Mobile Application Development - Unit
1 Notes
1. What is a Mobile Application?
A mobile application is a software program designed to run on mobile devices like
smartphones or tablets.
They are typically downloaded from app stores (e.g., Google Play Store or Apple App Store).
Example: Instagram, WhatsApp, Uber, etc.
2. What is Mobile Application Development?
It is the process of creating applications for mobile platforms using programming languages
and tools like Java, Kotlin (Android), or Swift (iOS).
It involves UI/UX design, coding, testing, and deployment on respective app stores.
3. Stages of Mobile App Development
• Planning – Define app goals, features, and audience.
• Design – Create mockups and UI/UX flows.
• Development – Write frontend and backend code.
• Testing – Check for bugs, device compatibility.
• Deployment – Publish to Google Play or App Store.
• Maintenance – Release updates, fix issues.
4. Brief History of Mobile Technologies
• 1G: Analog voice calls, 1980s.
• 2G: Digital communication, SMS, early 1990s.
• 3G: Mobile internet, video calls, 2000s.
• 4G: High-speed internet, HD streaming.
• 5G: Ultra-fast, low latency, IoT support.
5. Mobile Operating Systems (OS)
• Android – Google’s open-source OS, most widely used.
• iOS – Apple’s closed-source, secure and smooth UI.
• Others – HarmonyOS, Tizen, Windows Mobile (discontinued).
6. Mobile Development Frameworks
• Native – Java/Kotlin for Android, Swift for iOS (best performance).
• Cross-Platform – Flutter, React Native (single codebase for Android & iOS).
• Hybrid – Web tech inside native containers (e.g., Ionic, Cordova).
7. Mobile Web Technologies
• HTML5 – Used to create responsive websites/apps.
• PWAs (Progressive Web Apps) – Work like apps in browser with offline support.
Examples: Twitter Lite, Pinterest.
8. Connectivity and Communication
• Bluetooth – Short-range data sharing.
• Wi-Fi – Wireless internet connection.
• NFC – Contactless transactions (e.g., Google Pay, Apple Pay).
9. Sensors and Hardware Innovations
• Accelerometer & Gyroscope – Detect motion (used in games, fitness apps).
• Biometric Sensors – Face ID, Fingerprint for secure access.
• Proximity Sensor – Turns off screen during calls.
10. Location-Based Services (LBS)
• GPS – Navigation, real-time tracking.
• Geofencing – Triggers actions based on location (e.g., marketing alerts near store).
11. Cloud Storage
Stores user data online and syncs across devices.
Examples: Google Drive, iCloud, Dropbox.
12. Emerging Technologies
• AR – Adds digital elements to real world (e.g., Pokémon GO).
• VR – Immersive digital environments (e.g., Oculus).
• IoT – Smart devices connected to internet.
• AI/ML – Used in Google Assistant, Siri for personalized experience.
13. Key Mobile Application Services
• Push Notifications – Alerts and updates even when app is not open.
• In-App Messaging – Internal communication within the app.
• Analytics – Tracks user behavior.
• Authentication – Login via Google, Facebook.
• Payments – Google Pay, Apple Pay integration.
• Cloud Messaging – Firebase Cloud Messaging (FCM).
• Offline Access – Some app features available without internet.
• Biometric Login – Face ID, Touch ID for security.
• Data Sync – Automatic sync across devices.
• App Deployment – Upload to Google Play Store or App Store.
