Cygnet Infotech is now a Samsung Partner

Cygnet Infotech on 2^nd September, 2013 acquired partnership with Samsung under Samsung Enterprise Alliance Program (SEAP).

SEAP is an affiliate program that provides technical, marketing and sales support to companies in developing enterprise mobile solutions. The program aims to improve the potentials of mobile business by extending support and expertise to partners for solution development as well as marketing and distribution activities.

Cygnet Infotech became Silver Partner of Samsung under the ISV (Independent Software Vendor) Program. With this, we now belong to the network that has access to the extended library of the Samsung Enterprise SDK for developing more secure and powerful solutions for Samsung mobiles. This partnership also enables our programmers and developers to utilize more than 300 functions of Samsung’s Android devices for developing high-end mobile solutions. Besides these, being a Silver Partner of Samsung, Cygnet gets following benefits:

• Access to UX Guide for mobile application development and design
• Access to Technical Support Site for troubleshooting solutions development
• Access to Samsung’s network that includes channel partners, customers and carriers for marketing and promoting solutions
• Chance to participate in showcases and conferences hosted by Samsung

With these benefits, Samsung partnership positions us to cater to the demands of today's mobile market and optimize solutions for Samsung devices by integrating security, application, and hardware management thereby enhancing our overall IT enterprise solutions competence.

Microsoft to Buy Nokia’s Mobile Unit: Emergence of a Third Player in the Mobile Market?

While the Windows Phone is at the number two position (behind Android) in some markets that Apple has not cared to target aggressively, Microsoft has not tasted big success in the mobile market. Tech pundits have given good reviews about Microsoft’s latest mobile operating system, but it has always seemed that Bill Gates came to the smart mobile party a little too late. As Apple and Android dominate the global mobile market with over 90% of market share, the chances of a third player entering the field and competing with these two mobile giants have gotten slimmer and slimmer.

A Quick Glance at Nokia & Microsoft’s Relationship

When Nokia threw its lot with Microsoft and started manufacturing smartphones that run the Windows 7 and 8, many felt that it was a suicidal move. Samsung, one of Nokia’s biggest competitors in the mobile manufacturing, choose Android OS to run its best mobiles and emerged as one of the biggest forces in the mobile market. Nokia was unable to accomplish similar goals using Windows operating system: it dumped Symbian and used Windows 7 operating system for all its top-tier handsets, but was unable to compete with the iPhone or Android devices.

Just a few years back Nokia was respected as the most powerful mobile manufacturer; today, it is not even one of the top three mobile manufactures. Microsoft too suffered from the fact that none of the mobile manufacturers using its operating system could come up with a series of successful handsets. Technology experts and bloggers have expressed one idea since a long time: Microsoft and Nokia are a good fit and by closely partnering with each other, they can emerge as a force to reckon with. By preparing to buy Nokia’s mobile unit, Microsoft has done what many hoped that it would.

Has Microsoft found the Missing Piece of the Mobile Puzzle?

In a purchase that is set to complete by 2014, Microsoft has agreed to buy Nokia’s mobile unit, and it will also buy Nokia’s patents and mapping services in a non-exclusive agreement. The company will pay $ 7.2 billion in cash. The deal is a lifesaver for Nokia, a company that is steadily falling behind its competitors Samsung and Apple. It can also help rejuvenate Microsoft’s mobile image and help the company manufacture flagship mobile handsets that are specifically created for Windows 8.

While Apple has the iPhone and Android has Samsung’s popular devices that can showcase the best features of the mobile operating system and attract customers, Microsoft doesn’t yet have such a hit device for Windows 7 or 8. While people have not dumped PCs or Windows, Microsoft needs to find its way in a world where people are spending less time on PCs and more time on tablets and smartphones. With this deal, Microsoft doesn’t just get the capability to manufacture mobile, but also gets the skills and patents to create a slew of innovative devices that can help its mobile operating system find its feet in a competitive market.

Through the deal with Nokia, Microsoft has all the ingredients that go on into the making of a powerful and effective smartphone ecosystem: a well-conceptualized mobile operating system, devices that are specifically made for the operating system and an app store. Only time will tell if Microsoft has found the missing piece of the puzzle, but if you are a mobile app owner or a developer, the possibility of a third player giving competition to the existing market leaders is exciting.

