Cross-platform mobile apps are becoming more popular with the growing diversity of mobile devices. More businesses are opting for cross-platform app development to expand their online presence. With a cross-platform mobile app, you can easily reach customers across operating systems, be it Android, iOS, or Windows. With this emerging trend of deploying cross-platform apps, Android app development services are evolving rapidly.

By using advanced development tools and technologies, mobile app developers build solutions that provide native-like app experience across all devices. These tools enable professionals like Android developers to meet the diverse requirements of businesses. In this blog, we’ll discuss 9 mobile app development tools for building robust cross-platform apps.

Tools for Cross-Platform Mobile App Development

Xamarin

Xamarin is a commonly used development platform for cross-platform mobile apps. Top features provided by Xamarin includes app store delivery, performance testing, native API access, and native performance. Xamarin is open-source and used by leading brands around the world.

React Native

React Native lets developers to create native applications for different mobile operating systems. One of the most important features of React Native is that you can write modules in different programming languages including C, Swift, and Java. Besides, you can also edit images and process videos that aren’t feasible with other development frameworks.

PhoneGap

Adobe PhoneGap is an open-source framework for developing cross-platform mobile apps. It’s based on Apache Cordova. PhoneGap is a cloud-based tool and enables developers tom easily build highly efficient cross-platform mobile apps. Additionally, PhoneGap can translate code from CSS, JavaScript, and HTML5.

Sencha

Sencha provides Java and JavaScript frameworks that allow developers to seamlessly develop cross-platform apps. The platform offers over a hundred fully supported test UI components that can be easily incorporated into mobile apps. Sencha is known as one of the most comprehensive platforms to perform end-to-end testing for cross-platform mobile apps.

Appcelerator

Appcelerator simplifies cross-platform app development services with powerful functionalities. This framework deploys languages like JavaScript and offers a cloud-like performance. Appcelerator supports all mobile operating platforms and best suited for hybrid apps.

The development framework has an open-source SDK and supports over two hundred devices. Appcelerator is extremely user-friendly. It also offers automated app testing and enables developers to measure app usage and results.

Corona

Corona is most suitable for developing gaming apps for TV and desktop using a single codebase Corona programming language is written in C. It enables developers to easily update code, save the changes, and accelerate coding speed. With this platform, developers can instantly achieve changes and reflect on real devices.

The corona framework is specially optimized for app performance and lightweight coding. This tool is mainly used in 2D gaming apps with high-quality graphics.

Unity3D

Unity3D is majorly used for improving graphics quality. It enables developers to export games to various gaming platforms such as PlayStation and Linux. Unity3D is also used to track down user data and share apps on various social media channels. One of the important features of this framework is that it has strong community support which keeps the platform updated.

5App

5App is unique both in terms of design and functionality. It’s designed to meet the needs of organizations like consulting firms and other service companies. The framework relies on HTML5 and JavaScript for coding apps. 5App gives special emphasis on the data security of apps. The tool enables users to quickly create relevant content to boost the learning and performance of organizations.

Kony

Kony’s services are available through on-premise solutions, hosted private clouds, or on the public cloud. The framework is highly scalable as it’s entirely based on the cloud. The framework’s offerings include Kony Visualizer that can integrate design capabilities into a development environment; and Kony Studio with development tools that let developers add cross-platform JavaScript codes.

Conclusion

These tools make cross-platform app development and Android app development equality efficient. Whether it’s Xamarin, React Native or Corona, the development frameworks have their specialties. Hire Android developers from a vendor that deploys these software tools and frameworks to build robust solutions. The coding expertise of our developers, combined with these powerful tools, helps us to deliver mobile apps with unmatched quality.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q. What programming language is used for Android app development?

Several programming languages are used to write codes for Android apps. Java is the most commonly used language. Kotlin is a cross-platform programming language that may be used as an alternative to Java for Android development.

Q. Do you provide maintenance and support for apps?

We provide seamless technical support and maintenance services to every client. From troubleshooting to technical guidance, we are here to help you.

Q. How much does it cost to hire an Android developer?

The hiring cost for an app developer depends on the kind of hiring plan you choose. We offer different hiring plans, namely fixed-cost, hourly, and dedicated hiring.

Q. How long does it take to develop an Android app?

There’s no predefined time for completing an Android development process. It varies greatly depending on what features and functionalities you need and what platform you want to choose.

The post 9 Powerful Tools for Cross-Platform Mobile App Development appeared first on Android Developer.

Major Benefits:

Android development is cost effective

Android is open source, therefore developers can create any number of rich applications, without any recurring license fees. On the other hand, an easy SDK creation does not require more resources. You can also go for any number of revisions in the application, as there are free modification programs available, which further bring the cost down.

