In the United States, the smartphone and smartphone app market is almost completely saturated. Nearly 224 million smartphones are in active use which places limits on future market share growth. Currently, Google’s share of the U.S. market accounts for approximately 40%-50%. Periodic fluctuations in Google Android’s operating system market share is expected based on the timing of new releases of iOS, iPhones and iPads.
Instead of aggressively fighting for more of the U.S. market, Google and Android app developers are looking towards developing countries for continued growth and global dominance. So far, the sky has been the limit for overseas markets; something mobile marketing strategists are surely paying attention to. One reason for Android’s success abroad is not entirely about what Android offers. Some of the growth Google and Android app developers see overseas is due to Apple’s rigid operating system and high entrance price.
Below are 7 more reasons why Android apps and smartphones are taking over the globe:
Google can process a myriad of payment types in each of those countries (credit card, gift card and direct-carrier billing).
Mobile phone growth in developing countries is exploding with direct links to growth in GDP.
Companies are developing and selling $50 smartphones, which run Android OS, in emerging economies.
Google understands, and is working hard, to provide tools and tips to app developers so their apps are ready to be offered on the international market.
Fragmentation within the Android universe is decreasing.
Samsung is leading the pack in internet use by mobile devices worldwide and runs the Android OS.
When considering how to increase profits, developing countries need to be a part of a company’s mobile marketing strategy. Whether the application is for business or pleasure, many new users will be accessing the app with an Android mobile device. Mystic Media has the knowledge and capability to develop Android applications for both international and domestic markets. Click here to learn more about our Google Android Development services.
Small businesses require a lot of time and energy. For some, initial start-up costs can be a huge burden. As expenses mount up, asset allocation can cause a lot of stress. Every dollar spent has to be well worth the cost. Sometimes, key areas of a business can be under-funded. Mobile marketing budgets should not be one of them. Cost-effective mobile marketing strategies exist, and should be taken advantage of. One such strategy is to invest in developing a location-based application.
Location-based applications, or geo-location apps, give businesses an easy and cost-effective way to market themselves in the mobile community. By placing a geo-location app in the hands of customers, the power to assist in mobile marketing campaigns is just a click away. iPhone and Android apps, specifically built for geo-location, can greatly expand a business’s audience.
A customer heads out to their favorite clothing store, restaurant, coffee shop, or retail establishment.
When they arrive, they “check-in”.
A notification gets sent out to the customer’s social network, such as Facebook or Twitter advocating the business.
Friends in the area can join in on the fun and “check-in” when they arrive too, notifying more and more people.
For every 10 “check-ins” and/or for every 5 recommendations, a business might offer a loyalty discount or coupon on the customer’s next purchase.
The overall goal of a location-based app is to form a stronger bond with customers and learn more about consumer habits. Fortunately, location-based apps can be utilized by any business. From clubs, to clothing stores, to restaurants and coffee shops, geo-location apps can be an effective and affordable part of any mobile marketing strategy.
To learn more about the possibilities iOS and Android app development can provide small businesses contact Mystic Media today.
One of the biggest problems in healthcare today is missed medications. Patients who knowingly, or accidentally, forget to take their prescription medication account for approximately 45% of all medication-related hospitalizations. This problem leads to billions of dollars in annual health care costs. Fortunately, this is one area of healthcare that is easily managed. Medical apps for patients help stem the tide of increasing healthcare costs by placing medication and other health-management needs in the palm of their hands.
Medical apps are being developed for both Android and iPhone operating systems that offer gentle reminders to take medications and/or provide helpful information regarding symptoms and other basic medical questions. In 2013, smartphone apps usage is growing at a fast pace. Estimates project that over 20 billion apps will be downloaded in 2013. Included in this number are medical apps for patients and for doctors.
Some of the best medical apps for Android and for iPhones are:
Drugs.com Medication Guide (Free) – Store all of your medication info, set reminders to take pills, look up prescription pills and learn about possible side effects.
Diabetes in Check (Free) – Monitor type 2 diabetes with healthy eating tips (i.e. recipes and nutritional info), exercise reminders, blood sugar monitors and medication reminders.
ZocDoc (Free) – Type in your zip code and insurance type and locate a doctor in your area that best suits your needs.
WebMD (Free) – Check symptoms, learn more about a specific condition, identify pills and locate local health facilities in case of an emergency.
