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

Windows Store is here!

With the new Windows store, Microsoft has made yet another attempt to please its users. As per the official blog, below areas have been of major focus in the Windows store

Ease of app discovery

The new Windows store is designed with functionalities that ensures better visibility of apps because of which discovering apps is now more efficient. Some features that are implemented in order to help developers and customers discover apps of their interests as quickly as possible are Search, Category browse, Ranking lists and Editorial Curation.

To the users browsing through IE 10 on Windows 8, developers can now promote their apps by displaying a metro style app rather than plain text.

Wider market

Windows store is now available in 231 countries and supports multiple languages. The payment for Windows store is accepted in the local currencies of more than 50 countries. PayPal is another payment method that is acceptable by Windows store in most nations. With this, the reachability and usability of Windows store is certainly on a rise.

Designed for Enterprise as well

Now it is possible for enterprise users to market and offer their apps in form of metro style app through the Windows store.

• Enterprise can restrict the access to Windows store catalog to specific employees.
• Direct deployment of apps to PCs is possible.
• IT admins can install enterprise apps on the Windows 8 machines that they manage.
• Group policy can be used by IT admins to allow metro style app installation on Windows 8 Beta PCs.

New Business models

Now, developers have a wide range of flexible options when it comes to choosing a business model to build the metro style apps on. Giving developers choices with respect to developing business models helps them evolve new ideas and approaches as conditions and needs change.

Better ways to engage customers/developers

Windows store presents customers with trials and in-app purchase facilities that provide them with consistent firsthand experience of all the applications. Developers also have chance to control their advertising thus enabling them to fund their business. Also, Microsoft has made way for open source apps in the new Windows store.

App Certification Kit

Along with the SDK, Microsoft will be providing the developers with app certification kit and app acceptance guidance so that the developers can develop and publish apps that have minimal chance of rejection due to compliance issues.

Store economics

In the new Windows store, individual registration fee is $49 USD. For companies, it is $99 USD. Microsoft will share up to 80% of the revenue generated from app sale.

On a side note, Microsoft has announced that all the apps during Beta period will be free of cost; paid apps are unsupported.

Read more about the new Windows store

Read more about Cygnet Infotech’s mobility services and mobile technology training programs.

Windows Phone 7 Demo on Android or iPhone

Are you one of those curious Android or iPhone mobile phone users who are itching to try out the new Windows 7 release? Well, worry not! Microsoft has released a cool demo that can be run on iPhone and Android phone without any issues.

With a tap or a swipe, you will be presented with a start up screen with the most commonly used services such as Messaging, Outlook, and Calendar etc. Once you have tested any one of the service’s demo, you can go back to the main screen to test another one. It is simple, interactive and certainly very user-friendly.

Some of the features that take Windows 7 mobile to the next level of communication are:

• Touch-Friendly user interface that is slick and elegant.
• With a tap and a drag, move the apps around.
• Easy synchronization of documents between your phone and PC.
• Access to Outlook mail application giving way to important features such as flagging important e-mails etc.
• Large and colorful live tiles can be used as shortcuts to frequently used apps and websites.
• Adding apps to Quick launch is as easy as it can get.
• A single people hub to show the ‘Recent’, ‘New’ and ‘What’s New’ happenings with your friends across social networking sites.
• The interface is elegant and extremely impressive. Usage of bold colors and clear font has made the overall display quality very high.

Though a lot of focus has been about the cool interface and its impressive look, the functionality aspect of Window 7 mobile is to be appreciated as well. With live tiles and several useful apps, Windows 7 mobile sure seems to be gaining the edge in the mobile market.

Look at the Windows 7 screenshots and demo

How to use and configure Dynamics CRM Mobile App

The Windows Marketplace has released Dynamics CRM Mobile App that can help users receive latest notifications on their mobile phones.

Below are the steps to be followed to configure and start using this app from your mobile phone:

1. Download Dynamics CRM App from the Windows Marketplace. Install the application and launch it.
2. Specify user name and password to connect to your CRM Online instance. This is same as the one that you use to connect from web client or outlook client to the CRM Online instance.
3. Once the configuration is done, a window with ‘Success’ message is displayed.
4. To enable connection to IFD (Internet Facing Domain) environment, toggle the switch “Microsoft Dynamics CRM Online” which then becomes “Custom”.
5. Enter your server URL and home realm URL (if any). Contact your administrator for these details, if you are unsure. Ensure you choose the right organization if there is more than one. 
6. The administrator must enable Activity Feeds for your organization to get the real time posts. In order to take advantage of this app, your mobile needs to run UR5 or greater version. 