Impact on Mobile App Development

Microsoft is the only company that has the wherewithal and background to compete with Apple and Android. Nokia still has a huge fan-following in emerging smartphone markets like India, and this will empower Windows 7 and 8 phones to conquer huge chunks of such markets. Just as Google’s acquisition of Motorola Mobility patents enabled the search giant to manufacture its own devices and safeguarded the future of its operating system, Microsoft’s acquisition of Nokia’s mobile unit will help the company compete more aggressively in the mobile market.

It is notoriously difficult to foretell future in the dynamic mobile market, but the news indicate that Microsoft is going to do all it can to thrive in the world of smart mobiles. We can expect to see a surge in the number of developers building mobile apps for Windows. Also, if the Windows Phone OS gets a bigger market share over the next two years (and it is likely that we will see at least some rise), developers who build apps only for Apple and Android will start building apps for Microsoft as well.

Ready for a Resurgent Windows Phone Operating System?

In the current scenario, most businesses and developers are either building only Apple apps, or they build app for Android and Apple. If Microsoft succeeds in becoming the third player in the mobile market, apps that are already popular on its app store will be the biggest winners. By creating an innovative application Windows Phone OS now, or by creating a Windows Phone version of your existing app, you can profit from a world that has three major mobile operating systems.

Would you like to explore this idea further? Get in touch with us and tell us about your mobile app idea. We would love to discuss it with you! 

Do’s and Don’ts of Mobile App Marketing via Social Media

The usage of mobile phones in the last 5 years has increased to a huge extent. With this leap, several mobile applications have been introduced which are available in various app stores such as Play Store, iStore, etc. In these scenarios, standing out from 5,00,000 plus mobile apps is a challenge, especially when the market is estimated to be worth $25 billion by 2015. Chances of getting to the top in the niche market is already saturated and hence the discoverability and possibility of reaching to the right target audience quickly is no rocket science. In these conditions, mobile app marketing via social media is the best option especially when you are on a tight budget.

We all know that the importance of social media in today’s time has grown by leaps and bounds. It has become more a necessity than an option to survive in the global marketplace and achieve success. Several companies have developed their presence on social media just to promote their brands and services on different platforms and websites. From product advertising to announcements to services promotion, social media is the one that provides quick and efficient results.

Image credit: www.appsgeyser.com

Mobile application marketing through social media can help you reach the widest and sharply targeted audience in no time. Mobile apps are being used by people of all age groups for recreational, informational and many other purposes. And this is why no other platform on the Internet could give your apps the exposure as good as social media. However, when you set out to market your apps on social media, you need to keep your eyes and mind open as marketing on social media can either make or shake your strategy. Hence, you should have a planned mobile application marketing strategy on social media which requires appropriate research before you dive into this deep ocean.

There are several Do’s and Don’ts of mobile app marketing via social media as highlighted in the following paragraphs that can really help you hit the right audience and help your increase mobile app download rates.

Do’s of Mobile App Marketing via Social Media

1. Use Promoted Tweets – Create a buzz about your app on Twitter with Promoted Tweets. Promoted Tweets are a great way to capture the attention of customers.
2. Connect with prospects via LinkedIn & Facebook – Users who frequently use LinkedIn and Facebook can become your possible customers. Just connect with them and promote about your application which would be displayed on their notification bars or news feed.
3. Promote on YouTube - Create a video to demonstrate the working of your app and promote it on YouTube.
4. App Reviews - Submit your application reviews on relevant blogs, websites and press releases
5. Use QR Codes – Create QR codes and publish them on different social media platforms from where customers can scan the code and download the app.
6. Answer Every Comment – People like it when they get reply for what they say instead of getting avoided. Be sure to answer every comment and specially be constructive when their comments are negative.
7. Delete Negative Comments – Be alert and quick to delete negative comments before they can ruin your app marketing strategy.
8. Be Active - Be always active in putting useful, informative and interesting updates which can drive customer engagement and keep them updated.
9. Be Participative & Polite - Post and comment everywhere that is relevant to your mobile app but in a polite manner.

