Mobile Application Development: Technical bases for making an App
Tags: mobile, development, application
Published: 2024-01-11 11:55:45

It seems that with just the snap of our fingers, we are going to find someone to be in charge of mobile application development, and in no time, we are going to have our project come true. However, application development is not that easy, so if you have an app idea in mind, before getting down to work, you had better know the basics about the two dominant operating systems, Android and iOS. Collaborating with a reputable **[mobile app development company](https://www.sparkouttech.com/mobile-application-development/)** can provide valuable insights and expertise to ensure your app aligns seamlessly with the specific requirements and standards of both Android and iOS platforms, setting the foundation for a successful and well-rounded application.

![Image description](https://dev-to-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/articles/pda4u5sg8oc1486rgxj6.jpg)
In this article, we want to expose the technical or most basic bases when making an Android app or an iOS app, knowing the peculiarities of each operating system and how it affects the application developers who work with each of them.

**Mobile Application Development for Android**
Starting with the most developed mobile apps and the operating system with the most market share, we go. Additionally, there are more applications available in the shops. a brief overview of the OS's capabilities and the setup process for Android mobile app development.

**Basic Characteristics**
The following are the technical features of the Android operating system and how it is configured, according to Google, the company that created it:
It is an Open Source operating system. It may thus be customized to meet your needs. As a result, there are a lot more developers and professional documentation.
Kernel based on the Linux Kernel.
Adaptable to many screens and resolutions. Excellent to be able to adapt to the infinite number of terminals that exist on the market.
Uses SQLite for data storage.
WebKit-based web browser included.
Support HTML, HTML5, Adobe Flash Player, etc.
Includes a device emulator, memory debugging tools, and software performance analysis.
Use Google Talk, available on HoneyComb, to conduct video calls.
Real app multitasking.

**Terminals and Mobile Devices**
Most smartphones and tablets that are not Apple run one of the versions of the Android operating system. Starting with KitKat and moving on to Lollipop and the newest Marshmallow. The following are the most well-known Android-powered gadgets:

nexus
Samsung
sony
Huawei
Etc.
When developing mobile apps for this operating system we must take all these devices into account. It's conceivable that the dimensions of each vary. Our mobile app development will need to change to comply with the criteria. We can only guarantee the app's visibility and use in this manner.

**Tools Needed**
Downloading the Android SDK with the Eclipse IDE is the quickest and most straightforward approach to begin creating mobile apps for Android (see Resources).  Android development can be done from Microsoft® Windows®, Mac OS X or Linux computers, given its open source nature.

Android apps are executed within a Dalvik virtual machine using runtime compilation and a Java object-oriented application framework built on top of essential Java libraries. Leveraging professional **[mobile application development services](https://www.sparkouttech.com/mobile-application-development/)** is crucial to harness the full potential of the Android platform, ensuring optimal performance, compatibility, and adherence to industry best practices in developing robust and user-friendly applications.

Libraries written in C language include a surface manager, an OpenCore framework, a SQLite relational database, an OpenGL ES 2.0 3D graphics API programming interface, a WebKit rendering engine, an SGL graphics engine. , SSL and a C Bionic standard library. However, Java is not the only tool available for creating Android applications.

Android emulator: It is highly recommended to have an Android emulator nearby if we are dedicated to developing mobile apps for this operating system. With it we will be able to see the progress we are making in development, the errors, and corrections.

**Cost for the developer**
Considering the starting salary of an Android developer.
$25 for an Android developer license. The cost of this is one-time only.
Typical smartphone: Nexus 6 (new, free, 459 euros)
An average computer costs 300 euros to develop. Nevertheless, any computer can function.
Approximate total cost: 869 euros

**Mobile Application Development for iOS**
The operating system that takes the money is the one created by Steve Jobs at Apple. Although it was born before Android, and had much more market share than it, iOS has been losing power and users.

**Basic Characteristics**
The second in the race for the mobile market continues to fight for a place. The following details pertain to the Cupertino mobile OS:

It is a mobile operating system from the multinational Apple Inc.
iOS is a variant of Mac OS X, which is the Apple brand computer operating system and, like it, is based on Unix.
Prohibits the installation of iOS on hardware from third parties.
Although it is a private and exclusive operating system for its devices, Apple releases its SDK so that it can be improved by app developers.
Real app multitasking.
It is necessary to jailbreak to be able to install third-party applications
The Java Platform and Adobe Flash cannot be used with any version of iOS lower than iOS 8. On the other hand, iOS uses HTML5 as an alternative to Flash. However, starting with iOS 8, the use of Adobe Flash is now allowed, but users of an iPhone, iPod Touch or iPad with a version prior to iOS 8 are left out of this update. You must take this into account when developing apps for iOS.

**Terminals and Mobile Devices**
The iOS operating system can only be used on Apple mobile devices. These include the iPhone, the iPad and the different versions of the iPod.

iPhone 4, 5, 6, etc.
iPad, iPad Mini
iPod nano, iPod shuffle

**Tools Needed**
The Software Development Kit or SDK has been available to third parties and developers since March 2008, allowing developers to make applications for the iPhone and iPod Touch, as well as test them in the iPhone simulator. However, using the software on the devices requires paying the iPhone Developer Program charge.

The app included with the iPhone SDK is called Xcode. These applications, like those on Mac OS X, are written in Objective-C.

Developers can set a price above the minimum ($0.99) for their apps to distribute and sell them in the App Store, where they will receive 70% of the money earned by the app. On the other hand, the developer can release the app for free, and thus would not get or pay anything except for the member/developer fee.

**Cost for the developer**
The time a programmer spends writing code is not the only expense associated with creating mobile applications; we also need to consider the fact that hiring someone to build a team is necessary in order to secure employment. We need this, and the total cost is as follows:

iOS developer license: 99 euros per year.
Standard mobile device: 639 euros for a new iPhone.
Computer to be able to develop: You need to use a Mac computer, the lowest range is Mac mini (new 549 euros)
Approximate total cost: initial 1,287 euros

At the end of the day, the final cost of developing mobile applications for Android and iOS is generally very similar in the eyes of the person commissioning the development. The possible differences will lie in the excess or shortage of demand. Given the large number of Android developers, the final price may be more competitive. There will always be some developer who lowers the price a little more, while in the case of iOS development, it will always be more stable. Engaging with professional **[mobile app development services](https://www.sparkouttech.com/mobile-application-development/)** can help navigate these nuances, ensuring that you not only get a competitive price but also a high-quality and reliable mobile application tailored to your specific needs.