A mobile application is a piece of software that can be run on electronic devices. Some apps are games and some are business applications. There are millions of apps in different categories. The most common ones are social networking, games, maps, and entertainment.
Mobile applications are usually downloaded from the app stores. They can also be installed manually. App stores are operated by device manufacturers or by the app owner. Some are free, while others charge a fee.
When the first mobile phones were introduced, they had limited hardware. This made it difficult for them to perform multitasking. Therefore, the first applications were offered to facilitate information retrieval. These included an address book, a meeting schedule, and a calendar. In addition, there was a calculator.
With the advent of more advanced mobile devices, these applications developed into more diverse categories. For example, the Psion Organiser offered an email function. Many other apps were created to provide services on a global network.
The popularity of the smartphone and tablet has increased the number of users of these devices. As a result, the demand for apps has grown. Today, there are more than nine million mobile apps.
Although mobile devices have more capabilities than PCs, they have less powerful processors. That’s why developers must consider the constraints of the mobile device. Besides, it’s a lot easier to build a hybrid app than a native one.
Native applications, on the other hand, have full access to the features and capabilities of the device. In addition, they have a more finely tuned user interface. But they require a more rigorous development process. However, they have better performance and are more resource efficient.