should you Optimize apps for iOS 7?
Recent news and rumours surrounding iOS development have more or less been accurate. However, if there is one thing developers weren't prepared for, it has to be iOS 7's new user interface.
The updated interface has given product designers a platform to revamp their apps and optimize them for the new OS. There are a lot of perks to take the plunge, but if you are still doubtful, the following will help you make the right choice.
From a developer's POV
Updating apps require both time and money, and developers are pretty accustomed with the whole process of fixing minor bugs or implementing new features. What's baffling for them is the new iOS 7 platform, which is a radical change from its previous iteration, the iOS 6. Now, iPhone app development involves a complete change in perspective that has a lot to do with aesthetics and user interaction.
Before the release of iOS 7, developers didn't have to optimize apps for an OS upgrade but the move from iOS 6 to iOS 7 made the transition mandatory due to major functional changes.
New elements to the interface
For a developer looking to publish in iOS 7, the first hurdle is designing for the new UI. Some elements that work just fine in one version may go kaput in another, and therefore, reformatting takes up a lot of the developer's time. For example, if you use the Interface Builder tool, you may find the upgradation process a lot easier. This tool recreates visuals of how your app looks like in both the previous and current iOS versions so that you can compare the changes and see how drastic alterations can be. Interestingly, Apple has been pushing for these changes since last year – a right step in iOS development - and even though it takes considerable effort on the developer's part to implement the changes, the results are worth the wait.
Introduction of animation
The new iOS 7 uses physics and motion beautifully, and this may be its secret ingredient. It's no surprise that Apple wants developers to adopt the new animation features and has been pushing them for some time now as part of its planned iPhone app development. But integrating motion in apps isn't just forcing a piece of animation anywhere. It needs a lot of thought and careful re-engineering of the overall app experience and the way a user interacts with them. Though iOS 6 used some animation, iOS 7 takes it further to a new level with gradually occurring effects. These certainly make apps appear interesting, like the revamped unlock screen – inputting the wrong passcode makes the numbers to vibrate, an indication the user needs to re-try. Needless to say, this sort of change from the ground up requires careful planning, effort and quite a bit of time, which justifies charging money from users.
New apps benefit from Apple's policies
As an app store policy, Apple wants developers to offer updates without charging people. The company sees new apps to be integral to future iOS development and is pushing the developer community to publish new apps rather than updates to make money. This is encouraging news for developers as well as those looking to invest in an app going into 2014. For developers, walking that extra mile to release a new app optimized for iOS 7 will be a profitable proposition. For enterprises, offering a better user experience and more productivity to their customers and stakeholders will contribute to their bottom lines.
The updated interface has given product designers a platform to revamp their apps and optimize them for the new OS. There are a lot of perks to take the plunge, but if you are still doubtful, the following will help you make the right choice.
From a developer's POV
Updating apps require both time and money, and developers are pretty accustomed with the whole process of fixing minor bugs or implementing new features. What's baffling for them is the new iOS 7 platform, which is a radical change from its previous iteration, the iOS 6. Now, iPhone app development involves a complete change in perspective that has a lot to do with aesthetics and user interaction.
Before the release of iOS 7, developers didn't have to optimize apps for an OS upgrade but the move from iOS 6 to iOS 7 made the transition mandatory due to major functional changes.
New elements to the interface
For a developer looking to publish in iOS 7, the first hurdle is designing for the new UI. Some elements that work just fine in one version may go kaput in another, and therefore, reformatting takes up a lot of the developer's time. For example, if you use the Interface Builder tool, you may find the upgradation process a lot easier. This tool recreates visuals of how your app looks like in both the previous and current iOS versions so that you can compare the changes and see how drastic alterations can be. Interestingly, Apple has been pushing for these changes since last year – a right step in iOS development - and even though it takes considerable effort on the developer's part to implement the changes, the results are worth the wait.
Introduction of animation
The new iOS 7 uses physics and motion beautifully, and this may be its secret ingredient. It's no surprise that Apple wants developers to adopt the new animation features and has been pushing them for some time now as part of its planned iPhone app development. But integrating motion in apps isn't just forcing a piece of animation anywhere. It needs a lot of thought and careful re-engineering of the overall app experience and the way a user interacts with them. Though iOS 6 used some animation, iOS 7 takes it further to a new level with gradually occurring effects. These certainly make apps appear interesting, like the revamped unlock screen – inputting the wrong passcode makes the numbers to vibrate, an indication the user needs to re-try. Needless to say, this sort of change from the ground up requires careful planning, effort and quite a bit of time, which justifies charging money from users.
New apps benefit from Apple's policies
As an app store policy, Apple wants developers to offer updates without charging people. The company sees new apps to be integral to future iOS development and is pushing the developer community to publish new apps rather than updates to make money. This is encouraging news for developers as well as those looking to invest in an app going into 2014. For developers, walking that extra mile to release a new app optimized for iOS 7 will be a profitable proposition. For enterprises, offering a better user experience and more productivity to their customers and stakeholders will contribute to their bottom lines.