Latest news with #Kotlin
Time Business News
7 days ago
- Business
- Time Business News
Can Mobile Application Development Services Build Apps for All Platforms?
Mobile apps have become a must-have for everyone in today's digital world, not just for businesses. They are mandatory. Mobile applications have found their way into our day to day activities, whether in shopping, entertainment, healthcare, and banking systems, among others. But one thing that many would usually wonder is: Do mobile app development services actually develop all type apps? The brief response is yes though there is more to know about how it works. Such platforms as Android, iOS, and even web-based applications require their own requirements, the programming language, and the design guidelines. Whether their experiences, tools and expertise will enable a company to provide apps that operate successfully across several platforms is dependent. 1. Understanding Mobile Application Development Services Before talking about creating apps that work on many platforms, it's important to first understand what mobile application development services are. These services take care of everything starting with the planning of the application idea to the launch and maintenance of the idea. They tend to include: Consultation and Planning: Talking about what the app has to achieve and finding the correct platforms to appeal to. Talking about what the app has to achieve and finding the correct platforms to appeal to. UI/UX Design: Developing an appealing design which is easy to navigate. Developing an appealing design which is easy to navigate. Development: Writing of code making the app functional. Writing of code making the app functional. Testing: Testing across the different devices to ensure smooth running of the app. Testing across the different devices to ensure smooth running of the app. Launch and Support: The process of launching the application and periodical renewal in order to keep it alive. The company should look at the discrepancies between different platforms yet maintain the overall user experience when it is offering services that work across every platform. 2. The Main Platforms for Mobile Apps In regard to answering the question on whether mobile application development services have the capacity to develop apps on all the platforms, we must consider the current major platforms in existence. Android: Android apps are made with languages such as Java or Kotlin and have gained millions of users all over the world. They may be downloaded in Google Play, or other application stores. Android apps are made with languages such as Java or Kotlin and have gained millions of users all over the world. They may be downloaded in Google Play, or other application stores. iOS: iPhones and iPad use the Apple platform and their applications run in Swift or Objective-C and are sold in the Apple App Store. iPhones and iPad use the Apple platform and their applications run in Swift or Objective-C and are sold in the Apple App Store. Cross-Platform: Android apps and iOS apps can have common code bases and share the same ones with the help of frameworks such as Flutter, React Native or Xamarin so that one code can be used on both platforms. Android apps and iOS apps can have common code bases and share the same ones with the help of frameworks such as Flutter, React Native or Xamarin so that one code can be used on both platforms. Web-Based Apps: Such applications are grounded in a browser although it possesses many functions of mobile. The two platforms require different development procedures and both of these can be handled by the best mobile application development service providers. 3. Native vs. Cross-Platform Development When creating apps for all platforms, companies usually choose between two main strategies: Native Development It means making separate Android and iOS apps using different programming languages. Native applications are more efficient and capable of utilizing the entire functionality of the device, but they cost more and time consuming to develop since two versions of the app must be developed. Cross-Platform Development In this way, it employs a single codebase to develop solutions on different platforms. It is both quicker and cheaper, yet in certain cases, performance is a bit lesser than native apps. Such tools as Flutter and React Native have advanced significantly and using them has become an appealing solution to many businesses. The most professional mobile app development experts may provide you with both of them, considering your demands and the budget and timeframe you have. 4. Can One Company Really Build for All Platforms? Yes, it's possible, but not every company has the ability to do it well. The development group that needs to come up with an application that could operate in all platforms should possess: Skilled Developers: Professionals that are familiar with more than one programming language and framework. Professionals that are familiar with more than one programming language and framework. Designers Who Adapt: Specialists who have their knowledge of not only one programming language and framework. Specialists who have their knowledge of not only one programming language and framework. Testing Across Devices: The designers should be in a position to develop user interfaces that will be compatible with both the Android as well as the iOS requirements. The designers should be in a position to develop user interfaces that will be compatible with both the Android as well as the iOS requirements. Knowledge of App Store Rules: Apps publishing on those different platforms have rules and guidelines, which need to be observed in order to be able to be approved. Such a firm is also capable of designing quality applications across all the platforms. 