Today’s technology market offers numerous options for businesses to connect with employees wherever they are. With an average person using their mobile phone for more than 2-3 hours per day, organizations have an opportunity to reach employees in one of the most highly trafficked channels. With smart solutions managers who curate mobile technology to communicate will see the highest levels of employee engagement. With a minute to spare people in the field typically turn to their mobile device to fill in even the shortest gaps between tasks.

Mobile application development companies usually tend to build apps that aim to do everything at once. Generally, mobile apps are nothing but an abbreviated form of prevailing websites or desktop apps that are intended to perform all the same tasks as their larger counterparts. This leads to troublesome, annoying and slow apps that cease to be efficient due to unnecessary and irrelevant functionality.

The concept of micro app revolves around two essential fundamentals:

• Quick, targeted, narrow, get in – interact – get out function, incorporated into a single mobile app.
• Performing tasks in real time, irrespective of whether it is personal or professional.

In comparison to the usual enterprise mobile apps, micro apps offer an experience that is more specific and is easy-to-use.

Organizations are constantly looking for new ways to increase employee efficiency, but often only further perpetuate the problem by introducing yet another new app or program. Reaching employees through the most actively used channel throughout the day is the key. Choosing the right mobile technologies to support higher levels of employee engagement will build stronger ties regardless of location.

Micro apps have emerged as a way to take some of the pressure off and help businesses push past the barriers of enterprise mobility. Just as mobile apps are transforming the way enterprises go mobile, micro apps are transforming the way people work.

Micro apps are simpler and more targeted, allowing employees to quickly perform specific tasks from any device, email, browser, or communications client. They provide highly focused, task-based functionality that let users get in, interact, and get out with maximum efficiency.

Instead of spending months developing a huge all-in-one mobile app, organizations can quickly create micro apps that address a specific employee need or streamline a single business process, such as approving an expense report or checking on the status of a lead in a CRM.

Engagement, productivity, and retention are directly related to the measurement of an employee’s satisfaction in the workplace. When employees are engaged they are more likely to be motivated to perform and stay where they are. Select the best mobile technologies your organization needs to reach the performance levels. The better the selection of tools with the right content, the more autonomous employees will be at making the decisions they need to perform and the better will be the clarity in communication among the employees.

With Fusion Informatics, companies can get an edge over their competitors by developing micro apps for better employees’ productivity, adapt to changing needs and priorities, and focus their time on growth.

Need help to know how micro apps can transform your business?

Please Get in Touch with our experts.

Google has finally rolled out Preview 5 of Android 7.0 termed as “Nougat”. It is meant for use specifically to allow developers test mobile apps on this newest Android OS. With this preview, Google is all set to make a clean sweep, by introducing all final APIs with the release. In addition, the release will see the almost ready system updates, which will support all the devices.

What does Android N Developer Preview have in store?

Android N Developer Preview, featuring bindings to final APIs of the Android N SDK. The new version includes several exciting features including multi-window UI, direct reply notifications, advanced memory and power optimizations, and more for developers to integrate into their applications.

We, being a leading Android mobile application development company, were keen to know what the preview had in store, and this is what we found out:

• A range of images for Google Nexus series of phones that includes both Sony Experia Z3 and Android One.
• An emulator helping in full and final testing, through which developers confirm the readiness.
• Final APIs, letting developers have a glimpse of actual UI and behavior.
• Address optimization of software and latest bug fixes, giving way for developers to test all the changes in system behavior, before the actual OS release. Important changes include permissions modifications, screen zooming, optimizing background, and Doze on the Go.

As of now, Android N is available for devices like Pixel C devices, Nexus 9, Nexus 6P, Nexus 5X, Nexus 6, and other general 4G devices.

Fusion prepares you before installing Nougat on your device

Before downloading Nougat on your device, remember that this is a final developer preview, not meant for users, but for developers. Therefore, it does not come as a surprise to find bugs or errors still existing in the system. You do have some features working well, but then others might accompany issues. If you are looking for a highly reliable and smooth working, then it is better to wait for the final release with complete set of working features.

Meanwhile, what things to consider if you are a developer, and want to get the taste of OS in its prerelease stage?

