What is a mobile app?

I got a query recently, “can you can implement devops for mobile apps?” . Which made me question, what is so special about mobile apps. Why do we have to think of devops for mobile aaps . So I thought of first try and find an answer to What is an mobile app?

What is a ‘Mobile ’ app after all?

“A mobile application is a software application designed to run on smartphones, tablet computers and other mobile devices. “

So then what are mobile devices.?

I thought of finding the definition for the same at Wikipedia.

“ A mobile device (also known as a handheld computer or simply handheld) is a small, handheld computing device, typically having a display screen with touch input and/or a miniature keyboard and weighing less than 2 pounds (0.91 kg).”

Really..? Well that's not what I thought it to be , even though the definitions can be treated as a subset of what I had in my mind.

I would further qualify that in today’s world one would limit the definition of mobile devices to ‘smart’ devices.Those with active, interactive software. It’s not just iOS vs. Android vs. Blackberry.And this is just the beginning. Televisions are now smart, though not untethered yet – they need to be connected to a cable or satellite network via a cable.All cars, trucks and two-wheelers have software embedded in their engines and electrical systems, not just the entertainment, navigation and comfort control systems. They can now tell you when the tires need more air, when the air filter needs to be changes, when you are drifting out of your lane and even parallel park themselves.

I thought of asking my teenage niece as to what is a mobile app. I got an answer ..one that is available at app store. You can download on you mobile.You can install easily. You can play games with. You don't need to be techy to use it. You keep getting updates regularly of the new improvements and more importantly everything is very simple with mobile apps. Really ? Yes that's it. Mobile apps have caught the imagination of everyone. What ever myths we had for desktop applications are no more there for mobile apps.

Mobile Apps are not Web Apps

So, are mobile apps just like web apps? No, they should be just given the same priority and attention as web apps, but they have special needs. Other than all the challenges related to supporting multiple devices with multiple OS versions and form factors, mobile apps are different from web apps in many ways. Focussing on differences related to deployment:

Mobile Apps need to go thru an App Store. This is an asynchronous step that takes a finite amount of time. Web Apps can be updates as needed or are at least within control of the enterprise.

Updating Mobile Apps is a ‘pull’. You cannot force a user to update their App when you want them to. So, unless you disable the ability for your backend to connect to older versions of the App, users can keep using them, even though updates are available.

No roll-back. Unlike web applications, mobile apps cannot be rolled back. You have to release a new version and ask users to upgrade to it.

So Considerations for writing a mobile application can be.

Understand the Potential of Mobile

Target Your Audience and Their Needs

Settle on an Objective

Measure Success

Test Regularly

Develop in Phases

Be Ready to Roll Out

So Now I ask my self a question . Do we need DevOps for mobile applications ? And the answer is most definitely YES!!.

In My next post I ll try to find answers for What does DevOps means for mobile Apps.