5. Benefits of Building Apps for All Platforms There are many reasons why businesses and individuals choose to create apps for multiple platforms. Reach More Users: In some counties/areas, android is dominant and in others iOS. By placing your application on both platforms, you are able to meet more people. In some counties/areas, android is dominant and in others iOS. By placing your application on both platforms, you are able to meet more people. Better Brand Image: When you are accessible all over, your brand comes out professional and dependable. When you are accessible all over, your brand comes out professional and dependable. Higher Profits: A larger number of users may translate into increased number of downloads, in -app purchases or subscriptions. A larger number of users may translate into increased number of downloads, in -app purchases or subscriptions. Future Flexibility: You are allowed to upgrade to all of the versions simultaneously should you choose to add new features later. 6. Challenges in Building for All Platforms As much as it can be done, development of cross-platform apps is not without its difficulties: Time and Cost: It takes up heavy resources to create and maintain apps across platforms. It takes up heavy resources to create and maintain apps across platforms. Performance Differences: An app may be slower or faster than the other depending on the platform. An app may be slower or faster than the other depending on the platform. Design Adjustments: The two design standards i.e. iOS and Android standards, should be considered in order to offer the optimum user experience. The two design standards i.e. iOS and Android standards, should be considered in order to offer the optimum user experience. Testing Requirements: There are also various devices and screen sizes to test on each platform and it gets time consuming. These problems are how the most excellent mobile application development services could beat them with proper planning, competent personnel, and the use of appropriate tools. 7. The Role of Modern Tools and Technologies Modern development tools have enabled development of multi-platform apps to be far easier. Developers can produce one code, which can run on Android and iOS as a result of such frameworks as Flutter, React Native, and Xamarin. Meanwhile, cloud services and developer testing tools also assist developers in both speeding up their testing process and addressing problems in a quick manner. It has become cheaper and efficient to be represented in all these mediums by businesses with the help of these technologies without any loss of quality. 8. The Future of Multi-Platform Mobile Apps In the future, the need to have apps that are cross platform will be desired even more. Regardless of the type of device that a user uses, they anticipate the same degree of functionality and performance. We may anticipate that on the increase of technology: More quick and effective cross-platform tools. Better links with smart gadgets, smart TVs, and other connected devices. Increased awareness on security and privacy of data on every platform. The top services of mobile application development are already anticipating such changes and this means that their regular customers will be well-positioned in the long run. 9. Conclusion Well then, are mobile app development services able to develop Apps across all platforms? The answer is yes, provided that the company possesses competent developers, necessary tools, and the definite knowledge of requirements of each platform. Either in native development or cross-platform based operation, it is feasible to produce programs that run yet in Android operating systems and iOS as well as web browsers. To make a decision on how to go about developing an app, it is important to consider the audience, the budget, and future orientations before concluding on the strategy. All these options can be tried by a competent development team and bring back to you a quality app to your business with all platforms in place. TIME BUSINESS NEWS
Time Business News
18-07-2025
- Business
- Time Business News
Outsourcing Mobile App Development: CXOs Guide
