8 Challenges of Building Mobile Apps for Smart Devices

Isha Mathur -
Mobile apps, IoT, device management
Illustration: © IoT For All

In the world of technological advancements, smart apps are increasingly used across the globe. Mobile apps offer ease in communication, connectivity, and access to a business. It also helps in taking advantage of IoT in the construction of smart cities and homes. Nevertheless, building a mobile application is not an overnight task. It requires strategic planning and smart execution for a successful app that users love to use. Likewise, it is imperative to know the biggest challenges in mobile app development and troubleshoot it before it creates significant complication development.

Today, every business has its own mobile application. We cannot deny the power of mobile applications and how it can take your business to the next level. In this digital world, it is the only medium to expand your business.

In this article, we are focusing on the eight biggest challenges of developing a mobile app for smart devices.

Meeting Requirements with UI/UX Design

User Interface and User Experience are required factors for any mobile app. Without having proper UI/UX, we cannot create a proper web application. Ultimately, a user-friendly UI/UX will help in attracting more users to the mobile application. Hence, while establishing the app’s documentation, it is vital to list the primary purpose of the app, the devices it will support, what platform will be used to launch, and so on.

Once all the primary requirements are listed in detail with features and functionality, the designer should initiate their work. UI/UX’s essential elements need to develop that offer accessibility and a smooth surfing experience correctly.

Sometimes because of time constraints, unclear requirements, or some other reason, UI/UX is overlooked. However, it should not be the case while developing a mobile app for a smart device. This challenge can be overcome with precise documentation and clarity on the functions of an application.

Development Technology

Choosing the best suitable development technology and building a native, hybrid or Cross-platform mobile application is the most common development challenge that most companies encounter. This final decision should be taken as per the business requirements and users’ preferences.

However, asking for expert advice from an IoT app development services provider would be a plus. Build the app on a flexible platform to be adaptable and best suit the client’s target functionality.

Assuring Compatibility Between Sensors and Networks

Sensors and networks via which they communicate are an indispensable part of IoT development. One challenging aspect for many IoT specialists in determining the terminal compatibility between different sensors and various network types. These days, many sensor manufacturers and vendors do not perpetually work under similar protocols. Consequently, you may end up in a circumstance where two devices are not compatible and exchange valuable data.

Sometimes, these challenging issues are encountered later or at the end of the app development process. Make sure to verify these details with the app development company you have selected.

Validating Hardware Compatibility

It is challenging and complicated to anticipate the system and performance requirements while the app development is in the early phase. Often, the development teams do not get specific hardware information. This issue needs to be resolved ASAP to prevent issues with the app functioning later on.

Thus, some reputed IoT app development companies emphasize choosing the right hardware from the early stage of development to modify their design and/or find ways to define hardware requirements. =

Managing Devices Connection to the Network

The provocation of connectivity and networking remains one of the most significant matters when there is a requirement to connect different devices to work within a single app. The devices can be united using one of the classic internet networks (such as LAN or WAN) or other networks.

As the IoT system and its architecture evolve, networks’ demand increases along with the connected devices. Seldom, the devices exceed the performance and coverage of specific networks, producing data processing and exchange issues.

Consistency and Data Flow Management

While developing a mobile app for smart devices, consistency and data flow management is crucial. For instance, certain devices in a smart home collect the data and then represent it on the user’s devices (phone, tablet, smartwatch, etc.). A stable and uniform database connection assures that up-to-date data is displayed across all devices, all the time.

Most of the data that smart devices operate with these days is unorganized, so it might create difficulty to store it in a relevant SQL format. The data must also ensure an exemplary data flow through multiple layers of the smart system’s architecture.

Optimal Performance

Besides developing a successful app and providing a superior customer experience, most app developers face a common challenge for ensuring a world-class app performance. The challenge involves the functioning of an application without crashes or bugs and at the same time utilizes as little space in the device without altering battery life. Firstly, you should confirm the app should work in the right way. If an app offers optimal performance, then only users will use it.

App Security

Security concerns can be annoying for mobile developers. For instance, malware problems may arise, and software/hardware fragmentation only adds to the distress’ list. There is a lot of effort required to address such app security problems, which consumes a lot of time and money.

Unless proper security standards are complied with, security lapse can commence to information misuse and manipulation, poor user experience, and scarce app adoption.

In short, challenges should not hinder the performance of your app. Understand each challenge and take appropriate actions to overcome the issue and develop a smooth operating app. IoT app development services providers closely work on overcoming challenges and bypass the issues entirely with their expertise and experience. When you need to develop a mobile app for smart devices, look for the app development service provider who has skilled resources and worked on similar projects.

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Guest Writer
Guest Writer
Guest writers are IoT experts and enthusiasts interested in sharing their insights with the IoT industry through IoT For All.
Guest writers are IoT experts and enthusiasts interested in sharing their insights with the IoT industry through IoT For All.