With these Do’s come several Don’ts which you should avoid while promoting your apps on social media which are as mentioned below:

Don’ts of Mobile App Marketing via Social Media

1. Don’t be a Marketer, Be a Friend – While promoting your application on social media, avoid being a marketer who pushes the product. Instead be a friend and develop a healthy conversation which can really convince your prospect.
2. Don’t Make Mistakes – Avoid mistakes in typing and publishing things as even a small mistake is enough to portray your negative image.
3. Don’t Make False Statement – Just for the sake of increasing downloads of your app, do not make false statements and claims. Say what your app can really do.
4. Don’t Use the Same Strategy - Do not use the same strategy for every social media platform you are promoting your app on. Do remember each social media platform has different dynamics and needs to be utilized accordingly.

Now when you know that social media can be utilized in many way, it's up to you to decide what strategy will be more effective and how you exactly want it to work. Be creative while promoting your apps to create the curiosity among the users and make sure that you make it about them, not about you. In short, always publish from their perspective. On the other hand, make sure that your app is powerful enough that it can be recommended to others. Social media makes it undoubtedly popular but like I said before that your app must be substantial and worth recommending to others.

Conclusion

At the end, what you can get out of the social media promotion is what your customers want. The primary reason is that you can connect with your users better and find such more potential customers. Social media is essential to make your mobile applications popular. So make the most of it with planned strategy and research.

Mobile Device Management (MDM) – An Essential Ingredient of Enterprise Mobile Security

With mobile device replacing enterprise IT assets (desktops and laptops) due to trends like BYOD, wireless workforce, tablet adoption, etc. IT security professionals face severe challenges to ensure security of corporate data and information being accessed by these devices. Organizations completely rely on security managers to confirm that the company data used by the mobile workforce is secure.

Mobile Device Management (MDM) is slowly becoming the need of an hour in enterprise mobile security concerns. MDM is a policy of deploying, securing, monitoring, integrating and managing mobile devices in the workplace. The intent of MDM is to optimize the functionality of mobile devices within the enterprise and protecting the corporate network. According to The Nemertes Research Group Inc, 46% of companies have implemented MDM and 84% are expected to embrace the MDM practice by the end of 2014.

With this the demand of software for managing the mobile devices is growing rapidly. Mobile Device Management Software allows securing and managing all the mobile device deployments remotely. It gives Security Managers, way to troubleshoot the mobile device management by allowing them to distribute configurations and data settings and resolving patches in the devices and applications. Software for MDM generally supports file synchronization and sharing, data security and corporate content security. Besides most software of mobile device management include following features:

• Mobile Application Management (MAM) or Enterprise Application Management
• Workspace Security for documents, information and applications
• Secure Document Sharing (SDS) with platforms like Dropbox, SharePoint, etc.
• WLAN Integration for network security
• Certificate Authority Integration

Of all these MDM functionalities, mobile application management feature is used by 29% of enterprises. Companies in mobile application development also consider MAM for managing, distributing, licensing mobile applications developed by them. On the other hand, document sharing from mobile devices requires more control unlike desktops and laptops. Thus SDS feature of MDM provides necessary APIs to control and secure the document sharing practice from mobile devices.

Looking at the features of MDM, especially MAM and SDS, it should be considered as a primary tool to ensure security of mobile devices within the enterprise and apps and functionalities running on them.

Looking to develop a software for managing mobile devices and applications at your place? Contact us at info@cygnet-infotech.com or visit http://www.cygnet-infotech.com/enterprise-mobility/byod-management

Mobile & Web Applications Will Now Get a Blend of Facebook

We all know that Facebook has changed the way people interact and share personal and professional information with each other. It has also revolutionized the way for marketer to reach customers. And now with its increasing usage and influence, it is all set to make a wave in application development due to the Facebook Technology Partners Program. The Facebook Technology Partners Program is all about making applications and website more social by integrating it with different technologies, languages and platforms. 

