Lecture-01
Introduction to Mobile
Application Design
C ou rs e C o de: CS E4 13
C ou rse T it le: Mo bile Applic at io n Deve lo pme nt
Learning Outcomes
Understand the fundamentals of mobile application design and development.
Identify major mobile platforms and their characteristics.
Trace the evolution and emerging trends in mobile applications.
Differentiate between mobile app design and development roles.
What is a mobile?
A mo bile de vice is a ha nd held co mpu te r o r
sma rt pho n e de s igne d f o r po r ta bility, ma king
it co mpa ct a nd ligh tw eigh t. T he se de vice s
ty pica lly f ea tu re a f la t LCD o r OLE D scr ee n,
a t ou chs cr ee n int er f ace , a nd digit a l or
phy sical bu tt on s. Ex amp les of mo bile
de vice s inc lude s ma rt pho n es , t able ts, e-
re a der s , po r ta ble mu s ic pla yer s ,
sma rt wa t che s, a nd f itn ess t racke rs w ith
sma rt ca pa bilitie s .
Mobile Application
✓ A m o b i l e a p p l i c a t i o n ( o r m o b i l e a p p ) i s a s o f t w a re a p p l i c a t i o n d e s i g ne d t o r u n
o n s m a r t p h on e s , t a b l e t c o m p u t e rs a n d o t he r m o b i l e d e v i c e s .
✓ M o b i l e a p p l i c a t i o n d e v e l op m e nt i s t h e s e t o f p ro c e s s e s a n d p ro c e d u re s
i n v ol v e d i n w r i t i n g s o f t w a re f o r s m a l l , w i r e l e s s c o m p u t i n g d e v i c e s , s u c h
a s s ma r t ph o ne s a n d o t he r h a n d - h e l d d e v i c e s .
✓ L i k e w e b a p p l i c a t i o n d e v e l op m e nt , mo b i l e a p p l i c a t i o n d e v e l op m e nt h a s i t s
r oo t s i n mo r e t ra di t i o n a l s o f t w a re d e v e l op me nt . O n e c r i t i c a l d i f f e re n c e ,
h ow e v e r, i s t h a t mo b i l e a p p s a r e o f t e n w r i t t e n s p e c i f i c a l l y t o t a k e a d v a n t a g e
o f t h e u n i qu e f e a t u re s o f a p a r t i c u l a r m o b i l e d e v i c e .
✓ a g a mi n g a p p mi g h t b e w r i t t e n t o t a k e a d v a n t a g e o f t h e P ho n e ' s
a c c e l e r om e t e r o r a mo b i l e h e a l t h a p p mi g h t b e w r i t t e n t o t a k e a d v a n t a g e o f a
s ma r t w a t c h ' s t e m pe r a t u r e
✓ A mo b i l e a p p l i c a t i o n , mo s t c o m m o n l y r e f e r r e d t o a s a n a p p, i s a t y p e o f
a p p l i c a t i o n s o f t w a re d e s i g ne d t o r u n o n a mo b i l e d e v i c e , s u c h a s
a s m a r t ph o ne o r t a b l e t c o m p u t e r.
✓ M o b i l e a p p l i c a t i o n s f r e q u e n t l y s e r v e t o p ro v i de u s e r s w i t h s i m i l a r s e r v i c e s t o
t h os e a c c e s s e d o n P Cs .
✓ A p ps a r e g e n e ra l l y s m a l l , i n d i v i du a l s o f t w a re u n i t s w i t h l i m i t e d f u n c t i o n.
Evolution of Mobile Applications
1st Generation 3rd Generation 5th Generation
(2007-2010): Introduction of (2015-Present): AI-driven,
Pre-2000: Basic apps for calls,
smartphones with app stores AR/VR experiences, IoT
SMS, calculators, and simple
(Android Market, Apple App integration, and seamless cross-
games.
Store). platform applications.
(2000-2007): Feature phones (2010-2015): Cloud-connected
with Java ME, BREW apps, and apps, push notifications, and
limited internet capabilities. mobile commerce.
2nd Generation 4th Generation
Types of Mobile Apps
Native Apps: applications Mobile Web Apps: web
Hybrid Apps: combine
developed specifically for a applications optimized
elements of both native and
particular operating system (responsive) for mobile
web applications.
(OS) devices.
Native
Browser
Android Container
Native
iOS
App
Windows App’s HTML 5 App’s
Code Web CSS Web
etc.
code code
JS
Mobile Platforms - iOS
iOS
✓ Developed exclusively by Apple for its devices (iPhone, iPad, iPod Touch).
✓ Closed ecosystem ensures high security and quality control.
✓ Known for its clean and intuitive user interface. It uses a consistent design
language called Human Interface Guidelines, which ensures a seamless user
experience across all Apple devices.
✓ Apps for iOS are developed using Swift or Objective-C programming
languages. Developers use Xcode, Apple's integrated development
environment (IDE), to create and test their apps.
✓ iOS is optimized for performance, providing smooth and responsive
interactions. Apple designs its own processors (A-series chips) to work
seamlessly with iOS, ensuring efficient power management and high
performance.
✓ Distributed solely through the Apple App Store.
Mobile Platforms - Android
Android
•Developed by Android Inc. and Bought by Google in 2005, Android is
the most widely used mobile OS globally.
•Open-source platform built on Linux, allowing extensive
customization.
•Version numbers (before version 10) are associated alphabetically
with desserts
•Developers program using an API level associated with a specific
version.
•Primarily uses Java and Kotlin for app development.
•Distributed through the Google Play Store and third-party stores.
Mobile Platforms – Android (Cont.)
Android
•It’s a powerful development framework that includes everything
you need to build great apps using a mix of Java/Kotlin and XML.
•Android does not use a Java Virtual Machine. Android does not
use Abstract Window Toolkit or Swing library.
•Android used Dalvik Virtual Machine (DVM), specialized VM and
now is using ART –Android Runtime
Role of Design in Development
User Interface (UI): Visual elements like colors, typography, icons, and layouts.
User Experience (UX): Focus on intuitive navigation, functionality, and user satisfaction.
Accessibility: Designing apps usable by people with disabilities (e.g., voice controls, high-contrast modes).
Prototyping & Wireframing: Visual blueprints for app structure and user flow, created using tools like Figma
and Adobe XD.
Consistency: Maintaining design standards across devices and screen sizes.
Trends in Mobile Application Development
Cross-Platform Development: Technologies like Flutter and React Native allow single codebases for Android and iOS.
5G Integration: Faster internet speeds enable richer multimedia apps and real-time data processing.
Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning: Chatbots, recommendation systems, and predictive analytics.
Augmented Reality (AR) & Virtual Reality (VR): Interactive gaming, virtual tours, and retail experiences.
Internet of Things (IoT): Smart home devices, wearable tech, and interconnected ecosystems.
Progressive Web Apps (PWA): Blurring the line between web and native apps.
What are the primary advantages and
disadvantages of Android and iOS?
How do modern design trends influence Discussion &
user engagement?
Questions
Which mobile development trend do you
think will be most impactful in the next
five years and why?
KEY TAKEAWAYS ANDROID AND IOS ARE
THE LEADING MOBILE
PLATFORMS.
Thank you
TRENDS: CROSS- UX/UI DESIGN
PLATFORM ENHANCES USABILITY;
DEVELOPMENT, AI, DEVELOPMENT
AR/VR, IOT, AND 5G. ENSURES
FUNCTIONALITY.
