we are about to illuminate in the following discussion.

Let’s first take a quick glance at what defines multilingual mobile apps.

Multilingual mobile apps

Multilingual mobile apps are built to satisfy the business need to work in more than one language. Such apps focus on localization of the app content that further empowers the businesses and helps cater to target market, deliver a personalized experience, acquire more customers and expand business growth.

As multilingual mobile apps contain information in relation to local geography of users, it establishes complete integrity, trust and clarity in expectations. Businesses cover vast strata of demographics with multilingual apps and reap more from their business development strategy, eventually securing higher ROI.

Major Challenges to Multilingual apps

The reason why big brands try to scale up with apps with multilingual approach is that these apps, along with engaging more customers with content in their own language, also overcome the limitations imposed by monolingual mobile apps.

Moreover, multilingual apps are focused on different languages based on target audience, localizing the entire app content to incorporate customer requirements. But this approach is not aligned with monolingual apps, imposing major challenges for developers and brands. Here are prominent challenges to multilingual application development:

1) Direct Language Translation:

The usual approach of directly translating one language to another is not much supported when it comes to deploying fully functional and influential multilingual apps. Business apps should go beyond just translating words and need to think of altering the values, etiquette, presentation, and in some cases interface elements and much more. Here ‘much more’ is often realized as delivering a superior user experience while also making the content appear intuitive and interactive.

Moreover, language translation in multilingual apps should also be seen as tailoring the content to both technical and cultural perspective. Computer linguistics allows two methods of converting native English apps into local-language app:

  • Machine translation &
  • Human translation

2) Limited Capability of Machine Translation:

Machine translation has software used as a core solution to translate speech/text from one language to another. Computer engineers have experimented with various software-enabled algorithms and pre-specified rules to achieve maximum precision and perfection in language translation at optimal speed.

Though machine translation saves time, money and sounds reliable and effective compared to a human translator, the problem with software-powered translation is that they can’t deliver the same expected results as human understanding because of lack of personalization and limited capability of software intelligence.

Ideally, machines can’t provide:

  • Expertise: As machine translation is predefined and formal, it can’t emphasize on the tone, flow, style, phrasing and nuance of native language. Only an excellence of human translation can influence users and make it look natural and original.
  • Flexibility: Only humans can have exceptional translation skills to understand technical aspects of subject-specific texts and eliminate possible confusion.
  • Creativity: Machines lack creativity and offers literal meanings of texts. Due to lack of human touch, machines fail to create the most lively, personalized or stylish expressions in native language.
  • Cultural relevance: Machines lack ability to sense changing cultural trends, rituals and traditions. Hence, you can’t expect it to make apt choice of words to better convey the expression.

3) Unfeasible Human Translation:

Human translation promotes the idea of interpreting text through human experts who are versed in targeted language. Human translation mechanism produces the output content that perfectly fits the expectations of the users and creates effortless flow of information. However, the concept may seem a little unfeasible mainly because:

  • Finding someone who is masterful in multiple languages is quite a challenge
  • This approach also consumes great amount of time, human endeavours and cost
  • Involving a professional translator boils down to paying hefty charges for translating every page even when the content is not lengthy
  • Plain language translation often ensue on account of direct, seemingly robotic human translation
  • This kind of solutions often miss out on exact understanding of specific nuance, metaphors and subtlety of original native language
  • Systematic, formal and stiff rules of machines lower the quality of translation and impoverish the contexts or result in uncertainty of sentences
  • Mismatch between conveyed meaning and absorbed information may spawn frustration in users

4) Timeframes and Geography:

This is one of the essential points to consider in multilingual application development. Because language interpretations have a lot to do with geographical boundaries and distances, developers need to ponder over several variations of the same content. The challenges in this particular event may include switching to different time zone, integrating local places and synchronizing with other cultural rituals that encircle respective target society. Eventually, what users experience in multilingual apps should be composed of local material instead of international essence.

