Android – Google
294,000 Apps, May 2011^[1]

Unlike other mobile platorms, Android is open-source meaning that it has a lot of developers making software for it. Google has also taken development of the hardware one step further and created something called the OPA, the Open Handset Alliance, which has 80 members, 20 of which are handset manufacturers. So where as Blackberry and Apple has only one manufacturer (themselves) Google has licensed a number of manufacturers to use Android.

We suggest that you develop an Android app if your demographic is technical and technology oriented or if your demographic would choose a smartphone over an Apple product.

iOS – Apple
500,000 Apps, May 2011 ^[4]

Apple devices are known for their elegant and clean interface design, contrasted with closed and secretive nature of their operating system. Apple’s products are the highest in quality compared to Android and Blackberry and their operating system is about to undergo a huge revamp in september 2011 with the simultaneous release of iOS 5, iCloud( analogous with cloud computing for iPad, iPhone, iPod Touch) and OSX Lion which promises to connect all of these products seemlessly with Apple computers.

If you are looking to reach a demographic with a substantial disposable income that desires high quality products – chances are, you want to develop an app in iOS.

BlackBerry – RIM
34,500 Apps, Jun 2011 ^[2]

Despite being Canada’s pride and joy, Blackberry is not doing so well. Sales have grown exponentially over the last three years, but they haven’t built the business connections to grow further. And the capabilities the device offers does not go far beyond email and do not provide high bandwidth connections meaning they will not be able to compete in providing rich media experiences^[3]. However, RIM has recently released of the Blackberry Playbook, capable of provide iPad like functions while it is linked with your blackberry phone.

If your customer demographic is specifically Canadians with a high focus on metropolitians, we strongly suggest you develop a Blackberry App.

Social Gaming Dev.
Farmville, Bejeweled, Angry Birds. If you’ve heard these names, then you know the power of social gaming. But how can this benefit small businesses? All these games follow a very simple and practical equation – Simple rules, replayable, social media connections.

Having simple rules and being replayable keeps users playing it and small business’ can benefit from this, by slipping product placement into the game itself – a roleplaying game can allow people to purchase a digital version of your product in-game or have your product be an ingame character or villan. You can build a simulation game where users run your company (example: gamedevstory).

All of this should of course needs to have some sort of end-value for the player so tie back into social media networks to announce “awards/badges” from the game or provide a coupon or voucher to the player when the beat the game.

Internal Corporate App
Develop an app that enhances your business logistics within your company. Are there processes in your company that you can speed with by implimenting a mobile way of analyzing data or monitoring statistics? Speak with us today about what we can do to help you develop custom tools today.

Corporate Gateway Apps
Does your company offer a lot of digital services or services that can have a digital component? Offer client review and updates via a mobile app or have it as a means of directly delivering up to date information and info about events and opportunities directly to your demograph’s mobile devices.

Apps of these sort are usually dependent on the kind of service or product itself. A mobile app is a simple and direct way to recieve user feedback and maintain client communication. For lean startups, this can be an invaluable tool for customer research.