There are only two major mobile device operating systems in widespread use: Android and Apple. This means that most apps are designed to run on one or both platforms. However, app development has changed in far more ways than just the switch from Objective C to Swift. But what is the future of iOS app development?
More Cross-Platform Apps
A cross-platform app is one that works on both the iOS and Android operating systems. Cross-platform apps are becoming more popular for several reasons. First, you only develop the app once and then create a final app that can be loaded to both app stores. This eliminates the need to hire two different development teams to create two different apps. Second, it lets you get the same app on both platforms at the same time. This is invaluable when you’re rolling out a brand-new app and want to connect with your entire audience as fast as possible. Third, it lets you keep updates to the app in sync across platforms. Update the single master file, then re-release the app in versions to both app stores.
More Outsourcing of App Development
Outsourcing in general has become widespread. It lets you keep overhead costs to a minimum. You can hire experts when you need them and then let them go when the project is done. It makes companies more nimble because they can put together the experts they need when they need them regardless of what skill sets they need. You could team up with ios mobile app development services to create your new app, knowing that they have the expertise to do it right, instead of being limited to the knowledge your in-house team has. The service provider can scale up the project as necessary, including hiring people for complex issues as necessary. These people may be freelancers themselves, but you don’t have to go through the process of vetting and hiring them.
More “Agnostic” Apps
Agnostic apps will run on almost any type of hardware as well as on most operating systems. People often switch seamlessly between smartphones, tablets, and PCs. This makes agnostic apps essential to the user experience. This is why your app should work just as well on an iPad as an iPhone and ideally should work well on their Apple laptop.
Not all apps run on PCs. A potential solution to this is creating an app that is integrated with your web-based interface. Then someone entering data on a PC will see it show up in the app, too, whether it is expense tracking or miles jogged that day. Then you only need to keep the data on the apps and website synced, though some do this by having the data transfer when you sync your phone and your PC. Determine how you’re going to prevent the data input from different sources from diverging. And test the website as much as you do the app because you don’t want to promise across-the-board compatibility and find it won’t work well for users accessing the functionality through their browser.
