Revolutionize Your App Development—Design Apps for Internet of Things

By / August 31, 2016 /

Multiple advancements in the field of technology have facilitated our 24×7 connectivity with the world. With internet providing some amazing services, we do not have any point to question its credibility. And with Internet of Things (IoT) added to the list, web has become stronger than before. Here’s a look at some of the main areas of concern that a custom mobile app development company can’t overlook prior to developing their app for IoT.

Decoding the right connectivity mode

Linking a mobile application with hardware is not easy as connectivity is the main concern and hardware has their limitations. We also need to check the device manufacturer such as whether we are trying to build a connection with an Apple device or some other manufacturer. This forms a crucial consideration while building an app as every device has its own development library which is then followed by compatibility issues. For example, we have iOS developer library and Mfi program that helps developers in designing for Internet of Things.

decoding-connectivity

At the beginning of your app development, you need to settle on what all native features of the phone your app will be able to access to build the network connectivity within the mobile app and devices. You have to be aware of the distinctions between connecting through Bluetooth or WiFi to offer a seamless experience.

Ensure the hardware compatibility with IoT devices

compatibility-graphic

This is essential for those apps that are built to work as a remote control for the linked devices with an IoT. Along with this, you may even want to get connected with cellular carriers to ensure that the services are similar. While doing Internet of Things Development, there are multiple considerations like hardware and capabilities of mobile devices when you are building an app that relies on hardware.

No violation of the licensing agreement with OEM

The licensing program of Apple is accompanied with 2 segments, one segment is for developers and the other for manufacturers. We need to have a distinct set of requirements for each section. Each one is required to have manufacturing facilities of one’s own to get the license of manufacturing. Both these segments need the organization to go through a credit review.

See if the protocols of programming support IoT

To ensure that IoT works with a mobile device, follow all the protocols of programming while you build your app that connects with connected devices. External accessory framework that accounts for the common code chunk is made to enter the inception to inform the mobile devices that there is one more device that is trying to build a connection to start a conversation. After this step, declare the protocols that connect the IoT device along with the required app which gets launched after the connection.

Developing an app from IoT platform

Developing an app using IoT platform or from scratch is a vital question to ask prior to developing an IoT app. There are chances of your app having a screen and also chances of not having a screen. There may be a low power processor, a fundamentally embedded operating system along with a method of communication that makes use of multiple or single protocols.

This links directly to the internet or utilizes an internet gateway. The next tier of the system consists of software or infrastructure that works in a corporate data center or cloud and organizes the data streams that come from multiple devices.

mobile-application-development

The software that operates in the tier manages multiple things and ensures to update the firmware when needed. This is then trailed by the analytics tier. The final one is the end-user tier where the end user works with. This can include anything like a web app, a mobile app or an enterprise app.

Those who want to build an IoT app will have to work on it by utilizing two tiers. Therefore, it is sensible to select an app platform that is off-the-rack to build an IoT app. These platforms consist of a second tier that can function as time series which store the incoming data which is added as a feature to the analytics tier, real-time bus message and functions for management and activation. Some of the important companies that offer these platforms include Bug Labs, Xively, Mnubo and ThingWorx. A considerable amount of work is involved while developing an IoT platform from scratch.

This post has been viewed 1,742 times