Application development has gained undeniable heights in the recent past. The buzz about the new tablets, be it Android or iPad, is unprecedented. These major platforms are continuously coming up with something new and exciting every single day, so that they can claim their seat at the top.
Mobile App development companies have stated that testing is a crucial aspect of the development of any application on any platform. It becomes necessary for Android because it should be compatible over various devices. And it is critically important to test iPad and iPhone apps because simulators often don’t do justice to the exact user experience.
Basics
For the most part, the basics of mobile application and tablet application development remain the same across devices of the same platform, however, multiple hardware developments (touch screen, resolutions, sound, camera) render each device different and therefore, testing becomes very important.
One must remember that any application represents the quality, sincerity and dedication of the company itself. It speaks not only about the developers but about the entrepreneur, whose brand is being represented.
Screen
The dominating problem area is the screen size. Since the screen sizes vary vastly between tablets and Smart phones, the applications that are developed have to be made in a way that can adapt itself to the various screens.
Fundamentally, tablet apps are developed for a Natural User Interface also known as NUI, which comprises of the various intricacies of the app’s design, including, touch features like single and double tapping, pinching, swiping, and virtual keyboard.
Shortcomings
The biggest hurdle in the way of developing a successful app is that because of the size, the virtual keyboard is very difficult to operate. If there is a particular app that requires a certain amount of details to be specified on a single page, viewing it from a Smart phone becomes increasingly difficult.
Another challenge is that navigation on the same screen (scrolling) on a touch screen can be hazardously painful, because, in the attempt of swiping, tender pressure changes induce tapping responses and so the user is forced to keep going back and forth between web pages or app stages.
What I have noticed amongst many new developers is that a lot of attention is being paid towards graphics and images; however, the functionality aspect is pushed to the side. It is understandable that a pretty app is very nice, but people really appreciate an app that is genuinely creative in terms of its functionality as well.
Testing
Having seen these problems that are occurring on an app, it becomes imperative that the developer undergoes specific training per device. Developers must ensure that they are looking at the application not as their baby, but from the customer’s point of view (end user) who will probably be paying for it.
You must consider whether you would pay for an app like this or not. If you don’t think you would then what were the certain things that could make you buy it. Ascertain that you asses the app with the device in mind. Do not completely rely on simulators because, I have in my own experience come across situations where apps worked fabulously on the simulator, but failed to give the same results on the actual device.
Reliable mobile application development companies often end up spending more time and money in testing than the development of the app itself, because they understand the gravity of being completely ready before hitting the market. Once you have released your app, the ball is out of your court. Even if there is the slightest of problems in it, it can cause massive problems in terms of brand image and reputation.
One area in which mobile app development is surpassing most others is in the mobile casino market. With over 75% of adults partaking in gambling at some point throughout the year it is a massive market previously untapped by the big developers. Already large on PC’s with a diluted market many of the top gaming companies are now focusing their attentions on a getting a large share of the mobile market. With roulette, blackjack and poker being such big business nowadays it is no surprise why!
Totally agree with the author. I’m an app developer but i always think from customer’s point of view. Developing an app is one thing but developing it with quality and proper QA processes is something which makes the difference between good & bad app.