Apart from getting real time notifications, the below activities can be done from the mobile phone once the configuration is complete:

• User can view both auto and user posts
• User can make or refresh a post or comment
• User can delete a post or comment if they have proper permissions
• User can move from one post to another by using right and left arrows
• By tapping on blue text on the form, user can navigate between entities
• User can view CRM entities such as accounts, contacts, leads etc.
• User can search and view a record
• User can also reconfigure the app for a different organization
• User can launch email, phone and Bing maps tasks from record form

Apart from the above, with the help of system administrator, user can enable specific entities for mobile and choose the right columns for every entity’s view.

Also, when you set up personal views on your web or outlook client, it will automatically get downloaded to your phone after 24 hours. Additionally, if you make any metadata changes to the server, they will be reflected on your phone as well. Read more. 

Cygnet Infotech offers professional services in developing mobility solutions for business applications. 

Windows Mobile 7 bags OS of the year 2011

The news is certainly all over the place - Know Your Mobile Awards of 2011 has recognized and rewarded the Windows Mobile phone with Operating System of the year 2011 award. Despite the fact that Windows phone is still not as popular as the iOS of Apple or Google’s Android, this award sure seems to have given Microsoft some leverage with respect to mobile phones.

The metro user interface incorporated by Microsoft was the main focus during the presentation of the award. The fact that the interface does not look like any of its competitor’s interfaces has worked in its favor. Below are the three highlights with respect to Metro interface.

• Smart updating tiles
• Tablet optimized interface
• Flexible apps

The completely customizable startup screen has scored among the customers leading to the success of this phone. Some other highlighted features were:

• XBOX Live
• Bing
• Windows Live
• Office Integration
• Zune

The judge panel seemed to have well-justified reason for choosing the Windows Phone OS. Below are some of the comments given by the judges with respect to the winner this year.

“It has the most potential, with a unique interface and a rapidly growing apps selection. It has a great looking UI and doesn’t look like Android or iOS.”

“A massive move from the previous OS. Huge growth in apps and the system looks heaps better than the competition.”

“Innovative interface, with more success to come.”

“A refreshing OS that doesn’t try and copy other operating systems. Has attracted a large number of developers too.”

Thus, the OS has concentrated on the user needs first by getting rid of useless uninformative icons and providing them with rich Internet experiences and useful as well as smarter apps on the mobile phone. However, whether the same can be said of the interface when implemented on desktop is still under speculation.

For those of you who are curious to know - Blackberry 7 and Samsung Bada were awarded with runner up prizes in this category.

Cygnet offers mobile application development services to assist companies to introduce mobility solutions for their business.

OptEyeCheck – an iPhone App for Checking Your Vision

OptEyeCheck is an iPhone application which offers a convenient way for checking your vision. By placing your iPhone one foot away from your eyes, you are able to complete four tests: Near Vision (for Myopia), Color Vision Deficiency, Amsler Grid Test and Contrast Sensitivity Test. The results of the tests are stored on your iPhone so that you may share them with your eye doctor.

Near Vision Check (Myopia)

Myopia may be the cause of blurred vision. This check provides you with alphabets in the upper panel to select from the options given below the panel. The size of the letters becomes smaller with each level you pass, and the test continues until your answer does not match the required answer. Your result is then displayed for you.

Color Vision Deficiency Check (Ishihara Color Test)

Color Vision Deficiency is the lack of perceptual sensitivity to certain colors. A series of pictures of colored spots with an embedded number is presented. When you identify the number and select the correct answer from the options presented, a result card is generated showing how your answer compares to a person with normal vision. If you experience “color-blindness” this is an excellent way to check for sure.

Amsler Grid Check

Designed to detect any kind of visual disturbance which may be caused by changes in the retina, optic nerve or the visual pathway to the brain, this test has you look at the grid with each eye concentrating on the small dot at the center of the grid. If you see any wavy lines or if some lines are missing, you mark the grid. The result of each eye is stored in your iPhone and can be used by your doctor to diagnose the actual location of a problem. The Amsler Grid Check helps diagnose macular disease in your eyes. If macular degeneration is in your family, this will be an important check for you.

Contrast Sensitivity Check

The Contrast Sensitivity test will determine how well your eyes adjust to low light and how well you can distinguish objects when they are in similarly colored or shaded backgrounds. This is a special way to measure your visual acuity. You are presented with a high contrast eye chart which has a black letter slowly merging into the white background on each level of the test. The check continues until you give two consecutive wrong answers. A chart showing how far you completed the test successfully and where exactly the answer went wrong is then stored.

Consult Your Doctor

Once you have completed all four of the tests, your iPhone will have four test results to share with your doctor.

Rated 4+, the app is available from iTunes for $0.99. Developed by Cygnet Infotech LLC and released in 2011, this app is also compatible with iPod touch and iPad; it requires iOS 3.0 or later. If your eyes are “bothering” you, perhaps you might find the reason in one of these tests. Check it out OptEyeCheck

“Your App Here” Microsoft’s Invitation to Windows Phone App Developers

Here is your chance to promote your Windows Phone application development skills. Microsoft has announced a new campaign called “Your App Here” to encourage application development on the Windows Phone.

