Make yourself acquainted with Android applications and their usage. Android apps are applications that have been typically devised with the Java programming language, in collaboration with the Android Software Development Kit. However, there are other development kits such as Android NDK or indigenous tools for extensions or apps in C/C++.

There is a visual setting which is known as Google App Inventor which the beginners and trainee developers use. This is also used by the multiple phone web-based application framework.

The end-users can get Android apps in two methods. They can get them from an applications store like the Amazon App store and Google Play. They can also download them and set up the APK file of the app from a third-party website.

If you are using the Google Play Store, you can surf through, download, and modify apps that are created by the developers and launched by Google. These apps are featured on Google Play Store and can be pre-installed on gadgets which stick to the compatibility criteria of Google. The list of applications that are well-suited to the gadget is screened by the app. In addition, the app developers might limit their apps to specific bearers or transporters for commercial purposes.

Till the month of September 2012, the number of applications available for Android crossed 650,000 and the projected figure of apps which have been downloaded from the Google Play Store surpassed 25 billion. Statistics say that the number of devices in which Android OS was installed crossed 400 million.

Multitasking of Android Applications
The multitasking feature of Android application has been upgraded with the launch of Android Ice Cream Sandwich 4.0 version. If the users keep pressing the multitasking button or the home button of an Android gadget, a task manager will come up which features a list of the apps which have been opened lately. The users may choose to start using the app in the state it was used on the previous occasion.

Android software development
This is the procedure where new apps are being generated for the Android OS. A survey conducted in June 2011 substantiates that over 67% of cellular phone developers have utilized the Android platform for publishing apps. Mobile developers are finding the platform extremely user-friendly. In the second quarter of the year 2012, approximately 105 million Android smartphones have been sold which represents an overall share of 68% of smartphone sales figures until that quarter.

Android app development tools
The following tools are used for the app development process:
  • Android Software Development Kit (SDK)
  • Android Open Accessory Development Kit
  • Native development kit
  • HyperNext Android Creator
  • App Inventor for Android
  • The Simple project
  • Simple DirectMedia Layer (SDL)
  • Basic4android

It is worth mentioning that the app developers always face challenges associated with Java standards since no set standard is used for developing them. For this issue, many tools have been developed which help in Android conversion activities. When you review the credentials and prospects of Android app developers, you must make sure to take following tips into consideration, including experience, location, skills etc.

 
iOS 6.1 has arrived with a bang with incredible new features. Here is an overview of some of them. The iOS 6.1 beta has been talked about everywhere since analysts are of the opinion that the new features are many and good enough for the new version. It has been revealed by many tech magazines with Apple’s upcoming update which was expected for the iPhone, iPad and iPod touch.

One of the magazines discovered several new features within a recent update  with Apple’s mobile devices. The beta version gives a taste of what iOS 6.1 has to offer and would be more aboard the update because of the new features. One of the big new features of iOS 6.1 includes the features which will leap through the UI concepts around the place. Before, iPhone and iPad one could check movie times but one could not insert memory cards more than 32 GB since they were not scalable externally. Not all features were greeted by applause and cheers, but most users loved the new platform.

Apple Maps is now better with less bugs and more presence with iOS 6.1.The location search has been improved from the version 6.0 and now it feels less jerky to use them. Now 6.1 does have the “Report a Problem” function in Apple Maps where all problems can be sorted out without worrying much. This button was very small and difficult to spot after a user swipes up the screen. Now with the latest version and update, the button to Report a Problem is situated in front and center on the iPhone as well as the iPad. Apple will improve application as time goes by with Apple Maps expected to be targeted for enhancements.

One of the minor cosmetic changes that would be skipped by any company while observing are the lock screen’s music controls which is now spaced out than in iOS 6.0 which would aid in navigation of music a fantastically comfortable experience. A new reflection affect is included now with the volume slider to add to the overall magic. So those features are just the start. There is a possibility that Apple would bring in more features with iOS 6.1 since there is a very good chance of fixing bugs and maintenance operations are performed on the platform in tandem after iOS 6. Those features will likely come to the fore with the beta versions of the software. iOS Developers are excited with the new platform and one can even watch movies by commanding Siri with their voice.

iOS 6.1 boasts Siri enhancements with specific quotes like “three tickets to see Toy Story 3” which would be acted upon without any glitch. The voice assistant will comply easily and use the Fandango app for taking the user to the purchase menu. Not all theaters are supported through the app but will soon identify compatible theaters with small movie tickets.

As discussed above, iOS 6.1 uses an updated Map Kit framework to perform map-based searches for any points of interest. Another portion is the relevance behaviour for boarding passes which has changed drastically. One needs to have the date matching the passes for being relevantly perfect.