Mobile application software

As a Mobile App ( [ ɛp ] as German short form for application, to English [AEP ] as shorthand for English application, . Partly the app ) is an application software for mobile devices and mobile operating systems respectively.

Although the term refers app as an abbreviation of the English term Application Software on any type of application software, it is often equated in the German language only with application software for mobile devices. In the language of applications for smartphones and tablet computers are mostly meant so.

• 5.1 Areas of application
• 5.2 goals
• 5.3 Safety measures

History

The very first mobile phones often contained small applications such as calendar, calculator or small games. These were designed by the manufacturer for the specific operating system, permanently installed and can not be deleted. With the advent of Java on mobile phones (Java ME) were given users the option of simple applications and games from your mobile operator or from the internet via WAP ( MIDlets ) to download, which were often already platform independent. It developed a hobbyist scene, but also professional software companies offered such applications on a charge. Also on various PDAs applications could be installed at a time.

As a precursor of smartphone apps to Palm OS PDA applications can be considered, which also consist usually of only one file and can be used directly after the transfer. On Psion organizers you could even create the programs with the device itself.

But it was only with the advent of the Apple iPhone and soon the Android mobile phones and other smartphones was the possibility of installing applications on mobile devices broad target groups more common, supported by correspondingly increased marketing efforts of the manufacturers. There are now over a million apps. They are available for a variety of areas, such as office applications, games, guides, fitness apps for emulating older home computers and programmable calculator (such as the HP -41C ), as an aid for people with diabetes and much more.

Native Mobile Apps

Native apps can quickly and easily based on a built- in operating system Online Store and installed directly on the portable device.

Characteristics

Native Apps in the narrow sense are distinguished in that they can be specifically adapted to the target platform and very easy based on a proprietary online portal and installed. Since a mobile app is nothing more than an application for the device, the range of applications is very high. It ranges from simple tools and fun applications with only one function to program packages with extensive functionality. This includes simple content ( news, newspaper articles ) and databases as well as pure user interfaces that enable the efficient use of certain applications on a smartphone. Through the various software platforms, it is not possible to transfer about an Android app on an iPhone or vice versa. Thus, a software company needs to develop or adapt separately, the application for any mobile device.

Distribution

In consequence of the great market success of smartphones and tablet computers virtually all manufacturers of mobile operating systems have developed online systems to market developed for their respective devices apps. The apps will be offered via a central distribution platform and can be downloaded from there customers free or paid. The first of these distribution platforms was the App Store of Apple, other manufacturers followed suit.

Unless the manufacturers their mobile operating system, keep open to external sources to install application software (all vendors except Apple and Microsoft), there is also even more, often cross-platform deals by stores of different providers on the Internet, as well as the possibility of direct reference to the websites of the app developer. There are basically two different ways in which the app reaches the mobile device: Either the app downloaded to a PC via the Internet and then appropriate software (such as iTunes) for connection of the mobile device automatically or manually installed on it. Alternatively, the app also in a direct way, that is by " air interface " via the mobile Internet connection or a Wi-Fi, be downloaded and installed on your mobile device.

Business Model

The source with the largest number of programs is provided Google Play for Android smartphones, followed by Apple App Store for iOS. There are also Windows Phone smartphones with the Windows Phone Store and Blackberry's own App Store. Proceeds go in part to the developers, the operator of the sales portal is also involved in the profits. How Apple, Google and Microsoft reserve 30 percent of the purchase price of an app as a commission. Even free apps are available through these distribution portals, their share is significantly different depending on the platform.

In general, apps are tested technically by the portal operator, partly also contains a substantive review instead. The reactions are very different in detail.

In companies now also include special proprietary sales portals are used.

Supplier of native mobile apps (selection)

• Apple's App Store
• BlackBerry App World BlackBerry
• GetJar ( Cross-platform )
• Google Play (formerly Android Market) from Google
• Nokia Store (previously Ovi Store) by Nokia
• Opera Mobile Store, Opera Software
• PlayNow from Sony Ericsson
• Samsung Apps
• Smart World by LG
• Windows Phone by Microsoft Store

Security

Native Mobile Apps are like all programs software, which may also contain security vulnerabilities. Therefore required in principle ensuring the update of the terminal and the software maintenance by the provider. Since many native apps represent only a special, limited to the application, but in the comfort optimized, Web access, they have the ability to bypass a web browser. Apps run as a program on that device and thus have greater access to resources of the device, such as, among other networks, disks, files, documents, databases, GPS, gyro sensors, audio, CMOS image sensors and 3G modem. This problem is addressed by using a sandbox, so the access is limited to vendor-supplied program interfaces, and thus can be regulated.

Privacy Policy

Many mobile apps are criticized by consumer advocates, because without the user 's consent or knowledge, they send data that is not required for the function of the app or the unencrypted or not anonymous, and therefore can be spied easily. The operators of platforms on the Internet, such as social networking or shopping portals are treated with apps in a position to collect data and use for targeted and efficient promotional purposes or passed on to third parties. It is particularly critical when, for example, shopping apps sensitive personal information, such as bank account information or credit card information, can be spied is.

Hybrid Mobile Apps

A hybrid app is a special form; they combine the advantages of native apps and web apps, by accessing the software components of the mobile terminal and can serve different platforms simultaneously.

Mobile Web Apps

Mobile web apps are accessed via the web browser of the mobile device and do not require installation. Mobile web apps are a subcategory of Mobile App. In contrast to a mobile app they are implemented with a web technology.

Use of mobile apps in the enterprise context

In business mobile apps are used which connect the IT system of a company with mobile devices in order to support business processes and optimize them. Here are applications that are used in the system in the company by employees, such as Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP), Customer Relationship Management ( CRM) or Microsoft Outlook, even for mobile devices available, so regardless of location can be worked.

If the business use does not have internal IT and security policies ( security policies ) is largely dispensed with, the aforementioned distribution channels come there is generally not in question, but apps are made by an administrator centrally via mobile device management solutions available to the user or even " pushed" directly to his smartphone ( installed automatically). The installation of other apps by the user is technically prohibited and prevented.

Applications

Field workers can be linked to key infrastructures and systems such as ERP or CRM. In addition to providing information they may collect data locally and transfer directly over the cellular network in the appropriate systems online. Online information may be queried and data is written back into the systems. The data entered in the system are in real time and can be directly used by other users. The digital input is reduced at the same time the risk of data loss, as an unordered " bits of paper " can be bypassed, just as illegible records. The field can be permanently supplied with orders, so that travel times to the central unnecessary and better utilization is created. Customer queries regarding delivery times, availability or cost can be answered on the spot.

About mobile apps can be accessed directly on public folders, calendars, mailboxes and contacts so that employees are informed in the field as well as their colleagues in the company. Appointments are made easier and lead inter alia to time and cost savings.

Mobile apps are now finding already in the communal area application. An example of this is the inclusion of offenses on BlackBerrys.

Objectives

Mobile Apps mean time savings in processing information, reducing processing costs and stronger customer loyalty. With the software-based data processing on site and the automatic synchronization " over the air" eliminates the post-processing of the data. Purchase orders, contracts, performance surveys must not be recorded on paper and manually entered into the systems in question. Thus, working time quota free for essential activities. The organization is flexible, thereby better able to respond to customer requests.

Security measures

For clean separation of native apps on corporate mobile devices with partial private use are so-called Personae used for the separation of the respective data and applications. In corporate use so-called Mobile Device Management systems can be automatically deleted from the devices ( in part by its own reference portal ) and unwanted, potentially harmful apps or does not have to be installed to ensure that desired apps are centrally distributed to the devices.