Since Google announced its release of the software development kit for Android-powered wearables last month, the shower of interest has turned into a veritable deluge. App developers across the globe are caught up in the storm. Why? The components used for wearable devices have gotten little and inexpensive and a large number of consumers have smartphones that are simpatico with a wearable device. Juniper Research predicts that more than 130 million smart wearable devices will ship by 2018. Google is keeping the name of its newest line simple - Android Wear - but they’ve made sure to let everyone know that, while the premise is straightforward, the possibilities boggle. Initially the vanguard mobile device OS will be tailored for smartwatches and comparable trappings, but they will soon offer a closetful of trendy, fashionable body-fitting devices. But whatever form the Android Wear device takes, there are certain requirements that it must meet, according to Google. Alex Faaborg, Android designer, explains the Android Wear concept in a promotional video. “It needs to be incredibly fast, incredibly glanceable... there’s really only two components: the information that’s most relevant to you, and the ability to speak to it and do a quick command.” He goes on to say, “We designed an entirely new UI specifically for this form factor, and its really based around voice and contextual information.” Google has lined up a number of hardware and chip partners to produce this upcoming fashion line - LG, Samsung Electronics Co., Motorola, Intel Corp., Fossil, Asus, HTC, Intel, Mediatek and Qualcomm Inc. It looks like LG will be the first partner to produce - its “G Watch” is poised to debut within the next few months. And the price is far from Gucci-like at only an estimated $300. Google’s announcement “definitely gives wearables a status that it’s a market in it’s own right and it needs to be treated with the respect that a separate operating system branch gives it,” said Carolina Milanesi, an analyst with Kantar World Panel. App developers agree. They are are well aware that there are no boundaries in the wearables space, but they also know he/she who hesitates is lost. "A whole new app ecosystem is going to be born," said Shawn Hardin, chief executive officer of Mind Pirate, which released "Global Food Fight," its first game for Google Glass, earlier this year. "Those who are going to make that happen in a big way are going to be valuable companies because of it, and those who wait too late won't be a part of it." And Google - - - look out for iWatch… Sources: http://www.techhive.com/article/2109241/meet-android-wear-googles-bid-to-bring-serious-productivity-to-smartwatches.html http://gigaom.com/2014/03/10/google-to-release-sdk-for-android-powered-wearables/?utm_content=buffereef88&utm_medium=social&utm_source=linkedin.com&utm_campaign=buffer

Move over millennials, the next generation is here. Generation Z are youth born between the mid-1990s and the early-2000s. Unlike millennials who will remember dial-up internet or earlier, Generation Z’ers may have a challenge recalling the time when they were not connected to the outside world via computer or smartphone. This means they look at technology and apps differently — and more often. A recent study found that 12% of youth between the ages of 13 and 17 check their phone every few seconds. It’s up to companies to build apps that will keep this generation engaged. Here are a few apps currently making it work. Social Media and Messaging A predictable first app to mention, Snapchat is insanely popular among Generation Z. The photo and video messaging app has more than 100 million active daily users, with 45% of those users between 18 and 24-years-old. This demographic uses Snapchat to document every cool, funny, and interesting moment in their lives, leading to a generation that can have vicarious experiences unlike any group in the past. Snapchat taps into two defining elements of Generation Z: a love of selfies and a fear of missing out (often known as FOMO). Through its ever-changing filters in which users can adorn themselves with flower crowns and dog faces — as well as the simple and short-term shareability of pictures and videos through private messages or public stories — Snapchat meets this demographic’s core app desires. Generation Z loves secret identities. That’s perhaps why an app called Whisper is so popular. Whisper users can send messages anonymously and receive replies which are posted publicly or sent to them by a user with a pseudonym. (However, it’s important for developers to consider that secret identity apps like this have the potential to open up a door to cyber-bullying and may need to be monitored heavily.) The messages — also known as whispers — are questions or confessions users may never share in the real world and are displayed to the app’s 30 million monthly users, with replies coming from around the world. While emojis continue to dominate smartphone messaging, an app called PopKey allows users to easily send GIFs in addition. The app installs a GIF keyboard to your phone, so users can easily select a trending GIF. There’s never been an easier way for Generation Z to send a virtual “face palm.” [gravityform id="9" title="true" description="true" ajax="true"] Photography and Video As mentioned, selfies are a big part of life for Generation Z, and photo sharing app Instagram can be the perfect outlet for those shots. The Instagram app of today has started to resemble Snapchat, with Instagram Stories allowing users to share momentary glances into one another’s lives. The fact that 76% of teenagers use Instagram shows there’s merit in allowing Generation Z the ability to add filters to their photos and easily engage with their friends, community, and celebrities. Live video streaming app Periscope has also gained traction among Generation Z’ers. If you thought Snapchat was an overshare, think again. Periscope is akin to The Truman Show, where users become famous by live streaming every moment of their life. Twitter acquired Periscope before its launch in 2015 in an effort to capture the attention of younger users, and it worked. One of the reasons Periscope is so popular is that it’s a more authentic look at someone’s day. Unlike Snapchat and Instagram where users can add filters and take hundreds of photos before finding the right one, there’s a level of vulnerability and exposure that comes from a live streaming app like Periscope. Music When it comes to music, the apps that are popular with Generation Z are the ones popular with millennials: namely Spotify and Pandora, with respectively, 39% and 21% approval ratings from this demographic. One of the reasons these apps may be popular is because of a user’s ability to curate content, i.e. create their own playlist or station. App developers considering the audio and music industry should consider designing their app as a streaming platform rather than one based on downloads. What Makes Apps Popular? Generation Z grew up on the internet, and they understand that there are no (or at least very little) secrets. This doesn’t mean that youth don’t want privacy and security, though. Apps targeting Generation Z’ers should incorporate some element of a confessional or ability to share — but should consider masking that information or the user’s location with some sort of disguise. An element of immediacy will also help with popularity, as Generation Z wants to find out what’s going on in real-time.