5) Design-related Challenges:

An ideal app design swimmingly allows content to appear neat, clear and easily absorbable especially when the app is translated into different language than English. As translation and resultant text style also affect the layout of the interface, it is important to retain the original aesthetics and ensure that its look and feel still remains intuitive, engaging and easy-to-explore.

Multilingual mobile app development entails a range of changes and improvements on the original app content, one of which is its design architecture. To suit the needs of local users, it is mandatory to perform certain relevant changes to the user interface.

Solutions to alleviate Multilingual App Challenges:

1. Leave plenty of space:

It is advisable to refrain from using conventional practices of writing strings since other languages may require more space than plain English. Instead, you can prefer to employ ample space to adjust for unpredictable expansions and to avoid future errors and performance speed.

2.Make wise choices:

In Multilingual app development, it is important to choose the icons wisely to avoid any misinterpretations for people living in different regions.

3. Plan in advance:

Try not to delay mobile app localization to last minute setting before release. To achieve better product, schedule the testing and translation of the content long before the launch.

4. Testing:

Test the localization software as strictly as possible if you trust machine translation for multilingual app creation.

5. Proper usage of strings:

It is a best practice to manage your strings using Unicode/UTF-8 encoding. This approach saves extra time by saving on conversion steps, debugging and error correction.

6. Internationalization of software:

By internationalizing the multilingual software, you can make dates, numbers and figures, currencies, and other data appear in a convincing, familiar and convenient way to the users.

7. Full localization support:

The software you use for multilingual app development should better support the country code and the different variations of spelling, date formats, currencies and other elements of native countries.

Final remarks:

From the discussion, we can argue that multilingual app development might be a tough business. However, upon hitting success, the final product does drive rich benefits. By translating text and other conspicuous elements of an app, you can enhance your international reach and attract more users. App localization software not only makes your product more accessible but it also helps cross cultural and geographical boundaries to support the language of native users without changing anything about the natural flow of coding.

Although Android and iOS are wild-grown mobile platforms found in constant rivalry, they are quite different when it comes to security threats and ways to fight them. They are best known for innovative updates that surprise the mobile market, but still none of it is completely secure.

In comparison, Android ecosystem appears to be a little more vulnerable than iOS mainly because Android OS receives updates less frequently. Android devices are more likely to be compromised as Google falls weak to implement on security solutions.

Both Apple and Google put their persistent attempts to design the most viable and secure operating system. However, iOS platform is highly trusted and scores over Android in the arena of security. Here is why:

The Open Source Nature of Android

Being an Open Source platform is Android’s most pleasant yet technically a terrible aspect. Making the Operating System open for all the developers and users for the purpose of gratuitous use often invites hackers to harm the platform with noxious malwares. This facility tends to create perils because:

  • It increases the chance for an access to ongoing operations in Android platform
  • Users do not receive expected results in the process of modifying their phone aspects
  • Hackers find it easy to track and penetrate the Android phone and access the details of your device
  • Even developers can’t stop attackers from distributing the malware owing to the Open Source state of Android
  • Google does not have strict standards to apply in order to restrict harmful occurrences of malware attack or data theft

Apple’s Strong Commitment of Security

On the other hand, iOS handles the security challenges pretty pre-emptively blocking any unauthorized access with its solid, impenetrable terms. With Apple, you can enjoy the following benefits:

  • Not everything in iOS is open source, which limits any chance of abusing services for personal advantage
  • Apple remains vigilant about possibilities of threats unauthorized access can bring, making it difficult for unexpected bug to break into its iOS system
  • Apple follows stringent guidelines and service usage terms and conditions when it comes to downloading and tweaking the software
  • Unlike Google Play store, Apple does not approve and host any app developed by iOS developers, which closes gateway for uninvited problems
  • With Apple, almost everything follows a predefined system like a religion, which assures its users of its unbreakable commitment of security

iOS Boasts The Enterprise Apps Security

Enterprise mobile apps have enabled business organizations and companies to organize, collaborate and manage all aspects of work, adding efficiency, economy and speed to the system. However, introduction of BYOD approach in enterprises has also spawned data security concerns.