Of course, with the demand for medical apps growing daily, you should take advantage of this new market and let Mystic Media design an innovative smartphone app for you. Contact us to learn more.
What does FDA regulation have to do with mobile phone applications? It’s called mHealth and it is taking mobile health to a higher level. With the ability to access information anywhere, smartphones and tablets are changing the way doctors provide care to their patients. Mobile medical applications are growing at a very fast pace. And with increasing demand on doctors to be in more than one place at a time, these health apps make it easier for doctors to deliver care.
Many mobile medical apps pose minimal to no risk at all to patients. Health apps that turn mobile devices into medical devices can pose a risk and need federal regulation. Some of these apps are only accessible to doctors. However, a growing number of mobile health apps are directly available to patients – raising concerns that patients will believe themselves to be experts and not seek medical advice because their medical smartphone apps said this or that. Thus, the need for some regulation of mobile health apps, not total regulation, seems appropriate. In order to find out what medical apps are currently under FDA regulation, check out: http://www.fda.gov/medicaldevices/deviceregulationandguidance/
Mobile health apps increasing in popularity among doctors and patients are:
iHealth Blood Pressure Monitor – Connect a cuff to your smartphone or tablet and monitor your blood pressure.
SmartHeart – Uses wireless transmission to send information from your heart monitor to your mobile device.
OnTrack Diabetes – Free application that allows diabetics to track crucial information connected to diabetic health: blood glucose, food, blood pressure, exercise, pulse, medication and weight.
One thing is for sure, mobile health apps are a trend that is continuing to grow. mHealth is increasing in importance and mobile health apps are making things easier for doctors and patients alike. If you are interested in tapping into the growing, lucrative market of medical-oriented apps, Mystic Media can create the mobile app you’re looking for. Contact us to learn more.
During the 2nd Quarter of 2012, Apple and Android tablets shared equally in leading total global shipments. That was 2012. In the 2nd Quarter of 2013, Apple tablet sales slipped from 17% to 14.6%. Meanwhile, Android tablet sales rose from 18.5% to 34.6%. Does this spell the end for Apple’s ability to compete in the tablet marketplace? No, not really. However, this does mean that Apple’s marketing team needs a new strategy.
Android’s steady progress is a result of building partnerships with the likes of Samsung, Amazon, Google and other tablet manufacturers. This allows for new Android tablets to be released into the market every quarter. Unfortunately for Apple, keeping pace with this type of productivity might not be possible. Thus, with the release of Android Studio 0.2.0, Android tablets are definitely a device to focus on for your business’s marketing strategy.
Here is a list of the top Android tablets in 2013 where your audience could find you:
Mystic Media can develop great Android Apps and mobile sites that are Android compatible to help you tap into this growing market. Click here to learn more about our Android Development Services.
Android development for use in enterprise is still considered a new phenomenon. For businesses interested in using Android Studio for app development, here is a list of do’s and don’ts for using Android apps to market your business:
Do:
Develop a solid plan for implementation of the new Android product so that everyone understands functionality and how to fix problems should they arise.
Find effective ways to manage mobile devices, especially if your company allows for BYOD. Use partitions that keep personal and business sections separate.
Don’t:
Security can’t fall by the wayside. VPN support, partitioning and remote wiping/tracking will help you sleep easier at night.
Individual customizations to Android software shouldn’t prevent you from using the software. Broad compatibility is available to help your business operate across multiple devices and Android platform types.
Of course, if you’re feeling overwhelmed with managing or developing Android apps…you know who to turn to. Click here to learn more about Mystic Media.
The new Android Studio 0.2.0 utilizes the latest IntelliJ IDEA interface for expert Android app development. Now your company to target multiple device types at once. Android Studio allows for a more nuanced development, with increased functionality, when you’re performing basic development tasks. Now all tasks are just a click away, instead of clicks away. Below is a list of capabilities enhanced in the new Android Studio:
Creating Virtual Devices – all capabilities are accessible directly from the Android Studio interface.
Installing SDK Updates – placed in the toolbar. Simply click on SDK Manager and download new tools, platforms and libraries for your app.
Creating New Files – quickly add new resource files and code by clicking the appropriate directory in the Project pane.
Creating Layouts – enhanced layout editor allows you to edit the XML while previewing the layout.