Recently, we unveiled the Newbie’s Guide to Building an App. We received a healthy response from many of you with the natural next question - what’s next? So here we are with part 2 of the guide. To recap, in part 1 we told you that the first steps were: 1) Know what problem your iOS or Android app solves for 2) Write down your mobile app idea as detailed as possible 3) Hire a mobile app developer At this point in the process, you aren’t on your own because the developer you’ve chosen will help you along the rest of the way. However, it’s important to know what the standard process is to make sure you’re on the right track. Here’s what will happen next: 4) Conceptualization and Feature Set You’ve written out your idea and pitched it to your developer, who you’ve hired and are ready to get cracking with. Now it’s time to take your concepts and mold them into a tangible product.  The first step of that is to decide on a feature set with your team - what is it that your app will actually do? You’ll create a set of features, flesh them out and have them well detailed and written out. You will likely go back and forth with members of your team deciding on what the best functionality is to maximize your app’s potential, yet minimize unnecessary development effort. It’s all about deciding what you NEED vs what you WANT. Once you all agree on the app’s direction and features, it’s time to roll up your sleeves and start building. 5) Working with your Developer The actual building of the app is easily the longest leg of the process. Each experience with different developers will go quite differently. However, there are some mandatory conventions to bear in mind. Be clear about what you want - If you give your developers your idea, chances are they will have a general direction of where to go. Yet in order for you to get the product you really want, don’t be shy about providing your honest feedback. Listen to your developers recommendations - You are an expert about your business and about your concept, but when it comes to the building of your app, you developer is the expert. Keep an open mind and listen to their suggestions. They won’t make recommendations for any reason, but to make the app successful. Their skin is in the game too and they want your app to blow the competition out of the water. It only adds to their resume and makes them look great too. 6) Testing/UAT Next up - you have a version of your app! Your developer will give you a testing site to play around on. You’ll understand the functionality and see the idea in real life. Now it’s up to you - do you like it? This is what’s called User Acceptance Testing, or UAT. Take your time and don’t be afraid to speak up if you don’t like something - if you don’t like it chances are your users won’t either. Take your time and get it right to ensure that once you launch your app, people will like it and use it. 7) Launch & Marketing Once you’ve gone back and forth with your developers, now is the time to launch! And in order to have a successful launch...you’ll need to get your marketing strategy off the ground. We went into detail on this in The Best Mobile App Marketing Techniques, but to sum it up, here are the keys to getting started: Leverage word-of-mouth - Tell everyone you know about your app. You have no idea the compound power of word-of-mouth marketing. First you tell your parents about the app, who tell their neighbors, who tell their friends, cousins and social networks. While Facebook, Twitter and the like are excellent mediums by which to share your product, telling another human in person gets that one on one attention on your app to help spread the word to people who trust you. Bug the Bloggers - The blogosphere is one of the main sources people get their information these days. Therefore, give the bloggers something to blog about - your app. Bloggers love to have new and exciting topics to discuss, and your new mobile app should be one of them. Learn ASO - The Apple store is an online marketplace of awesome….and mayhem. Getting noticed on the Apple store, as well as Google Play, can be one of the trickiest parts of getting your app off the ground. Your developer may have some expertise in this, which is a great place to start the learning process. Building a mobile app from conception to completion can take around 18 weeks to complete. Once you do you’ll have a shiny new app that you can be proud of - at least we hope so. Need help getting started? We can point you in the right direction.