Inter application integration

With Android being an open source platform, it is more suitable for all sorts of inter application integration. Even if you want to merge or cross-promote the various programs together, Android is the most suitable program to use, as the technology itself is perfect for any kind of connection between dissimilar software.

Graphics support

Android offers extensive support for 2D and 3D graphics, which helps companies to attract users to its mobile applications. Using high-quality graphics is crucial for the success of any mobile application.

Less skill is required

Android programs are basically written in Java. A developer with a working knowledge of Java and good experience in this programming type can easily get Android application up and running with relative ease.

Linux kernel

Android is based on Linux kernel, which means that the basic features of Android are very similar to those of Linux kernel. Based on Linux, Android gives a very secure and stable platform, ensuring an obstacle free and smooth environment where applications can perform their best.

The key challenges

UI development

As the OEM’s (Original Equipment Manufacturers) produce their own user interfaces, which are quite different from each other, it is sometimes a problem for the developer to handle this variation in UI’s.

Performance

Factors such as GUI (graphical user interface) and memory and power use affect the performance of an application. During application development, the developer must take into account the problem of resource utilization and distribute the resources optimally to all the applications that need them.

Security

With the widespread use of Android smart phones, there is also a need to protect these devices from malicious attacks aiming to steal critical information such as usernames and passwords. The data in transit and data at rest both need to be protected against any unauthorized access.

Backward compatibility

As Android is known for its frequent updates, it is important for the developer to ensure backward compatibility in his application developments. It is necessary to ensure that the developed application runs smooth not only on the updated version, but also on the previous versions of the Android API.

It is time for business owners to start thinking beyond regular app ideas, such as email and calendar, as they are too basic to utilize an Android developer’s full potential. While the business owners struggle with their creativity and lack of ideas, there is no shortage of talent in the Android developer community. Use your potential to come up with a challenging idea, and give it a chance. No matter how bizarre it may seem at first glance.

]]> /major-benefits-and-key-challenges-of-android-development/feed/ 0 /best-virus-protection-for-android-overview-what-features-to-look-for-in-smartphone-protection/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=best-virus-protection-for-android-overview-what-features-to-look-for-in-smartphone-protection /best-virus-protection-for-android-overview-what-features-to-look-for-in-smartphone-protection/#respond Thu, 25 Jun 2020 05:35:34 +0000 /?p=37 Tablets and phones are more than just devices that people carry around. They contain a lot of personal information about their users. They can get infected with viruses just like a computer can. Many people ask the question “What is the best virus protection for android?” There are different apps and tools to choose from. It’s possible to protect a device from all types of malicious files, including adware, spyware, malware, phishing emails, and so forth.

First off, you’ll want to check and see if your current computer antivirus software also offers licenses for other devices such as your Android phones. If you want to switch software or feel that the protection will be inadequate, then take the steps necessary to choose new protection software.

Decide whether or not a free app will be enough for your needs. Free versions of antivirus software don’t offer all-inclusive protection. A full, premium suite on the other hand will offer tools like firewalls, VPN, protection against ransomware, camera protection, parental controls, and so forth. Make a list of the features you need and start looking to see which security suite offers those features. This will be the best virus protection for Android.

Another reason you might want to opt for more than a free program is because the free software often comes with “extras” that you really don’t want, like ads and plug-ins. The poorly designed virus protection apps are sometimes just as annoying as viruses and adware itself.

What’s Necessary in the Best Virus Protection for Android

It’s crucial that you have malware detection tools on your Android device. This is one of the biggest security problems many smartphone users face. Another vital feature to look for is a tracking / location finder. Having antitheft controls on an Android phone is very, very important. You’ll want to have the best tracking tools to locate and track a lost or stolen phone. Even if you are always careful with it, there is always the possibility that somebody else might get a hold of it. In the event that it is unrecoverable, you should be able to remotely lock and wipe the personal contents off of it. Some Pro versions of antivirus programs include a “capture” feature that actually takes photos of the thief.

Getting spam messages and unwanted calls is extremely annoying. It’s hard to have a peaceful day when you keep getting spam phone calls. It’s even more annoying when you’re waiting for an important phone call from an associate or loved one, and you keep getting spam. You won’t have to worry about getting these obnoxious calls and text messages with the right security features.

So, what is the best virus protection for Android? Many people recommend Avast Mobile Security. It’s highly rated on Google Play and has over 100 million installs. You can try Avast for free.

