What Features Are Possible In a Mobile App?

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One of the most common questions we're asked here at Appvisors is: “What features are available in a mobile app?” We're glad you asked! We won't waste time in getting right down to it, either, for there are a lot of features we offer. We've broken it down into the six major categories below. As you read, keep your eye out for an asterisk (*) next to the feature name; that indicates the item is among the current most popular features in apps.

1. Social Media.These features work with Application Programming Interfaces (API's) of popular social media programs.
a) Facebook*
b) Twitter*
c) Google +* (currently limited scope, but developing quickly)
d) LinkedIn*

2. Location Services. These are features that are centered around locational technology.
a) Geo-Location: pinpoints the specific geographical location of a person or place
b) Geo-Fencing: uses triggers that let you know if a person or thing leaves a geographic area
c) GPS Integration*: makes use of the Global Positioning System (GPS) built in to your device
d) Spatial Awareness: identifies the phone's location on X, Y and Z axes
e) Magnetometer Integration: also built in to most devices; functions much like a compass
f) Accelerometer Integration: this identifies the speed at which the phone is moving

3. Communications. This category lists features that transfer information from one party to another.
a) Gmail Integration*: email services through Google's Gmail service
b) Mail Integration*: email services through the POP mail provider of your choice
c) iCal Integration: appointment-setting and reminders through Apple's iCal
d) Calendar Integration*: appointment-setting and reminders through Microsoft Exchange Calendar
e) Messaging*: share info and multimedia files through text messaging
f) Push/Pull Notifications*: being notified when new requested information is available from an online service (push), or having information requested from you (pull)
g) Internationalization: adding multilingual capability into an app
h) Translation: translating text from one language to another
i) SMS: Short Message Services, or automatically-generated requested information
j) Peer-to-Peer: direct device communication between two or more people (especially popular for games)
k) VoIP Integration: Voice over Internet Protocol, or using an IP network for vocal communication
l) Voice Chat: direct vocal communication between two or more mobile devices that doesn't use a phone carrier
m) Speech Integration: the use of vocal commands for device functions as opposed to buttons
n) Data Encryption: maximizes security of data by encryption, or digital data coding
o) Video Camera Integration*: allows apps to tap into your device's video recording capability
p) Microphone Access: adds your device's microphone for sound recording purposes

4. Back End. These are features designed to run quietly and invisibly in the background.
a) Basic API Integration*: simple integrations with other API's.
b) Advanced API Integration: the same as above, only considerably more complex.
c) Third-Party API Integration*: allows devices to communicate with outside API's
d) Ad Server Integration*: connects to ad servers to provide stats, sales figures, etc.
e) Database Integration*: collects, sorts and stores information either locally or from a server.
f) In-App Purchasing*: allows your users to make purchases directly from their mobile devices
g) Enterprise Data Integration: connects securely to your business-based database
h) CMS*: Content Management System, a system that manages web page content
i) Game Center Integration: connects to and communicates with Apple's iPhone Game Center
j) Bar Code Integration*: detects and recognizes bar codes on various products and services
k) QR Code Integration*: Quick Response Code, a square-shaped and more complex type of bar code

5. Camera. This is pretty self-explanatory; they're features that use your mobile device's built-in camera(s).
a) Rear Camera Integration: uses the more-commonly-used camera mounted on the back of your device
b) Front Camera Integration: uses the camera that faces you, on the front of your device

6. Complex Components. These features are more elaborate and detailed. One word of warning: these have the potential to slow down some mobile devices.
a) Virtualization: allows your system to emulate, or mimic, another operating system or device
b) Animation*: allows the integration of moving images into an app
c) Facial Recognition: taps into API that recognizes and stores facial feature information
d) Image Manipulation: allows you to edit or alter graphic imagery
e) Bluetooth Integration: uses the Bluetooth system on your device to connect to outside sources

That's a long list—and with innovations in mobile technology charging forward like they are, it's bound to get longer. When you have a mobile app idea, you need to build it with app developers who are on the ball. Check out Appvisors.com, and give us a call at512-800-4654 today. We'll get you on the road to a great app with the features to make it the best it can be.

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