Here's Why Your Business Should Invest in AR App Development!

While most businesses across the globe are aware of Virtual Reality applications, not many businesses are aware of the existence of Augmented Reality and its potential. Augmented Reality, or AR as it is commonly referred to as is a technology where developers build an app that uses image processing to build an overlay of functionalities on the virtual space. Unlike VR, AR does not require any separate hardware. Hence, AR apps can be used directly on smartphones without the need for any expensive accessories. 

However, the question still remains as to why businesses should invest in AR android app development. Well, AR cannot be used in all domains. However, there are a few sectors where AR's potential can transform the services and become a great value add to customers. 

Here are some of the industries that can be revolutionized by AR Apps: 

Fashion and Retail: AR can be used by fashion retailers to offer customers novel applications such as "Virtual Trial Rooms". Customers can try out various outfits and jewelry without actually having to try them out. By using image processing, a digital rendering of the attire can be super-imposed over the real-time image of the user and allow them to examine how the color or the outfit suits them.

Navigation: Interactive 3D maps can be built where app users can use their phone camera to find the right path as they traverse from point A to point B. By incorporating directional symbols such as Arrows which are superimposed over the real-time feed, navigation can be made interactive and easy.  

Travel and tourism: Due to the availability of 360° cameras, AR applications can be built which use the 3D imagery of important tourism destinations and monuments to provide users with a realistic view on their smartphones. Such apps are highly regarded by users. Developers can also embed important information about these locations in the images that swivel as the mobile phone moves.

Education: Today several players in the field of EdTech realize the potential of AR applications as an effective means for delivering educational content. Several important subjects like Anatomy and Geography can be made interesting using interactive AR apps. For businesses that are plying in any of the industries that have been discussed above, now is the right time to invest in Mobile app development with a focus towards AR. They can enlist the support of Openwave for developing a glitch-free AR app.

4 Sure-shot Techniques to Ensure a High-quality App

The mobile app economy is one of the largest today with hundreds of mobile application development companies and thousands of independent developers flooding the market. In such a competitive market, it is crucial that you devise an application that is high in quality and performance. The best way to assure this is to adopt a stringent app development process, one that is guided by world-class norms and standards. 

The following steps can help you assure secure development: 

1. Chart your plans before taking up development

Before you commence the development of your app, it is important to analyze the market thoroughly. Ensure that your product serves a purpose in the market and is in line with consumer requirements. This can help you identify the right target audience to promote your application to.

2. Pay attention to App features and performance

The success of an app lies behind the features it brings to the table. When it comes to performance of an application, there should be no compromise of the UI, UX, and the speed of the application. A product that fails to set itself apart from the rest of the market is likely to get fewer hits and suffer poor response. This should be borne in mind during development.

3. Keep a strict vigil on the security features

Today consumers across the globe are highly sensitive to security and privacy. Your application development should focus on keeping the product foolproof and safe against any intrusion. Adequate threat identification systems and anti-snooping safeguards must be coded into the app to ensure that no miscreant can use your product to compromise on user privacy.

4. Subject the app to rigorous tests

Testing the app until breakdown is a great way of identifying flaws and improving its performance. Subject your application to a variety of tests and also roll out a beta. Even after launch, testing has an important role to play. Any flaws that are unearthed can be fixed at a later stage through OTA updates and patches. This can help you fetch better reviews and feedback from the end users. 

If you are looking to roll out a flawless mobile application, it is better to team up with a globally acclaimed mobile app development company like Openwave that boasts of the best mobile app developers in the market. 

Build a Successful Mobile App Business by Following these 4 Vital Steps

Due to the proliferation of smartphones, consumers today are heavily dependent on mobile apps to get by. However, where does this leave businesses that promote their services through mobile apps? Precarious, one must admit! The huge number of mobile apps in the market makes it hard for apps to get the visibility they require to thrive. So, if you are a mobile app-based business, you would have to adopt strategic measures to taste success with your mobile app. 

These are some of the most important steps that you should adhere to in order to gain success:

Step 1: Put in place a monetization strategy: There are no free-services in business. Every tool and service regardless of what is availed in exchange for is out there to make money. This should be on the top of your agenda. Ensure that you take up your Android app development with a monetization strategy from day one. This is the best way to scale up your business.

