State of the Art Android Apps for Tomorrow’s Marketplace

Android Development

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:

  1. Creating Virtual Devices – all capabilities are accessible directly from the Android Studio interface.
  2. Installing SDK Updates – placed in the toolbar. Simply click on SDK Manager and download new tools, platforms and libraries for your app.
  3. Creating New Files – quickly add new resource files and code by clicking the appropriate directory in the Project pane.
  4. Creating Layouts – enhanced layout editor allows you to edit the XML while previewing the layout.
  5. 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.

Flat Design Specialists for iOS 7

iOS Development

Before Columbus, everyone believed the world was flat.  It was a fundamentally minimalistic idea that was easy to understand.  With Apple’s new iOS 7, that same simple concept is resurfacing in the world of app development.  The new iOS 7 promotes a Flat Design that works with the end user to provide a pleasant experience. The design is fundamentally a tool for usability.  There are no bells and whistles.  iOS UI Transition places a premium on being clear-cut and user friendly.

If you’re developing apps for iOS 7, it will be helpful to keep three main themes in mind:

  1. Deference – iOS UI helps users interact with the content and never competes with it.
  2. Clarity – A focus on functionality allows for adaptability depending on the user’s equipment.
  3. Depth – Visual layers and realistic motion increase a user’s understanding and pleasure.

Mystic Media is at the forefront of developing iOS apps focused on the new UI transition.  Contact us today to learn how we can improve user experience with Flat Design.

 

Things a Good iOS App Should Do

iOS Development

As soon as iOS 7 hits the market, debates quickly will arise around how it will impact the design of apps. One debate centers on the individuality of design – claiming that nothing should be totally redesigned to match the look of iOS 7. The other debate centers on the necessity to keep apps intuitive – warranting the iOS UI Transition.

While the debate continues, iOS app customization has been conceptualized into three distinct types: Standard, Custom and Hybrid. No matter which one you choose, the following list outlines five key steps to keep the look of your app fresh and up-to-date:

  1. Make sure your app responds appropriately to the new Control Center and/or to a user’s swipe gestures.
  2. Rethink the use of effects, since the new iOS 7 has a smoother and more layered look to help make UI elements appear more physical. At the very least, update your current app to best practices for iOS 6 and get rid of out-of-date API.
  3. Adopt dynamic type to enable the text that a user sees in your app to respond to user-specified size changes.
  4. When developing your iOS app, make sure its content can be viewed through translucent UI elements (i.e. keyboards and bars).

Mystic Media can help your company’s app stand out in today’s marketplace.   Click here to learn more about our iOS Programming and Development.

iOS Secrets You Didn’t Know

iOS Development

True to form, Apple only skimmed the surface during their WWDC keynote address. With so many topics to cover and proprietary information to protect, it’s understandable. However, one thing is for sure. The technological revolution that Apple started is still raging on. Below we’ve listed some of the most interesting updates in the iOS UI Transition that Apple didn’t have time to cover.

  1. Activation Lock – prevents iPhone thieves from wiping your device and selling it or using it for themselves.
  2. Smarter and faster downloading – automatic downloads of TV shows and possible scanning of QR codes for Passbook.
  3. New Maps Features – turn by turn walking directions and map bookmark syncing so all of your favorite destinations can be viewed on multiple devices.
  4. Do not track – prevents advertisers from tracking your web browsing.
  5. True photo sharing – iOS 7 allows collaborative streaming of photos and videos.
  6. Siri’s New Tricks – new UI elements like translucent display, improved voices, online search using Wikipedia, Twitter and Bing and a lot of new commands (i.e. voicemail playback and settings control).
  7. Region-specific features for international users – new dictionaries, Chinese character recognition and support for Chinese micro-blogging.
  8. Xcode 5 – complete toolset for building fast, efficient, and high quality Mac and iOS apps.
  9. Background downloading – allows apps to download content for you even when they’re not running to be read later and/or when you lack internet access.
  10. iBeacons – iOS devices may be able to use Bluetooth to collect location data.

Mystic Media can unlock and unleash all the marvelous powers of iOS for your business. Contact us today to speak with an expert iOS Application Developer.