Cloud Computing in Mobile Apps — Impacts and Challenges
By: Jac Ferdinand
Tags: Android, App Development, iOS, Cloud, Mobile App Development

Cloud Computing in Mobile Apps

The proliferation of smartphones and internet connection enables application developers and consumers to store and interact with data in …

The proliferation of smartphones and Internet connectivity has allowed app developers and consumers to store and interact with data in a way that was never designed before.

The availability of unlimited storage space and the unlimited processing power provided by the cloud have led developers to new levels of performance.

Cisco Research had previously predicted the growing popularity of mobile cloud applications in 2019. According to the Global Cloud Index, the company expects cloud applications to generate 92% of global mobile data traffic by the end of the year.

With the spread of cloud technology, businesses will have no way to succeed without embracing cloud computing for mobile applications.

Codinic Inc has also started cloud-based programming to build mobile applications, which you can read about at codinic.com.

Since most conversations about mobile cloud computing or MCC are filled with technical terminology, we begin by covering the important terms of mobile cloud applications. Not only will this give readers a good understanding of cloud computing, but it will also help them assess the true impact of cloud computing on mobile applications.

What is Cloud Computing?

The definition of cloud computing is constantly evolving in terms of features, offerings, services, and deployment models. Typically, cloud computing is defined as the requested network access to a set of resources without any interaction with the service provider.

Simply put, cloud computing ensures quick and easy access to parts of important resources for customers who receive bills according to their usage. Shared resources such as mobile apps, software, and other services are delivered to smartphone and desktop users upon request.

Also, cloud computing allows users to adjust their computing capacity to suit their needs for a specific task at a given time. Users do not have to worry about processing or storage power and get the results they want without compromising quality.

Mobile cloud application

Mobile cloud app is a mobile application that works and is accessible through the Cloud. Even if the cloud applications and services are native, most processing is done on a remote cloud server.

Popular examples of cloud mobile applications include Apple’s Dropbox, Asana, and iCloud services.

Impact of cloud computing on mobile applications

The advent of cloud computing in mobile apps has allowed developers to add innovative features to apps that no one thought about a few years ago. Below, we describe the impact of cloud computing on mobile application development.

1. Platform compatibility

Cloud computing technology has reduced the need to develop separate applications for different operating systems. Unlike native applications, cloud mobile applications are compatible with multiple operating systems and reduce both cost and development time.

Cloud computing technology allows developers to build a single application and run it simultaneously on operating systems such as Android and iOS. Because the application is stored in the cloud instead of the operating system, users will not have access problems as long as users have a stable Internet connection.

2. Cost reduction

However, the cost of building a native mobile app varies depending on the function, design, and overall complexity of the app. But it is certainly not a cheap deal.

Cloud applications, on the other hand, reduce the cost of application development because there is only one application that you have to develop for multiple operating systems.

Using a codebase is ideal for small businesses or startups that do not have the budget to fund a native mobile app for Android and iOS.

Many novice developers tend to avoid the ongoing maintenance costs associated with an application. For a program to work properly, it must be maintained and updated to resolve issues and delays.

According to a survey of 102 mobile app developers by Clutch.io, some apps cost more than $ 25,000 after launch.

3. Scalability

Scalability refers to the specificity of an application to expand its capacity and function to meet increasing user demand.

For native and hybrid applications, the scalability of the application is significant. In fact, the complexity and cost of scalability can even exceed the initial development cost and complexity of a program that must evolve as a business grows.

Fortunately, with cloud apps, users do not have to install new features or update their apps every time you change apps. Of course, this can be done in native applications, but the cost and complexity are much higher compared to cloud mobile applications.

In addition, users may experience a bad experience if the developer does not fully test the new features for bugs. This can lead to users uninstalling the app, turning to a competing app, or rating it poorly on app stores and social media platforms.

4. No need for storage space on smartphones

All data in a cloud application is located on a cloud server that is remotely accessible via a device with an Internet connection. Cloud applications also slow down the installation process because they run from the browser.

Therefore, cloud applications do not require smartphone space to function properly. Even if there is little storage space on the smartphone, the user does not have to free up space to access a cloud application. They usually work as web applications and are accessible directly from the central server.

Final words

The use of cloud computing in mobile applications will be a big trend in the coming years. Advantages such as scalability, compatibility and cost savings add a lot to the concept of cloud-based mobile applications. However, this is still a technology in its infancy.

One of the leading companies in the development of cloud-based applications is codinic.com.

Therefore, the path that may be taken will only be determined when companies step forward and address issues such as data security, privacy and privacy.