If you haven’t already, jump over to our previous post that gives more details about mobile sites. This post is primarily focused on Mobile Applications.

What is a Mobile App?

A mobile application is a tool or game that can be installed on a mobile device. Mobile apps serve a variety of purposes. Here are a couple of iPhone app examples:

Angry Birds
Easy and simple. Yet, it is the most downloaded game in the App Store.

Facebook
Facebook integrates with the mobile device to allow uploading photos/videos straight from the iphone. Let’s users easily update their statuses from their phone without having to open a mobile browser.

Foursquare
Popular app that lets users share their current location and makes a game out of it.

Hipstamatic
A camera app that gives users some more control over camera functions and allows them to add style to their shots.

Coldwell Banker
Users can search for available homes near them (using the phone’s GPS). Users can then view information on homes or filter them down by price and size.

How are they different from Mobile Sites?

Like mobile sites, mobile apps are meant to be easy and quick. However, they typically have a much more specific purpose than simply displaying information. Some apps focus specifically on entertainment (games). Other’s offer some kind of function that relies on features in a mobile device. Some of the features only available to Mobile Apps are: Camera, Phone Orientation, Voice Recognition, Touchscreen (slide, tap, and drag), and GPS are just a few. In addition, apps can make use of other data already stored on the mobile device – such as music, photos, and videos.

Conclusion

Having a mobile app in the app store can greatly increase your brand (and overall visibility). Keep in mind – Apple has to approve your app to be added to the app store (and you have to pay a $300 developer fee).

Have an innovative or entrepreneurial idea for a mobile app? Contact us – we’d love to help.