Facebook has joined a partnership with leading development platforms and frameworks like PhoneGap, Sencha, Corona, Stack Mob, Trigger io, Outcurve and many more.  This is a significant move on the part of Facebook because a number of devices are now equipped with HTML5 and statistics show the devices used by people having HTML5 would cross over 1 million by the end of 2013. HTML 5 is said to ease users reach across different devices and give an improved user experience and render better sharing on Facebook via apps running on HTML5.

Besides, integrating Facebook with applications will help users see what their friends are doing along with just sharing and viewing comments. For e.g. An airline application would help user not only get details about the timing of his flight but will also help him share or get information about local restaurants in the destination city. Moreover, apps with Facebook login can directly help users publish stories from the app instead of signing into Facebook separately. Through Facebook integrated apps, one can also gauge better insights about consumers.

Looking at this, Facebook can certainly take the social sharing to greater heights without losing the important processes and operations running on your device be it laptop, mobile or tablet.

Cygnet Creates Awareness on Global Warming with an iPhone Game

With a view to spread awareness about saving environment, Cygnet’s bright mobility team developed a gaming app for IPhones. Since the application is about saving the environment, it is named as ‘The Rescue’

‘The Rescue’ game has a wonderful theme of developing a city from scratch using resources like food, coins and wood. In the game, the player has to construct various amenities and assets like Stock House, Factory, Power Plant, Public Transport, University, etc which leads to pollution and global warming in the environment. And, in order to reduce them, the player has to plant trees and forests in the city and restore environmental balance. Thus the game is about keeping perfect environmental balance along with industrial development.

The game displays bars of pollution and global warming and also shows the level of resources available with the player. The player has to keep these bars of global warming and pollution at bare minimum level by proper utilization of resources and plantation of trees. Once these bars reach maximum level, the game ends. In a nutshell, the player in the game has to rescue environment from the vices of pollution and global warming.

Here follows some detailed highlights of the ‘The Rescue’ which Cygnet’s mobility team developed with its unparalleled grip in mobile application development.

• Developed on iPhone 3.1.3 version and Objective C language
• Includes complete instructions for users
• Displays usage of coins, food and wood so that players can use them discreetly while developing City
• Alerts users in case of rising pollution levels while development of city
• Adds up scores at every level and maintains records of Best Scores made

With this game, the player gets tough challenge to maintain rights balance in the eco-system. Through ‘The Rescue’, Cygnet imparts players with great sense of responsibility towards environment.

By developing this IPhone app, Cygnet has proved it can convert any sort of ideas and visualization into smartest app using its expertise on latest mobile technologies.

Download 'The Rescue' from ITunes

Cygnet Fixes Bugs in Mobile VOIP Application of Client

VOIP is an acronym of Voice over Internet Protocol, a technology which allows people to call via internet. Therefore, it is also known as Internet telephony, IP telephony, or Voice over the Internet (VOI). Skype is an example of VOIP service. It is an alternative of using telephones and mobile devices for calling people. Thus it relieves from paying call charges. All one needs to pay for is the internet data usage. Hence, VOIP is an exciting option to call people cheaply.

VOIP in recent years has gained huge popularity which is why many companies are offering this service. Till recent time, VOIP services were accessible just via PC but since the mobile technology has expanded, this service has also entered the mobile industry. There are many companies who are now offering VOIP applications for Mobile which come bundled with various facilities. As this is a new technology for mobile, many such Mobile VOIP providers face issues and bugs in delivering and maintaining their VOIP applications.

One such company (US based - engaged in providing services like e-faxing, email marketing, virtual calling) is a client of Cygnet who has developed such VOIP applications for Android and IPhone. Cygnet has been providing various services and solution to this client company on various Microsoft and Java technologies since past 2 and half years. It also faced issues and bugs in delivering and maintaining its mobile VOIP applications and required to solve these bugs to enhance and improve its services. Since it knew Cygnet’s capabilities, it assigned the task of resolving the issues and enhancing the application to Cygnet. As a part of building long term relationship with the client company, Cygnet took up the challenge to resolve the bugs and render smooth and error-free working of these mobile VOIP applications.