• Get yourself a Sony Zperia Z3 device, a latest Nexus device, or a Pixel C device, loaded with this operating system.
• Take a backup even before you start. You might encounter bugs or errors anytime. Having a backup will ensure you to restore default version with ease and that too quickly.
• Enable the built-in backup feature already present with the device. Check the options ‘Automatic Restore’, and ‘Backup My Data’ to enable state. Backing up videos and photos should be done by getting your smartphone connected to PC.

“This is how you should download Nougat” says Fusion

Now since you have your backup in place, it is time now to download Android N 7.0. By checking out Android Nougat Developer Preview details, you can have a glimpse of what to expect.

• Once you are through with the understanding, it is time now to visit the Android Beta Program website, and using your login details to sign in.
• After you have signed in, scan the list of devices supporting Nougat. If you want to enroll your device, click “Enroll Device” button.
• As soon as you have enrolled the device, start-getting updates related to Android 7.0 Nougat, same as getting current OS updates.

Update things manually by installing and downloading the system image for Android 7.0 N. This is not only a risky complicated process, but also updates happen manually rather than being automatic. It might not be the best option to follow, however if you still want it then just follow the instructions right here.

Restoring original version is an easier choice

Moving back to the original Android OS version, is very easy. In fact, it is almost same as enrolling, with the only difference that you need to click “Unenroll Device”. Once executed, you will receive an update on your device. After the update downloaded and installed, Android 7.0 Nougat will be uninstalled, while restoring the original Android version. Ensure that you have full backup of all user data, before doing this.

Some final words from Fusion

As an Android mobile application development company, we have been instrumental in creating apps for all the Android OS generations. Android Nougat brings quite new things to explore, but since in the pre-release phase, it is difficult to make any assumptions.

The developer’s preview seems promising, specifically when it comes to apps, as we will be able to create apps that enables VR seamless integration, save a great deal through battery optimization, taking full advantage of watching videos with PIP mode, incorporating enhanced notifications updates, and finally the apps gaining security with virus scanning taking place when device boots.

The questions are difficult to answer unless you get a glimpse of what to expect, by using the beta version. We had the privilege using the beta version, and what we analyzed, are the differentiating features that makes Android N a worthwhile OS to check out, especially for users who want to experience a change from using the Marshmallow OS.

People familiar with the Google Android Operating System will probably know that Android M update has been recently launched at the Google I/O 2015 conference in San Francisco. Currently, The Android M preview for developers is available on a couple of devices such as the Nexus 5, Nexus 6, Nexus 9 as well as the Nexus Player. Nevertheless, the final version is due for launch in Q3, 2015.

Back to the Basics

With this, Google (Sunder Pichai Senior VP Products) claims that it has “gone back to the basics” with this latest Android Version. Comparing Google M with the last major update Android L, Android Lollipopwas instrumental in bringing forth a wide range of visual and aesthetic changes, Google has worked on Android M to remove some of the short comings of Android M such as stability as well as usability issues.

A Wide Range of Improvements

Although these improvements are not as eye catching as those introduced for Google Android Lollipop, this version ‘M’, which is speculated will be labeled after a sweet as with the previous versions, includes a range of stability as well as usability improvements.

It can be said that Android M focuses more on a better user experience and improves the user experience a great deal, especially after a major redesign and “under-the-hood” work on Android Loillipop. Therefore, with Android M, there is a greater focus on giving Android a better polish and improving the user experience. According to Google, there are six different areas which have required improvement so that improved and state-of-the-art Android M can be put forth in front of a worldwide audience without any possible setbacks to its image as well as functionality.

1. Advanced and Modified App Permissions

With Android M, app permissions have been revamped. Now, permissions will be requested the first time a user accesses a feature, instead of the point of installation. According to DaveBurke, VP Engineering (Android), users can accept or deny permissions as they feel fit. Further, they don’t have to agree to permissions that don’t make sense to them. Accordingly, users are given greater control over the information that apps can access, which takes Android M a step further compared to Android L. Permissions that have been granted earlier can be viewed at a later instance or date, thereby giving the user complete control over their Android device.

2. Chrome Custom Tabs for Better Web Experience

Google has also introduced Chrome Custom Tabs that allows developers harness the complete capabilities of Chrome. At the same time, users can keep control of the look as well as feel of the experience. Chrome Custom Tabs actually allow apps to open a customized Chrome Window on top of the active app rather than launching the Chrome App Separately. This provides a faster as well as more intuitive user-experience as the user navigates between the apps and the web. With Chrome Custom Tabs Support, users can automatically sign in, save passwords, go for auto-fill, and enjoy multi-process security so that they can assist the integration of the app and the web experience.