Step 2: Use push notifications to stay connected: Push notifications are the most effective tools for app-based promotions. Use notifications that are eye-catchy and bring redirects to your app regularly. This can help you push your services to a niche audience.

Step 3: Analyze your users to improve your offerings: With Analytics, businesses can now track the individual usage characteristics of users on the mobile app. This can be used to identify trends and patterns and throw insights on user preferences. The same can be used to improve the user experience of the apps.

Step 4: Pay attention to your marketing strategy: Your application cannot bring you success unless you identify means to reach the critical user base. Till the critical number of app installs is attained, the priority should be on ASO or App Store Optimization which helps improve the visibility of the mobile app and market it to an increasing number of consumers.

Looking to implement these steps? Hire expert help and ensure that you taste success. Get in touch with Openwave, a mobile app development company of global repute. Reach out to our business team today.

2018 is the Year of VR Apps: Here’s Why

From being a promising technology not less than 3 years ago to technology that is already reshaping several industries, Virtual Reality has come a long way. Today, extensive research backed by millions of dollars of funding is being poured into virtual reality on the hopes of unearthing many more applications for this coveted technology. However, not all of it is mere research. There are already several VR applications thanks to Virtual Reality-ready smartphones and apps.

Let’s take a look at some of the best Virtual Reality apps that can give us a perspective as to what is in store for the year 2018:

Spotlight stories

Spotlight stories by Google is an app that is working on a new medium of storytelling. It uses the VR format to tell immersive stories to users. An app that was launched in the middle of 2017, it has already been installed by 500,000 users.

YouTube VR

YouTube VR is an application developed by Google which brings the popular app YouTube to the VR format. The text-based searching has been replaced with voice searching and is also now used to display all videos in a VR or a 360° format. 

Google Arts and Culture VR 

This virtual reality application curates famous works of art from all over the globe and creates the environs of a museum inside the VR realm. It provides users with a realistic experience of famous monuments and galleries with an audio-based guided tour.

Star Chart VR

Star Chart VR is a VR-powered planetarium that creates the experience of a planetarium inside the VR world. It targets students and science lovers across the globe and helps them learn about the various constellations and their location in the night sky without having to labor through complicated star maps.

Build a VR application that offers niche applications and disrupts the industry. Partner with expert VR app developers such as Openwave and build powerful apps for your business needs. Reach out to their business team today!

What OS should you consider for app development in 2018? Android or iOS?

It’s 2018 and the world is now moving into yet another year where smartphones rule the market as the leading branding and eCommerce tools. But the industry faces a deep schism with the user base divided into devout Android users and iOS users. Both these operating systems have a sizable user base that runs into millions. With this being the case, which platform should you opt for business app development? 

Paying attention to the following parameters can help you make you an informed decision:

1. Market Share

Being budget-friendly, Android devices are opted by most users in emerging markets. That’s why, when it comes to market share, Android rules the roost with whopping 86.1% devices! Due to the enormous availability of devices, Android sees 7 times more downloads than iOS. This directly translates into great reach for your business application.

2. User base Demography

While Android enjoys a larger user base with a highly diverse demographic, iOS users are generally Apple loyalists who purchase not just the iPhone but also other associated offerings. This boosts the customer retention in iOS compared to Android and also allows developers to venture into more verticals.

3. Revenue

Here, iOS clearly enjoys an edge over Android. Its user base is premium that boasts of higher income and well-educated audiences that are more mindful of the security and stability offered by the app. These users are capable of purchasing the app at a premium and are not price sensitive. This makes iOS highly suited for enterprise and business applications that are subscription-driven, which in turn translates into better revenue.

4. Development Cost and Complexity

Hands down, Android is the winner in this criteria. Its developer license is highly affordable and the cost of hosting an app on the Google Play Store is equally simple. This increases the accessibility of app development to the global developer community. This is unlike Apple which places strict guidelines and charges a high premium for iOS app development and hosting.

Both the platforms are well poised and choosing between them should be based on a thorough evaluation of your requirements and expectations from the business app. The best way to solve this conundrum is to hire an expert in mobile app development team and get the best inputs. Get in touch with Openwave, a globally renowned player in both iOS and Android app development to learn more. 

