All posts by Ron Franczyk

iOS 14 – New Features & Observations

By on July 27, 2020 | iOS, Mobile App Development | No Comments
Apple recently announced at this year’s WWDC (World-Wide Developers Conference) the iOS 14 beta, which is due to be released to the public sometime in September 2020. While there are dozens of updates that mobile app users will enjoy, we are particularly focused on the updated development tools and the new app features and enhancements that can deliver value to our client’s mobile applications and their end users. The new features in iOS 14 that have us excited are: App Widgets, App Clips, and the upcoming Privacy Updates.
iOS 14 Feature Summary


App Clips

With App Clips, Apple has created a fast way to link users to a rich application experience that works like a standard web link. So instead of directing users to the app store to download, install and load your app (which can be time consuming), users can bring up the lightweight feature immediately and quickly perform a key app function. 
ios 14 app clips
Apple offered a few examples of the functionality that this new tool could be perfect for, including “A museum could have visitors scan visual codes on labels next to displayed works to launch an app clip that reveals augmented reality content or provides audio commentary” or “A rental bike could come with an NFC tag that people scan to launch an app clip that lets them rent the bike.”

Other examples might be: Adding yourself to a reservation wait list or checking yourself in upon arrival for a restaurant/retail app, perform a quick pay action using Apple Pay, credit card or even loyalty points, or accessing pushed content that shows up as an alert.

App Clips are launchable directly by scanning a QR Code or NFC tags, and easily integrated with Apple Pay.  We expect to see a lot of real world integrations to take advantage of app clips and are excited to see how our clients will put them to use.
App Clips Overview
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App Widgets
ios 14 app widgets
While Android devices have been able to use widgets on their mobile phones for years, iPhone and iPad users join the party with iOS 14. This feature has us the most excited for our clients as the possibilities are truly endless to offer bite size content to users without requiring them to fully open the application. Think of these as dynamic app icons, in 3 different available sizes on your home screen.

For example: weather apps can now show the current temperature, a loyalty/rewards app can show your available points and membership status, a health app can show the calories burned for the day, your smart car app can show you whether or not your doors are locked or the battery charge level….all while avoiding the delay and clicks needed to launch the app and navigate to the desired information.

Beyond simply displaying data, app widgets can be a very useful tool to encourage re-engagement with your application. A game or health-club app can show you your current spot on the leaderboards, a news-reader app can tease new content, or a loyalty app can show the “deal of the day” and indicate today is a double rewards points day.
App Widgets Overview

App Privacy Updates

With rumors of mobile applications “spying” on users, Apple has released privacy updates to give users more control and visibility if/when their personal data is collected. This will include requirements for posting privacy practices in the app stores and updates to key features.
ios 14 privacy declarations
Approximate Location Permissions

Prior to iOS 14 an app could request “When in Use” or “Always On” location permissions. Once granted an app could monitor the location of a user down to 1 meter in accuracy. Now users will be able to deny app developers their precise location. Instead, you can grant an approximate location for the user. If your application requires accurate location data (for mileage capture, or presenting nearby locations or services) this could cause issues with the functionality of your app and we recommend investigating and testing your application to get ahead of this change.

Microphone and Camera Indicators

Once released, Apple will give you clear visible notifications when the camera or microphone are capturing data. When your phone’s mic is on, an orange dot appears on the top right side of the screen. The dot shows up green when an app is using your camera.  While we hope or expect that your app isn’t capturing sound or video without your user’s knowledge, this upcoming change is a reminder to confirm your app isn’t recording your user’s actions in this manner.

App Tracking Transparency Permissions

Apple is now making it more difficult to associate data collected within one app, across multiple websites or other mobile applications. While we don’t anticipate this affecting our clients directly, we expect to continue monitoring this feature, as many common Analytics and Advertising SDKs may run afoul of Apple’s new guidelines and restrictions, even if the App is not using those built in features directly. We anticipate the Google Analytics SDK and the Facebook SDK will likely need to be updated in your apps to avoid your users being prompted that they are being tracked.
App Privacy Overview

Red Foundry Recognized as a 2019 Top Chicago Developer

By on April 3, 2019 | Press Release | No Comments

At Red Foundry, we are a mobile and web application design and development consulting firm. Utilizing our mobile-optimized methodology, we create world-class mobile and web applications through a native and hybrid approach on iOS and Android platforms in order to help drive success for entrepreneurs and established corporations. We help companies with a variety of development and design features that can enhance the customer experience, improve business operations and transform business models.  

RedFoundryBusiness

clutchLogoWe are very excited to announce that we have been recognized as a Top Mobile App Development Firm in Chicago for 2019.  “On behalf of the Red Foundry team, I’m honored to be included in the 2019 Clutch Leaders in Mobile Application Development.  We value feedback from our clients and strive to deliver an outstanding result and experience with each project. Their positive feedback leading to this award is very much appreciated.” – Rich Linden, Partner, Red Foundry   

  We are also very proud to have been featured in the Top 5 mobile app development companies in Chicago by The Manifest – a business news and how-to website that compiles and analyzes practical business wisdom for innovators, entrepreneurs, and small and mid-market businesses.

We look forward to continued success in 2019 and we would like to thank Clutch for awarding us such an honorable distinction. Our philosophy at Red Foundry is to create beautiful, unique, intuitive, and relevant mobile apps and mobile responsible websites, and that any company (regardless of size) should always leverage their opportunities to benefit from delivering a mobile experience to their stakeholders.  Every day we tackle the tough challenges that businesses face when going mobile, and we love it.

 

Native App, Cross Platform App, or Mobile Responsive Website?

By on July 18, 2018 | Mobile App Development | No Comments

Unless you get a glimpse behind the scenes, it’s easy to assume mobile apps are all developed the same way. However, there are many different approaches, technologies, and techniques that can be used to build an app. In fact, the three main types – native apps, cross platform apps, and mobile responsive websites – all sport their own advantages and disadvantages. What’s important is determining early in the discovery and design phase which app development approach is right for your goals. Here’s our quick and easy guide to the pros and cons of each development type. Read More

Want to Be the Next Uber? Develop Your Own Sharing Economy App

By on May 30, 2018 | Mobile App Development | No Comments

Develop Your Own Sharing Economy AppUber may have pioneered modern peer-to-peer transactions, but it is far from the final word on the sharing economy – especially when it comes to mobile apps. In reality, any industry that fails to address its inefficiencies or inflated costs is waiting for an upstart to begin developing a business application that will disrupt them. What’s stopping you from launching the next Uber? For entrepreneurs and startups asking that very question, here are some key considerations to take your on-demand business model through the discovery and design phase and beyond. Read More

4 Questions You Need to Ask Before Developing a Business Application

By | Mobile App Development | No Comments

developing a business applicationMobile apps are the modern gold rush. Just about every entrepreneur or company has an idea for how they can become (or transform into) the next Uber or Yelp, but not everyone ends up making a mint developing a mobile app. What separates successful apps from failed attempts? As unsexy as it sounds, it comes down to asking (and answering) some key questions during the discovery and design process. Here are four questions that need to be answered before a business should begin work on a custom mobile app.
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