By Emma, on May 17th, 2013 
The recent news that BlackBerry are extending their BBM (BlackBerry messenger) service into Android and iOS app stores seems to have been received with mixed response. Is it a smart move, or an act of desperation to retain users?
Once an exclusive service, available to Blackberry users, BBM enables its users to easily and securely connect with other users, and send instant messages within the BlackBerry ecosystem. Now this service is being opened up to iPhone, iPad and Android users, there is a real risk that losing that exclusivity, which was a key selling point for attracting and retaining users, could have a negative impact.
BlackBerry’s CEO Thorsten Heins has described the upcoming release of the cross platform BBM app as “a statement of confidence,” indicating assurance in the solution’s capabilities, and confidence in a loyal user base. Andrew Bocking, Software Vice President stated that “the time . . . → Read More: BlackBerry Messenger – Is it the right decision to extend to other platforms?
By Emma, on May 14th, 2013 
The app development approach battle is heating up between HTML5 web apps and native apps. Both have their advantages, but which is the right development approach?
I recently came across this great comparison table from Business Insider which looks at the current performance of both native and HTML5 apps.
Source: Business Insider, HTML5 and Native Apps Comparison. Read Full Report
It certainly looks like HTML5 apps, which run inside a mobile browser, offer the most flexibility, due to their ‘write once, deploy anywhere’ promise. Certainly from a BYOD perspective, the HTML5 approach is the most cost effective, future proof development approach for catering for different device types.
However, the native app on the other hand is still winning on user experience and performance. As they are built from scratch for each operating system, the native app is designed to make use of . . . → Read More: HTML5 vs Native Apps – Which to choose?
By Giles, on May 10th, 2013 
CommonTime is delighted to announce the launch of the latest release of our cross-platform application development platform, mDesign 6.1. This latest release of mDesign builds on the functionality and flexibility of our award-winning 6.0 release and incorporates some exciting new product features and functionality:-
Software as a Service Mobile Application Management General New Functionality
- Device type now available to designer – Current location functionality – Navigate to web page from the shell – Different CSS for different devices – Access other apps using URL scheme – Process flow based on connection type
Software as a Service
mDesign now allows for hosting in the cloud, using a service such as Amazon Web Services. This can be managed directly by CommonTime and provides a quicker and more cost-effective method of implementing the mDesign platform and deployment of mDesign apps. With this . . . → Read More: mDesign 6.1 Launch Notice – May 2013
By Emma, on April 26th, 2013 
Gartner recommend hybrid applications over native application development for businesses
In a recent report, analysts Gartner have predicted that hybrid apps will make up 60% of all enterprise apps by 2015, with the remaining 40% being split 30%-10% to web apps and native apps.
Enterprise Apps in 2015
This move towards hybrid apps will be brought about by a response to the BYOD trend, and the decline of the PC in favour of mobile devices. Organisations are facing increased pressure to accommodate the mobile working styles of employees, and support the devices their employees choose. Going forward into a post-pc era, businesses will need to manage a portfolio of mobile platforms, applications and device types. As Gartner suggest:
“While mobile becomes a requirement for everything, there is no single device that will meet all needs. ”
So Why Hybrid?
Although native apps offer . . . → Read More: Hybrid Apps – The right response to BYOD in business
By Emma, on April 18th, 2013 
Mobile technology – 40 years of in the making – and no signs of slowing down soon.
Motorola DynaTac
We recently celebrated the 40th anniversary of the first mobile phone call, but a lot has changed since the 3rd April 1973 when Motorola employee Martin Cooper first picked up his DynaTac device and changed technology history.
We now have touchscreens, apps, cameras, GPS trackers, and most importantly, the Internet, all on 1000s of different smartphones and tablets of all different shapes and sizes. A huge step forward for just 40 years, as I’m sure Mr Cooper would agree, but the mobile industry shows no signs of slowing down.