]]> /best-virus-protection-for-android-overview-what-features-to-look-for-in-smartphone-protection/feed/ 0 /best-programming-apps-for-android/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=best-programming-apps-for-android /best-programming-apps-for-android/#respond Sat, 20 Jun 2020 07:39:15 +0000 /?p=77 With the increase in the sales of Android smartphones, they are many applications that are coming into Google Play store.  The applications will make smarter while coding and improve programming skills while learning. The android programming apps will help you in the future when you are going into the development and design field for a career jump.  So, making things very easier for you and with the growth in technology and love for gadgets I have listed a few programming. Below are the best programming apps for Android.

Java

Java is the official language for Android App development and consequently. It is the most used language as well. Many of the apps in the PlayStore are built with Java and also the most supported language by Google. In addition to all this, Java has a great online community for support in case of any problems. So, Java is a complicated language for a beginner to use as it contains complex topics like constructors, null pointer exceptions, concurrency. Also, the Android Software Development will increase the complexity to a new level.

Kotlin

Kotlin is a cross-platform programming language that might be used as an alternative to Java for Android App Development. Kotlin can interoperate with Java and it runs on the Java Virtual machine. The only sizable difference is that kotlin removes the superfluous features of Java such as null pointer exceptions. So, Kotlin is much simpler for beginners to try as compared to Java and it can also be used as an entry point for Android App Development. Kotlin is ideal for android programming apps.

C++

C++ can be used for Android App development using the Android Native Development Kit. But, an app cannot be created totally using C++ and the NDk is used to implement parts of the app in C++ native code. This helps in using C++code libraries for the app as required.

HTML, CSS, JavaScript

Android Apps can be created using HTML, CSS, and JavaScript using the Adobe PhoneGap framework which is powered by Apache Cordova. The PhoneGap framework basically allows the usage of web development skills to create hybrid apps that are shown through WebView, however, packaged like an App.

The above-mentioned software is ideally used for android programming apps and if you know other good apps that allow doing programming on the Android platform then please mention it in the comment box and will try to include them in the list. Thanks for reading!

Continuing the series of interviews with designers and artists that bring user interfaces and graphics to the big screens, it’s my pleasure to welcome Clayton McDermott. A multi-faceted portfolio highlights Clayton’s work in art direction, motion graphics, illustration and animation. He’s been with “Black Mirror” since the very first season when he worked on “Fifteen Million Merits” and “The Entire History of You”, as well as the now-iconic title sequence of the show. His work can also be seen in the later episodes such as “Men Against Fire”, “Hated in the Nation”, “Rachel, Jack and Ashley Too” and the most recent interactive installment of “Bandersnatch”.

Kirill: Please tell us about yourself and the path that took you to where you are today

Clayton: I never really knew what I wanted to do growing up, I was interested in a lot of things and I still am. I watched a lot of animation, I played a lot of computer games, I was amazed by film and animatronics, I drew, I painted and generally just enjoyed anything art and design related. I think more than anything though I was fascinated by how stuff worked.

I had a decent enough computer at the time and although the internet was still relatively young I began exploring some of the things that interested me digitally. I started messing around with programmes like Photoshop, Director, Adobe Flash, even HTML and began to realise I could use them to make my own content. It was around that time that I realised motion graphics was a thing and how a program called After Effects was being used to make some of the stuff I had seen on TV as well as things like DVD menus etc. All the while I was looking into these things I was learning and teaching myself new skills, I enjoy it all as a creative process. I began to realise that maybe if I just did something I enjoyed as a career hopefully it wouldn’t really feel like I was working. That’s where my career began.

Screen graphics for “Men Against Fire” episode of “Black Mirror”. Courtesy of Clayton McDermott.

Kirill: Looking back at your first couple of productions, what was the most unexpected part of working on client projects?

Clayton: I don’t think anything really prepares you for your first job and although I’m not sure it was completely unexpected I think early on in my career I learnt not to be too precious or protective about that initial idea. Things often evolve or change over the course of a project and more often than not you will need to revisit or adapt ideas as things progress. Sometimes a client brief will change so much you need to pretty much start again. There are often a lot of moving parts, it is what it is.

Kirill: Do you worry about how your work will age / be seen in 20-30 years?

I think it’s hard not to think about, especially when you have grown up and are working in a time that has seen such rapid advances in technology. Whether or not it worries me, I’m not so sure. I’d like to believe that everything has its place in time and I can live with that. I suppose most of the projects I have been involved with also serve as a form of entertainment and I’m still entertained by things that now might otherwise seem dated.

Kirill: Between ideas in your head and deep knowledge of tools to translate those ideas to the screen, what’s more important in your opinion?

Clayton: I suppose without the idea the tools are useless. When pitching ideas there are often parts where you are unsure of how you will achieve them. I guess that’s also what keeps me interested in the process – the idea of learning something new or going about solving that problem. It’s usually a good or unusual idea that forces me to learn more or develop that knowledge of those tools further.