In today's fast-paced digital landscape, outsourcing mobile app development has become a strategic move for enterprises looking to innovate quickly, reduce costs, and gain access to specialized talent. Partnering with a mobile app development company in USA offers the added advantage of time zone compatibility, strong regulatory compliance, and easier communication with local teams. But while outsourcing offers numerous advantages, it's not without risks. As a CXO—whether you're a CIO, CTO, or CEO—you're responsible for ensuring that your mobile app development partner aligns with your business goals, timelines, and security standards. Before signing the dotted line, you need clarity, confidence, and a checklist of key questions to ask potential partners. Let's explore different benefits of outsourcing mobile app development services: Cost-efficiency: Hiring in-house development teams can be expensive. Outsourcing can minimize costs while maintaining quality. Access to global talent: You can tap into a global talent pool with deep expertise across platforms (iOS, Android, cross-platform frameworks). Faster time-to-market: Experienced partners bring the tools, processes, and resources to deliver quicker. Focus on core business: Delegating mobile app development to an external partner allows CXOs to align internal talent with mission-critical goals, such as digital transformation and customer-centric innovation. But to make outsourcing work, CXOs must take a strategic approach—starting with the right questions. Here are important questions CXOs should ask before signing app contract: Not all app developers are the same. While technical skills matter, industry expertise is equally important. Here are several questions you need to ask when hire mobile app developers. Ask: Have you worked with enterprises in my industry (e.g., healthcare, fintech, retail)? Can you show your clients' success stories or references from similar projects? Are your experts familiar with industry-specific challenges and compliance standards? Why it matters: An experienced vendor understands your business goals, regulatory environment, and user personas, reducing the learning curve and improving app relevance. Depending on your business strategy, you might require native development (Swift for iOS, Kotlin for Android) or cross-platform solutions like Flutter or React Native. If you're planning to outsource iOS app development, it's crucial to ensure that your partner has proven expertise in Apple's ecosystem: App Store compliance Security standards User interface guidelines. Ask: What mobile development platforms and frameworks do you use? Can you explain the pros and cons of native vs. cross-platform in the context of our app? Do you have DevOps and CI/CD capabilities for faster deployment? Why it matters: Selecting the right techstacks affect performance, scalability, and long-term maintenance costs. A transparent and proven development process ensures project success. From ideation to launch, every phase must be structured and documented. Here are a few strategy to choose the right app development partner. Ask: Can you walk me through your development lifecycle—discovery, design, development, QA, deployment, and maintenance? Do you follow Agile or Scrum methodologies? How do you handle requirement changes or scope creep? Why it matters: A clear, agile development methodology leads to better collaboration, faster releases, and a more predictable outcome. If your app isn't secure, it could hurt your reputation and land you in legal trouble. Ask: How do you handle app security, data encryption, and secure coding practices? Are you familiar with industry-specific regulations like HIPAA, GDPR, CCPA, or PCI-DSS? What is your process for security testing (e.g., penetration testing, vulnerability scans)? Why it matters: Protecting user data and ensuring compliance can't be compromised. Make sure your vendor takes it as seriously as you do. Outsourcing doesn't mean losing control. You need clear communication channels and defined points of contact. Ask: Who will be our point of contact (project manager, tech lead)? How often will we have check-in meetings or sprint reviews? What tools do you use for communication and project management (e.g., Jira, Slack, Trello)? Why it matters: Regular updates and streamlined communication are crucial for maintaining visibility and alignment throughout the project. Today, user experience (UX) is non-negotiable. A poorly designed app can lead to high uninstall rates, low engagement, and poor reviews. Do you have in-house UX/UI designers? How do you approach user research, wireframing, and usability testing? Can you share examples of past UI/UX work? Why it matters: A great UI/UX can significantly improve customer satisfaction, conversion, and retention rates. Enterprise apps aren't one-off projects. They evolve with business needs, user feedback, and market demands. Ask: Can you handle scaling if we grow rapidly or expand to new markets? Do you offer long-term support, maintenance, and upgrades? Are you able to integrate our app with other systems (CRM, ERP, cloud services)? Why it matters: Choose a partner who's in it for the long haul and can evolve with your business needs. Sound financial understanding is fundamental to effectively outsource mobile app development. A clear cost structure helps prevent budget overruns, manage expectations, and ensure a positive return on investment. Ask: What engagement models do you offer—fixed-price, time-and-materials, or dedicated teams? What's included in the price—does it cover design, QA testing, deployment, and post-launch support? How do you handle scope changes and additional requirements during the development cycle? Why it matters: The cost of outsourcing mobile app development can vary widely based on the engagement model and project complexity. Enterprises must evaluate what they're paying for—are you investing in just code, or does the package include UX/UI design, project