Believe it or not, it’s already been 11 years since mobile subscriptions overtook landlines, but by next year, mobile internet usage is predicted to surpass desktop internet – not bad considering mobile internet has only really been around . . . → Read More: The Evolution of Mobile Technology
By Giles, on April 11th, 2013 
Well, I’ve given it time for the (non-allergenic) dust to settle, but I think the time is now right to provide comment on what I believe to be one of the most important reports to hit the health sector in many years -the Department of Health’s National Mobile Health Worker Project (NMHWP).
The NMHWP has been a significant piece of work and is possibly the largest report of its kind ever to be undertaken by D.O.H. Using primary data from over 370 clinicians, 65,000 patient contacts and over 1000 patient comments, the report paints a decidedly positive picture for mobility within the healthcare sector. As with all reports of this type, the predictive numbers have to tell the story. The bigger the numbers (either + or -), the bigger the story. And boy, does the NMHWP have a story to tell!
Increases in patient contact . . . → Read More: The National Mobile Health Worker Project – Our Diagnosis
By Emma, on December 19th, 2012 
With 2012 coming to a close, CommonTime would like to take this opportunity to wish you a very Merry Christmas and share our advice and predictions for a prosperous 2013.
Here are just a few:
1. Is that a Tablet shaped box under the Christmas Tree?
Tablet and smartphone sales are predicted to rise by over 50% compared to 2012. Market analysts, Gartner predict a whopping 1.2 billion mobile device sales for next year.
So what does this mean for your business? With business users driving the Bring your own Device (BYOD) trend, the pressure for organisations to deliver corporate apps will increase.
2. Forget the year of the snake, 2013 will be the year of the enterprise app
There’s an app for that…well yes as long as you are a consumer, and not a business user. The enterprise app market has more than a little catching up . . . → Read More: Enterprise Mobility for 2013
By Chris, on December 5th, 2012 Are you looking to invest in tablets or smartphones for your mobile workforce?
With the multitude of new devices released onto the market – seemingly every month, then who do you turn to in helping make the right choice of mobile hardware to use for your business? iPhone, Windows 8, iPad, Android – the list seems endless, but have you considered how your choice will affect your internal & external business workflow processes?
Firstly, have you addressed the following challenges?
Are you looking for help on how to use all the features of the chosen device for your business? Are you confused or caught between which device features would apply best to your business? Have you thought of how you can maximise your investment through deploying apps?
What you need to do:
Find a partner that is completely hardware agnostic Choose a solution which reduces the . . . → Read More: Choosing the right mobile device to support your mobile strategy
By Emma, on November 28th, 2012 
I’m delighted to announce that one of CommonTime’s recent mobile application development projects has been shortlisted for the ‘Best Mobile Project’ Award in Tech-Week Europe’s Tech Success Awards.
The Project
The aim of the project was to develop a mobile application solution for Stockport Homes. Stockport Homes delivers additional services over and above those associated with a social housing provider and aimed to visit existing tenants at least every 2 years to discuss the tenancy and explore areas of concern by undertaking a “Current Tenant Visit (CTV)”
Stockport Homes engaged with CommonTime to develop a Client Tenant Visit mobile app, which their 30 housing officers could use to capture tenant information on their Android Tablets. Previously the paper based process they were using was labour intensive, highly manual and required considerable preparation on behalf of the housing officers . . . → Read More: CommonTime mobility project shortlisted for Tech Success Awards
By Giles, on November 14th, 2012 With Christmas not even upon us, industry pundits are already looking deep into their collective crystal balls and forecasting industry trends for 2013. Unlike many industry sectors, the mobility and mobile apps sector seems to be showing some good potential growth indicators for the New Year. Good news during those long, cold, dark days of January/February/March/April/May etc
Leading the predications for 2013 are our good friends at Gartner Research. Never ones to miss a trick, the guys and gals at Gartner recently identified a number of key strategic technology trends that are set to define how the market moves and shakes in 2013. Some of these are pretty obvious (judging by market activity throughout 2012), while some provide some real food for technological thought after an over indulged Christmas lunch. Here are a couple of predications from Gartner that I feel will directly impact the enterprise mobility sector next . . . → Read More: Gartner’s New Year Technology Revolutions for 2013
|
|
