Cloud and Enterprise Mobility, the Emerging Trends

Both Cloud and Mobility are the two keynotes flourishing in the enterprises today. Merging to create an unparalleled platform for organizations, both have revolutionized the procedures and of the way, an enterprise functions. With an array of benefits ranging from cost effectiveness, to convenient data storage, these two infrastructures have brought forth a paradigm shift.

Forrester reported that the Cloud computing market would grow from USD 41 billion in 2011 to USD 241 billion in 2020. On the other hand, a study by IDC revealed that more than 302.6 million smartphone units were shipped in comparison to 2009's 173.5 billion. The following aspects drove this unprecedented growth:

· There was a seamless accessibility to computing and other resources that were deployed on Cloud. These resources were made available on the Cloud irrespective of their size of the enterprises.

· The Cloud enables an enterprise to use and access software without any installation, maintenance or handling challenges that come associated with the databases.

· There is no limit to the resources on the Cloud that can be utilized.

· Leveraging services from various mobile platforms, the Cloud facilitated anytime and anywhere connectivity.

Key Factors for the Growth of Mobile Cloud Computing

HTML5: The availability of the HTML5 reduced the dependency of the users on plug-in type of application technologies that included SilverLight, Flash and Java. The HTML5 enabled web applications caches in the offline mode facilitating connectivity with the pages even without the need of the Internet. This addressed the challenge of poor connectivity when viewed from the mobility Cloud perspective.

The adopting of Cloud: The Cloud enabled improved processing power than the handsets. With Cloud, the users did not have to download software to the handsets, and the major processing lay within the Cloud itself. Collaborative applications are available round the clock.

The Propagated high-speed networks: A study conducted by the Yankee Group saw a "year on year" growth of the increased speed networks and that the mobile industry leveraged it further. It is imperative for the mobile developers to use the Cloud, as the report stated that 4G connections is expected to cross over the 500 million mark by 2015.

The affect of Cloud on Enterprise Mobility Solutions

Merging the potentialities of Cloud with the freedom of mobile devices can provide a host of benefits. With the capabilities of the Cloud, the enterprises can now access a wide range of information on the mobile devices and reach their customers in a much more secured and effective way. The other benefits of the availability of enterprise mobility on the Cloud are real-time updates, scalability, empowerment of the employees, and reliability.

However, there are some challenges that need to be addressed when applying the Cloud and enterprise mobility solutions. These challenges include the deployment of assorted device platforms, securing the limitations capability devices and ensuring the deployment of secured application distribution. To address these challenges, it is important for the enterprise to deploy the industrial standard best practices such as:

· Prevention of intrusion and pragmatic security monitoring to ensure the maintenance of secured environment.

· Centralized management of mobility. This is associated with the role based policy management that would ensure improved control and decrease the responsibilities of the end-user.

· Dispersal of approved applications through the enterprise application stores. This ensures the creation of single and secured platform in this Cloud environment.

Conclusion

Both the enterprise mobility and Cloud are emerging as key trends of the IT environment. Deployment of the hybrid application approach like mobile applications development is one of the balanced methods that would facilitate the capabilities of HTML5. This improves user experience and is a much more manageable solution. The enterprise application store addresses the issues of data privacy and security, and thereby is the robust and reliable solution that is both scalable and flexible. Integrating Cloud, enterprise mobility, and enterprise mobility applications are the factors that will drive the future. Implementing the Mobile Cloud will enhance the overall value of the organization.

Aditi Biswas believes that the implemented solution should be maintainable, cost-effective and individualized according to the needs of the enterprise. Mobility Solutions that are feasible, ensures security, usable, and provides a dynamic and scalable reach will remain dominant in this landscape. These critical components need to be addressed to ensure the success of mobility computing.

The Most Important Tips for an Android Application Development

Android has turned vast beyond imagination. Others appear to be several light-years behind this OS. For now, about a million Android-powered devices are activated per day. It is seriously a big number but of course, incomplete without mentioning Android application development, and Google Play-the place where Android developers publish their apps. Android dominates the most part of global smartphone market. Many businesses are turning towards Android application development to improve their external and internal procedures. However a handful of them succeed, and others taste nothing but sour grapes

The quite obvious reason is inability to understand what users want. Not all Android developers are expert in both the science and the art of mobile application development. Sometimes they ignore fundamentals and thus the end-product turns good for nothing. However with little cautious, it is not too hard to procure a functional and productive app. This article covers some useful points that help in building successful Android apps.

Design an app like the responsive web design

Most web and mobile developers have heard the term responsive web design. It is a kind of website-design with cross-browser and even cross-platform compatibilities. Web developers code it to be opened in all types of desktops, handheld PCs, and smartphones. Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich is somehow based on the web responsive design. This version tries to burn the rope between hundreds of types of Android-powered smart phones, phablets, tablets and convertible tab-cum-laptops.

Do not ignore fragmentation

Early Android developers had an option to build two layouts for each screen so that the OS automatically detected the most appropriate of them. It was still not the best answer for fragmentation. Thereafter developers were able to create more than two layouts since the release of Android 3.2. So with little efforts, Android developers can optimize their apps to show up on all the devices.

Do not ignore socialization

Socialization is necessary even for computer codes. It creates quick awareness among users. It is a speedy way to get wide acceptance of users for an application. For example, if a game-app succeeds to persuade the user to share the scores on his Facebook or Twitter profile, it may also be able to persuade other users connected to him to download the app.

Let the first impression of icon last long.

Google Play has more than 700k apps, and many of them could be able to give a stiff competition to your Android app. You must not forget the phrase "first impression is the last impression" as it applies on an app too. If your app does not have an attractive icon, it will not succeed to appeal users. Use the colors and graphics that outshine usual ones. The icon should also be able tell what the app is all about.

