Mobile phones have become an integral part of everyday life. From communicating to entrainment, mobile phones have taken up the charge to assist us in all our tasks. This has become possible due to the various types of mobile applications that are easily available and are very convenient to use. However, there are many more mobile applications that go unnoticed because they fail to impress the users.

Following these tips while developing a new Mobile App, can make it a success:

• Know your audience using different stats and polls. This will help you design your app according to the needs and interests of that particular audience.

• Offer value. Your app should have some sort of importance for your audience, even if that’s to kill boredom.

• Have a definite business model and a clear scope of the app’s features.

• Whether it’s a Cross-Platform Native App or Hybrid App, make sure to choose the right technology that is compatible with all devices.

• Create an easy to use but interesting UI/UX.

• The app should have a high performance

• Keep providing regular updates

• Your app should be protected to escape the threats to the system.

• Plan an excellent marketing strategy with the right tool

If you want your business to be successful in today’s hypercompetitive era, then you must have knowledge about the latest technology. Therefore, it is to safe say that technology has become a key element for a successful business.

Technology is getting mature at an even faster pace. But in order to outdo their competitors, businesses need to adopt the latest technology. In fact, success of any business cannot be guaranteed without embracing cutting-edge technology.  Artificial intelligence, or AI, is one such technology that has taken the corporate world by storm.

Artificial Intelligence in Online Lending

The days of traditional banking are already an old story now as online banking and lending have taken the lead. Now not many people like to go to the bank personally, talk to the bankers there and try to comprehend the terms and conditions of borrowing money. People, today, prefer a few clicks while sitting on their couch with the help of online banking and lending. They can easily find out the lending scheme that suits their credit score and other needs, without putting their safety at stake, especially during the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic.

With breakneck popularity of online lending, the significance of Artificial Intelligence is also growing, as it’s needed for the preparation of documents and credit rating systems electronically. It helps banks and other lending institutes to proceed with the process of preparing applications for installment loans and other inquiries at a much faster speed. Not just this, the lender also gets facilitated by AI as it helps them calculate the risks. Lenders can know the creditworthiness of a client with the help of AI.

For detailed comprehension, let’s dig into the advantages and disadvantages of using Artificial Intelligence in online lending.

Advantages of using AI in online lending

• Fraud Detection

AI has the ability to process complex data which makes it easy to point out any fraud in a loan application. With the help of AI, lenders can skip any malicious client based on their doubtful activity identified by the mobile app. AI also helps in the protection of a client’s personal information and data. This reduces the probability of cybercrime to take place as AI informs the client on their mobile phones about any suspicious activity based on their names or accounts.

• Fewer Chances of Error

AI can reduce the chances of errors while doing complex calculations and filling the complicated information. Machines’ actions are usually followed by the previous data, therefore, there are fewer chances of mistakes.

• Time-efficient:

AI skips waiting in long queues and makes the process of lending much faster. With the help of AI, the applicant’s creditworthiness can be easily determined. It also makes the processing time for loan applications much shorter as digital assistance makes inquiries simpler.

• Customer Service

Since the loan process can be done quickly, it also helps improve customer service. Now the client can be informed quickly whether their application was accepted or rejected, saving their time. AI also provides them other options that can be helpful for them based on their needs.

Disadvantages of using AI in online lending:

• Expensive:

Since it’s an advanced system, AI is expensive due to its installation, repair, and maintenance. Therefore, only a strong institution with significant finances can use this system.

• Unemployment

Since most of the work can be done by the machine, there will be rising unemployment.

• Restricted Work

AI machines can only perform a certain operation within the defined set of rules. These machines are not creative since they cannot solve problems without an algorithm. Therefore, these machines can only carry out restricted functions without changing according to the conditions

There are always high expectations associated with new mobile product development. Whether it is an organization or mobile users, the news of a new product launch attracts everyone’s focus towards it. While the organizations are focused on the technology of the upcoming product, mobile users expect an even better experience with the company. However, many products fail to meet these expectations and thus, flounder at launch. Every company wants its product to be a success but to achieve this milestone, there are certain criteria that they first need to follow. There are no magic spells just four basic factors that determine the new mobile product’s success.

1.      Support from Senior Management

Before developing and launching new mobile products seek support from the senior management of the organization. It is essential for the project as senior management should have detailed knowledge about the products such as budget, resources, and project targets. It’s them who will have a final call, depending on the product’s innovation, research, and testing the prototypes therefore, try to take them in confidence from the beginning. They hold quite an experience and knows about user feedback. Getting their support also ensures confident resource management throughout the product development process.

If you want to seek senior management’s support, then make sure that the idea of your product is proved. The product can be validated by getting tested by a few real users as this helps in shrinking the probability of uncertainties. The management will have a clear picture of your idea the product and its functionality.

