App Maker Guideline:

Mobile apps continue to flourish as the day goes by. Yet the level of mobile user experiences seems to range from poor to blissful. If you're a newbie app maker looking to deliver an app your audience will love, consider these top 5 best practices on mobile applications:

Simplicity is key - Sure, an app can do many things. However, the more features you add to an app, the more difficult it will be to perform the tasks well. And while you want to answer all of the users' problems, it's just impossible. Your mobile or iPhone app doesn't have to be a jack of all trades. Focus only on a few of your users' needs and specialize on them.

Capitalize on other people's applications - You can readily take advantage of APIs or feeds from many mobile app dealers. If you want an amazing feature, verify first if a developer or an app maker has made it available for others before re-creating it. A number of app companies offer their APIs as an add-on for a small cost, which may be a valuable investment.

Don't forget social networks - Consider integrating your app with major social media sites like Facebook and Twitter for easy sharing. This also gives your target market another reason to engage further and return for more. Ultimately, the ability to tag, review and comment gives your application more content, while also stimulating consumer interest.

Plan on your choice of mobile platform/s - iOs is undoubtedly the big whale in the apps industry. However, Android is also rapidly becoming a star player. As such, you might want to consider developing your app for both of these platforms to expand your market reach.

Actively solicit some love - Your app wouldn't survive in this cut-throat biz without some love aka good rankings from your users. So think of interesting ways to motivate them to provide their 5-star feedbacks. Remember that high-ranking apps are showcased in the app marketplaces for free, which means more exposure and more potential downloaders.

Developing an application for a novice app maker may be a bit overwhelming. But don't be scared to dive right in, as the industry is going nowhere but up. Just know that you will need to invest a lot of time and effort to build a useful, quality mobile app. These top 5 best practices above should help you get started.

Bizness Apps is making mobile apps affordable and simple for small businesses. We're a do-it-yourself app maker for iPhone, iPad, HTML5, and Android app platform with a full white label mobile app program.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/6779617

Android User Security

Ten years ago, the Operating System workhorses for US Government IT networks were Windows for unclassified And Solaris for classified traffic. There were sprinklings of Novell (due to its unique messaging system) and Mac OSx But there was no way a Systems Administrator was going to be allowed to put Linux on any government operational network.

However work was ongoing within one of the groups belonging to the keepers of the cryptographic gateway to Utilize the versatility of the Linux operating system to create an acceptable and capable version of Linux. The National Security Agency presented the scalable Security Enhanced Linux, which did not initially catch on with the Academics (due to its heavy reliance on compartmentalization) but it has evolved and withstood the test of time for The security administrators.

Government Mobile Problem (Background)
The governments mobile platform has been RIM's BlackBerry. This past decade they have provided a stable environment with security measures to prevent outsiders from easily tapping into communications; however; RIM couldn't do much because they don't have direct access to the encrypted network their customers use. However, it has since come to Light that while Blackberry may encrypt their network the first layer of encryption happens to use the same key every-where meaning that should it be broken once (by a government or authorities) it can be broken for any Blackberry. This has limited the Blackberry's clearance level. This is the reason the android devices (with the new kernel) can be secured at a higher clearance level than Blackberry devices. They have Many characteristics that allow them to be groomed like SELinux.

Since the White House Communications Office decided to move the executive branch from Blackberry Devices to Android-based phones, the boys at NSA have now teamed up with Google, NIS and members of The academic community to certify the android. The Department of Defense has decided that Once the Android Kernel is sufficiently hardened and certified by the agencies required, each member (from General to Private) will Soon be issued an android phone as part of the standard equipment.

The androids sandboxed Java environment has similarities with what has already been created with SELinux. Each individual having the same system will make it simpler to manage and track. The ability to remotely locate And zero the systems will also eliminate the debacles that have resulted in the past two decades of lost Laptops By everyone from FBI Agents to VA officials.

Google Security Benefit

Google will benefit from the security research relationship they now have with NSA, NIST and the subject Matter experts working on this project from academia because the net is a virtual battlefield and the Agency Has been fighting this battle for many years. As a work in progress, the Linux based OS of the Android will also integrate mandatory access controls to enforce the separation of information based on Confidentiality and integrity requirements.

This allows threats of tampering and bypassing of application security mechanisms to be addressed and enables The confinement of damage (and compromise) that can be caused by malicious or flawed applications. Using the System's type enforcement and role-based access control abstractions, it is possible to configure the android to Meet a wide range of security needs which will be passed on to commercial users.

