Challenges Faced By Android App Developers
While developing mobile apps, businesses target Android due to its massive worldwide mobile operating system request share. ABC has made Android available as an open-source mobile platform. Also, it updates the mobile operating system at regular intervals with new features and advancements. But the penetration rate of individual performances of the mobile operating system differs.
Alphabet doesn't regulate the Android smartphones, tablets, and phablets manufactured by diverse companies. Hence, the devices manufactured by different companies come with varying hardware features despite being powered by the same interpretation of Android. That's why; it becomes essential for developers to make mobile apps by targeting a wide range of devices powered by different performances of Android.
While planning, developing and testing the mobile app, they need to concentrate considerably on its availability, functionality, performance, usability, and security to keep the users content regardless of their choice of Android device. Also, they need to explore ways to make the app deliver a personalized user experience across varying devices and operating system interpretations. They further need to address some common challenges to develop a robust Android app.
Understanding 7 Common Challenges Faced by Android App Developers
1) Software Fragmentation
As mentioned earlier, the demand share of individual versions of Android differs. According to the latest data released by Google, the most recent interpretation of its mobile operating system-Nougat-has a market share lower than its forerunners-Marshmallow, Lollipop, and KitKat. Each new variation of Android comes with several new features and advancements. The inventors have to include specific features in the app to make it deliver an optimal user experience by taking advantage of these new features. At the same time, they also need to ensure that the app offers a rich and individualized user experience on devices powered by the more practiced versions of Android. The developers have to target multiple implementations of Android to make the Application well-known and profitable in the short run.
2) Varying hardware Features
Unlike other mobile operating systems, Android is open source. Alphabet allows device manufacturers to customize their operating systems according to their specific requirements. Also, it doesn't regulate the Android devices launched by various developers. Hence, the tendency comes with varying hardware features despite being powered by the same interpretation of Android. For example, two tendencies powered by Android Nougat may differ in the order of display screen size, resolution, camera, and other features. While developing an Android app, the developers need to ensure that it delivers an individualized experience to each user by accessing all hardware features of his device.
3) No Uniform User Interface Designing Processor Rules
Google has not released any common User interface (UI) designing process or limitations for the mobile app developers. Hence, leading developers make Android apps without following standard UI development processes rules. When the developers produce custom UI interfaces in their way, the apps don't look or serve constantly across different devices. The incompatibility and diversity of the UI affect the User experience delivered by the Android app directly. The smart developers conclude that a responsive layout keeps the UI harmonious across numerous devices. Also, the developers have to exhaustively test the UI of their mobile app by combining real preferences and emulators. But frequently, developers find it doubtful to design a UI that makes the app look harmonious across android devices.
Most developers use third-party APIs to enhance the mobile app's functionality and interactivity. But the quality of third-party APIs available for Android app manufacturers differs. Some APIs are designed for a particular interpretation of Android. Hence, these APIs don't work on devices powered by different performances of the mobile operating system. The developers have to explore ways to make a single API work on various versions of Android. But they frequently find it challenging to easily make the app work on other Android devices with the same set of APIs.
Its open-source nature makes it easier for device manufacturers to customize Android according to their specific requirements. But the openness and its massive request share made Android vulnerable to frequent security attacks. There are numerous cases when the security of millions of Android devices has been impacted by security excesses or bugs like Stage fright, Certifi-gate'mRST Gators, FakeID, Installer Hijacking, and Towel Root. The inventors must include robust security features in operation and use the latest encryption medium to keep the User information secure despite targeted security attacks and security flaws in Android.
6) Android Search Engine Visibility
The latest data posted on diverse websites depict that Google Play Store has a much more advanced and higher number of mobile apps than the Apple App Store. Also, a big chance of Android device users prefers free apps to paid apps. Hence, the developers have to promote their mobile apps aggressively to negotiate advanced download figures and apply app monetization options. They also need to apply a comprehensive digital marketing strategy to promote the app by targeting the most applicable users. Numerous manufacturers have to use the services of digital marketing professionals to promote their apps aggressively.
The users can choose from several Android apps offering identical features and functionalities. But developers frequently find it doubting to make apps with unique features and functionality. They often include parts and functionalities in the app that make it analogous to some apps available in the same order in the Play store. Unlike Apple, Google doesn't apply strict guidelines to estimate the quality of new apps submitted to its app store. The lack of standardized quality assessment guidelines frequently makes developers address issues related to patents. Some developers have to design and modify their apps in the future to avoid patent issues.
Most Android app agencies work in agile development terrain to make Android apps rapidly. They've to constantly coordinate with QA professionals and share diligently in the mobile app testing process. Hence, the developers also need to address some common issues in Android app development.
