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Main article: Mobile application development

Developing apps for mobile devices requires considering the constraints and features of these
devices. Mobile devices run on battery and have less powerful processors than personal computers
and also have more features such as location detection and cameras. Developers also have to
consider a wide array of screen sizes, hardware specifications and configurations because of
intense competition in mobile software and changes within each of the platforms (although these
issues can be overcome with mobile device detection).
Mobile application development requires the use of specialized integrated development
environments. Mobile apps are first tested within the development environment using emulators and
later subjected to field testing. Emulators provide an inexpensive way to test applications on mobile
phones to which developers may not have physical access.[citation needed]
Mobile user interface (UI) Design is also essential. Mobile UI considers constraints and contexts,
screen, input and mobility as outlines for design. The user is often the focus of interaction with their
device, and the interface entails components of both hardware and software. User input allows for
the users to manipulate a system, and device's output allows the system to indicate the effects of the
users' manipulation. Mobile UI design constraints include limited attention and form factors, such as
a mobile device's screen size for a user's hand. Mobile UI contexts signal cues from user activity,
such as location and scheduling that can be shown from user interactions within a mobile
application. Overall, mobile UI design's goal is primarily for an understandable, user-friendly
interface.
Mobile UIs, or front-ends, rely on mobile back-ends to support access to enterprise systems. The
mobile back-end facilitates data routing, security, authentication, authorization, working off-line, and
service orchestration. This functionality is supported by a mix of middleware components
including mobile app servers, Mobile Backend as a service (MBaaS), and SOA infrastructure.
Conversational interfaces display the computer interface and present interactions through text
instead of graphic elements. They emulate conversations with real humans.[12] There are two main
types of conversational interfaces: voice assistants (like the Amazon Echo) and chatbots.[12]
Conversational interfaces are growing particularly practical as users are starting to feel overwhelmed
with mobile apps (a term known as "app fatigue").[13][14]
David Limp, Amazon’s senior vice president of devices, says in an interview with Bloomberg, "We
believe the next big platform is voice."[15]

Distribution
See also: List of mobile software distribution platforms
The three biggest app stores are Google Play for Android, App Store for iOS, and Microsoft
Store for Windows 10, Windows 10 Mobile, and Xbox One.

Google Play
Main article: Google Play
Google Play (formerly known as the Android Market) is an international online software store
developed by Google for Android devices. It opened in October 2008.[16] In July 2013, the number of
apps downloaded via the Google Play Store surpassed 50 billion, of the over 1 million apps
available.[17]As of September 2016, according to Statista the number of apps available exceeded 2.4
million. The store generated a revenue of 6 billion U.S. dollars in 2015.

App Store
Main article: App Store (iOS)
Apple's App Store for iOS was not the first app distribution service, but it ignited the mobile
revolution and was opened on July 10, 2008, and as of September 2016, reported over 140 billion
downloads. The original AppStore was first demonstrated to Steve Jobs in 1993 by Jesse Tayler at
NeXTWorld Expo[18] As of June 6, 2011, there were 425,000 apps available, which had been
downloaded by 200 million iOS users.[19][20] During Apple's 2012 Worldwide Developers Conference,
CEO Tim Cook announced that the App Store has 650,000 available apps to download as well as
30 billion apps downloaded from the app store until that date.[21] From an alternative perspective,
figures seen in July 2013 by the BBC from tracking service Adeven indicate over two-thirds of apps
in the store are "zombies", barely ever installed by consumers.[22]

Microsoft Store
Main article: Microsoft Store (digital)
Microsoft Store (formerly known as the Windows Store) was introduced by Microsoft in 2012 for
its Windows 8 and Windows RT platforms. While it can also carry listings for traditional desktop
programs certified for compatibility with Windows 8, it is primarily used to distribute "Windows Store
apps"—which are primarily built for use on tablets and other touch-based devices (but can still be
used with a keyboard and mouse, and on desktop computersand laptops).[23][24]

Others
 Amazon Appstore is an alternative applicatio

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