Debugging – debug your app by launching the Android Debug Monitor, found by clicking ‘Monitor’ in the toolbar.
The new features of Android Studio make Android app development simpler, and helps to provide the end user with a fully functional, intuitive app. Contact Mystic Media today to consult with an expert Android app developer.
Customer Reviews
Mike Voseipka
2024-05-24
Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google.
We partnered with Mystic Media to develop our web app. They were fantastic to work with right from the start. They truly are a partner and have our success as a top priority. Chris is great to work with, very responsive, organized, transparent and his teams have done a top notch job with our web app. We will continue to work with Chris and his team moving forward.
Dallin Henrie
2024-02-08
Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google.
I would recommend Mystic Media for software development. This was my first experience in needing some customized software tools. Despite my non-tech background, they guided me through the process with clear communication and responsive support. The final product exceeded my expectations, and their ongoing maintenance ensures smooth operation. The longer I've continued to work with them, the more impressed I am with their attention to not just finish a job, but to ensure that things continue running well.
Travis Wilcox
2024-02-06
Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google.
The team at Mystic Media has been excellent! From day one, they have been like a partner instead of a vendor. Their team is very professional and has worked hard to help us be successful. Our project was complicated and required software and hardware components working together. The team tackled each piece and delivered a great product of which we can be proud. We are very happy to have worked with Chris and team and we hope to have a long and fruitful relationship going forward!
KT Tape
2023-09-06
Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google.
We worked with Mystic Media to build an iOS and Android app for our business. We had a separate partner do the UX/UI, and Mystic was responsible for Development and launch of the app.
Their team was good to work with - the quality of development was high, we've had very low crash rates post app launch, and they built what we designed, very true to the intent of the UX. I would also callout that we had some inevitable design/functionality changes. When that happened, the Mystic team was responsive to changes and creative in helping us figure out how to solve them while being careful with our budget.
We also used Mystic to create the images & videos used in our app store listings and for paid digital/social ads for the app launch. They did well revising creative with our feedback, delivering the needed assets on time, and getting us live!
The Mystic team has also been responsive to feedback. We had some challenges with the ticket system, they've helped us resolve those pretty quickly and have been very open & responsive to that process feedback.
Would recommend!
Brianna Forrest
2023-06-07
Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google.
My company used Mystic Media to develop a database to organize daily observations from pollution control equipment. Mystic Media was responsive to specific user needs throughout the project. The resulting database has a great user interface, is easy to use, and is organized efficiently. The database allows quick set-up of new users, plants, and control equipment and can easily be queried for a given timeframe. You can tell their products are developed with the needs of the end user in mind! It has been easy to work with Mystic Media and they always explained issues at a level I was able to understand. We would not hesitate to use Mystic Media in the future and, in fact, we plan to!
Nick Uthe
2022-08-09
Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google.
I had an excellent experience working closely with Christopher Silvestro and Mystic Media over the course of a year to develop the Bean There Camping App! We were happy to find a local dev agency since our app project was put on by Bean Trailer here in Salt Lake City, Utah. Starting out we had the UI and other plans cooked up and handed the backend project off to Mystic to get us into the Apple and Google Play Store. Mystic Media hit all of our deadlines, had great communication, and overall was a great partner to execute the job with. Overall, Chris's forward thinking approach and professionalism made our experience working together a breeze. Thank you to Chris and the Mystic Media team, we appreciate you!
Danielle Noel
2022-07-21
Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google.
Mystic Media has been amazing to work with. Their team has incredible attention to detail and they always complete tasks in a timely manner. Their processes are organized and methodical. They are very knowledgeable in their craft. They give prompt and frequent progress/timeline updates during projects to avoid any surprises. We appreciate the clear communication! Chris promptly calls whenever an issue arises. Instead of acting as a traditional “vendor”, they are a true partner to our business and an invaluable asset. We wouldn't hesitate to recommend them to anyone
Carl Goodman
2021-06-21
Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google.
Great folks to work with. They were very knowledgeable about mobile apps, were efficient, and professional
Russell Taylor
2021-06-13
Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google.
Great company and great experience. Mystic Media has the knowledge and flexibility to help on such a diverse range of projects. I am a current customer and I look forward to many more partnerships with Mystic in the future. I’m forever grateful for their creative abilities, technical expertise, and awesome advice.