5 Tips to Get your Apps Ready for Christmas

The Christmas week is the most important holiday of the year as it coincides with a week-long vacation until New Year’s Eve. From shopping to vacation, consumers engage in a great spending frenzy in the Christmas week. How can this be used to the advantage of your business? Studies show that mCommerce has overtaken eCommerce in terms of the sales volume and is poised to show great trends in the coming months. With this being the case, redirecting your efforts towards app-based sales can be a great way of boosting revenue. 

The following tips can help you boost app sales during the holiday season

1. Holiday-themed designs

The joy of the holiday season needs to be embedded into the website through imagery and relevant designs. A good way to go about this is to incorporate elements such as Christmas hats and Christmas trees into the logo or other relevant places on the websites. A reddish hue to the website can also bring out the holiday mood in the theme of the website!

2. Festive Features

Strategic action items such as buttons and drop down boxes can be redesigned to match the holiday code. Giving a spin to these features can make them interesting to customers and increase the engagement. This goes a long way in boosting conversions.

3. Capturing customer base through contests

Holiday-themed contests and competitions that are promoted through apps can drive app installs ahead of Christmas. The application can also be used to drive engagement on your social media page! User-generated content such as tags, comments, and reviews boost visibility on social media.

4. Push Notifications

Push Notifications are the best marketing tools at your disposal. Using them judiciously to target customers can see great returns as they can be sent free of cost and do not work on “Pay-per-click” mechanisms. This offers an endless opportunity for you to notify your customers of exciting deals and discounts.

5. Coupons and Offers to sweeten the deal

This is the final nail in the deal. Thanks to data capture, it is easy to learn about individual users and segregate them on the basis of their preferences. You can now use the same to personalize deals and discounts and roll them out to customers who show a higher chance of conversion. This can optimize marketing spends and enhance returns!

Looking for a stellar team to execute your app revamp? Get in touch with Openwave, a leading mobile app development company in New York. Our team of app developers can help you develop a mobile app that is well-adapted to aid your holiday sales. 

10 Businesses that will be the Next Focus of On-Demand Mobile Apps

In the era of the Uber and the AirBnB, On-Demand app development is the next big thing. These apps have shown businesses how entire markets can be disrupted by offering services through mobile apps.  As smartphones become more popular in the developing world, newer markets will get opened up that improve the scope of app-based services. The following industries and sectors are expected to be transformed immensely in the coming years with on-demand apps taking center stage:

1. Vehicle Repairs

Applications like CarAdvise which help aggregate a network of automobile mechanics whose services can be availed through a mobile app.

2. Car Rentals

Existing players in this segment include Enterprise who make it easy for drivers to rent a car through their smartphones and pay on a pro-rata basis.

3. Logistics and trucking

Apps like Convoy are now gaining traction in the market due to the relative ease they offer to customers for renting trucks.

4. Warehouse management

Using apps to display a layout of a warehouse location, businesses can rent out spaces and commoditize them with efficiency. 

5. Packers and Movers

Apps like Dolly are offering packers and movers services through smartphone applications making it easy for users to book services and pay for the same with ease.

6. Interior Designs and Home Decor

Applications like Feather and in Lease are in this space where they offer furniture and other Home Decor solutions to consumers through mobile apps.

7. Travel and Ticketing

Some of the biggest names in this industry include Expedia and MakeMyTrip who are now known for having brought together order in the private bus and flight booking space.

8. Daycare and Babysitting

Apps like Zum and UrbanSitter have made it easy to reach out to a daycare center or professional babysitters and avail their services.

9. Tutorials and Coaching

Leading players in this sector include Khan Academy and Coursera. These applications are now making education and tutors accessible to the next generation.

10. Hyper local Food Delivery

Apps like Uber eats are the leading players in this segment and are transforming food delivery by bringing smartphones into the equation.

If you want to be part of the revolution when it takes center stage, then break a sweat and get into this highly competitive industry. Enlist the services of expert mobile app developers and bring new business models to the app market. We, Openwave, lead the globe in on-demand app development. Our team of developers has partnered with several businesses to build apps such as Taxi aggregators and hyper local food-delivery services. Get in touch with our business team today.