Kirill: Looking back at when you started, do you think it’s easier to get in this field today compared to back then (better software, more affordable hardware, …)

Clayton: I remember when I started I just had to fiddle with the software to figure out what it could do and how it worked. Nowadays the internet is full of tutorials or information about how to create imagery using a wide variety of programs. Software has also just become much more accessible, I can’t remember the last time I saw or used a CD to install anything. I’m not sure laptops even come with drives anymore. With the advances in cloud-based software and subscription it’s easy just to rent software even if it’s just to try it. Obviously the internet has also been able to provide way more information than I could ever get my hands on when I started. Hardware nowadays pretty much comes right off the shelf as well, I remember a time when I had to order a computer to be built before I could use it. So I definitely think you have more exposure to the field than I ever had, not to mention an increase in available roles due to the development of film, tv and interactive content.

Screen graphics for “Men Against Fire” episode of “Black Mirror”. Courtesy of Clayton McDermott.

Kirill: When you are asked what you do for a living, how difficult is it to convey the complexity of what you do?

Clayton: I’d be lying if I said I talk a lot about what I do for a living, generally it’s easier to just say I’m a graphic designer and people often just get that. But you are right, there is a complexity to the process that I think often people don’t question, largely because they are just used to seeing the end result. I think it’s just making people aware that it is very much that – a process – that like I said before sometimes has a lot of moving parts all of which need to be looked at, discussed and then brought together as a whole.

Kirill: In general, do you start sketching on a piece of paper, or do you go straight to digital tools for your explorations?

Clayton: It depends really, I usually have a piece of paper or notebook around. Sometimes I’ll just go straight to digital. It’s still nice to have that interaction with paper though, especially when you know the process will be digital. Generally I’m just making notes in my notebook throughout the process. It’s quicker sketching little ideas and assessing them beforehand without committing too much time to them on the computer.

Kirill: What brought you to work on “Black Mirror”?

Clayton: I had previously worked with a friend that went on to be a part of Painting Practice, the company that was doing the production design for the show. If I remember correctly, I was initially brought in to work on some screen content for ’15 Million Merits’. From there I was asked to look at the ‘grain’/’in-eye interface’ for ‘The Entire History of You’ and lastly the ‘Black Mirror’ title sequence itself.

Screen graphics for “Bandersnatch” episode of “Black Mirror”. Courtesy of Clayton McDermott.

Kirill: Looking back at it, was it clear from the start how far the show could go in terms of finding its devoted viewer base?

Clayton: I remember watching shows like ‘The Outer Limits’, ‘Tales From The Crypt’, and ‘Twilight Zone’ reruns as a kid and loved them. When the idea for Black Mirror came about it felt like it was that kind of thing for our generation. There were only 3 episodes back then but even at that time you could see it had potential to go further and I’m glad it did. I just remember those initial episodes left me feeling a little uneasy at the time, the ideas stayed with me for a bit. For good or bad they had invoked a feeling and surely other people were going to have a similar experience. Until it’s out there though, you never really know.

Kirill: What was the most challenging / interesting episode that you’ve worked on in “Black Mirror” so far?

Clayton: I think the ones that I have worked on have all been interesting or challenging in their own way. I guess if I had to pick one then ‘Bandersnatch’ probably sticks out because I was brought in very early to the process and at the time we were all still so unsure of how it was all going to work. Netflix were still developing the tools to provide this kind of interactive content to their platform and the script was still developing as things were being worked out.

I have always been interested in games from a young age also and a few weeks before getting the call to work on the episode, as a personal project, I had started looking into old text adventure games. It was a strange coincidence, but I felt in tune with the episode from the start. I also got to design a bunch of retro games, which has always interested me.

Motion graphics for “Fifteen Million Merits” episode of “Black Mirror”. Courtesy of Clayton McDermott.

Clayton: Kirill: How did you approach designing the screens in “Fifteen Million Merits” that pervaded the characters’ spaces and almost boxed them in?

I came in later to ’15 Million Merits’ so a lot of the design work had been discussed and the set designs were already there. I think the idea was to make the content feel so overwhelming, bright and large in scale that it made elements like their individual pods feel so much more claustrophobic and cramped. The continuous use of bright, vibrant colours enforced a sort of false facade that sat within an otherwise depressing, grey, dystopian environment, if removed.

Kirill: What kinds of discussions went into creating the in-eye interface of “The Entire History of You”? How do you balance making something that looks great for the viewer and something that makes sense for such a personal consumption?