Although developers can create secure area to install enterprise apps and use VPN controllers and data encryption, both platforms are sensitive to security breaches.

iOS defeats Android here too since:

  • It follows a strong, secure updating and implementation of OS software
  • It restricts the viewing of data to block any security loophole
  • It protects the device from third-party intrusion
  • Contact lists or UDID number remain inaccessible

Android Disappoints On Regular Security Updates

Android is conspicuously inconsistent about updating the OS in a timely fashion. Its progress is fragmented, unreliable and incomplete. This is because:

  • Users can’t be sure of whether or not they have received latest security patches
  • It is difficult to say which security hole is patched in your device
  • Manufacturer has total control over implementing the patch
  • Careers and manufacturers make the update process slow and vague
  • Google fails to update the web browser for old Android devices
  • Android security can be compromised with even MMS

Google has not enforced the implementation of security patches on manufacturers who make hundreds of devices supporting Android OS. This is the reason why Android ecosystem is growing to become a pool of unprotected devices with terrible security holes.

Apple proves to be smart in this: they are clever enough to release a patch and update all existing iPhones with a fresh version, without further involvement of careers.

Great Control & Privacy with iOS platform

What makes iPhones rule the mobile phone market across the world is its promise to give apps that support maximum users’ requirements.

iPhones overwhelm Android devices with its controlled, favourable app permissions. With its improved permission system, iPhone users can now choose the amount and type of data an app can access. For instance, if you don’t want to allow your app to gain access to your personal contacts, messages or other important data, iOS listens and lets you do that.

Apple protects its users by:

  • Offering well-managed app permissions for enhanced privacy control
  • Allowing users to see what an app can do a user’s phone
  • Securing their private data with understandable permissions
  • Enabling users to enjoy great control over their private data
  • Always allowing apps from an approved source
  • Making the entire system less demanding and more friendly for users

Android has less control and more demand

In the beginning, Android offered app permissions that would only allow users to choose whether or not to download the app. On Android, users can only see how much access an app requests and decide to install or not to install.

What makes Android unfavourable is:

  • Take-it-or-leave-it demand of its apps
  • Apps enjoy total power to permissions controls
  • Excessive permissions required for app’s functioning
  • Uncertainty about the risk of losing your contacts to app’s server
  • Slow and delayed implementations of permission controls
  • Limited availability of privacy control

Jailbreak Is Rare with iOS Devices

Due to high-security structure in advanced iOS devices, it is difficult for outsiders, or even iOS app developers, to break the jail of software restrictions. Apple is quite conscious of developers and prefers closed code in its new iPhone models to make the data access even more difficult for iOS apps.

However, this is not the case in Android, which makes its messenger app penetrable for undesirable threats.

Apple’s unbreakable software protection pattern revolves around the following:

Phone lock: In the event of jailbreaking, user’s iPhone will be locked out so that no user data can be accessed by the intruding app.

Closed code: To establish more control over its hardware and software, Apple selects closed code that creates the wall against malicious factors and excessive privacy invasion.

Rigorous approval process: Apple has a tough app store approval process that does not allow automatic algorithm for publishing the app and demands the involvement of the app developer/tester.

Apple Enables Safe Digital Payment System

While talking about OS security, online digital payment becomes important criteria to discriminate the best from the average. Cashless transactions executed through digital devices are in greater demand. However, such payments also involve potential risk of compromising data about bank account and credit cards – which makes users insecure and dubious.

Here also Apple Pay transcends Google Wallet, assuring users with improved technology, unique security features and superior user experience. It offers Touch ID system that requires users to use their fingerprint to authenticate every transaction.

iOS Apps Are Austerely Tested

One needs to be more careful before releasing the app to the app store and making it live. This factor is ensured by the stern standards of mobile app testing as practised by Apple. Apple cannot approve anything before it passes through its attentive eyes. Every aspect of the app is tested before it becomes actually downloadable.

