Windows Phone 8 - Emerging Trends in Mobile App World

The ever-growing technology and the advanced operating systems emerging in the market, have brought a dramatic boom in the mobile app industry. With Apple alone enjoying $3.2 billion share, and Android on the second position, now Microsoft has also entered the competition with its innovative Windows Phone 8 apps in the store.

Recently, the software giant released the third version of its Windows Phone 8 operating system. In a short span, Windows Phone 8 has emerged as a valuable vertical while projecting itself as a strong contender to its rivals. The most probable reason for the popularity of this mobile app development platform goes to the extension of its applications in the various categories.

Let’s explore some of the latest trends seen in Windows Phone 8 apps.

 

Business Apps 

 

Microsoft is already a leader in providing business related applications that run on desktop computers. With its advent in mobile OS platform, it has taken a step ahead to provide incredible mobile applications that are useful for performing various business activities. With having proven expertise in building such business apps, Microsoft’s main objective remains to deliver highly-personalized results to the end user.

Productivity Apps

 

With thousands of the productivity apps downloaded each day, no doubt it’s a trendy category which businesses can bank on. With Windows Phone 8, users can easily customize their apps to make things more organised and streamlined. This mobile OS helps to create stand-alone apps based on the specific needs of the customers, which improves their productivity.

Social Media Apps

 

Facebook has revolutionized the way people connect and socialize. Moreover, mobile devices has further boosted the industry with social media apps. A maximum number of social apps are being downloaded each day. Young generation spends most of their time on these community networks, which has made this category the most desirable one.

HealthCare Apps

 

Since people are becoming health conscious, healthcare apps is a big hit. Monitoring health on the move or keeping track of routine exercises is not new anymore. Further, programming mobile solutions for doctors is also gaining popularity in the healthcare industry. These apps support physicians, doctors and surgeons who can now schedule meetings, take immediate action for emergencies, access medical resources and even provide medical guidance to the remote places.

GPS Tracking Apps

 

GPS tracking applications are the most popular apps among all. GPS Tracking apps enable users to reach their desired destination with  much ease without any chance to be lost in the foreign lands. These apps have highly intuitive interface and rich layout, which makes them more popular among people. Added to this, the latest trend in the industry is the voice based GPS trackers with localized accent.

Growing demand has given rise to many Windows Phone 8 app development companies that are innovating out-of-the-box applications. Fulfilling the growing demand of Windows Phone 8 apps in the market, these companies really offer promising solutions for the various business verticals. If you are looking for a highly professional Windows Phone app development company for your business app or an application for personal use, contact Hidden Brains Infotech Pvt Ltd.

Top Windows Phone 8 Apps

Author:
Anna Harris working as web content writer and a strategist for a major IT firm specialized in various Windows Phone 8 apps development.

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Reasons to Get Windows Phone 8 Third Update

A few days back Microsoft announced third update for Windows Phone 8. There are many reasons – if you are using windows phone - to update as it brings a wide variety of new features along with eliminating some of the old glitches.
 

The new update supports the big screen device such as Phablet and showcases six Live Tiles in place of four. Moreover, it will aid Windows Phone devices with high resolution.

Further, the latest third update will leverage full-fledged support to the new core processor - Qualcomm Snapdragon 800 quad-core, along with improvements in internet connectivity. It will bring Wi-Fi hotspot to share cellular data. This streamlined mobile hotspot wifi mode simplifies pairing with Windows 8.1 devices over Bluetooth.

Windows Phone 8 third update adds more Mobile Accessibility features for the windows based devices encompassing a suite of applications like .screen readers, especially developed for blind and visually impaired users. This allows them to multitask such as managing calls, texts, contacts, emails and also hear notifications like calendar, alarm, events and low-battery warnings.

The GDR8 has also added up a new driving mode feature that will limit notifications for texts, calls, and emails on the lock screen while driving. Moreover, this feature can be customized to automatically reply to contacts that call or text while driving.

The third WP8 update also comes with some minor modifications such as:

 

 

» Custom ringtones for messages, voicemails, emails, reminders and contacts.
» A new rotation lock screen option in order to keep the device screen in place while using it.
» An excellent storage management functionality that allows users to free some space on their phone to manage files.
» A remarkable addition is the app switcher that quickly closes background apps that are no longer in use.
» Some major improvements done in connection quality of Bluetooth-linked accessories.
» And at last, users are propelled to set-up Wi-Fi during phone’s start up process.

Eventually, the company is also planning to launch new advanced devices with improved functionality and added features in order to attract more buyers. Microsoft has launched a program called Windows Phone Preview for developers to bring them on board. Through this platform, they are given access to new OS updates including Windows Phone 8 third update, so that they can test their apps to check whether they work according to the new code.