Clayton: I think the brief was pretty open at the time. I just remember thinking that I didn’t want it to look like the Apple ‘cover flow’ interface which was being done a lot around then or anything grid like. I just felt like it could be something a bit different. I wanted to try something ocular / round looking. I considered it a lot in the short time I had, trying to work out how everything could work in conjunction with a simple hand held control and how ultimately data could be stored and recorded.

Screen graphics for “The Entire History of You” episode of “Black Mirror”. Courtesy of Clayton McDermott.

After some exploration I came up with the idea of using sets of concentric circles which could be broken up into sections of data. These separated ring sections of data could then be used to represent anything from years, months, days, hours, minutes, menu settings etc. Using the circular shape and concentric circles/rings allowed me to represent certain visual aspects. Firstly, it was reflective of the human eye where the recording of the visual memories took place. Second, it echoed the shape of an analogue clock and denoted the concept time. And thirdly, visually it looked like the cross section of a tree with the rings forming much like those of the growth rings of a tree. This again helped reinforce the idea of not only capturing information but also the preservation of time.

I think that balance comes from always trying to think beyond the shot required or what looks good and into how the interface works as a whole, where the menus are, how you navigate etc. In my opinion it always makes for a more believable design.

Screen graphics for “Hated in the Nation” episode of “Black Mirror”. Courtesy of Clayton McDermott.

Kirill: Was the simplicity of graphics in “Hated in the Nation” intentional? Is it easier to design something that looks simple / everyday?

Clayton: The parts that did in that episode largely centre around social media and online content that we are all familiar with whether you choose to use it or not. I think if it had looked any other way, it would have been harder for people to relate to, it just would have been less tangible. The simplicity of the screen content was juxtaposed against the slightly advanced hardware/devices that were designed to have these transparent screens.

In regards to whether it’s easier to design, I guess you get to start with a pretty decent tried and tested reference. The problem however is that with some of that reference, ‘social media’ elements for example, people are so used to seeing and interacting with it on a daily basis that you need to make it feel as lived in as possible otherwise there is the risk of it all feeling a bit too contrived. Windows need to feel like they can be closed, web browsers / apps need to feel like they can be navigated and content needs to feel authentic. All of that can sometimes take a bit of time to get right whilst still trying to make it feel different enough.

Kirill: What can you tell us about going “back in time” for the retro graphics in “Bandersnatch”? What inspired you for that episode?

Clayton: The script was always written and centred around the ZX Spectrum and graphics from that 80’s time period, so graphically that was the starting point. One of the first computers I owned was an Amstrad, not long after they had acquired ‘Sinclair Research’. I’d wait for ages for the cassette tape to load up games, more often that not only for it to fail, but I had memories of the type of hardware portrayed in the episode.

Specifically games like Manic Miner, Jet Set Willy, Jetpack and The Hobbit were all good points of reference. From these I went on to produce a few games for the episode whilst always trying to stay true to the feeling of spectrum gaming using its colour palette and limitations. Ultimately, however respectful you are trying to be to that hardware and software you have to use some artistic licence to get what is required for the shot etc.

Screen graphics for “Bandersnatch” episode of “Black Mirror”. Courtesy of Clayton McDermott.

I remember one issue I ran into early on was the way in which a user interacts with the ZX Spectrum and rubbery keyboard buttons. For the correct command lines to appear on screen certain letters and symbols need to be pressed in conjunction with one another to get the correct commands to appear. The time between pressing those buttons also varies so eventually rather than try to recreate those inconsistencies I ended up running an emulator and typed everything out by hand whilst recording sections. These recordings were then mixed with elements created in After Effects in the hope it made the whole thing feel more realistic and authentic.

Kirill: How did you choose the color palette for the more detailed and intricate medical interfaces in “Rachel, Jack and Ashley Too”?

Clayton: Whenever I design an interface, particularly like those in the episode, I find it generally a good idea to have a background colour for the software and then a few accent colours to deal with selection, highlighting, toggling etc. Otherwise the whole thing becomes too overwhelming or confusing. I don’t remember there being any specific significance between the colours chosen, only that they complemented each other and brought attention to certain areas.

Kirill: Overall, how much time did you spend on average on “Black Mirror” episodes?

Clayton: It’s hard to say – they vary depending on what is required. Plus, there is usually time between sections where elements are being signed off or shot on set. Generally though the design process runs over a few months.

Screen graphics for “Rachel, Jack and Ashley Too” episode of “Black Mirror”. Courtesy of Clayton McDermott.

Kirill: Do you get to enjoy seeing the final episode when you probably already know the major plotline from the graphics you were working on?

Clayton: It always takes me a while to revisit them after they have been released because, like you say, I’ve not only read the script numerous times but I’ve also seen rough cuts of the edits to help with the required graphics etc. Usually I try to avoid seeing the edit after my bits are done and it goes on to the last section of the process. Once some time has passed I’ll usually look back over them and can enjoy seeing how everything has come together.

