Google is throwing the spotlight on its most recent Android update. The functionality focus of the update is increased device security. With this update, the users will attempt to install a new app, and  Android scans the app and raises the red flag - via an alert. If it appears the app might harm or compromise the user’s device. Then the user can take action, and the Google update continues to scan apps after installation for new malware code. This update is good news because malware can be pretty nasty and invasive. It can grab your personal information and  control phone functions. Even worse, it can access a your voicemail, login data, text messages, call logs and more. A couple quick caveats - Google notes that your device may be made more vulnerable when downloading apps from a third party source outside of Google Play. The update won’t necessarily prevent users from downloading bogus apps that cost money and provide no real service - like the $3.99 Virus Shield. The update will not be effective if it’s not put into use. An astonishing low number of users actually install system upgrades when offered ( only 2.5% of Android users are running the latest version of the software known as KitKat, released in October of last year) . Read more about the update here. Sources: http://officialandroid.blogspot.com/2014/04/expanding-googles-security-services-for.html http://www.androidcentral.com/android-update-coming-regular-malware-scans?utm_content=bufferfed28&utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter.com&utm_campaign=buffer

Lots of apps suck. Just plain, bad products that should fall into the undesirable pits of failure and leave us alone. Don’t let that happen to your idea or your app. There are plenty of ways to ensure your app is used, loved, and could even be the next big thing. Here are some tricks we’ve learned along the way from clients whose ideas went from concept to Steve-Jobs-like success story. 1) Make it stupidly simple. No no, don’t make your app stupid, make it stupidly simple to use. There is nothing more frustrating than taking the time to download an app, only to struggle with understanding how to use it. Provide a simple walk-through guide for first-time users so they understand what they are supposed to be doing with your awesome app. From there, remove complexity in every way possible. Your app should be a tool to make their lives easier or a game to bring joy. Therefore make sure yours is an asset to their app collection, not the complicated monstrosity they will be complaining to their friends about. 2) Avoid a bunch of advertisements. How many times have you downloaded a free or freemium app, and to use it you’re barraged with an unending amount of advertisement pop-ups? Or worse, ads over your listening experience. Take Spotify’s advertising model for example - while we appreciate the freemium version they put out there, users are pretty much bullied into subscribing monthly for the app due to the constant stream of music montage ruining commercials that keep screwing up your workout, especially that one time you were about to PR (personal record). Yes advertising can help fund your app, but remember there are lots of ways to monetize your app. If you choose to go the ad route, try not to overwhelm your user - because that sucks. 3) Keep your target audience in mind - and make them happy. As much as you’d like it to be, your app can’t be everyone’s best friend. Understand the person you are targeting and build your app with them in mind. If you try too hard to imagine every person who could ever possibly use your app, you’re just going to piss off everyone. Focus on the ideal user and make them giddy with your app experience. 4) Make it inexpensive or free. Everyone likes free stuff. That goes for your potential users too. Lower the barriers to entry and if you can, make your app free to download. If you do want to put a price on it, at least keep the cost down to maximize the people who will be willing to pay a buck or two for your app. 5) Learn from your audience. The Internet is filled with people with opinions. If they don’t like something you can be damned sure they are going to tell you about it. Listen to those who complain and yes, sometimes it stings a little. Just don’t forget the haters are always louder than the lovers. It’s therefore helpful to request feedback from your users to get the opinions of those who like your app and can tell you what cool things you’re doing right. You’ll probably need some positive feedback anyway as listening to the complainers and trolls can get downright taxing. 6) Study your competition. It’s helpful to understand your competition because you don’t want to reinvent an already working wheel by making a lamer version of something users know and love. Check out their model to verify that you have something unique that users can gravitate to. Sure, it can be a solution to the same problem the competition is looking to solve, but what’s going to make you successful is having taken a different angle and mastering your own competitive advantage. 7) Do one thing and do it better than anyone else. Sometimes people think their mobile app should be a mobile version of their web app, with all the functionality of the web app on the mobile app. This is typically the wrong approach - your app can’t be everything to everyone. Facebook recently realized this and is actually removing functionality and spinning them out (e.g. Messenger) into separate apps. Do yourself a favor and realize this early and focus on being an expert at that one thing. The point is, your app idea could be great in your head but flop on execution. The last thing we want for you is for that to happen. So don’t be a stranger, let us know how we can steer you in the right direction, whether it’s with us or another team who will help make sure your app isn’t awful.

Mobile application technology is about more than fun and games. Biotechnology and other science apps are changing the way both beginners and experts look at the field — and the result is a better-informed public. Here are a few of the best biotech/science mobile apps available for download: My Cancer Genome This free iOS app tracks the rapidly-advancing cancer medicine field, giving users access to information on FDA studies, clinical trials, recently approved cancer drugs, and more. People can search information on their cancer type and learn more about mutations, therapies, and medicines available. Contour Diabetes Recently approved by the FDA, this app connects via Bluetooth to a smart diabetes monitor and will debut in early 2017 for iOS and Android users. The app then gives patients suggestions on management and care. By analyzing the trends of users, the app can provide long-term solutions that allow patients to change their habits for good. The device also alerts users through the app and helps with meal planning. Patients can sign up for cloud-based data logging, too. Human Genome Users can find information that connects certain genes with disorders, and can learn more about their own genetic makeup. From a technical standpoint, the app outlines where specific genes are located on chromosomes. The information provided in the app is loaded from the National Center for Biotechnology (NCBI) Information, the National Institutes of Health, the National Library of Medicine, and more. Genetic data is updated as new information is obtained. The app is free through iTunes. Genetics 4 Medics This app is an encyclopedia of information on genetic conditions. Users can search by the condition name, or symptoms. There is a wealth of data and digital literature on each condition, along with case studies and typical treatments and therapies. There are also strong graphics that identify the location of the genes. The app has an upfront cost of $4.99 and is available for Android and iOS. FierceBiotech Recently relaunched, the FierceBiotech mobile application is a one-stop shop for news in the industry on topics like FDA rulings, clinical trials, and biopharma news. Inside the app, readers can browse full articles and save them for offline reading later. The app also offers push notifications when biotech industry news happens. It’s free for iOS users. Clear Organic Chemistry For those who find organic chemistry challenging (and that’s many, many people), this app tries to strengthen the user’s knowledge base and offer insight into the field. Students can delve into the 144 practice questions and then review the bonus material at the end of each quizzing section. Reactions and nomenclature are split and studied, clearing up any organic chemistry confusion. Cheaper than a chemistry tutor, the app is inexpensive at just $1.99 for iOS devices. DNA/RNA/Protein and General Molecular Weight Calculator This free app for iOS devices is pretty clinical in its aesthetic but gets the job done. It contains four calculators that are used for protein, DNA, RNA, and chemical formula calculations. Users can figure out the molecular weight of chemical formulas by typing it in, or picking one from a generated list. The app is free for iOS devices. Physics! For science and biotech students and beginners, this app provides 20 classic formulas for free. Among those formulas are calculations for force, mass, and acceleration. Users can purchase an additional 20 formulas and then submit their own custom formulas. While it’s best suited for beginners, the app is also helpful for researchers who want to solve physics problems quickly. With the right mobile apps, biotechnology and related fields are more accessible than ever before. From FDA news to formula cheat sheets, science is literally at your fingertips.