Microsoft will select maximum of seven best phone apps for each of the months of December 2011, January 2012 and February 2012.

1. These applications will be promoted using online banners on MSN sites network
2. Each application will be featured exclusively for a day on Windows phone marketplace
3. The application can be considered for other PR and publicity campaigns

Windows Phone application developers, gear up for this golden opportunity!

You can develop applications in any category such as casual games, kids and family, health and fitness, shopping, social, travel and utilities. However, your app must be published in windows phone marketplace before you can apply, it must be made for Windows Phone 7.5 and must include Fast App Switching and some innovative use of tiles.

Read more about the selection criteria and publishing your app for “Your App Here”

Innovation and distinctiveness of idea, attractive and user-friendly user interface, appropriate display properties and ease of app integration (as and when necessary) will play an important role.

In order to build and publish the app on Windows Marketplace, follow these steps

1. Install Windows Phone SDK 7.1
2. Register on App Hub to publish the app
3. Develop the App using the available resources/tools

Once the application is ready-for-use, you will need to publish it on the Windows Marketplace. An online form needs to be submitted after the publication in order for the app to be considered for the ‘Your App here’ contest. It is mandatory to fill up the form and complete the necessary formalities before the declared deadline for each month’s campaign consideration, failing which the app will go unnoticed.

Sadly, this contest is open for developers in the United States only. Although Microsoft assures that steps are being taken to extend ‘Your App Here’ to worldwide app developers, no program has been defined as of yet to make it happen.

Read more about Cygnet's Services for Mobility

Using iPhones to deliver Healthcare e-learning

The moment our customer, healthcare educationist, saw students (healthcare professionals) spending significant time on their iPhone and reaching out for their laptops less and less, he decided to add iPhone to deliver e-learning in addition to its web based delivery platform. We analyzed the requirements and utilized our iPhone application development expertise to create this M-learning experience.

The design team worked to create a User Interface to ensure maximum synergy in its web based delivery model and iPhone experience. E learning content, notebooks and AVI were moved onto the iPhone interface and necessary changes were made for iPhone compatibility of content. Dry test runs were done to ensure error free user experience.

This M-learning application allowed professionals to upgrade their skills, access online notebook, attempt test & surveys, download documents, etc. on the iPhone, saving time and making the information available on the go.

The application allowed our client to stay ahead with technology while offering services to its clients. His clients paid back by subscribing to M learning in large numbers.

Read more about this revolutionary iPhone application, here.

If you wish to reach your clients on their iPhones, talk to our subject matter experts.

Developed an Android based educational games for children

If you want an interactive tool for training children, than mobile games must be there in your list. Easy access and quick learning has made it one of the fastest growing educational tools. Have you adopted it for education delivery?

We recently built an android based game on mobile phones for an educational institute which can develop intuition, decision making and motor skills in kindergarten children. The interface design used lot of flash, giving playful appeal and making kids involved. Our Android developers followed rigorous testing cycles to test the application and enhance to improve the usability of the application.

In today’s mobile learning revolution this fresh idea of teaching through a game could gather overwhelming response from the parents and kids. The application was available on online app store adding to revenues of our customer and encouraging him to plan more games for M-learning.

Allow us to develop games for your concepts, contact us.

To read more please click here.

Designed an Mobile add-on for an Inventory management application

When this client of ours discussed with us how he was bogged by the management of large inventories in remote ware house locations and its cost and the prohibitive cost of implementing an inventory management system, we recommended building an application for him on the mobile phones with a bar code scanner attachment at a small fraction of the total cost that he could use for inventory management.

The client couldn’t believe this is feasible until we charted it out and explained how the system will work and even update the inventory on his existing inventory system at a central location.
The system design enabled the team to read inventory bar codes with the scanners attached to mobile phones and keep the records in the application which updates the inventory on the central server.

The mobile application was developed as an add-on feature of the existing system saving substantial costs. It improved inventory handling and reduced cost and effort for managing the inventory manually.

The application was easy to operate, accessible round the clock and can be integrated with SAP applications. To know more please click here.

For further consultation you can contact us now.

This Cricket game churns money

This iPhone cricket game churns money for my client each time someone downloads it from the appstore. My iPhone application development team designed this exciting application filled with rich features and simple navigation. The most involving task was to develop the game more challenging and unpredictable to the player.

Game offered functions such as selection of country, team or players, quick match to play ODI, 20:20 or tournaments, statistical chart at game end, flexibility to pause or resume the game, etc. Our work exceeded our customer expectations.

The application has caught the fancy of the iPhone users for its innovative and fresh approach and is a popular download on appstore, generating decent revenues for the client.

If you are looking to get such an application which is loaded with fun and fills your pocket too, contact us now.

To read more about this application click here.