Kirill: Is it an exciting time to be a designer?

Clayton: I think so, things always need to be designed, new technology continues to evolve and film and TV are relying on that process now more than ever. Advances in other areas like interaction also continue to expand and create new roles.

There is always something new popping up and it’s interesting to see what people go on to do with it.

Kirill: What do you do between your client projects? Where do you find ideas and what do you draw your inspiration from?

Clayton: With the release of things like Unity and Arduino a while back, I started to look more into the programming side of things. Like I said, I’ve probably had an interest in it since I started looking at HTML a long, long time ago. I enjoy the process of coding, there is always a problem to solve and whether the output is hardware or digital it’s another nice way to explore and create things. I also use it more and more in my commercial process now and think that understanding of what lies beneath software allowed me to understand more about how things like interfaces and interactive content work when designing them. As well as prototyping game ideas I also enjoy seeing what can be achieved with generative art and how that can be used to make new art works. I think I just enjoy both the rigidity and the randomness the coding environment can bring. Again I think it’s just that fascination with trying to understand how the things I enjoy work.

Kirill: What do you think about how deeply technology has integrated itself into our daily lives?

Clayton: I think it is safe to say without technology not only would I be out of a job but I also wouldn’t have been able to teach myself half the stuff I know. On a personal level, I also wouldn’t have been able to leave my home and country and continue my career, not to mention still be able to continuously stay in touch with friends and family in an instant.

I’ve always felt I’ve tried to use it to the best of my advantage or for my own personal enjoyment but I suppose there is always that question of what happens if these deeply integrated technologies were to ever be removed in some way. The truth for the most part though is it just makes life easier, more manageable maybe. We have evolved and that’s not necessarily a bad thing. I suppose it’s the way in which we choose to interact with it that will ultimately matter.

Graphics for the title sequence of “Black Mirror”. Courtesy of Clayton McDermott.

And here I’d like to thank Clayton McDermott for this wonderful opportunity to talk about the art and craft of screen graphics, and for sharing the supporting materials for the interview. All the seasons of “Black Mirror” are available for streaming on Netflix. And if you’re interested to read additional interviews about the wonderful world of screen graphics and user interfaces for film and TV, click here for more.

But simply having a camera with the highest megapixels isn’t enough as you also need to know some basic tricks of photography. An in-built camera app on most Android phones are loaded with some basic features found in professional cameras. In this article, let us find out how these features can be used to take professional photographs from your Android smartphone cameras.

1. Use different picture modes for different pictures. The preloaded camera app on your Android phone comes loaded with some different picture modes you can choose them according to the picture you are taking if you are clicking a picture of a person you can select portrait mode it will help to keep focus lock on the face. E.g. If you are taking a picture of a scenery or landscape you can conveniently use landscape mode and so on.

2. Use burst mode: You will find this feature in most of the smartphones’ cameras. We often try to take picture of the things which just happens for a second such as fireworks, raindrops falling on leafs etc. You will miss these shorts if you will just delay by one nanosecond here burst mode can help you. Whenever you want to click a photograph like this you should press and hold the shutter button (click button) on your camera it will continuously take shots for a couple of seconds and later on, you will be able to select the best short later.

3. Avoid using optical zoom: Optical zoom is available in all the Android default camera apps. You can zoom in by pressing volume up key or by using two figures (pinch zoom). Actually, you should avoid using optical zoom because it crops the image to the object you are zooming in and you cannot crop up if you find pixels are getting damaged. So it is always better to take the image without zooming in if you still want to enlarge a particular object you can crop the image once it is in your gallery.

4. Use HDR Mode: In some of the latest smartphones with flash, you will find the automatic mode of HDR. HDR basically works when you are not able to see the original colors in the picture because you are shooting against the light. When HDR is turned on your smartphone camera it takes 3-4 different pictures of a single object with different light shifts in all and finally, combine all these images to give you the final image having much better color quality than the original image. So if you are shooting against the light you should make sure that HDR is turned on or on automatic mode. In some Android smartphones you can keep both the images HDR and normal so that in case you find the Normal image better you can go for it.

5. Tap on the object if you are taking a close-up: From your smartphone, you can take a beautiful close-up of flowers and other objects. While taking a close up tap on the main object to focus on and you will get a beautifully detailed image.

This is how you can use your existing smartphone camera to take better pictures. Given were the basic camera features usually available in all Android cameras.

