Brief Overview on How to Create Apps That Work Without the Internet
Having a smartphone alone does not let you gain access to the mobile apps available on both the Android and iOS app stores. Not everyone has quality internet or network connection that most apps require for downloading, installing and even merely for using such apps as well. if you are eager to provide a solution to this dilemma for those who do not have a high-speed internet connection at all times, then here are some core tips to know for developing apps that can be used without internet.
Understanding this notion better
The field of app development has not become static at all instead, it tends to keep evolving and upgrading over the years. However, most apps in the app stores cannot function without the internet. There should be an option for those people who have slower internet connections or no connection at all.
If you only talk about Africa, an approximate of 24% of individuals living in African regions have accessibility to the internet. That is an extremely small percentage so if they do not have the availability of the internet, do you think the speed of connections would be quick? It certainly will not be.
However, the aforementioned elaboration might sound easier to understand but its implementation is not as easy as you believe it to be. This dilemma needs to be solved for those with little to no internet connectivity. One such solution is to develop apps that are light on data. Doing so will make app access easier for users with a faulty or slow internet connection and speed.
When should developers create such apps?
The scenarios where app developers should develop lightweight or apps light on data are several. However, the befitting reason would fit the issues smartphone users face in developing or third world countries. The presence of such apps would also be on a global spectrum. The creation of data-light mobile apps is not a preferable choice only for developing countries. Since if you make an app that consumes less data, if the same app is running on a faster internet connection then its performance will increase at a greater rate.
What app development approach should you choose?
This question is extremely essential to answer as the existing app development trends, techniques and approaches are numerous. You have to find one that entirely fits your given app requirements and needs. This will be surely a new app development project for you then you would have to find answers to some crucial questions.
The size of your app and the amount of data it will consume should be lessened. This also applies to the attributes and features you will add to your app as such elements bring an increment in the app and data size as well.
One essential aspect that should never be overlooked is the data size. If that is overlooked then the developers can add additional items to the app’s interface. This will in turn only end up in bloating the app and ruining its performance. That is exactly what we are trying to avoid by making apps that consume less to no data or internet connection. Do not incorporate a video to your app’s interface if you are reducing the data limit or size.
When developing such mobile apps, you have the availability of two options. One option is to not change the original app instead make a light version of the same app. Facebook and Uber have utilized this approach by releasing the lite versions of their popular mobile apps.
The second approach is to optimize the actual app without having to develop a light version of it from scratch. This is a far better option as it cuts down additional and unnecessary costs as well as sustains the app’s lifetime for a longer period.
Finding tools to optimize app data size
Another essential step that makes the entire process of app development quicker is to find tools, frameworks or programming languages that are used solely for this purpose. Most of such tools are built in an open source environment and some of these tools include image compressors and tools that optimize the entire coding domain of your app.
The challenges you will have to face
Finally, the last phase is to fully understand and grasp the potential challenges once can face in the making of data-light mobile apps. Most existing apps on both the iOS and Android app stores tend to work with internet connection but if you are opting for an approach that is entirely new then you should be ready to face some probable challenges.
You just have to set a limit to all the ideas and features you would be thinking of adding to your app but it is better to stop yourself when you get such ideas. Keep the features, options, and size of the app to a minimum so it is able to function without the internet or in a slower connection.