Google still has not reached such austere testing parameters though they follow almost similar policies. Its tests are not as precise and thorough as iOS apps. Hence, Google Play Store is loaded with more releases than Apple store.

The final verdict

So here comes the verdict: iOS seems to defeat Android in the area of data security. Both Android and iOS platforms are trying to trounce each other in the cutting-edge landscape of mobile technology. Despite their merits and demerits, iOS still manages to rule the sphere of digital device especially when it comes to the questions of uncompromised security. Apple practices austere policies for development and testing of apps to deliver satisfying and unblemished user experience. Hence, it is recommended to choose iOS devices if phone security is your first priority.

Stephen Hawking(1942-2018), the most gifted and brilliant mind who travelled across time and space, a British Cosmologist and a great scientist known for his work on surviving and thriving with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis & black holes for over half a century.

Known for his contribution to the field of quantum gravity and cosmology, he was one of the most recognizable & smartest scientist of his age who symbolised on the capability of a human being to rise above any physical disability in life. With his research on completely understanding the universe, his name also entered to the world of apps with the release of a few amazing mobile apps that reveals his life, quotes and discoveries.

Now, lets check out the 4 amazing and cool apps based on Stephen Hawking’s work & life:

1) Stephen Hawking’s Pocket Universe

With the app, Stephen Hawking’s Pocket Universe the complete beauty of the universe is explained. With its simple design patterns, easy navigational steps and clearly formatted illustrations, this mobile app explains everything one needs to know about the entire universe.

The design of the app is a re-imagining of Stephens Hawking famous book- ‘A Brief History of Time’ which sold over 11 million copies in 40 languages. With the creation of this app, the book as taken a visual & instructional design which has made it more interactive with the audience.

The app which costs around $4.99 is a remarkable work with the 6 astonishing topics from Stephen Hawking books. This app available for iPhone on the App Store and now is also compatible with the iPad.

Features:

  • Easy navigation
  • Beautiful design
  • Complex science theories explained in well formatted illustrations
  • Users can keep a track record of their progress in learning and share articles in social media
  • Topic included: Professor Hawking’s greatest contributions to Physics, Space Time, Black Holes, Big Bang, Expanding Universe, Elementary Particles and Light and Waves, Updates from his major scientific breakthroughs, Historical and anecdotal references.

2) Stephen Hawking’s Snapshots of the Universe

Stephen Hawking’s Snapshots of the Universe is a mobile app that explains the scientific principles that control the universe through simple and fun graphical experiments. Based on Stephen Hawkings discoveries and writings, this app seems to be useful for both adults and children to learn the basic theories that govern life in earth and also get knowledge about planets and stars.

Features:

  • User can play and learn using the experiments given in the Snapshots of the universe.
  • Scientific experiment included are interactive
  • Consists of deeper text section to help users understand the key theories of science
  • Selected experiments also include video for better visualization
  • The app which showcases the teachings of this great scientist is available in iPad.

3) Pocket Hawking

This is an interesting and must have app for any fan of Stephen Hawking. The most brilliant and famous quotes said by this theoretical physicist and professor is showcased in this iPad mobile app. In this app you can listen to his views about life, destiny, space, universe, time travel and other related subjects.

Features:

  • Portray quotes that show Professor Hawkings intelligence and wit
  • Quotes are mainly educational based and can be even shared with friends, family and colleagues
  • Uses recordings made on a voice synthesizer which resembles to Hawkings sound
  • Compatible with iPhone, iPad

4) Stephen Hawking’s Biography

  • This biography-based mobile application is educational, motivational and takes you through a journey with the life of the world’s most renowned scientist Stephen Hawking. In this app, you can find descriptions regarding his life, accomplishments, major discoveries, selected quotes and other valuable contributions.

