Mobile App Development

The mobile device continues to rise in popularity due to the consistent and constant use of its applications. According to a Survey from Statista, the number of mobile phone users at a global level is expected to pass five billion by 2019. Furthermore, there is an increasing demand for applications that will provide business solutions.

Mobile Operating Systems

When discussing mobile operating systems, the two players that have dominated the market are Android (Google) and iOS (Apple). According to Forbes, the current mobile market share of Android lies between 80 and 90 percent. iOS in comparison dominates the other 10 to 20 percent of the market, leaving little room for other operating systems.

Programming Language

Java is currently the most popular programming language in the world, which is used for the applications running on Android. Objective-C, one of the first programming languages, has proven to be useful when creating apps on several devices. Swift, which is more recently developed, was created as a replacement for Objective-C.  It has proven to be faster and easier for developers to build apps due to its streamlined language and advanced error checking system.

Integrated Development Environment

Other differences between Android and iOS can be seen when it comes to the tools that serve as an environment for back-end development. The most common Integrated Development Environment (IDEs) for Android are Eclipse, Android Studio, and IntelliJ. However, iOS-based apps have fewer options. The most common one used for iOS is Xcode, which makes it possible to prototype the user interface (UI) without complex coding while allowing developers to create apps for all Apple devices.

UI Differences between Android and iOS

When it comes to programming, Apple’s aim is to have full control of their software, devices, and the user experience (UX). This is why iOS is only available for iPhone and iPad. On the contrary, Android can be installed on almost any type of device, with more than one manufacturer. Menus, lists, and headers are different in both systems. It is important to understand the differences between each platform’s unique design patterns. The most important difference is simply that you have to think about how the user can go “back” to the prior screen. This is usually simple for an Android app, but with iOS it is important to include something like a left-pointing arrow of the left top of your app. In order to ensure that an app is working perfectly, it is possible to test this with the iOS simulator and the Android emulator. 

Google Play Store vs. Apple App Store

When comparing the two app stores, Apple has stricter requirements in its guidelines. An iOS app must be checked by Apple before being published in the App Store. Android, on the other hand, does not have a strict verification procedure set in place, giving more freedom to developers.