Android has been a buzzword for quite a long time now. A paradigm shift from the Java-based keypad phones to Linux kernel based android smartphones have brought about major changes in lifestyle of people all over the globe and the purpose a mobile phone used to or rather was supposed to serve. A modern-day smartphone encompasses a camera, video recorder, voice recorder, GPS and a lot many stuffs all in a single, small and sophisticated device and thanks to the hassle-free usage provided by the mobile applications, we can use all of these seamlessly even sometimes simultaneously. With android capturing more than 80% of the global market (as per 2017, first quarter statistics) there is huge potential in store for Android-based mobile application development. Let’s have a look at the at the advantages which android as a mobile application development platform has to offer.
Open Source
Being open source, android has its SDK (Software Development Kit) available to one and all. Also, open source means it has no hassles of licensing which makes it easy for the application developers. Any major changes made to the stock android gets communicated to the developers through the android community. The best part is the support available for the previous version of android which ensures that applications are also supported them.
The android community offers everything needed for app development in a lucid and comprehensive manner the same can be found here.
Readily available assistance and information
There exists quite a few forums and communities which are dedicated to helping out developers with the issues they face during the process of application development. These also provide many new and innovative approach towards a certain problem which may considerably help in improving the performance of an app. Any recent advancements in the android arena are discussed here so as to make sure everyone is on the same page. Some of these which are quite prevalent include Android subreddit, xda-developers, android forums. Also, there are a few IRC (Internet Relay Chat) rooms like webchat where one can join the android channel to discuss any and everything related to the topic.
Ease of development
Developing an android app is no big deal if there exists a little familiarity with any of the programming languages. There are many tools available which greatly smoothen the process of development. Some of these as per the recent mobile app development trends are:
Android Studio: A basic knowledge of Java and XML is sufficient to make an app using this tool. Most of the features can be incorporated by drag and drop and changing the attributes of various components in the respective panels present in the tool.
PhoneGap: This tool utilizes one’s knowledge of web development which is HTML, CSS, and JavaScript and transforms the same into a mobile application. It is one of the intrinsic examples of cross-platform app development.
Titanium Mobile Accelerator: Yet another cross-platform app development which builds native JavaScript into a mobile application.
There are many other integrations of languages like C, C++, Python, Ruby etc. possible with Java, which enables one to develop an android mobile app using any of these. Hence, adoption of android app development becomes easy for developers.
Ease of deployment/release
Once an android mobile app development process is complete, it can be made available to millions of android smartphone users all over the world through various available channels. One such prominent place is Google Play Store which requires a developer to register once with a nominal registration fee so as to go ahead and make one’s app available in the play store. Also, the process of approval of an app over the play store is not very strict and even basic apps are approved. This serves as a major encouragement for the developers.
Apart from this, there are other third-party channels through which one can easily distribute an android application to the end users. The same can also be done by sharing the build of an android application with individuals, this can also come handy during beta testing of the application.
Scope for Innovation
The idea of android being open source comes in handy when a developer decides to try and explore or even stretch the boundaries of what an application is supposed to achieve. An application with the permission of the user can use all the components present in a device and make optimal usage of the same as and when required. A typical example of this is a camera application scanning a barcode to connect to a wireless network, a synchronization between multiple hardware and software is required to achieve the same. Not all privileges are available to an application, some need to be explicitly approved by the user and some require a device to be rooted. Nevertheless, android fully enables an application to avail and utilize the resources to the best of its abilities as and when required.
Apart from these, an android app comes with the security feature of Java, which is a robust and a platform independent language so the developer need not pay any extra attention to this unless some major privileges are required by the application. Android apps also have high-level UI customizations possible with minor modifications in the source code. Various social networking integrations like Google, Facebook, Twitter is also quite easily possible in an android app.
Endnote
To sum up it is quite clear that android app development is a promising area to choose if one decides to explore the field of mobile application development. It provides an extensive area to try out and explore kinds of stuff without compromising on the security features. With an ease of adaptation, development and deployment and a pretty decent ROI (Return on Investment), android app development clearly outmatches all the other available platforms of mobile application development.
Author bio:
Jennifer Ruth is mobile application developer works for the HireMobileGeeks (trusted name for android mobile app development services) in the USA. She likes to share her experience in the form of tips and tutorial for android or mobile tech savvy. Follow her on Facebook to get more news.