]]> /top-5-tips-to-take-better-pictures-on-the-android-smartphone/feed/ 0 /five-tips-to-boost-battery-life-of-your-android-smartphone/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=five-tips-to-boost-battery-life-of-your-android-smartphone /five-tips-to-boost-battery-life-of-your-android-smartphone/#respond Wed, 10 Jun 2020 05:20:25 +0000 /?p=22 High-end smartphones offer a huge number of features, but unfortunately, they don’t have a reliable battery life.

Over the last few years, the endurance of Android handsets has reduced due to a number of factors such as sleek designs with less space for batteries, larger and brighter screens, faster quad-core processors, multitasking functionality and shift to 4G from 3G networks.

In this situation, it is hard for most of the people to go longer than a day without recharging their phone.

Here are some tips you should try extend the battery life of your device.

(1) Dim Screen Brightness:

Large and colorful display of the smartphone looks pleasant, but it consumes a large amount of battery. Turn your screen’s brightness down to the lowest tolerable point to minimize the power consumption and increase the endurance of your device.

You can also enable your device’s auto-brightness feature that uses an ambient light sensor to automatically adjust the brightness of screen.

(2) Turn off Bluetooth and WiFi:

Bluetooth and WiFi radios are both serious battery drainers. Turn them off while they are not in use to make your device last longer.

(3) Kill Apps Running in Background:

Multitasking is a great Android feature which allow the users to run more than one app at a time. But it also a battery drain as every you run consumes power.

So always kill the app you are not actually using to reduce the energy consumption and extend the battery life of your phone.

To close the apps running in the background, tap the multi-tasking button and swipe them away.

Most Android smartphones also have battery monitors, which enable you see that which app is using how much power.

(4) Turn off Unnecessary Notifications

Now-a-days, the apps frequently send messages, updates, news and other information to the users. Every time, your device receives a notification, the screen lights up, and show a message which consumes power.

So turn-off the unnecessary notifications to extend the battery life of your device.

(5) Turn off Vibration

Many people put their phone on vibration to avoid audible disturbance when it plays a ringtone to alert you on an incoming call. But vibrating burns a lot more energy than ringtone to make your phone shake.

So turn off vibration and enjoy a longer battery life.

If you are disturbed by ringtone, it is better to put your phone on silent mode and keep it in view so you could see when a call is coming.

]]> /five-tips-to-boost-battery-life-of-your-android-smartphone/feed/ 0 /how-to-secure-your-android-smartphone/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=how-to-secure-your-android-smartphone Fri, 22 May 2020 05:20:26 +0000 /?p=23 Apple has taken a lot of pains into securing its system as well its iPhone, iPad, iPod Touch and other devices. The iOS is a robust OS that is not more likely to be prone to security glitches. Then there are other systems like Android that require security measures due to its open source software. It is essential to know how to protect your Android Smartphone to keep away the hackers and malware attack. Let us now find out how to secure your Android Smartphone.

App Permissions

You like downloading apps to your Smartphone but the thing is that you then come across permissions. Often you overlook the app permissions making yourself vulnerable to a malware threat or a virus threat. If you look carefully at the permissions then you will be able to find out a lot about an app.

Permissions are the initial step towards securing your Android Smartphone against any malware. The permissions often contain cryptic software language that is hiding malware beneath. It is often about the way an app is going to creep into your phone and access your personal information.

Most of the time you are dismissing the pop-up to continue with the installation procedure but it is essential to pay attention to it. There are hidden permissions within the document that enable full access to your device as well cost you money. Tap individual permission to find out about it so that you will be able to know more. If you find any app threatening in a way that it can access all your information then you need to uninstall it.

Legal Download Websites

Android often allows you third-party download but this also laves your Smartphone vulnerable to various threats. It does give you the freedom to install and run any software in your device but in the practical sense, it is dangerous. Installing random apps on your Smartphone available anywhere on internet is like compromising your security. It is advisable that you log on to a legit site like Play Store for downloading content.

The Google Play Store is one such place that provides you reliable apps. Even though it might not be a foolproof site like Apple App Store but this does serves the purpose of giving your legit apps. It is better than randomly downloading apps from any link or website. If you want to install third-party apps then you can refer R-Droid and Amazon App Store.

Security Suite

It is advisable to protect your Smartphone from malware and the best way seems to be installing a security suite or a security app. A security app is beyond scanning as it is about providing overall security to your device. It is able to provide you protection against malware and infections that are a threat to your security. You will also be able to wipe, lock and even locate your device remotely in case it is pilfered. It all ensures that your device is secure and you have taken all the necessary measures to secure your device.

You can log on to Google Play Store for security where results will appear. You can easily find and install MacAfee or Norton. You can even install TrustGo Mobile Security or something like Lookout Mobile Security that will be enough to secure you from malware.