The modus-operandi of Cygnet’s mobility team remained simple yet effective to rule out the errors and problems faced by client in these VOIP applications for Android and IPhone. Even without having detailed knowledge of the application, Cygnet completely resolved the issues and successfully enhanced the working of the VOIP applications in a very short span of time. The client is extremely happy with Cygnet’s efforts to resolve the issues who can now provide better and error-free mobile VOIP applications to various Android and IPhone users.

The client has appreciated Cygnet team’s efforts by saying –

“You guys are doing great and I appreciate your hard work”

If you want to get served with Cygnet's huge expertise in various mobile platforms, do contact us on inquiry@cygnet-infotech.com or visit www.mobility.cygnet-infotech.com

My PicPhone Book – a Picture Dialing App Developed by Cygnet’s Mobility Team

MyPicPhone Book is an amazing IPhone application developed by Cygnet’s Mobility Team for its Germany based client. The application brings an exciting feature to IPhone users for making calls using pictures of contact persons.

MyPicPhone Book works wonderfully for the client who was previously bogged with conventional and lengthy mode of calling. Since the client wanted a smart application to manage contacts with pictures and use them for instant calling, Cygnet took the initiative and fulfilled his requirement.

MyPicPhone Book has a facility to connect the call with a mere tap on the picture of the contact person. Thus, it gives direct connectivity discarding long scrolling process of finding person’s name from the contact list. The application was developed using IPhone SDK 3.0 technology.

The application incorporates following features:

•          Ability to attach pictures with contacts
•          Facility to edit, change or remove picture attached with the contact
•          Manages innumerable contacts with pictures
•          Facility to set up the sequence of pictures for quick dialing
•          Displays picture even while the call is in progress

The client was very happy to see Cygnet’s excellent work followed by which he has assigned more projects of Mobile Application Development to Cygnet.

Cygnet’s mobility team is highly enthusiastic with such appreciation and looks forward to deliver more solutions to its clients.

To develop your mobile app, get in touch with Cygnet's Mobility Team now.

‘Eye Trends’ a Mobile Application developed by Cygnet to Keep Abreast with Latest Trends in Eyewear

Cygnet’s Mobility Team has designed several out of the box mobile applications with intelligent techniques and expertise to help clients in meeting their requirements and increase efficiency of their respective business. With such an expertise, Cygnet’s mobility team has come out with a mobile application called ‘Eye Trends’ for one of its US based client.

This application is developed to help users try and test different eye wears virtually on their face. It has an interactive interface that works like a mirror and helps users to get idea how it would actually look on their face. The application gives live trail experience to users and guides them in selecting best suitable pair of glasses.

Eye Trends is built on Android SDK 2.0 technology and thus can be used by any Android mobile user. It has a huge collection of latest designer frames and glasses from big brands by which users can get maximum options to try and select an eye wear. The application also features coupons to be filled by users while placing the order for eyewear of their choice which offers discount on purchase from various stores. Moreover, with Eye Trends, users can share their Trial Looks on different social networking sites like Facebook and Twitter and get opinion of friends on their looks with different glasses.

Cygnet’s Mobile team has also integrated an online application called “Trendoids” with Eye Trends that gives updates on eyewear and keeps users abreast of latest style and trends in eyewear fashion.

Eye Trends is power packed with lots of useful and amusing features which not only helps users in getting suitable pairs of sunglass or frame but also helps opticians is serving people with right choice at right time and keep themselves ahead in eye wear fashion.

The client is glad to get the exact application as per his requirement and has expressed gratitude towards Cygnet Mobility Team and looks forward to build long term healthy relations with Cygnet.

Know more about Eye Trends

New Mobile Application Development Website Released by Cygnet

Cygnet Infotech released new Mobile Application Development website http://mobility.cygnet-infotech.com/ to cater various mobile application needs of customers.

With this new website, Cygnet showcases its core expertise in Mobile Application Development and aims to provide readymade as well as customized application for Mobiles and Tablets across the globe.

Several case studies have been made public on the site which include case studies on Android, iPhone, iPad and Windows. Cygnet's mobility team has developed apps for business, clinics, legal, finance, games, productivity and entertainment industry.

The whole team of Cygnet is very enthusiastic and is looking forward to deliver ground-breaking Mobile Application Solutions to more and more customers with the new website.

Know more about Cygnet’s expertise in mobility