Volume 2, 2020 Ιnternational Journal of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science (EEACS) Mobile operating systems and apps development strategies Serena Pastore INAF – Astronomical observatory of Padova Padova, Italy [email protected] Abstract— Apps are the new form of software that started for licenses both payment and free. Given the presence of a single using on mobile devices are becoming a new general model for container, apps are categorized by scopes (entertainment, distributing application software based on custom kind of e- educational, social) and the kind of mobile platforms [4] (iOS, commerce stores. The mobile platform environment shows a Android, Windows, Blackberry OS). Regardless the scope and plethora of systems and the apps regardless of the type of the underlying operating systems, mobile apps have specific category belong (i.e., social, educational, games) are distinguished features since targeted to computer systems that show limited from the design point of view in native, web or hybrid apps. The capacities, are equipped with some type of Internet connection paper analyzes mobile operating systems from a software and could show specific hardware as sensors, camera, Global developer perspective in order to propose actual and future Positioning System (GPS) receivers. Usually mobile devices, platforms where to deploy apps. The work is part of a research even if different as regards the scope and functionalities (e.g., aimed at designing and developing apps for science outreach and education. The choice of mobile platforms influence the tools tablets can be seen as processing devices while smartphones’ needed to develop apps since different platforms may need cross- main aim is telephony), offer limited computing and storage platforms development tools. features, small screen size, input device with touch and without the usual pointing devices and the integration with Keywords— mobile apps, web and social app, mobile operating sensor devices. A plethora of mobile operating systems [4] has systems, cross-platform tools, apps stores been developed for managing the different mobile hardware for the two main computer systems categories (tablets and smartphones), most of them tied to mobile devices I. Introduction manufactures (Nokia-based systems such as Symbian OS or Since the explosive growth in mobile device adoption [1], Blackberry-based systems). However mobile platform the specific application software targeted to mobile devices providers cover software companies or organizations such as known as apps are gaining popularity. In specific we are the case of Android OS, Windows Phone or the new proposals referring to most used mobile devices belonging to the tablets for operating systems (e.g., Tizen OS or Firefox OS, Ubuntu and smartphones categories. Mobile has become the primary mobile) that developed mobile platforms suitable for different entry point for all types of users, who are using smaller device categories of hardware. The paper analyzes mobile platforms yet want to be able to do the same or more as they do on the from a software developer perspective examining the various desktop system, since Internet connection or mobile Internet existing and development platforms, the type of apps that [2] from such devices is more efficient thanks to wireless data could be developed for such environments and the tools transmissions both through wireless networks and cellular available for such aim. In fact the presence of several mobile networks. Such networks allow higher band rate and apps platforms, even if the actual market reduces the number to two could contain complex multimedia content as well as audio systems (iOS and Android OS) is characterized by numerous and video content also because mobile devices are more frameworks (i.e., Windows-based, Blackberry OS, Bada OS). similar to computer systems with enhanced computing Developing an app for a single system excludes, although with facilities. However most apps take advantage of Internet different percentages, the number of potential users. A connection and use the web platform as an environment for software developer needs to understand to what mobile apps execution. When using an app by means of a support devices it is worthwhile to develop an app. Moreover if the distributed computing platforms they are known as web apps choice regards more than one category, the developer should [3]. A primary categorization of apps that lays on technologies consider the design of a native or a web apps meaning the use involved in their development distinguishes apps in web, of mobile platform developer software rather than web native and hybrid meaning that they use web technologies, the technologies. Since the presence of mobile frameworks mobile software programming platforms on which the mobile helping the cross-platform development, advantages and operating systems is based or specific cross platforms tools disadvantages of these software should be examined. This is a that are able to mediate on these two approaches. The research carried out in order to understand what mobile distribution of mobile software passes through the “app store” platforms and tools are to be taken by considering actual and a custom kind of e-commerce site where a user could find the future platforms and choices to make in offering educational software he/she needs distributed with different types of and outreach app. Our background is a research institute involved in Astrophysics and this paper describes the study ISSN: 2769-2507 38 Volume 2, 2020 Ιnternational Journal of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science (EEACS) made to choose a platform where to develop education and executed in devices the use of which is for a personal use outreach Astronomy apps. The remainder of this paper is rather that professional. organized as follows: Section 2 gives an overview of apps categories according users’ behavior recent statistics from several market organizations. Section 3 describes the several mobile operating systems. Section 4 presents the approaches of using cross-platforms tools in app development. Conclusion and future work are given in the final section. II. Apps features: categories, types and development Apps are a kind of software programs that perform specific tasks for the mobile users. They could run in a handheld device even if the execution could refer to the web platforms. Initially most famous apps were born in the context of social network as an easy way to access to social tools like Facebook Fig. 1: Mobile activities (comScore Source) or Twitter from mobile devices, but are becoming a kind of All the apps should consider that mobile devices have software belonging to several categories characterized by a some limitations as regards processing power, memory and graphical element or widget that could be easily started with a storage compared to desktop computer that cannot be touch. These features allow a user to use the application forgotten or ignored otherwise apps perform badly. Moreover software in the same way despite the mobile platforms he/she the specific presence of sensors (e.g., the GPS receiver and the uses. Most apps that go beyond passive consumption are still camera) could be exploited to develop apps that combine for mere companions to their desktop counterpart. Also Facebook example the recognition of location with the specific interests implements a mobile interface in the signup facility. of a user. An example of a specific type of apps that combines Personalization, context and proactive suggestions are tools to these two aspects are the so-called augmented reality [5] app. reduce the number of steps required by a user to accomplish a Such app takes advantage of sensors in mobile devices to task on mobile. Apps categorizations could be done according enrich the real world seen through the devices with the digital to the goal or the technologies used for development. world and thus what can be derived from a user with the An apps should be designed to solve a real problem and not as application software that uses. Augmented reality is a term a simple add-ons. Considering the fragmented landscape, that describes the enhancement of real-world objects or views probably a developer should focuses on major player in the with computer generated actions. It is a technology that market considering that only installed apps get used. A combines virtual reality with computer graphics. An technical approach is to consider together with the need to augmented reality app can contain various functions, be they build quick prototype that could offer a mobile-optimized for interaction or display. There are different kinds of apps also in this context [6] (i.e., those called augmented browser experience. Apps should be simple, with a clear navigation, that consist in using a rich browser able to display information and when there is the need of Internet connection, the user about a real object). These apps seem to be very interesting in should be advised since a lot of users use Wi-Fi connections. a context of educational or outreach apps. We could in fact The apps should be directed without about screen, load in describe a specific real object (i.e., a telescope or an small chunks and only what is needed. instrument both ancient that modern) by mean of a code (bar A. APPS CATEGORIES code or similar) on the base of the object. The app developed could show a picture of that object with a fully interactive By considering the goal of an app, next to a classification description. This could be extended to show a map according market categories (e.g.., business, tools, education), highlighting similar objects allowing to follow the map to their we can see terms such as social apps, smart apps, and so on locations. Such app displays lots of data, moves it continually that could identify the role of an apps. The new class of apps around the screen, and resizes components, resulting in using which embody the definition of “smart” has the meaning that the device’s processing power to the maximum.