Look- A Tablet? A Smart Phone? No, It's Samsung Galaxy Note 2

Then further advancements occurred in the technology market and out came the tablet. Likewise, only one brand dominated the market for this type of device. But since most technology companies are fast to keep up with the latest trends, they have rolled out their own versions of tablet computers.

With the fast growing emergence of these technological devices, prospective buyers are torn between a tablet and a smart phone. The general difference is that a smart phone is a phone with multi tasking computing capabilities. On the other hand, a tablet is a computer itself, without the phone capabilities. But what if you could choose both capabilities?

Look no further, for there is only one brand that came up with this type of device. Samsung's Galaxy Note 2 has infused both a smart phone and a tablet in a single device. They have successfully created a hybrid wherein one can enjoy tablet capabilities without sacrificing the phone capabilities. Let us examine the features of the Samsung Galaxy Note 2 and why it is a one-of-a-kind device in the computing market today:

Size- the very first thing that you get when you infuse a smart phone and a tablet in one device is a bigger sized device. The Note 2 measures about 151.1 x 9.4 mm or about 6 inches tall by 0.4 inches wide. Too big for a smart phone, too small for a tablet but this is what the engineers at Samsung had in mind since they were infusing both technologies in one device.

Screen - of course, size did matter. As a matter of fact, this allowed the phone/tablet to have a 5.5 inch Super AMOLED screen, which no matter how bright the sun is; the display can still be seen. Additionally, Samsung put a protection technology in their screen; it carries the Corning Gorilla Glass 2 technology, which can protect it from light scratches. Of course, with such a device, extra care through the use of protective accessories should be employed to prevent damage to the phone/tablet.

Ideas in a visual form - with the screen size, users of the Note 2 can take notes, do simple picture editing, or even make comments in a document while on the go. This is the unique feature of the Note 2, wherein users have the capability to create visual forms of their ideas. To further help users in this task, the Note 2 is equipped with the S-pen, the stylus technology of Samsung. Heck, this device can even do drawings through the help of the stylus and through some apps that are pre-installed with the device.

Processor, RAM and Memory - lightning fast is the theme of this device, for it carries a quad-core 1.6 GHz processor, a better processor than most net books that are on the market. Couple this with a 2 GB RAM, what you get is an ultra-fast phone/tablet that can run multiple, resource-heavy apps without slowing down. Data storage is also no problem; it has a 64 GB internal storage system which can be further expanded up to 128 GB through the use of their memory card slot that can support an additional 64 GB card. You would have a hard time figuring out how to use all that storage space.

Connectivity, GPS, Camera - this device supports almost all types of connectivity. Using the latest communication technology, the 4G LTE is one of the fastest data connectivity types that is used providers today. Add in Bluetooth and Wi-fi, you can communicate in any way that you want. This device also has a built-in GPS, great for travelling around new places. Finally, a device would not be considered a tablet or a smart phone if it didn't have a camera. Note 2's camera has an 8-megapixel lens with autofocus capabilities and is supported by a LED flash for low-light conditions. Such a camera is already at par with most point-and-shoot cameras.

If you are truly looking for a device that has tablet capabilities but wouldn't want to carry a big device or sacrifice the phone capabilities, the Samsung Galaxy Note 2 is the best device around. Say that you're the only one who wants this device? You are not alone, the first generation of the Note sold around 10 million devices.

Finally, Samsung has proven itself again by dominating the technology market share through this unique device. What brand provides a small type of tablet with phone capabilities? Only Samsung does.

The Best Cheap Tablets

Most tablets in the market today can be considered luxuries rather than necessities. Case in point: the iPad. This popular tablet would cost you $500! But you don't have to go to extremes just to buy a good slate. There are other alternatives which are way cheaper but are still good. Below are some of the best affordable tablets in the market today.

Galaxy Tab 2 7.7

This tablet from Samsung only costs $250 and yet it offers a lot of good features. The design of the tablet is good and solid and the display quality is OK. Its speed is decent too which allows it to handle great games from the App Store. If you own a Samsung TV with DLNA, you can also use the Galaxy Tab 2 as a remote.

So what's the catch with this Android tablet? The catch would be the cameras. This slate contains average cameras which are easily outmatched by most smartphones today.

The Galaxy Tab 2 7.7 comes in 8, 16 and 32 GB variants. A microSD card slot is available which allows you to beef up the storage to up to 32 GB.

Kindle Fire HD

Thanks to its manufacturer, the Kindle Fire has become the most popular Android tablet ever. It's the cheapest on this list but definitely not the least. The Kindle Fire HD retains the $199 price tag but with features not found on the original. The new device now supports Dolby Sound and the screen resolution is beefed up. Speaking of screen, there is a 8.9" screen version which only costs $250.

There are reports that some Kindle Fire units lag from time to time. This problem may have been caused by lack of optimization as the software running on it is modified. Another issue with this tablet is the bombardment of advertisements by its creator.

Google Nexus 7

The Nexus 7 is the best cheap tablet today. You can buy one for only $199 and you'll get a tablet with a super fast quad-core processor and a fantastic screen. Despite its price, this tablet does not look cheap. Actually, it looks opposite its price. It is also the first tablet to be released with the latest Android operating system, Jelly Bean.

The manufacturer of this tablet confirms that they are selling at least a million units per month. This is a testament that the Nexus 7 is really that enticing to users.

The tablets above may be cheap but their quality is superb. You don't need to buy those expensive ones anymore. Any of these slates will suffice. Grab one of them right now!