3. Standardized Finger Print Support

Finger print scanners that run on mobile phones that run Android M will receive standardized support from Google. This new functionality can be used to unlock phones, make purchases shopping in real-life or within play store apps. For this purpose, your device will need to support finger scanning hardware, but now that Google is expanding its full support, such hardware will appear on many more devices in the coming future.

4. New Mobile Payments System

The new payment system that Google has introduced is called Android Pay, which is designed to make the checkout process simpler as well as faster. This process will help users to use their existing credit cards to pay for products in more than 700,000 stores in the USA. Currently, the new mobile payments system is compatible with any device that houses the NFC capabilities and running 4.4 KitKat or above. Additionally, the Android Pay platform is being supported by card merchants such as American Express, MasterCard, and Discover. Moreover, it is being supported by carriers such as Verizon, T-Mobile, and AT&T.

5. Advanced Support for App Links

Until Recently, Android does not know whether to show a web link that a user selects from somewhere. However, with the advent of Android M, App links are being changed, so that Android has a greater awareness of which apps can open content directly, rather than presenting a dialog box to the users that asks users which application to use to open that particular link. Hence, if a user taps on a twitter link from within an email, the twitter app will open directly in Android M, instead of prompting users whether to use Twitter to view it.

6. Better Power and charging Increased Standby Mode

With the Android M, a new function has been introduced, which is called Doze. This function improves the device standby time. With the help of motion detectors, it is now possible for Android to recognize which devices have been interacting for a while, so that it can reduce background processes. For example, the device can be stationary while the user is taking a nap or when it has been left aside for a while.

Additional Sops those are available with Android M

Besides all these advancements that are provided in Android M, the most interesting point discussed in the key speech of Google I/O was that Android M will be facilitated for Android Auto Backup and Restore for Apps, for use in conjunction with Google Drive, so that the app data and settings can be automatically backed up for files with a file size of 25 MB or less. Additionally, there is a new App Drawer, which scrolls vertically rather than horizontally. Plus, it is held against a white background. Users can also see four of their recently used apps across the top of their menu, while the letters of the alphabet are visible on the left-hand side.

Android M also comes with a RAM manager, with provides users with more accurate as well as understandable information about how much of maximum as well as average RAM the installed apps use. With this information, the users will find it easy to follow which apps occupy more RAM, and decide for themselves which apps need to be removed to increase the performance of their devices as well as battery life. With Android M, Google has introduced Adoptable Storage Devices, which is its new storage feature. This behaves like an external storage source, and can be formatted like an internal storage space. Hence, app as well as personal data can be freely moved between the internal storage of a devices as well as its adopted source of storage.

Finally, there is a dark theme option that transforms the background of the menu to a dark grey color instead of a regular pale shade. Also Google Now comes in its improved avatar, with a faster and leader Chrome, and Google introduces its Google Photos Service for the first time on Android M. Previously it was a part of Google+, but it is now a standalone version that provides as video as well as sharing service. It provides free storage for up to 16 P photos as well as 1080p video.

Conclusion

With Android M now on the scene, it remains to be seen how other competitors will react to this development. For now, we will have to be patient and see what the ‘M’ in Android M stands for. Till then, it’s time for the developers to comprehend this new operating system and get the hang of it for better and more comprehensive android development.

Now, let’s talk about some of the quick tips that can really enhance your use of android device.

1. Rotation lock is the most useful feature of android. The notification shade has the rotation lock feature which can be tapped to lock screen rotation. This keeps your screen in the current orientation. You can again tap on the same icon to unlock the rotation.
2. If you are in a meeting and don’t want your android device to act as a disturbance, then all you can do is just turn off the notifications for the app. Go to the apps info page under Apps and just uncheck the box labeled as “Show Notifications“. This will keep your notifications bar empty.
3. Use Android’s stock music player to equalize your music. Using this android app you can choose equalizer. You can also access manual sliders, a load of presets and bass and 3D effects.
4. Android makes it easy for you to move and arrange icons. You just need to long-press the icon of the app, on your home screen, which you wish to move, and just move it around wherever you want.
5. Blind to unlock feature helps users in unlocking the device in a quick and smart way. Using Android’s Liveness check, you can blink before the device to unlock it.
6. Dictate long and rambling texts on offline mode using Google Voice typing. All you need to do is choose ‘Download offline speech recognition’ under Language & input option in settings.
7. You can view the notifications blind to find any even for which you have been invited through Google Calendar. You can also expand it and send a pre-defined response.
8. With the new gallery features, you can browse all snaps quickly. To delete the images individually, you can slide up and down.
9. Using Jelly Bean’s Data Usage Settings, you can find the option to designate certain wifi networks as Mobile hotspots. This can prevent background apps to access your data and save a lot of cash.
10. If you want to use multiple spaces, then you can just tap the space bar twice, instead of typing a period at the end of each sentence and putting a space after it.