management, compliance, and support? Transparent pricing ensures you align development costs with your enterprise's budgeting and long-term goals. It also helps maximize the ROI of outsourcing mobile app development, especially when choosing a partner who delivers high-quality apps efficiently. Be aware of the hidden cost of outsourcing mobile app development, such as unclear change requests, limited post-launch support, or poor code quality that leads to expensive maintenance later. Ask your vendor for a detailed breakdown of deliverables and any potential cost escalators to avoid surprises. Another question you need to ask about outsourcing app development is how do you ensure QA and testing in your project. Quality assurance (QA) is critical in avoiding bugs, crashes, and performance issues. Ask: What testing methods do you use—manual, automated, or both? Do you perform testing on real devices and across OS versions? How do you handle user acceptance testing (UAT)? Why it matters: Releasing a buggy app can cause reputational and financial damage. Launching the app is just the beginning. Enterprises should prioritize app store optimization, analytics, and performance monitoring. Ask: Do you offer post-launch support and updates? Can you help with marketing or ASO (App Store Optimization)? Why it matters: Sustained success depends on ongoing optimization and improvements based on real user feedback. As a CXO, also watch out for these warning signs during vendor evaluation checklist: Vague proposals with no timelines or deliverables. Unrealistic promises (e.g., building a complex app in 2 weeks). No portfolio or client references. Limited understanding of your business domain. Poor communication or time zone issues. If any of these arise, consider it a red flag and look elsewhere. Outsourcing mobile app development can be a game-changer for enterprise growth—when done right. It frees up internal resources, brings in domain expertise, accelerates time-to-market, and reduces costs. As a CXO, your due diligence will make all the difference. Use this checklist of strategic questions to evaluate potential partners thoroughly. Look beyond just technical expertise—consider communication, domain knowledge, scalability, and support. Mobile app development outsourcing should feel like an extension of your team, not just a vendor relationship. TIME BUSINESS NEWS
India Today
27-06-2025
- India Today
Swift by Apple is coming to Android for the first time
Apple's Swift programming language is set to make deeper inroads into Android development, with the formation of a new working group aimed at establishing Android as an officially supported platform. The announcement marks a significant shift for the company, which has historically kept its technologies focused on its own in 2014, Swift was originally designed for Apple's platforms, including iOS, macOS, watchOS, and tvOS. Over time, support for Windows and Linux was added, and now the language is expanding once again — this time to Android. advertisementThe newly created Android Working Group within the Swift project will focus on building and maintaining official support for Android. This includes integrating Android into the main Swift distribution and removing the need for unofficial or downstream patches previously required to get Swift running on Android devices. In the announcement, the group has outlined several key objectives. It states that this move aims to improve Android compatibility in the official Swift toolchain and adapt core Swift packages, such as Foundation and Dispatch, to work more effectively within Android development patterns. It will also collaborate with Swift's Platform Steering Group to define levels of platform announcement also mentions that it will develop support for debugging Swift apps on Android and facilitate better integration between Swift and Android's Java SDK. It is also supposed to assist community Swift packages in adding Android developers have been able to run Swift on Android using third-party tools such as Scade, the experience has been limited and lacked official support. The new working group aims to streamline the development process and provide robust tools, documentation, and testing capabilities to ensure a more reliable developer in using Swift beyond Apple platforms is not new. Google had previously explored integrating Swift into its experimental Fuchsia OS, and there were early reports suggesting the company had evaluated Swift for Android app development. However, Kotlin has remained Google's preferred language for Android since its official adoption in formation of this working group indicates a more serious effort to bring Swift to Android in an official capacity, potentially offering developers an alternative to Kotlin and Java for building Android part of the broader Swift open-source project, the Android Working Group will operate under the Swift community's governance, with contributions expected from both Apple engineers and external developers. There is currently no timeline for when full Android support will be finalised, but the effort is now underway.- Ends
Time Business News
09-06-2025
- Business
- Time Business News
Tips to Hire Top Android App Development Company