Windows Phone 8 Update 3 (GDR3) 

 

In a nutshell, it’s now possible to enhance performance of your Windows Phone 8 based device by employing latest windows update.

Interested in developing quality mobile apps for Windows Phone, iOS and Android ? For more info,
visit HB Mobile Labs.

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Apple iOS 7 vs Android Kitkat 4.4 : Mano-A-Mano

Checking out the primary apps such as emails, browsers and maps to test which OS is the TOP GUN in the market.

Every year when Apple and Android comes out with a new operating system, they attempt to out-smart each other with some innovation. This year been no difference with iOS 7 and Android Kitkat 4.4 already in the market.Check out that so far who is the leader in the battle of Android 4.4 Kitkat vs Apple iOS 7.

These operating systems were tested for the following categories on the flagship phones iPhone 5S and Nexus 5, so acknowledge these categories and check the best OS to deal.

Email/Calendar
Interface
Applications
Security
Maps
Web Browser

Email/Calendar

Apple's mailbox (left) offers the option to unify all accounts, whereas Android (right) has separate apps for Exchange and Gmail

Android Kitkat has a seperate Gmail and IMAP/POP3/Exchange email apps, It has an identical interface with folders that can be hidden, Multiple emails can be selected to move or deletion.

Apple's iOS 7 has similar features, but it has also got an upper edge for an optional unified inbox for all your Gmail, IMAP, POP3 and Exchange accounts. Both OS has got a swipe based features to delete or archiving mails. 

There's little to separate the calendar apps - both are offer the same functionality - iOS (left), Android (right)

Calendar apps in both iOS 7 and Android have identical features for days, weeks, months and agendas, but iOS 7 holds an upper edge as it can hide the agenda view as a drop-down list that appears by tapping the search icon

Interface

 

Apple's redesign brings a minimalist style and adds in core features such as the Control Centre (right)

Apple redesigned iOS 7's interface, the charismatic icons, textures and design have replaced with simple icons with basic designs. Interface is simple and easy to use as ever, text fonts are thinner than earlier. Apple has also added a new "conrol centre" with shortcuts for commonly used features such as Wifi, Volume, Camera and so on.

Android's homescreens are customisable and the drop down menus can switch between notifications and settings

Android Kitkat 4.4 has all the same features as its predecessors except for some interface changes. The color scheme is lighter than its predecessors due to the toning of black and blue, the status bar located at the top and bottom are transparent. Kitkat has merged out with some debut apps. The "Hangouts" app replaces the old messaging app. It's bit confusing with the cluttering interface.

Applications

 

Apple and Google, both possesses more than one million apps in their app stores, and many apps are available for both operating systems such as Microsoft office 365, Cisco webEx and Bloomberg. Some apps are exclusively made for iOS and on the counterpart Android has its own exclusive apps.  The iOS version though can retrieve files from Google Drive, Dropbox, Sugarsync and iCloud but for Android its limited to only Google Drive.

Security

 

 

Every app in the Apple store is passed through a filteration process and thus don't have an issue with malicious content. On the contrary,  Android is more vulnerable as it doesn't provide any filter for any app before listing it in the app store. Android is an open source sort of operating system, so users make sure to verify it from developers.

Apple comes with an MDM program aka Apple configurator and it supports user creation based on pre-existing directory server accounts that allows to restrict the apps and Wifi networks and also the computers that are connected via USB.

Google doesn't have its own MDM program, but it has some third party enterprise features. It has a support for IPSec, PPTP and L2TP VPNs since its first OS.

Web Browser

 

 

Apple uses Safari and Android comes with chrome as its default web browsers, Safari scored 399/500 when tested for HTML5 compliance and Chrome scored 449. Safari has a support for MPEG4 video, while Chrome has an other option known as WebM. Chrome has an access to the front camera and WebGL 3D graphics, while Safari doesn't.

Android Kitkat 4.4 VS Apple iOS 7 

 

Courtesy:

http://www.itpro.co.uk/mobile/21021/android-kitkat-44-vs-apple-ios-7-head-head-review/page/0/3

Author:
Anna Harris working as web content writer for a major IT firm specialized in various Android application development services.

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Top/Popular/Best [Free] Finance Apps for Android

We always plan a budget to keep our expenses low but without discipline and inefficient resources. Today we have enlisted the top/popular/best free budget and finance apps for Android.

Expense Manager

 

» Expense Manager is an amazing app to manage all your expenses and incomes.
» Track all your expenses on daily, monthly and yearly basis.
» Manage your accounts in various currencies.
» Payment alerts.
» Import and export account details for desktop purpose.