2.      Presentation of Concept of the Product

Getting an idea approved, depends on how well it is presented. If the presentation is poor then it will probably fail to impress the management therefore, effective communication and conveyance of the concept and its details and knowledge play a major role in the success of the mobile product.

However, this risk of mismanagement of knowledge can be reduced with the help of cross-functional teams at the time of product development. This also improves inter-team communication skills resulting in apt knowledge of all the team members regarding the product. Having more teams means having more knowledge, experience, and ideas that can come in handy while trouble-shooting as you will have many shoulders to rely on.

3.      Agile development process

The agile development process holds great significance when comes to mobile product success. This process has a great impact on managing the development costs of the products. It also makes sure to meet the targets especially, return on investment (ROI). Three fields need to be efficiently handled during the development process.

• Pre-development work or the design thinking process
• Specific requirements definition
• Iterative development

To meet the mobile users’ expectations, it is of utmost need to meticulously focus on the three fields of the product’s development phase. By efficiently managing these areas, the development costs of the product can also be saved while keeping up the goals and objectives of the concept.

4.      Market Orientation

Last but not least, it works best to opt for a market-oriented approach. It means that the company which is launching the product is adapting the design and concept that meet users’ need. Many companies ignore it however when it comes to introducing a new mobile product, leaving the market research for later is a huge mistake that you should not make.

The success of mobile apps and products heavily relies on market trends and researches. Therefore, instead of doing the research later, do it even before the development process. Try to make every decision related to the product based on market research, highlighting the needs and aspirations of mobile users.

Wrapping Up: 

If you want your upcoming mobile app a success story then be vigilant of these four essential criteria. Instead of just going with the flow, try to have detailed research on these factors even before the product’s launch. All of these four essentials will make a significant impact on the development process and the mobile product’s success.

The phone you are having in your hands can do anything from ordering your food to deliver the work emails, anytime from anywhere. If you are an iPhone or iPad user, these tasks become more secure and simple with apps available for everything, be it about work or managing your lifestyle.

Apple applications have got some news and updates in the month of November 2020 that you must know about. Let us see what they are:

Availability of new subscription server notifications in production

You can create customized user experiences as App Store server notifications facilitate real-time updates on a subscriber’s status. Now you can find the following notifications in production:

• DID_RENEW tells you when the auto-renewal is done by the subscriber successfully.
• PRICE_INCREASE_CONSENT tells you when the users have been asked to agree to your subscription by Apple Store, this helps you in reminding them that your service has a greater value and they need to stick to your app.

Tax and price changes for apps and in-app purchases

With the rate change in taxes and foreign exchange, the App Store has also updated the prices. In the upcoming days, these prices will increase (except on the renewable subscription) in some countries that eventually reflect the following tax changes:

• In India, new equalization of 2% will be imposed (with a tax of 18% in addition to the existing goods and services).
• In Indonesia, 10% of value-added tax for developers based outside of Indonesia.

Apple entrepreneur camp application for underrepresented founders and developers

As black founders and developers are building cutting-edge apps for next-generation and forming a global network to encourage the entrepreneurs in technology, Apple Entrepreneurs Camp fully supports them in the execution and longevity. The first cohort is about to begin and run from February 16 to 25, 2021, and the applications are now open for all the black founders and developers. Attendees will be facilitated by the code-level guidance, inspiration, and mentorship with extraordinary experiences and access to the leaders and engineers at Apple. November 20, 2020 is the closing date for submitting applications.

Your apps can be pre-ordered earlier than before

You can now give your customers the opportunity to pre-order your app up to 180 days for download before its release on the App Store. This is the huge time to work on more features, enhancement services, and adding more content according to the interest you are getting to encourage more people to come forward and make a pre-order. After the release of your app, customers will get a notification and the automatic download will start on their devices within 24 hours.

UIWebView extended the deadline for updates in apps

WKWebView was designed in 2014 so you can quickly integrate web content into your app across iOS and macOS. Since then, we have recommended you migrate to WKWebView instead of UIWebView as App Store is no longer accepting the apps on these frameworks.

However, the deadline for app updates has been extended surpassing the end of 2020. This additional time is provided for you to move on WKWebView and understand the features that developers generally requested. The new date of the deadline will be confirmed soon.

Addition in App Store Marketing Tools

New marketing resources have been introduced to take advantage of promoting your apps around the world. Now you can generate embeddable code or short links that directly land the customers on your App Store product page and show them the icon of your app, a QR code, or an App Store badge. You can download the localized app store badges, your app icon, and more.