Features:

  • Simple and easy to read
  • Composed all the interesting facts in one application
  • Compatible with iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch
  • Clear design, easy to use interface
  • Easy navigation

Final Words:

With his break through research about universe and his personality, Stephen Hawking the man who changed the way we see the universe is and forever an inspiration to millions of global audience. His insights shaped modern technology and tried to bring clarity to some of the most important ideas related to space time, gravity and recently even raised the potential threat of AI in future to humanity.

The above given apps will definitely help you to take a journey to explore the life of Stephen Hawking, his works on the origin and structure of universe and even know about some of his famous quotes.

Artificial intelligence is being in the top trending list for quite sometime now. Good or bad, the fact is that AI is influencing us on a daily basis. A Stanford University’s study predicts that by the year 2030, we will see AI in almost every industry, from education and public safety to care homes.

While the future is so looking optimistic and hopeful for AI, the so far journey has also been quite impressive and commendable. The utilization of Artificial Intelligence is going beyond asking SIRI or Alexa to help find the nearest route to the office. There are some dedicated companies who are tirelessly working toward the central goal of Artificial Intelligence, cracking artificial general intelligence. On the other hand, mobile app development companies are also expressing great interest in building AI-powered apps.

What are AI apps capable of doing?

90 percent of the time, Artificial Intelligence is designed to perform so moderately complex activities. For example, AI apps can fix your meetings, answer to some common questions like where is the nearest restaurant or fastest route to home, notify you how long your metro train or flight is delayed for, etc. However, the usage of AI apps can go far, much far beyond this.

There are some robust AI apps that are capable of adjusting marketing campaigns and apps that can study and analyze consumer behavior. The point here I’m trying to make is that AI isn’t here to make any business’s tasks simpler instead, it is here to make the business itself better. The analysis and reviews of AI apps can be used differently to generate innovative solutions for business issues and improve the company’ growth.

Of course, IT companies are no less than when it comes to embracing new technologies and tools and AI is no unusual. One such company is Google. The company has been utilizing Artificial Intelligence through an algorithm, called as RankBrain, to filter all the Google Search results. When IT companies can utilize AI to achieve their business objectives then why can’t you use it to achieve yours? Yeah, you read it right. Don’t know any such AI apps that can help you at work? Don’t you worry.

Today, in this post, we will list the 5 trending Artificial Intelligence apps that completely transform your work style.

1. X.ai

What better way to start your day than having someone to schedule your meetings in the day? Introducing Amy and Andrew as AI personal assistants, x.ai is an Artificial Intelligence app that will automatically schedule your meetings. This personal assistant will kick off all that never-ending email exchange that uninvitedly comes with scheduling meetings. All users have to do is just link their calendars and CC Any or Andrew whenever there is going to be a meeting and they will do the rest of the work (Organizing the meeting at the convenient rendezvous for everyone.

If they wish to try first, users will be provided a free version of the AI app which allows the users to set up to five meetings every month. More than 5 you need? Then you will have to pay for the unlimited plan. There are team edition and enterprise edition available who love to manage as a team or the whole enterprise. In addition, the enterprise edition has some additional features and that includes a dashboard for admins which provides an overview of their scheduled meetings in that week.

2. MyKAI

An AI-powered banking bot for customers that will keep a track on your money spending activities. This app provides an easier way to watch where your money is going and exactly on what you are spending more on a monthly or weekly basis.

There are two major advantages of using MyKAI app. One is that it is completely free. And the second one is that users can seamlessly connect to their chatbot over popular messaging apps such as Facebook Messenger and Slack. Without any learning curve, MyKAI is pretty much self-explanatory. The more users interact with MyKAI, the more app will know and analyze your spending.

And to do that, users have to register on the MyKAI website and then link their bank accounts. The chatbot is congruent with more than 20,000 US banks and credit card companies. When the question comes to data security and eavesdropping, MyKAI is extremely safe and secure to use as the company that built this app, Kasisto, is backed by Wells Fargo and DBS. In addition, MyKAI doesn’t store any sort of personal or financial information and uses read-only data so there’s nothing for users to worry about.