OneTouch Expenser

» One Touch Expenser assists you in recording all your expenses by just one single touch.
» This app is highly optimized for Android 4 and higher devices.
» This app is equipped with some good features that allows you to reduce your expenses.
» Shows all the data in beautiful charts such as pie chart, line chart and so on.
» This app provides you a flexible one touch expense tagging system.

Toshl Finance Budget & Expense

 

 

» According to New York Times, Toshl Finance is the hardest finance app to beat.
» Tracking all the expenses and incomes just with an ease of touch.
» Winner of Europa award 2013.
» Quick & easy intuitive expense entries.
» Export all your expenses in Pdf, Excel, Google docs and CSV format.

MoneyWise

» MoneyWise app for android allows you to track your daily expenses and unnecessary cash flow.

» MoneyWise supports all the major currencies of the world.

» Various filters to browse expenses by dates and category.

» MoneyWise has been used by people in more than 120 countries to make wiser and economic decision.

Mint.com Personal Finance

 

» Best finance app of Google play in 2012.

» Mint provides you to manage your money from anywhere tracking all your expenses.

» Create a budget and track it on timely basis.

» Easily syncs with Mint.com on web, mobile and tablet.

Author:

Anna Harris working as web content writer for a major IT firm specialized in various Android application development services. 

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Top Free & Paid iPad Apps of October 2013

If you owe an iPad and you really need some assistance on what to grab from Apple store, then here's the list of top free & paid iPad apps picked by experts to grab before the year ends.

 

Notegraphy

Free | Download

Notegraphy helps you style and design the text and share it among your closed ones. Create your own custom layouts with beautiful textures in real time only in three simple steps – write, style and share. 

Features

» It includes 25+ themes designed by some of the best graphic designers.
» Easy sharing on Facebook, Twitter and other social networking sites.
» Create your own personalized gallery.
Automated formatting.

Paperless Post

 

Free | Download

This app is the first-ever app for iPad for creating and crafting your own ecards, invitations, stationary, RSVP tracking and more. Easily browse vivid designs, track and send lovely cards just by the touch of a finger.

Features 

» More than 80 custom backgrounds to choose for invitations.

» Browse thousands of design including designs by famous designers like Oscar de la Renta, Jonathan Adler.

» Customize designs using different features such as vivid fonts, colors, character spacing, text alignment and more.

Update guest list, Manage RSVPs and user comments.

Facetune for iPad

Price: $3.99 | Download

Facetune is an amazing and powerful photo editor app. Now you can achieve high quality pics just at your finger tips. Facetune for iPad is # 1 photo and video app in more than 100 countries.

Features

» Emphasize your smile.

» Rejuvenate and smoothens your skin.

» Removes pimples, scars, dark circles and other imperfections from your face.

» Apply vivid make-ups such as eyeshadow, lashes, lip-color and more.

Cobook contacts

Free | Download

Cobook is one single address book app that sync all your contacts from various social networking sites into your smartphone. 

Features

» Integrated Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Linkedin and more.
» Organize and tag your contacts.
» Share your contacts via email.
» Email or message to multiple contacts.

Jimdo

Free | Download

It is a wonderful app to create your own new website or edit an existing website on the go. More than 8 million websites have already been created using this app across the world. Just sign-up and create your own website, choose your favourite layout, enter a website name and your website is online right away. 

Features

» Add photos, textures or any designs to the website.
» Add captions, create vivid links, set the alignment of pictures.
» Edit text, set different headings H1, H2, H3...
Edit your website's navigation, rearrange them by simply dragging.

Courtesy:
http://www.t3.com/features/best-ipad-apps-uk

Author:Anna Harris working as web content writer and a strategist for a major IT firm specialized in various Android software development services.

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Top 5 Android Based Phablets of 2013

Top 5 Android Based Phablets Of 2013 from Anna Harris

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How To Find A Professional Android Application Development Company?

Android platform is currently being used by millions of users across the world and there's a steep rise in the count every year, resulting into thousands of apps developed and downloaded every day on smartphones, tablets and other mobile devices.

Android is the fastest growing web and mobile application development platform and its popularity is a huge benefit for developers as well as Android users. There is a broad spectrum of Android app development companies to hire, but only professional companies provide complete solution including development, design, QA, maintenance, testing and deployment.

How To Hire The Best Android App Development Company?

Search on internet, keywords such as "Professional Android App Development Companies To Hire" or "Hire Best Android App Development Companies", You'll find various companies, individuals and freelancer groups. You may find vivid ranges in prices during your investigation for professional Android app development companies. Don't get too tempted just by the price alone, you should also ask the following questions before making the final deal.

