In recent years there’s been a significant move away from desktop and laptop systems towards mobile devices, partly due to rapid advances in smartphone technology and the availability of affordable tablets. Whilst this is convenient for the end user, for developers it means there’s often a greater need for the services of a mobile software testing company to ensure compatibility across devices.
The move to mobile
We’ve already passed a number of important milestones. By 2013 more than half of web searches were being carried out on smartphones and tablets were outselling laptops for the first time. Part of the reason for this is convenience, having access to the web at any time, whether you’re waiting for a train or at home watching TV means that you’re more likely to look up the answers to questions or spend your spare time on social media or online shopping sites.
The technology has become cheaper which also makes a difference and a touchscreen device like a phone or tablet is less daunting for many than a PC with a keyboard. They also offer better battery life than a conventional laptop.
Mobile for making life easier
A number of mobile apps have been developed to make the everyday person’s life a little easier. These include the ability to use your banking app to make purchases and transfer money at the touch of a button as well as home system apps that allow you to regulate the temperature in your home from wherever you are. This means after you have used a Boiler Installation Cheltenham company to put in your system you can relax knowing your house will be nice and warm when you get in, at the touch of a button. These applications can also help to control the amount of energy that you are using in your home.
Mobile for Business
Whilst the use of mobile devices affects our everyday lives, it also has an impact on business. Employees are now able to have full access to company systems wherever they are. This makes working from home a more practical proposition as well as keeping field workers in touch with what’s happening.
It does raise some issues, however, with more and more companies finding themselves having to support a wider range of kit and operating systems.
Developers are recognising the need to provide mobile apps or mobile friendly versions of their services in order to ensure that they don’t lose out to competitors, and to ensure that they provide the flexibility their customers are demanding.
In many cases businesses allow their staff to use their own mobile devices for work. This BYOD approach, however, does need to be properly managed to ensure that company data isn’t put at risk. This requires a policy approach to outline what people are allowed to do, perhaps backed by mobile management software.
