Multi-touch mobility

Eyes are turned to mobility, with new innovations being launched into the phone and tablet market at rapid speed. Tablets such as the iPad and Android tablets all have their best business cases. In addition to tablets, various different multi-touch mobile phone devices are now on the market.
Microsoft with the latest release of the Windows has also embraced the multi-touch mobility  paradigm.
We are focused on creating multi-touch solutions for mobile devices of all platforms, iOS, Android, Windows Phone 7/8, Windows 8. This solutions are often called "Apps".

Thanks to Microsoft and the Microsoft BizSpark program we made our first project.

Check out our projects

What is an “App”?

The word "App" is a noun and its short for application.  Application in this case refers to a software application — in other words, a software program. But an app is not just any old software program, it’s a special type of software program.  An "App" typically refers to software used on a smartphone or mobile device such as the Android, iPhone, BlackBerry or iPad, as in “mobile app” or “iPhone app”.
The most common platforms are:
There are two App types, Web Apps and Native Apps

Web Apps

Is a website application that adjust it's looks for mobile platforms, giving the user a similar experience that a native App would. The disadvantage with this type of app is that usually an internet connection is needed.

Native Apps

Each platform owner has a set of APIs (Application Programming Interface) and tools for creating custom apps that look and feel like the apps bundle with the platform.
This kind of apps are downloaded and installed by a user using an application similar to a store or marketplace, each platform has one and as a publisher there are specific rules to follow in terms of performance, functionality, privacy and revenue.
This is a short summary of the conditions of the most common platforms:
  • Apple iOS: $USD 99/ year, 70% of sales revenue, Receive payments monthly, No charge for free apps.
  • Android GooglePlay: one-time $USD 25 fee, 70% of sales revenue, Receive payments monthly, No charge for free apps
  • Windows Store (phone or tablet): $USD 99/ year (enterprise, individual  $USD 19/year ), 70% of sales revenue, Receive payments monthly, No charge for free apps.

How can I build an “App”?

Web Apps

Building a website is now really easy and there are a couple of websites that let you create Web Apps, for example:

Native Apps using web technologies

Most of the mobile platforms have a web browser, this approach uses this browser to create native applications. The difference with a Web App is that part of the website is stored locally on the phone and not all the functionality requires an internet connection. Uses common web technologies like HTML, CSS, and JavaScript. 
Advantages
  • Little effort needed for building Apps on multiple platforms. Some of the providers automatically covert and publish apps on multiple apps stores.
  • Some of the tools require no coding knowledge.
Disadvantages
  • Not all the features of a specific platform can be used.
  • The performance and usability is not as good as a Native App.
Tools
These are some of the most popular tools:

Native Apps using third party Framework

Use third party tools that let you create the application and convert it to the native language of a platform.
Advantages
  • Most of the platform specific features can be used.
  • Most of the business logic of the application can be reused between multiple platforms.
  • The performance and usability is as good as a Native App.
Disadvantages
  • Some effort needed for building an App on each platform. 
Tools
These are some of the most popular tools:


Native apps with platform specific tools

Use the tools provided by the platform owner.
Advantages
  • All of the platform specific features can be used.
  • The performance and usability is very good, is a Native App.
Disadvantages
  • A lot of effort needed for building an App on each platform. Specific training required for each platform.
  • None of the business logic can be reused.
Tools
These are some of the most popular platforms:
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