     »  Is the company real or a group of freelancers?
     »  Apart from Android, on what other platforms do they possess expertise?
     »  How many Android Apps they have developed and the no. of apps listed in app store?
     »  Do they provide Deployment and Maintenance?
     »  Whether the source code is deliverable or not?
     »  Total no. of members in team and their average experience.
     »  Is the team available for on-site development?
     »  Estimated time providing information on each functional area.
     »  How often they will provide a status update?
     »  What would be the process to track the documentation?
     »  How often they will provide an actual testing app to test it on a Android device?
     »  Is the QA process included within the estimation?
     »  Do they use actual Android device for testing?
     »  Do they use automated testing softwares?

Answers to the above questions may vary from person-to-person, and they will help to generate an actual reputation of the company. The market of Android is still very young and with the help of latest Android SDK & NDK, it's possible to meet all your specific needs.

Android : Future of Mobile Application Development

Author:

Anna Harris working as web content writer and a strategist for a major IT firm specialized in various Android software development services.

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Top 5 Android Apps for October 2013

There are lots of android apps available in the market. Among them only a few make to the top and are really helpful. In this post, our editors have assembled the top 5 android apps for the month of October 2013, which are totally different and of great worth for you to download.

 

Let’s explore the best apps list for android phone with our monthly app collection.

 

Peanuts - Charlie Brown’s All Stars!

Love to play games and a big fan of Peanuts comic series, what more you want, just get Charlie Brown’s All Stars to join the Peanuts gang and play to win the biggest baseball game of the summer. One of the favourite game apps, this gameplay magically pours life into the characters with highly interactive features. Being a Peanuts’ fan, you will be extremely delighted to share this whole story of team spirit and friendship adorned with a whole new generation of underdogs.     

Ratings: 4.8/5

Price: $ 2.99 

Download

 

 

Timely Alarm Clock

 

Want to get up early and set to work on time? Get the best alarm clock – Timely for your Android device and see how it makes a big difference in your day. This stunning clock offers an extraordinary user experience and revolutionary cloud integration that backups and synchronizes your alarms with multiple devices.

Ratings: 4.6/5

Price: Free 

Download

 

 

Path

If you are keen to get a social app, Path is no exception as it’s one of the best social networking apps. A trusted app where you can be yourself and stay close to people who matter more to you, apart from sharing life. This user-friendly app supports Samsung Galaxy Gear and provides complete control over who sees each of your post. You can pick a smaller group of friends to share inner circle moments. Additionally, you can even filter your feed to only see moments from your inner circle.

Ratings: 4.5/5
Price: Free
Download

 

Expense Manager

Facing lot of expense problems and it seems that you don’t have any control of checking on your expense; stop worrying and install Expense Manager - a great application for managing your expenses and incomes. Embedded with powerful features, this app helps you check on your budget, manage your multiple accounts and track expenses and incomes by week, month and year as well as by other categories. The best part of the app is you can schedule your payments and recurring payments by setting payment alerts. 

Ratings: 4.6/5
Price: Free
Download

 

MightyText - SMS Text Messaging

 

Looking to increase your productivity, why not download MightyText - SMS Text Message. An excellent texting app that makes your life a lot easier with not having to answer the call every time someone sends a message. Install it on your android phone, and receive or send SMS even on your computer or tablet. The new feature allows you group messaging apart from sending SMS from Gmail on your computer using your android phone.

Ratings: 4.5/5
Price: Free
Download

Apart from these android apps, there are many other interesting apps that may work well for you. With our fresh collection for the next month we will be back soon. Till then share your favourite apps with us.

Author:
Anna Harris working as web content writer and a strategist for a major IT firm specialized in various application development for Android and other operating systems.

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Coming Soon: Google's Nexus 5 Smartphone

Rumors surrounding the Google's next Nexus 5 smartphone has been spread-out with every detail of the device to-be-launched. This latest version of Nexus 5 will showcase Android 4.4 Kitkat and many other new exciting features.

According to @evleaks "A Twitter message was posted to @evleaks account featuring the front and back image of Google's Nexus 5 with an appended message 11/1 under the image". Is the message resembles the actual date of release for Google's new device? Well, it's hard to say as these small details didn't add too much as far as these upcoming products are concerned. This coming Tuesday is the anniversary of Nexus 4 and Google may have plans to announce the Nexus 5 and release it on 1^st November or maybe announce the official date-of-launch on 1^st November.

