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Mobile web surfing is fading away thanks to the development of apps. The fastest growing generations of mobile phones are changing the world of communication. An average internet user now spends 9 percent more time using mobile applications than the internet. The usage of mobile has become so high that every entertainment, lifestyle, education, telecom, and many industries are developing mobile and game apps. Due to this, the accessibility becomes easier and the demand of such products and technology increase. As a result, career opportunities are gearing up in the field of app development, design, testing, monetization, programming, software analytics and so.
According to one news report, India is one of the world’s fastest growing mobile phone markets, having relatively larger number of mobile connections than landline phones, computers or TVs. Nowadays, brands are moving ahead to build their apps on the Android OS keeping in mind the wide competition and popularity in the consumer domain. This trend has given way to numerous employment opportunities in the Android software.
According to a Gartner report, the number of active mobile connections in India is expected to cross 900 million by 2016. Also shown is that every Smartphone user in India spends around 54 minutes of the day using one or more mobile applications. This has seen an increasing rush for skilled developers as well as innumerable IT institutes offering special courses for Android application development.
But only a course would not suffice. For a successful career in mobile app world, one should know the importance of delivery mechanism in an app. To have a simple app, a complex yet proficient back end is required. Apps are not just restricted to the games domain; there are now informational, social networking, shopping, news, marketing, travel, music, professional apps and much more. There is a necessary trait of advanced and sharp mindset which will help to keep up with the dynamic field. One should have the desire to be able to learn at a rapid pace and stay up to date with technologies. As the mobile world and app technology is new, it is hard to find experienced developers but more importantly, there should be people who can keep up with the changes in this field.
Industry Overview
The mobile and technology industry is still in its infancy as there is a lot of growth left in the market. But at the same time, there is a huge scale of research and design taking place in many software companies every day. There is a big technological advancement happening in many spheres of the world which could make great changes in the industry in the near future. The world is shifting towards online specially the rise of Smartphones where right from young to middle-aged and above. The usage and preference of these age groups are also different. The mobile applications market is not just restricted to general users but has also reached out to business and institutional users. This ever-changing and growing industry and its revenue generation opportunities have not only enticed customers, but also business conglomerates.
This year and next year will see the growth in location-based services, social networking application, m-commerce, context-aware service, object recognition, mobile instant messaging and mobile payment or mobile money transfer. Also, social games apps in mobile devices will be developed. The future is mobile and all the services and offerings are going to run through application. Mobile app development is evolving to integrate with television, in-car navigation and entertainment, shopping, commerce and banking. This talks about future growth prospects in the industry. Mobile operators have seen a significant growth in revenues through VAS, which has significantly increased demand for mobile application developers
Areas of Profession
There is a plenty of work for people of all experience levels in app development. But at first, one should understand and identify the work and which profile one wants to work. Engineers and designers are required for mobile app development. Android app development is a big career boost for students and it may even overcome the Apple market. Android software and app development explores many job profiles for the IT sector. These roles are not confined to the mobile application development, but also cater to hardware solutions like Android customization or optimization, device drivers, analysis etc. This kind of employment requirement is pacing higher where companies are looking out for candidates to work as Android app developers.
Learning Qualifications and Credentials
For such requisite skills, one has to go through specific course or training. Training institutes help you have a wider view of the whole process. The live training experience helps you exercise your creative skills practically, which is essentially required to gain proficiency in Android programming. Since Android application development is a new domain, classroom training makes it a holistic experience for all those who want to acquire the know-how about the subject.
What Makes a Good App Developer?
While many companies have job listings for programmers on specific platforms (such as iOS or Android), many also say that the platform is less important — especially long-term — than just the ability to program. There are many things in mobile that are changing rapidly. There is an unpredictable say about how the mobile market is going to look like in five to ten years. Recruiters in such field are looking for people who are not just developers, but those who are problem-solvers and can pick up on technologies quickly.
The ability to solve problems is also a key in such a young industry. There is a constant need to adapt because working in such an industry means working on so many different things. A client might request some functionality that was not present and thought of before. Someone who can’t overcome those types of challenges, are not going to be able to make it.