Review Guideline updates are now available on App Store

App Store is place that is great for developers as well as safe for the customers to discover new applications and download them. The guideline changes on App Store clarify the support over new features in upcoming releases to protect customers and help you in having a smooth review process over your apps.

There are many more news and updates that have been made for apps and Apple is continuously making more. Stay connected to learn them in the future.

This year Adobe Max 2020 was showcased virtually due to the coronavirus pandemic. An update in all the recognized products of Adobe including Photoshop, Lightroom and Premiere Pro has been announced. Not only this but a California-based company, San Jose, has also announced new adobe products including Illustrators and Fresco with upgraded UI & features. One major update which was a buzz last year, the launch of Adobe design app, will be launching this year around. Adobe will be launching design app illustrator for the iPad and drawing app Fresco for iPhone. This update didn’t come as a surprise as it was already available as a private beta as well as on pre-order. But still, it is good news for a lot of illustrator users.

The Adobe illustrator app on iPad has come with the support of Apple Pencil that will enable the illustrator users to get fine-tuned control on the designs. Moreover, the users of iPad will also get the most demanded features of Adobe desktop version, including grid, radial and mirror repeat. This newly launched illustrator app for iPads includes the feature of zoom in & out with simple pinch gesture; objects can be selected by tapping them and more.

The new update in the Illustrator will be supporting 18,000 fonts and also allows the users to upload their own designs and customize them. In other words, Adobe illustrator has ported the app to a touch-interface that will not only improve user experience, but will also give them space for creativity in their designs.

Adobe has also announced the new Recolour Artwork feature for the desktop users of illustrators. With this update, users will be able to change the color themes of their design in just a single click. Additionally, some optimizations have been announced by Adobe for the users who are willing to switch between their desktop and iPad in order to improve their cross-device experience.

Meanwhile, Adobe’s drawing app, Fresco, which was only available on the iPad and Windows, will also be available on iPhone after this recent update along with upgraded version 2.0. Adobe is trying making Fresco a go-to app for the artist so they can use it on-the-go when inspiration strikes them. Adobe has also announced that the Fresco app for iPhone will be having all the features of the iPad app with additional changes in the design in order to accommodate the app I n the small screen of the iPhone. Not only in iPhone, but Fresco has also announced updates on iPad and Widows version that will be bringing new features supporting text, brushes, smudge tool and pressure sensitivity controls.

The app is available for download with a monthly fee of $9.99. Good news for the Adobe’s Creative Cloud plan subscribers as this app is available free of cost for them. Adobe’s approach with recent updates is to maximize its reach and usage by enhancing as well as promoting creativity among mobile phone users.

Other than this, the virtual conference also covered the preview of content attribution tool prototype under the Content Authenticity Initiative that was launched at previous year’s Max conference.

Integration of Adobe Sensei is among the most significant updates that will bring a profound Artificial Intelligence experience across all the apps of Adobe. Furthermore, users will now be getting augmented focused reality updates in Adobe Aero and XD. The Sensei integration in Adobe Photoshop has brought a new feature of Sky Replacement that enable the users to separate the sky from the foreground and make relevant changes in the image.

Adobe Photoshop also has the neural filters that are based on machine learning algorithms for providing next-level image manipulation. The discover panel has also been upgraded to utilize AI for providing personalized recommendations based on the user’s work.  Not only this, but Adobe has also introduced an Object Aware Refine Edge and Refine Hair option that is based on AI and enable the users to improve their images.

Recently, Facebook officially announced an upgrade in Messenger API that enabled its integration with Instagram Direct.  It is further improved with the update to include support for the Instagram Direct. This update has not only changed the logo of Facebook Messenger, but will also be facilitating the businesses with new connection possibilities.

Facebook has been trying to unite its different platforms, including Messenger, WhatsApp and Instagram. This will not only help Facebook have the most extensive customer share but can facilitate businesses with innovate marketing opportunities. The latest API upgrade will help Facebook put Instagram in the way of business communication platforms.

“The new API features enable businesses to integrate Instagram messaging with their preferred business applications and workflows; helping drive more meaningful conversations, increase customer satisfaction and grow sales”, Facebook explained.

This new updated API has changed the scope of Messenger for businesses by enabling them to build additional procedures on the back of the Messenger infrastructure. This way, companies can have advanced utilization of Facebook messaging engines to attain their corporate and marketing goals.

Moreover, through this integration, business owners, as well as third-party messaging service providers, can develop new customized workflows for maximizing the use of Instagram Direct in their messaging process.

Since its launch, the color of Facebook Messenger had become iconic blue. But after this expansion, its color has been merged with the color of the Instagram logo in order to reflect the merger of two platforms. And honestly, it looks cool and amusing. Also, the upgrade includes new updated chat themes which offers the accessibility to customize chat themes.