People would always keep guessing the release dates for these upcoming devices, so let's switch on to the specs of the device. According to the latest rumors, Nexus 5 is expected to have market price of $349 for 16 GB and $50 less for 8 GB version. It is also been rumored to have a 2.3 Ghz Snapdragon 800 processor, memory of 2 GB, rear camera of 8 mega-pixel density, 200mAh battery and a 4.95 inch screen supporting 1080p resolution.

Courtesy:
http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2426402,00.asp

Nexus 5 And Android 4.4 KitKat

Author:
Anna Harris working as web content writer and a strategist for a major IT firm specialized in various application development for Android and other operating systems.

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Best Android App Development Companies in India

Many businesses search for android app development companies that provide innovative and high quality app development solutions to drive huge customer base. 

Through intense research and analysis on different development processes, quality grades and client satisfaction ratio, we have compiled a list of best android application development companies in India. These service providers are rated depending on their work ethics, portfolio, success rate of android app development projects and customer satisfaction.

Hidden Brains InfoTech Pvt. Ltd.

 

Hidden Brains is an award-winning android app development company based in India. The company is committed to provide robust and comprehensive Android solutions with every latest update in the Android application development sphere. Hidden Brains is driven by its core values to provide high-quality services by harnessing talent and innovation. The company builds best-selling applications tailored to client specifications at cost-effective rates.. The company has won many accolades for its contribution to technology sphere and commitment to quality.  more info

Daffodil Software Ltd. 

 

Daffodil is a forerunner among android app development companies in India. The company has an expert team of android developers building innovative applications for diverse industries. The core objective of the company is to build android applications that act as a catalyst for developing a transparent, trustworthy and profitable relationship with the clients. Providing flexible engagement models, Daffodil team is proficient at providing all type of android app development solutions.  more info

Sourcebits Technologies Pvt. Ltd. 

 

Sourcebits is a software development company proficient in delivering high-end solutions. Sourcebit builds world-class, best-selling applications tailored to client specifications for various platforms like iPhone, iPad, Android, BlackBerry, Palm Pre, RIA at its development centre. The company in-houses talented programmers and user interface experts who leverage the latest development trends and  techniques in the projects they work on. more info

Rapidsoft Technologies

 

Rapidsoft Technologies is a leading Mobile development and outsourcing company, which delivers seamless solutions that broaden and re-define business paradigms to its clients. As an offshore development company, it is highly proficient in providing end-to-end, customized software development for mobile applications, across all major platforms. The varied client list ranges from start-up ventures and entrepreneurs, to reputed brands and IT companies, looking for a reliable offshore outsourcing partner. more info

Astron Infotech 

 

Astron Infotech is a professional android application development company providing effective android app development services. With a team of world-class developers, the company takes pride in bringing ideas into reality. Astron Infotech aims to deliver world class android app services that build brand, business and customer relationships. The company has been empowering its clientele with record-breaking android applications. Astron Infotech provides innovative solutions for the most complex requirements. more info

Global Logic 

 

Global Logic works with both start-ups and technology giants, including 80% of the top global technology brands. The company is a strategic partner in a broad range of industries including enterprise technology, telecommunications, digital media, e-commerce and medical devices. Global Logic has designed and built android apps, launched mobile and cloud solutions, delivered software for medical devices, design and deployed embedded systems, built complete product lines and set up innovation and sustaining labs with hundreds of supportive authorities. more info

Icreon

 

Icreon is a leading software development company in India providing offshore software development solutions with services such as outsourcing software development, web development, product development, E-strategy consulting, web-enablement designing, offshore application development, Salesforce CRM customization, .Net development, PHP development, software development, multimedia and design Solutions, WAP development and ERP, SAP channel partner and Icreon is also a Microsoft Gold Partner for Microsoft Dynamics. more info

Adodis

 

Adodis is a Web design company and website development services firm based in Bangalore, India. The company is committed to provide creative, innovative, quick and quality IT services . It provides services like website design solutions, web development, e-Commerce web applications, contract web designers, Web site maintenance etc. to offshore companies at affordable prices. Adodis brings you the futuristic, secure, reliable, holistic and scalable products and services for expanding the business horizons. more info

ISOL

 

Established in 1998, ISOL is a multifaceted IT solution provider, committed to provide every solution to transform business ideas into commercial realities. With the philosophy “To equip our clients with cost-effective, dependable and quality technological solutions”, and guiding beliefs for customer success, it helps clients to shape their dreams. Following a highly effective work-style for the rapid system analysis, design, development, implementation & maintenance of IT enabled applications and customized solutions; ISOL offers high-end android app development services. more info

These are the best android app development companies in India with years of experience and huge customer base. If you are looking to start an android app project for your business expansion and growth, choose the best company from the list, which can help you fulfil your dream project.

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