There’s an App for That

Mobile Applications:

A Fad or the Future?Sara McClendon

Personal Learning

Project

COM 509

Fall 2011

What are mobile apps?

0PCMag defines a mobile app as: “A software application that runs in a smartphone or other portable device.”

0Apps run on smartphone platforms such as iPhone, Android and Blackberry

Types of mobile apps & examples

0Calculate/Utility –Mortgage Calculator0Entertainment – Horoscope 0Games – Angry Birds0News – CNN0Productivity – Bank of America0Search tool – AllRecipe 0Social networking – Facebook0Travel/Location – Urban Spoon0Weather – Weather Channel

From fonesgigblog.com

My network’s favorite apps0 I asked my Facebook friends & Twitter followers to

give me their favorite apps. Here’s what they said:

My network’s favorite apps0 I asked my Facebook friends & Twitter followers to

give me their favorite apps. Here’s what they said:

Most popular apps

0A June post on Mashable reported that games are among the most popular of mobile applications downloaded by users. Nielsen reports that 64 percent of applications downloaded by smartphone users were games. Right behind games, weather applications were number 2 with 60 percent. Social networking navigation/location search apps were also very popular.

Taken from my blog Evolving, Enriching, Engaging

What is the value of having an app?

0 In September, Mashable also reported on a Pew Internet study that found that of the 82% of U.S. adults are active cellphone users. Of those with cellphones, 43% have mobile apps on their phones. Two-thirds of those who have mobile applications use the apps regularly. Basically, 24% of the U.S. adult population use applications.

Taken from my blog Evolving, Enriching, Engaging

Mobile apps vs Mobile websites

0Mobile applications are different than simply having a mobile website. The best example is Facebook.

Mobile apps vs Mobile websites

0Applications can run natively on your phone. This means they may be able to run without an Internet connection or integrated with other parts of your phone.

0Mobile websites are simply websites created to fit a mobile format. They often are very similar to what the website would look like if it was viewed from a computer screen, only simplified.

Checklist to determine if an app needs to be created

0 Is the application going to be a recreation of a website? If so, then it would make more sense to create a mobile website.

0Can the app be used without an Internet connection (such as a calculator/calendar app). If so, then applications are a better idea.

0 Is the application going to be integrated with the smartphone (such as messaging, GPS, etc). If so, then a mobile application makes more sense.

Taken from: Mashable.com

Resources for mobile apps

0Do-It-Yourself app creators are good if you have a smaller budget and want something simple. Warning: these tools don’t allow for a lot of customization:0 Google’s AppInventor: You don’t need a developer and

you can create Android applications that use a smartphone’s features, including GPS and SMS.

0 iPhone’s AppMakr0 BuildAnApp: Targets multiple platforms0 Socialight: Apps with geolocation focus/angle

Taken from Mashable

More resources for mobile apps

0Hiring freelance or contract developers are another option for creating mobile apps. Use resources such as oDesk or Elance to begin looking for a freelance developer.

0When hiring a freelance developer be sure to see portfolio work and reviews before choosing.

0Communication is key when working with a developer

Taken from Mashable

Even more resources for mobile apps

0Hiring a development shop or agency is a smart idea if a mobile application is going to be a big part of a marketing or PR plan.

0TheMakeApps.com is a highly rated development firm.0Appolicious’ directory is another great resource to

contact application developers.

Taken from Mashable

What I learned

0When I first began this project, I assumed that there wasn’t a downside to creating a mobile app. However, after my research I have found that sometimes mobile applications aren’t entirely necessary.

0 It appears as if entertainment/games are the most popular types of applications. If an organization can

0Unfortunately, I don’t have the money to create a sample application. However, I feel more prepared to make the decision on how to build an application if I need to.