Locating a flawed application or process is the first step in trying to exploit it. Once you've found a flaw, the Next step is to try to exploit it or connect to it. While bad apps do occasionally show up in the Market, Google Removes them swiftly and they have the ability to remotely kill bad apps on the customer phones. The expertise Of the Intelligence community (NSA. GCHQ, etc) will shore up Google's proficiency. The security Relationships they now have will enhance user protection against data sniffing and exploitation tools.

Android Market 

Critics and experts claim free antivirus apps from the market miss nine out of ten potential threats. The free apps guide users Through the capabilities of the apps detection abilities but, many users don't examine the potential they are getting. The paid apps Are able to scan and detect about half of all installed threats but they are limited by the sandboxed environment.

On installation blocking, the Zoner app blocked 80% of malware, while free apps typically failed to detect any infiltration. The Zoner app springs into action (as intended) to stop most infection processes. The paid apps (AVG, Kaspersky, etc) blocked All malware from being installed, even those not spotted with manual scans.

Zoner is a great app but (with the best outcome for the free apps), with Zoner AV scanning in real-time as apps are installed, 20% of known threats slipped right through. These free apps are used by millions of people who have absolute confidence in The Android Market. Users should be careful not to become complacent with proper security practices (avoid downloading Apps from the seedier side of the net).

The paid solutions will stop all of the current threats from being installed. This is good for an Android phone right out of the box. If a user has a unit that has been in use with no antivirus, many previously-installed malware apps will be missed. Basically the user (Paying for the app) is not going to be able to sweep their phones clear of malware.

Android User Security

The typical android user does not have the security research resources of the NSA available for their personal Protection on the networks (with the communication protocols used by most smart phones and tablets). Many users Are quick to adopt android antivirus (paid and free) apps assuming they are receiving the same expertise available In the desktop market. They lack the kind of low-level system access on mobile that desktop antivirus apps have had for years.

A new phone (should be backed up immediately for recovery operations) is better with a free antivirus app than it is with none at all, but an infected Android (or smart phone) is not going to benefit from a free security app (because most android malware will not be swept out) and will probably be in trouble even with a paid security app (20% of malware gets through). Most of these have trouble cleaning a phone which is already full of malware.

Users Getting That New Droid

The best way to stay safe on Android is to back up your android and just stick to established apps from the official Android Market, Amazon Appstore or go straight to the paid security vendor sight (such as AVG, Bulldog, Kaspersky. Etc) to avoid the most Serious Android Malware threats in the wild.

The user's should stick to the official Android Market repositories, verified security vendor sights, leave the 'unknown sources' option disabled (in the 'Android Settings)' and always scrutinize the security permissions and app requests.

Remember, when an app is installed, the system will always display the permissions requested. "SMS Trojans" Usually come in the form of a single app (like a website add-on) that asks for permission to send and receive SMS messages. When the infected app is given permission to access background processes, it also allows the Trojan to do the same. The trojan then works unrestricted behind the scenes to send messages.

The trojans typically are software apps the user installs willingly not knowing it is infected (from third party sites with porno, pirated music, games, etc). When they are installed, initially the user will be informed the app was not compatible, leading the user to believe the app did not install... then it goes after the country code to retrieve the phone Number... they then text premium rate numbers to rack up charges for the unsuspecting user. They also employ this tactic for apps that include phone calling permissions; that could call premium rate numbers without the users knowledge.

The most dangerous threats have been detected on forums and third party sights pretending to be well known apps. Users should proceed with caution on third party sights. By leaving the 'Unknown Sources" option disabled in the 'Android Settings" apps can not be side loaded effectively, blocking malicious vendors

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/6776424

Chiropractic iPhone Apps 101

This year, there's been quite a bit of talk about chiropractic iPhone apps. Most doctors offices do not have one but this will soon change in the near future. Just as smart-phones are replacing computers, apps are replacing regular websites. Chiropractors must pay attention and evolve quickly or they'll be very sorry. Here are some things that are critical for doctors to understand regarding chiropractic apps.

Apps for chiropractors are great because they can make things simple for existing patients. For example, patients could schedule appointments through the app. They could also have access to a learning center where they can read about the condition they have and how it connects to the structure and function of the human body. Education is very key to patient retention.

Chiropractic iPhone apps can also be integrated with Facebook, YouTube and other social media websites. You can even put a refer a friend option in the software. This will help stimulate new referrals from existing patients that you treat.

The most important thing is to get very clear on exactly what you want for your chiropractic app. Do not be vague. The more specific you can be to provide value and make things more convenient for patients, the better the app will serve you.

Also, you should understand how to select a programmer / developer. You, as the chiropractor, do not have to know how to build chiropractic apps yourself. That would be suicide and not recommended. Strengthen your strengths and delegate your weaknesses.