Getting the best android app development company in Illinois, based in Chicago, can be key to launching a successful app and not losing time or money on failure. When more people want to develop android apps, the number of companies that provide such services increases. Therefore, businesses must take the time to vet potential partners before making any decisions. Is your company of any size interested in making an Android app? This guide will help you hire the top Android development team in Chicago. We want you to know how to choose an Android app development company that appreciates your requirements, meets your expectations, and can grow with you. Make a plan of what you want to achieve before selecting an android development company. Specify the function of the app, the target users, its required functions, technical requirements, and the estimated completion date. When you clearly understand the project, it will be easier to judge if a development team matches your needs. It helps prevent confusion while you create the app and ensures it aligns with your business's goals. It is useful to hire a company that has a wide presence in Illinois, mainly in Chicago. They are familiar with local market trends, consumer behavior, and the requirements necessary for compliance with local regulations. If you cannot actually meet with developers, you will find it easier to go to a nearby company and deal with problems personally. Taking into account, local teams are better at responding and often treat customers more individually. You can see a company's expertise by checking out the projects they have finished in the past. Any experienced company in android app development will share information about its earlier projects in case studies, testimonials from clients, and an online portfolio. Notice which fields they have experience in, how complicated their applications are, and how nice their app designs look. Try to download certain apps from the company and then test them to check if they perform well, are easy to use, and are simple to navigate. Such a company would be familiar with the Java and Kotlin, Android SDK, and Android Studio tools. In addition to that, they must be familiar with frameworks such as Flutter or React Native when building hybrid applications. Enquire about which approach they take from the beginning to deployment—such as Agile, Scrum, or Waterfall—and check how they manage the whole app process. Orderly and clear steps in development usually result in projects being completed fast and the app performing well. You should pay special attention to client feedback while choosing android app development services. Go to websites like Clutch, GoodFirms, and Google Reviews to check how satisfied customers are with the company. Reviews that are both good and bad will give you a fair impression. If people in Illinois or Chicago are happy with a company's services, chances are its performance is fairly reliable. Consider awards and honors as proof of the quality in their work. Making an Android app is only the first part of development. As soon as your app is on the market, it must be regularly supported with upgrades, repairs, and improvements from what users tell you. See to it that the android app company offers assistance after your app is launched, as part of what they offer. It is essential to determine their plans for maintaining services, their turnaround times for support requests, and their response to crises. When your app has a dependable team behind it, it will always operate smoothly and comply with the latest Android guidelines. Effective communication is essential for any project to be successful. During the initial interaction, pay attention to how easily and openly the company responds to you. A good android app development company gives regular updates, provides various ways to communicate, and is ready to answer all your questions completely. Also, it's important that they make their pricing structure clear to everyone. Stay away from providers that don't clearly announce their prices, so that there are no sudden extra costs. A firm you can rely on will give you a complete quote focusing on the features and requirements of your project. You should do enough research, decide on your goals, and make a wise decision to find the best Android app development company in Illinois, Chicago. Since more people are using apps on Android, companies have to find experienced developers who can turn their ideals into excellent apps. Suppose you consider and use all the mentioned tips. In that case, you'll be able to work with a highly reliable partner who provides more than simply an application, but also a valuable asset for your business. Always keep in mind that the right partner in development will offer a proper application and also contribute to longevity in your digital activities. 1. Why should I choose a local android app development company in Chicago? By choosing a local company, you will have better discussions, know all about local business regulations, and it is simpler to work together. It is also possible to meet in person and receive fast assistance. 