According to Facebook VP, 10 million people customize their chat themes on a daily basis.

Actual reason behind this new expansion

If we see the current situation, this Facebook upgrade has taken place when Instagram is already pushing ‘shopping’ as its core activity by launching Instagram shops and making visual changes, thus promoting the shopping features.

Facebook also said, “It will be possible for businesses to use the information from core business systems right alongside Instagram messaging, enabling more personal conversations that drive better outcomes. For example, businesses integrating with a CRM system can give agents a holistic view of customer loyalty. This update will also bring Facebook Shops messaging features to the Messenger API so businesses can create a more engaging and connected customer experience.”

Furthermore, this new integration has enabled automation of Instagram Direct responses which means that businesses can effectively engage their potential customers even without being physically present to attend them all the time. In other words, this new update will improve overall customer experience with the brand.

Additionally, Facebook has stated that “over last year, total daily conversations between people and businesses on Messenger and Instagram grew over 40%. For businesses, the opportunity to drive sales and improve customer satisfaction by having meaningful interactions with people on Instagram messaging is huge”.

This new upgraded API is still in beta testing phase having top businesses on the list including H&M, Michael Kors, Sephora, Adidas, Nars, and more.  This beta is also available to limited developer partners. As per Facebook, recent data suggests that new Instagram opportunities are growing fast. Therefore, this update can be a big thing for brands that are effectively utilizing Instagram for their businesses. If other companies wish to have the API post-beta, then they have to join the waitlist for requesting the accesses.

Currently, the messages are appearing on the Brand’s Messenger and Instagram tab depending on the platform on which customer has sent the message. Furthermore, Facebook has shared its plan of bringing the cross-app communications to businesses as well as developers in future updates.

Hashtags are a single word or group of words after the symbol ‘#’, known as a hash. Introduced in Internet Relay Chats for messaging and live chats, hashtags were initially used for tweet chats on Twitter for open group discussions around a specific topic. Its popularity started from Twitter where people used it for tweet chats. Here are some useful tips for using common hashtags:

• Checking the common hashtags used by followers, competitors, and product partners

• Engaging with users using common hashtags that are related through retweets, likes, and comments

• Refraining from spamming your post with tons of common hashtags which may not impart trust in your consumer

Different types of hashtags are used for various purposes, e.g., brand and campaign specific, content-specific, and trending hashtags. Let us dive into each of them in detail and talk about its use.

Brand and Campaign Hashtags

Brand hashtags are made specifically for your own business to promote and market your brand. It can be your brand name or the tagline of your company. It should be unique that defines your business and can be used as your signature tag.

For the marketing of your brand, you should get people to use your unique hashtags. Detailed research for the hashtags you are thinking about is to be done by using Twitter, Google+, Facebook, and Pinterest before implementing. The brand hashtag should be short and easy to spell so that your customers can remember it and use it correctly.

Campaign hashtags are made uniquely for every marketing campaign of your business such as if you are having a summer sale at your store; a unique hashtag can be used for further promotion. As people use your campaign hashtag, an extended reach will be acquired. You can use the name of your current marketing campaign as the campaign hashtag, which will be unique and different to engage your customers. Some of the useful tips on using business and campaign hashtags are as follows:

• It should be unique and consistent

• It should generate awareness and more engagement of the marketing efforts of your brand

• It should be small, easy to remember and spell for your consumers

• It should be monitored so that you can respond to people easily

Trending Hashtags

Trending hashtags are very popular nowadays as people are usually referring to hashtags that are trending and most talked about. They are continuously changing in real-time; a top 10 trend can come and go within a period of merely a few minutes. A trending hashtag can be used when it is related to your business or content. Using a trending hashtag can get your message to reach a massive audience.

However, avoid spam hashtags in your posts particularly if they are irrelevant to your content or business. This could be viewed as a poor etiquette and in some cases, your account may be suspended.

Content Hashtags

These types of hashtags are being used in daily posts. They do not define your marketing campaigns or business or are trending but they are related to your posts. They mainly improve the SEO of your posts by making the consumers see your updates who are searching for, using the hashtag words.

The main categories or content hashtags are product hashtags, event hashtags, lifestyle hashtags, and location hashtags. Product hashtags are the ones that people search for common products that they use. These hashtags help to connect the product to its market. Lifestyle hashtags are used for people who have common lifestyles to market their demographics and hobbies.

Event-based hashtags can be used for specific content updates such as well-known global celebration or product launch. The use of geo-targeted hashtags can help locally-based businesses connect with their local customers.

Now that you have learned the details and use of different types of hashtags, make your content or brands stand out by using these amazing hashtags.