3. Quill

Are you one of the people who spend all day reading and analyzing reports? Then you must surely try this app, Quill.  The app quickly analyzes your report and provides you the summary within no time. This way you not only save so much time at work but also become more productive.

Primarily built by students, for students, Quill is used by many companies as well. The automatic process of reading and analyzing the reports makes it so much easier to work with. You should definitely give it a try.

4. Time

Time app will let you keep on your toes all day. This AI-powered app utilizes statistics to help you not procrastinate your tasks and finish them before your deadlines. With an interactive and engaging to-do list interface, the app allows you to add new tasks and activities, hold, and even reorder, without any hassle.

As the user taps on one of the tasks, an automatic timer starts and the on-screen color changes from green to yellow to red till the user end the program/task. This way, users will be more dedicated to finish the task than procrastinating it.

5. Hello Hipmunk

Do you travel a lot? Do you always find yourself checking flights and hotels in cities where you travel? Then Hello Hipmunk will be your rescue app. An AI-powered travel planning app. This amazing virtual assistant will focus on two channels. One is where people generally talk about their travel plans ie., emails and the other is where they mark their dates ie., calendars.

Users can either send a separate email to the service or just CC hello@hipmunk.com when you are emailing your plan to someone. Once analyzing the information you provided such as dates, timings, etc. Hello Hipmunk will try to find you the best flights to travel and their offers for the chosen date.

What do you think of these AI mobile apps?

The above-mentioned AI mobile apps are already becoming the right and left arms of several companies across the globe. The utilization of Artificial Intelligence is no more limited to big companies. Various AI tools are emerging precisely to make technologies like these to all SMBs that wish to have a remarkable presence on the internet to enhance their audience base and grow their businesses and sustain in the market.

The consistent growth of Artificial Intelligence is certainly bringing new possibilities for both iOS and Android app development. Began with the Apple’s virtual assistant, Siri, a lot of AI mobile apps are taking birth, all thanks to mobile app development companies.

You might have wondered the first time you witnessed a chat box emerging on your screen after you have accessed an E-commerce website. This is nothing but a Chatbot that has been created to offer you pertinent information regarding online offerings. Once you as customers begin to interact with this technological tool called Chatbot, you will have all the information you need coming from the virtual robot.

This has been made possible through constant advancements in the field of APIs, automating every facet of your business. However, apart from some advantages of Chatbot development, there are some demerits that will make you think twice about the actual purpose met by these virtual robots taking over human capital.

Here are the advantages and disadvantages of Chatbot Development.

Let us first move on to the description of positives.

The Positives in Favor of Chatbot Development

1. Chatbot- The Omnipotent Technological Tool With A Near-Human Appeal

There is a good reason for the rising patronage of Chatbot.  Chatbots are becoming the new-age marketing tools. Given the fact that Chatbots demonstrate a human-like feel to customers, they are also instrumental in making the online surfing process interactive and appealing at the same time. You no longer have to put up with the monotonous inconvenience of online searching. You can rely on Chatbots which will infuse a sense of excitement to your browsing experience.

2. The Interrogative Nature of Chatbot

Another attractive feature that is linked to Chatbot development is the fact that it offers a befitting option only after analyzing what you actually want. How does it do this? A Chatbot, through a series of questions delves deep into what you are looking for and what suits you the best. Only after investigating all your responses it will come up with a perfect solution. It is like you making a well-informed decision to pick the best from amongst a plethora of choices that match your requirements. All this is made possible through the use of NLP, AI and Machine Learning which are the upcoming technologies that bestow human-like intelligence to machines.

3. A Chatbot Builds Your Brand Image

Since a Chatbot is linked to social media platforms, you will be able to cater to a larger audience. Past search data that is saved by the Chatbot will become a major data point for businesses to not only build their brand image but also to rake in profits through the announcement of discounts and coupons during special occasions. Internet browsing, through Chatbot is all set to unleash a new potential that will be fueled by customer preferences. If you are aware of what your customer wants, it will be a breeze to provide them with 100% satisfaction. This facet of Chatbot development stands out primarily leading to a customer-centric proposition that goes a long way in meeting your business targets.