2. What should I ask a development company before hiring them? Enquire about the company's previous work, how they work on software, their predictions for the timeline and price, the professionals involved, and what help they can give after the launch. Ensure they recognize your business's type and its model for conducting work. 3. How much does it cost to build an Android app in Illinois? The bill will depend on the app's complexity, additional features, and the number of people working on it. Typically, developing an Android app costs between $5,000 and $20,000; however, larger and more complex projects may require a budget of over $25,000. 4. What makes a company reliable in android app development services? You can trust a reliable company when they have experience, a good track record, talk openly with clients, deliver on time, are manned by skilled people, and get good feedback from clients. 5. Do Android app development companies offer post-launch support? Most well-known companies provide assistance even after a mobile app is launched by taking care of bugs, optimizing performance, and releasing updates as users ask for them or when there are updates for Android. 6. How long does it take to develop an Android app? Building an app from start to finish usually needs between 3 months and one year, relying on its features and how difficult the design is to implement. 7. Can I hire a company for both Android and iOS app development? Several businesses can indeed design applications for both platforms by using tools such as Flutter or React Native. TIME BUSINESS NEWS
Techday NZ
23-05-2025
- Techday NZ
Azul & JetBrains partner to boost Kotlin performance on JVM
Azul and JetBrains have announced a technical collaboration aimed at enhancing the runtime performance and scalability of web and server-side Kotlin applications. The partnership seeks to improve the interaction between Kotlin-generated bytecode and the Java Virtual Machine (JVM) environment. By leveraging Azul's expertise in JVM performance and JetBrains' development of the Kotlin language, the companies aim to optimise how modern applications execute, particularly in terms of scalability and efficiency. Kotlin, a high-level programming language designed to be fully compatible with the JVM, draws much of its application performance and scaling characteristics from the JVM itself. The collaboration centres on utilising Azul Platform Prime, which features the Zing JDK with Azul's Falcon LLVM-based Just-In-Time (JIT) compiler and the C4 garbage collector. According to data from the TechEmpower Web Framework Benchmarks, applications built in Kotlin and running on Azul Platform Prime exhibited a 23.9% reduction in latency and a 30.5% increase in throughput compared to the same workloads on OpenJDK. These results highlight a measurable performance boost for web and server-side applications using the new environment. Azul Platform Prime is available for x86 and ARM64 processors running Linux, and it is tested for compatibility with enterprise workloads through the industry standard Java Compatibility Kit (JCK or TCK). The platform builds on the OpenJDK code base, with specific improvements targeting JIT compilation, garbage collection, and startup behaviour. The Falcon compiler, integrated within Azul Platform Prime, is based on the LLVM infrastructure and is designed to optimise application code at runtime for increased execution efficiency. The C4 garbage collector, also part of the platform, maintains application execution without disruption across a spectrum of memory requirements, from gigabytes to terabytes, and sustains high allocation rates. This approach is intended to improve throughput and response times while reducing requirements for IT infrastructure and cloud resources. Vsevolod Tolstopyatov, Kotlin Project Lead at JetBrains, commented on the collaboration's significance: "From its inception, Kotlin was designed with the goal of building robust applications, including server-side solutions where performance is critical. Performance has always been a priority for us because it's essential to our users." "Kotlin incorporates specific language features, such as inline functions and inline classes, which directly enhance performance. We've developed the Kotlin Coroutines library to facilitate concurrency and asynchronous programming, enabling efficient, scalable applications. Recognising that the JVM runtime is one of the most critical elements in application performance, we believe our collaboration with Azul will unlock new opportunities to further elevate the performance capabilities of Kotlin applications." Gil Tene, Co-Founder and Chief Technology Officer at Azul, highlighted the performance benefits: "The Azul JVM is the fastest and cheapest way to run Kotlin applications. Azul Platform Prime is built to solve the performance challenges enterprise applications face at scale. By providing a runtime that significantly improves the execution of JVM-based applications, which includes Kotlin-based applications, organisations can deploy applications more rapidly, with less tuning and ensure scalability as demands grow." "Through our strategic collaboration with JetBrains, we help Kotlin teams to significantly boost their DevOps productivity and runtime application efficiency, which enables them to achieve their business priorities while improving the bottom line." For Kotlin developers seeking to assess these performance improvements, Azul Platform Prime Stream Builds are available for download and are free for evaluation and development use.