PIN Lock

This is the most obvious yet the most common way of securing your phone. Using a PIN lock or a pattern lock is a sure shot way of securing your Smartphone. This will prevent anyone from snooping in to your device. Even if someone gets their hands on your phone, they will not be able to access any function due to the secure lock. Go to Settings-> Security & Screen Lock. However, remember that a PIN lock is better than pattern lock as pattern can be tracked easily by your finger marks.

Keeping all the above-mentioned tips in mind you will be able to get past the security concerns that plague you as an Android user. You will be easily able to keep your device away from malware attack and infections that are threatening towards your mobile security.

]]> /30-2/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=30-2 Tue, 12 May 2020 05:32:35 +0000 /?p=30 Are you trying to build your career as a developer? For higher chances of success, make sure you keep a few important things in mind. Actually, these are some best tricks and practices for developers, especially those who make apps for Android.

1. Follow the trends

If you want your app to get popular, be sure you consider the latest trends. This will let you know about the features that you should focus on. As a matter of fact, you need to grab the winning ideas as soon as they appear.

2. Make a great first impression

According to Branagan, the success of an app can be estimated as soon as it hits the Google Play. On this platform, around 2.2 billion applications are available for download and install. If you want to stand out from this crowd, you have to have something that will appeal to the viewers.

3. Head to communities

If you have some doubts on your mind, don’t worry. You can head to online communities. On these forums, expert developers are always ready to give answers to important questions to help each other out.

4. Listen to your audience

For earning the trust and loyalty of your target audience, you may want to listen to them. Aside from this, it will make it easier for you to grow your number of users. Moreover, feedback from them will help you make necessary changes to your app for a better experience. Keep in mind that good work gets a lot of appreciation.

5. Grab a great idea

If you work independently, chances are that you will achieve success provided your app idea is revolutionary. But even if it’s not revolutionary, it should provide value with the users.

6. Learn to criticize your work

While it’s a good idea to believe in yourself, you may want to learn to criticize your products. Once you are done with an app, ask yourself why others should download and use it.

What should be your goal? Your goal should be to make an app that will solve a problem that many users have out there. By solving their problems, your app will make their lives easier. So, what you need to do is choose a niche that can help you provide the solutions you may have.

7. Develop a portfolio

If you want to attract more clients as a freelance app developer, know that you must have an awesome portfolio. Creating work samples is of utmost importance, especially if you are just starting out. As a matter of fact, we can’t deny the importance of having a great portfolio.

8. Understand the Market

It’s important for you to find out how the users of Android behave. Know that Android has a lot more users than its alternatives in the world, but they won’t pay as much as they users of iOS would pay.

So, it’s important that you know these elements before you put together a strategy to create an app.

As a new developer, it may not be easy for your achieve success, but it’s feasible. With hard work and a solid strategy in place, you can turn this dream into reality.

]]> /6-top-security-tips-for-your-phone/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=6-top-security-tips-for-your-phone Tue, 28 Apr 2020 05:35:30 +0000 /?p=35 In today’s world when cell phones (both smart and those that are not smart) are common possessions, it is very imperative to know their security implications. Either you are using an ordinary cell phone or an Android Smartphone, there are mainly three top security tips you must know. You either know them or risk losing your valuable phone.

Take Note of the IMEI

Make sure you store the IMEI number of your phone in a secured place. This is because if it is stolen, you can approach your service provider with the number so that the phone will be blocked. The IMEI number is a 15-digit number found on every phone.

Stop Physical access to Your Phone

Enable the lock mode of your phone so that when someone finds it, access will be denied. Do not put your phone anywhere and endeavor to always put it in a case. This will shield it from unnecessary theft and also protect it from harsh weather condition. Many Android phones lock automatically when idle for a certain period of time.

Add Priority Protocol

If you are using an Android phone, endeavor to add priority protocols such as HAIPE which stands for High Assurance Internet Protocol Encrypt. This is since the NSA wants right of entry into all government’s classified IP router. In addition, in its bid to secure Android Smartphone, Google has created a secured Android kernel which will block communication with a phone when there is a security violation.

Keep Your System Updated

Use the latest mobile operating system for your phone. This will enable you to enjoy great and latest security features that will not only protect your information but also protect your gadget.

Be Careful With Your Click

There are lots of scammers looking for credit card information to steal, hence be extra cautious on what you click on and who you exchange information with. In fact, social media are now wrongfully used to entice you to click on malicious links. Be sure that a site you are exchanging vital information with has a URL that starts with ‘http’ or else run for your dear life.

Download Applications from Trusted Sites

The greatest fun associated with a Smartphone is that you can get applications for virtually everything. However, many third party developers churn out series of apps for users in a bid to improve user-experience. As a result of this, endeavor to check the reliability of a site before downloading applications from it.

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