4. Chatbot Are Purse-Friendly

Reduction in manpower costs is another advantage of Chatbot development. If your business runs on Chatbots, you don’t have to spend monies on the salaries of customer service executives. Simply install a Chatbot and you are all covered. Additionally, given the multitasking abilities of Chatbots to receive and respond to various queries simultaneously, you will be rest assured that all the queries of your customers are taken care of. Thus, your investment in Chatbot development will work in line with your business goals, offering the best customer service through effective and timely conversations; at all times.

5. The Round-The-Clock Presence Demands A Special Mention

Once you have installed a Chatbot, you don’t have to sweat over customer queries. All thanks to the 24/7 availability of these Chatbots, your business will start earning the goodwill of your brand loyalists. While your customers can be kept waiting to interact with a customer service executive, Chatbots offer a perfect solution by stepping into the shoes of humans, providing timely suggestions. You will also be able to keep a close watch on the traffic generated during non-working hours and address the queries of your customers in record time.

The second section sheds light on some of the disadvantages of Chatbot Development:

The Negatives That Plague the Chatbot

1. Complicated Interface

The Chatbot technology which took off a couple of years ago is still to register a complete boom, hampered by the complicated procedures in their making. It is indeed a tedious task to delve deep into what the user wants and hence fleeces a lot of time. Coupled with this, the fact that Chatbots are unable to sieve results can work against your esteemed clientele.

2. The Human Element Is Missing

Another striking disadvantage of Chatbot development is the near human-life appeal to customer enquiries and queries which might seem mechanical. There can be instances when you feel a void created by the absence of man-to-man interaction. A Chatbot mechanically does what it is scripted to do while infusing a sense of interactivity.

3. The Conspicuous Misgivings

Think of a scenario when a Chatbot encounters a query which was not saved earlier. What happens then? The Chatbot gets stuck, disappointing your customer. At times, multiple messaging works against your customers, not only inconveniencing them but also damaging the online experience of your website.

4. Installation Costs Burn a Hole In Your Pockets

Money matters concerning Chatbots demand a special mention. Given the fact that Chatbots are replacing the human element of any business, every line of activity demands different programming techniques. This uniqueness with regard to Chatbot development can drain your resources in the form of shooting preliminary installation costs.

5. Time Constraints

Alongside demanding a constant rush of installation expenditure, you should also keep in mind the time it takes for you come up with a befitting plan. Effective Chatbots are the result of diligent preparation that cannot be overlooked. You need to come up with a clear-cut program so that you implement the same without any hiccups. However, rude surprises are always around the corner.

6. No Scope For Decision Making

After all, virtual robots are the instruments behind the effectiveness of Chatbots. On the flipside, you cannot expect Chatbots to display human characteristics; especially concerning the art of decision making. With Chatbots, you have absolutely no control over the decisions they will take on your behalf. Since there is no scope for you to make any decisions, everything and anything that Chatbots indulge in, can at times hamper your brand presence.

7. Unable To Delve Into The Earlier Conversations

Another striking disadvantage of Chatbot development concerns their inability to recall or memorize past conversations. This drawback leaves no option for the user but to key in his earlier query all over again. This repetitive questioning can be tiresome for your customer; eventually annoying him. Hence, it is the need of the hour for Chatbot developers to code programs in such a way that these robots not only understand the queries of users but also come up with effective responses.

Wrapping It Up

While Chatbots come with a plethora of benefits to both businesses and end users, the conspicuous absence of the human element needs to be addressed. Once this aspect is taken care of, you as online shoppers will love to share your opinions and concerns to Chatbots that will become your all-time customer service providers. With the passage of time, you will be introduced to newer platforms which will encourage you to build different types of Chatbots. This excitement of thriving in your niche will eventually pave the way for you to tread the path of a technological innovation that is poised for the long haul.