Outsource your app to a developer here in the United States or find someone overseas. Obviously, you'll pay 2-3 times more if you select a developer in the USA. You can find great talent overseas in China, Ukraine, and India. We're not talking about ghost-writing articles here. Programming can be easily outsourced worldwide.

You'll want to start by checking out the plethora of freelance websites available to you today. These include sites like Odesk, Elance, Guru, and vWorker. You can go on these websites and place a job posting for the exact type of chiropractic iPhone app you want to have built. Don't over-complicate this process either.

Let the developer do the hard work and you can just focus on the creative side. Start by creating an app for your chiropractic practice. Then, you might want to try to crack into the mass market with an idea or passion you have. You'll be able to reach and serve more people should you create an app that can be distributed to a worldwide audience.

"Smartphone-ize" Your Business

Smartphones are ubiquitous. Each new generation of phones has more and better capabilities. Smartphones, the pinnacle of the cell phone pyramid, are almost infinitely expandable through the use of downloaded applications ("apps") which can do nearly anything that a full-sized computer can do.

All this capability has led, naturally enough, to people using their phones for more and more tasks. Some of those tasks include interacting in new ways with the businesses those users patronize.

What can you do to "smartphone-ize" your business?

A well designed smartphone app could take the place of some of the things currently done by paid staff. For example, you could allow customers to set their own appointments by showing a public calendar with unavailable times greyed out and allow customers to pick from remaining time slots.

If you have customers who have a revolving account or who regularly carry a credit balance, allow them to access their account information through the app interface.

Or your app may feature a calculator for customers to figure out how much of your product they need. This could work well for paint stores, fabric stores, garden centers, etc. It could also work for service providers such as financial planners and investment advisors.

A checklist could be handy for some types of businesses. For instance, if there are certain things your clients must do for themselves before you can effectively start providing services. Say you are a carpet cleaner, some things you need are for dogs to be locked up, clutter to be picked up, perhaps you even want breakable or very valuable items removed from the rooms to be cleaned.

Think of a smartphone app as a utilitarian marketing tool not much different from a calendar, calculator or ruler. Brainstorm features and functions pertaining to your business which can be automated, which help both you and your customers and especially which your customers are likely to find cool or useful. If necessary, enlist the help of a marketer who understands your business to help you come up with ideas.

How do you get the programming done?

A good app should have no more than a handful of features. Too many and it becomes both expensive for you to build and confusing for your customers to use. Even just one great feature can be enough to sustain an app.

You don't have to be a technical expert. Just write out in detail what you want done and how each function should work. Then you can hire freelance programmers to do the work of building the app.

Freelance coding can be surprisingly affordable. Check out online services like:

• Odesk
• Elance
• Rent-a-coder
• Guru.com
• Freelancer.com

Pricing will vary depending on the specifications you provide but even a fairly elaborate app should be well under $1,000. Most should be only a few hundred. With some of the sites mentioned above, you set the budget you are prepared to spend and the programmers will "bid" on the contract within the constraints you set.

There are several major smartphone platforms. You don't necessarily need to support all of them, but you should consider supporting at least the top two or three. Add more if your app proves popular and drives business your way. In approximate order of popularity, the major smartphone platforms are:

• iPhone (iOS) - which can also run on iPod and iPad
• Android - which also runs many tablet devices
• Blackberry and Blackberry enabled tablet devices
• Windows CE - and other mobile Windows versions
• HP/Palm (also known as WebOS)

Once the core functionality has been developed, porting it to additional platforms is only incremental work and should cost a mere fraction of the initial development cost.

How do you get customers to use your app?

If your customers see some clear benefit to using it, all you'll really need is to make them aware that your app is available. Try offering features or services via the app that they can't easily get even directly from you or someone in your office. For example I'd much rather spend 30 seconds looking up my account balance or setting an appointment than five or more minutes on the phone having someone else do it for me.

Should you charge for your app?

Unless your app has mass consumer appeal or the nature of your business is such that your customers would expect (and be willing) to pay for it, you are better off giving your app away for free. The cost to develop it is a one-time expense. After that, you can distribute an unlimited number of copies for no extra charge.

Think of it like an electronic marketing premium that gets your name in front of customers and prospects who will see your company's name every time they use the app.

What about updates and ongoing support?

The point of this project is to attract new customers and to make your existing customers more loyal. There is no need for your app to always be cutting edge. Once it's in a stable, releasable form it should go several years without needing to be updated if it was well designed in the first place.

If a flaw is found in the app, the original coder should agree to fix it for free or a substantially reduced cost. If that isn't possible or you do wish to add new functionality, you can either go back to the original coder or return to any of the sites listed earlier to find a new developer to work on it.