Yesterday Apple released iOS 4.3 with several enhancements like the Nitro JavaScript engine to improve Safari browsing speeds, extension of AirPlay support and the Personal Hotspot used on the Verizon iPhone.
The iOS update also delivers a new feature called iTunes Home Sharing, allowing users to stream iTunes content on an iPhone, iPod touch, or iPad over a local WiFi network.
These additional features are great news for iPhone application developers as well they expand the palette of possibilities with this already incredible device. To help them utilize these tools Apple also released its iOS 4.3 SDK and Xcode 4, a new version of its integrated development environment available to iPhone and iPad application developers.
A key opportunity that is sure to be utilized by iPhone application developers is the new option to allow for streaming from third-party apps through Apple TV. In addition, AirPlay allows video captured on iOS devices to be streamed back to Apple TV. With each revision, mobile application development is given the tools to take a step forward.
According to data from a recent study by Asymco, iPad and iPhone owners download an average of over 60 mobile applications per device.
Amazingly, they are reporting that iOS application downloads are outpacing music downloads in terms of growth. The amazing growth of iPhone application and iPad application downloads is exciting news and a huge opportunity for savvy business people.
With users downloading custom built applications at such a high rate that there are massive opportunities to utilize this medium in ways people are thinking of everyday. Applications, regardless of if they are for iPhone or iPad or even applications for Android or BlackBerry applications are rapidly changing the way we communicate and do business.
Have you though of how you can use applications to enhance your customer’s experience? Provide them with useful data? Create a loyalty program? Give them important information to assist them in using your products better? The possibilities are endless and those that don’t push themselves into this realm may soon find themselves left behind.
Looking for a great way to approach iPhone application development or Android application development for your business right now? A recent survey by mobileSQUARED found that users in 2015 are thought to be “more likely to utilize mobile marketing or advertising promotions that are sent to them via their mobile phones than those generated through search, display or navigation.”
Mobile coupons or vouchers are going to be a hot topic for the next few years and present a great opportunity to market to your target customer base. Savvy businesses are positioning themselves to deliver coupons or offers to their potential client base via custom iPad applications or mobile applications designed for the iPhone, Android or BlackBerry platforms.
BlackBerrys, iPhones, iPads and Android devices have all moved past the point of being cool and have become the mainstream. If you have considered taking the plunge in to custom mobile applications to promote your business, talk to a mobile application developer about how you can use this exciting technology for your business. Think about how you can couple this with geo location features on you iPhone, BlackBerry or Android to further enhance the mobile nature of these apps.
With iPhone application development being far less expensive than many people imagine (Android and BlackBerry application development too), this is a great opportunity to market your business in a high profile and effective medium at a cost much more reasonable than most people think.