The chief reason why android apps development is preferred by a number of developers across the world is that it is open source. The open source development environment is the one in which the open source code is freely available and modifiable. There is no need to pay for any licensing fees for using it. Millions of developers across the world use this operating system for Android apps development.

Its open source nature has decreased the development cost and made android applications affordable for businesses. Developers have joined marketers to create android apps using strategic advertising methods that can help the businesses reach more consumers. Businesses have invested in Android apps and are using different methods to market the applications. The growth of android apps development has resulted in the creation of a number of android apps in areas of health, education, entertainment, business etc.

Every business can get an edge over its competitors by employing different ways to create a unique application. Just creating the application is not enough it is also important to market it in the most strategic way.

In contrast, mobile Web apps are written in HTML, they exist online, and can be accessed and used from any kind of phone or tablet.

In the newest report from BI Intelligence, Business Insider’s paid research service, we explore why consumers still seem to overwhelmingly prefer native apps.

Native apps dominate mobile usage, account for the lion’s share of developer revenue, and perhaps not surprisingly, spark the most interest among those same mobile developers.

Is it too late for HTML5? Will the native app tidal wave overwhelm it and relegate HTML5 mobile Web apps to permanent second-class status?

In this report, we state our case for why HTML5 —  the latest mobile-friendly version of the Web’s publishing language — is in better shape than it appears to be.

HTML5’s advocates see its current stasis as a temporary speed bump, before mobile audiences and developers see the light and embrace apps on the more universal and less closed-off mobile Web.

Another advantage: Native apps are written in the difficult programming languages used for specific operating systems, while mobile Web apps are built around HTML5 and related Web technologies, which are more widely known.

Of course, it doesn’t help that consumers, and even many app publishers, remain confused about what a mobile Web app is, and how it differs from a native app and a mobile website. (A mobile Web app offers app-like interactive experiences, while a mobile website just serves up content and has a thin user interface.)

Presently, there are more than two hundred thousand applications provided on the android market to different users. Throughout the world, a number of Android users download the applications from the android market. They download these applications both for their professional and personal needs.

The versatile and reliable features of android operating system have contributed to the popularity of android application development. Following are some of the essential features of Android that can significantly prove the importance of Android Application Development.

• Android offers supporting connectivity technologies such as GSM/EDGE, CDMA, IDEN, EV-DO, UMTS, Wi-Fi, LTE, Bluetooth, and WiMAX.
• Android can also support additional hardware like GSM based mobile, Wi-Fi, EDGE, Bluetooth, GPS, 3G, accelerometer, Camera and compass.
• Multi tasking is the need of the hour and Android is just what you need for it.
• C/C++ and Java programming language is availed of for Android Application Development. A well experienced Java programmer can easily grasp and work on concepts related to Android apps.
• Android provides extensive comprehensive library for 2D/3D graphics for traditional layout creation. This helps in creating attractive graphics.
• Data storage is done in a structured way with the use of SQLite.
• Cost effectiveness is ensured in android apps development as android is an open source mobile operating system.
• Android application developerscan easily understand and make use of Android SDK for building creative Android applications
• Android also reduces time spent by a developer during the development process. This is made possible by Android by allowing the use of same codes for rapid application development..

Android Application Development helps businesses meet their unique business needs. For different business domains there are different types of applications. Business oriented applications, document readers, Android mobile competent websites, Android game apps, multimedia applications, Social networking applications, entertainment applications, security applications, GPS tracking, travel applications, Utility apps, etc are some examples to mention a few. Android Application Development companies, who are having good experience, also serve porting of other platform mobile application to Android application.