Many companies hire young engineers and stress the value of mentorship from their more senior employees, but all talked about the importance of focus and passion. While most Android applications are written in Java, an adept Android professional should have the basic knowledge of Java, HTML and other general technical skills. Developers who know the principles of object-oriented programming and understand user interface will have an advantage over others. But getting trained in a good institute will definitely help them cope with the requirements of the job market. A proficient programmer should be able to juggle between languages effortlessly, since Android apps development essentially needs learning a new syntax. Innovative thinking to work on the differing needs of the consumers will spell success for an Android programmer and this is possible once you get good training. Communication skills are also critical, since you may be working directly with the client that has hired your company to develop an app. The ability to communicate is a really huge part of the industry. Recruiters want people who are able to talk. Because building applications for clients also means the engineers need to be able to talk to clients as well.
Salaries
An app developer has numbers on the high end. There is a big difference in a mobile developer compared to a regular software developer, the former making a premium compared to the same amount of experience. The average salary starts from Rs 15,000-Rs 18,000 per month, depending on the expertise, experience and the position of the individual. The rapid growth of the Android market will soon see companies fighting it big to hire more talented developers and this will, in turn, give way to higher remuneration. The high demand for app developers means that both salaries and benefits are very good. Besides salaries, there are also quality of life incentives such as flexibility in scheduling and freedom to make decisions that affect them.
Career Options
The career options in the wireless and mobile technologies include:
• Mobile Phone System Engineer
• Android, Blackberry, iPhone, Windows Mobile Applications Developer
• Mobile Applications Testing Specialist
• IPAD Developer
• Game Developer
• Mobile Architect / Mobile Software Platform Architect
• Mobile Technicians
• Mobile Plant Equipment Mechanic
• Telecommunications Tower Installation and Maintenance Engineer
• Mobile Security Expert
• Mobile Phone Verification Manager
• Mobile Architect
• Customer Care Officer
• Marketing Manager
• Technical Support Engineer
• KPI (Key Performance Indicator) Engineer.
Education and Qualifications for joining career in mobile technology
The stream of Mobile and Wireless Computing is specialization and expertise oriented. This stream requires candidate to possess an Engineering Degree with specialization in Mobile Computing, Wireless, Tele-communications or any other streams related specifically with Networking. In many cases, CCNACCNP could be an option. Some of the educational qualifications required to join the stream of mobile and wireless computing are:
• B.E./B.Tech. in Electronics and Communications Engineering
• M.Tech. Wireless Sensor Networks
• Diploma Holders in Electronics and Communications Engineering
• Certificate in Mobile Technology
• Certification in Wireless Networking
• Associate of Science in Mobile Technology
• Associate degree in Mobile Communications Technology
• Bachelor’s degree in Mobile And Networks Engineering
• Master’s degree in Information Technology—Mobility
• Master’s degree program in Mobile Technology and Business
• Learning Design and Technology Masters Program (Education)
• Ph.D. with specialization in Telecommunications, Wireless Networks, Mobile Computing, Mobility, Security, Wireless Sand Networking.
Mobile app development is far beyond technical knowledge. An app developer must have creative thinking to build a user friendly application. An actual training environment will let you explore your creative skills, which are very essential in mobile app development.
Smartphones are definitely the future and all the major services are to be delivered through applications. According to all the major recruiters, the demand for skilled mobile app developers exceeds the availability by a major proportion. For those who aspire to make a career in mobile app development, the sky is the limit. Market watchers say it's the ability to grasp mobile's new usage rules, and not simply the ability to master new programming skills, that separates those with an affinity for mobile development from those who just don't get it. It's not just about making things smaller or splitting things up into separate screens. Developers have been trained to think that more features equate to better applications, but on mobile devices, that's simply not true. They need to make a full commitment to doing as much as possible in the mobile environment to experience firsthand both the constraints and the new opportunities.
About Author
Subhash Agarwal
Managing Director, Cheers Devices
The author, Bachelors in Commerce, is currently based out of China. Presently he is the Chief Managing Director of his own venture Cheers Devices. With a gamut of experiences from esteemed organizations, this corporate entity is well versed with the mobile and technology industry as a whole. He is also partner in TS Joya Pvt which is the manufacturing base of Cheers Devices. Ltd. Cheers will be launching devices like Tablet PC’s, Pad Phones, Power Banks, Speakers and others in the coming months. Having 13 years of experience in the mobile technology segment, he is proficient in manufacturing of mobile, technological advancement and procurement of devices. Subhash Agarwal believes in giving each one a good technology
product within their budget.