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Technology is changing at such a rapid pace that we have seen many tech disruptions in a relatively short time.  A “disruptive technology” could be defined as one that displaces an established technology, thereby shaking up an industry and reshaping its future trajectory. A tech disruptor could also be a ground-breaking product that creates an entirely new industry.  Join our drive down the technology superhighway as we rediscover the top tech disruptions over the past 10 years and dive into what’s next. 2014: Amazon Echo Brings the IoT Home Amazon Echo barreled into our lives this year, causing us to rethink how we might use technology in our homes. Powered by Amazon’s voice control system Alexa, the Echo started with just a few intelligent voice commands. Alexa now boasts thousands of “skills” and has become the central hub in so-called smart homes, helping to bring the Internet of Things (IoT) to a much wider audience. Followed quickly by Google Home and more recently by Apple HomePod, this technology is sure to continue to grow. 2015: Autonomous Vehicles Inspire Change The autonomous car, aka the self-driving car, is envisioned as one capable of sensing its environment and navigating without human input. The quest to develop technologies that could enable such a feat began to rise in 2015. Consumers have benefitted from numerous changes in car technology (think adaptive speed tech, proximity sensors, guidance systems, etc.) as manufacturers began pursuing this vision. This dramatic reshaping of the automotive industry certainly deserves a call-out. 2016: Oculus Rift Opens Up Virtual Reality Virtual reality (VR) as a concept has been around for decades and offers increasing value in everything from military training to surgery simulation to product development and testing. Although Google had been selling Google Glass prototypes since 2013, VR’s availability to consumers was limited until the introduction of Oculus Rift in 2016. With its launch, VR exploded into many homes. The system was a hot gift and introduced the concept of VR to a broader audience—it’s hard not to enjoy (or laugh with?) someone experiencing VR for the first time! 2017: AI Takes the Stage Artificial intelligence (AI) is a science-fiction trope brought to life. With numerous large companies investing billions of dollars on research in this field, it’s poised to influence how we live and work in the coming years. Applications include everything from automating tasks using bots to enabling computers to answer complex, multi-tiered questions by “learning” from previous queries. 2018: 5G Begins Its Rollout As connectivity became more ubiquitous, fast and reliable internet demand increased. It’s not enough to watch a streaming movie in the middle of nowhere—it has to be smooth! Beginning in 2018, 5G promised to bring more channels for higher speed, lower latency, and greater bandwidth for more connected devices. But 5G wasn’t exciting for smartphone fans only: the benefits had implications for healthcare, education, smart homes, connected cars, and more. 2019: 3D Printers Revolutionize the 4th Industrial Revolution Although the technology and equipment for 3D printing were available in the mid-1980s, 3D printing was imprecise, bulky, and costly. Thirty years later, 3D printing made it to the mainstream as a disruptive technology. This disruptive technology appeared in 2019 as part of predictive maintenance in manufacturing. Smart sensors helped identify potential problems, and 3D printers built new parts before needing to be needed. 2020: Passwordless Authentication Hits Big Tech For many of us, forgetting our passwords is a daily occurrence, but those days may be behind us, thanks to the push for passwordless authentication in 2020. While the world stood still during the COVID-19 pandemic, big tech companies like Microsoft began to push for two-factor authentication and passwordless logins, and an identity management startup called Beyond Identity launched its passwordless identify platform in April. Companies like Adobe and Facebook began utilizing new security features to give us the luxury of forgetting those complicated passwords. 2021: IoT Builds the Virtual World Technology automation through IoT didn’t begin in 2021, but this year brought a boon for intelligent everything. The IoT connects objects in the real world—navigation systems, thermostats, your virtual assistant, Alexa—with virtual identifiers on the internet. These identifiers “talk” virtually to create a web of connections and collaborations between the devices. Although IoT has been used in home-based applications, 2021 brought the technology to new areas, including manufacturing, mining, and healthcare. 2022: ChatGPT Redefines Human-Computer Interaction In 2022, ChatGPT emerged as the undeniable frontrunner and the most influential tech disruption of the year. Developed by OpenAI, this groundbreaking language model harnessed the power of the GPT-3.5 architecture to revolutionize human-computer interactions. With its ability to understand context, generate coherent responses, and adapt to users’ needs, ChatGPT transcended traditional chatbots, becoming a sophisticated conversational AI companion. Its applications spanned diverse industries, from customer support to creative writing, education, and even healthcare. As ChatGPT continuously learned and evolved, it showcased the transformative potential of artificial intelligence, leaving an indelible mark on the technology landscape of 2022 and beyond. 2023: Apple Vision Pro Unleashes the Power of Spatial Computing In 2023, spatial computing, specifically the Apple Vision Pro, emerged as the pinnacle of technological disruption, revolutionizing how we interact with digital information. Years earlier, Apple’s visionary smartwatch had cemented Apple as the leader in wearable technology. In 2023, the Apple Vision Pro promises to enable users to seamlessly integrate virtual elements into their physical surroundings, unlocking unparalleled immersion and productivity. We can now see a future where the days of limited screen real estate are gone; users can effortlessly interact with a vast array of applications and data in a three-dimensional, contextually aware environment. This leap in spatial computing may solidify VR’s position as an indispensable tool and open up new frontiers in communication, productivity, and entertainment, forever changing the way we perceive and interact with technology. What’s next? Tech disruptions in the 21st century have transformed our reality into a digital-first experience. Technology is changing faster than ever. Backed by a confluence of all these giant leaps forward, the future is a brave new world. Our predictions for what’s next include: Prediction 1: Quantum Computing Revolutionizes Data Processing Quantum computing is poised to shatter the boundaries of traditional computing capabilities. With its ability to leverage quantum mechanics principles, it will handle complex problems at speeds that were once deemed impossible. Industries such as pharmaceuticals, logistics, and cryptography will see groundbreaking advancements, leading to accelerated drug discovery, optimized supply chains, and next-level data security. As quantum computers become more accessible, researchers and innovators will unlock the potential for solving real-world challenges that were previously impossible. Prediction 2: Hyper-Automation Transforms Workforce Efficiency Hyper-automation is revolutionizing the business world with advanced technologies like AI, machine learning, and robotic process automation (RPA). By automating complex processes, companies can boost productivity, streamline operations, and free up time for creative and strategic initiatives. This transformational trend empowers workers through upskilling and reskilling, leading to a promising future where technology complements human expertise for greater success. Prediction 3: AI-Driven Personalization Enhances User Experience As AI continues to integrate deeply into our digital lives, offering personalized experiences across platforms becomes the new norm. Users are already encountering tailored content, services, and product recommendations that cater precisely to their preferences in e-commerce, entertainment, content consumption, and even healthcare. However, this era of heightened personalization is also bringing data privacy and ethical AI usage to the forefront, driving the need for responsible AI development and regulation to ensure user trust and societal well-being. More Transformative Digital Solutions At InspiringApps, we’re passionate about harnessing the power of tech’s newest disruptions to create transformative digital solutions. More than that, we’re thrilled to collaborate with our clients’ brilliant ideas and make them a reality. Could your digital product idea be the next big thing in your industry? See how we helped Fidelity National Financial create a transformative solution for the real estate industry with their award-winning product, inHere.

CEO Brad Weber of InspiringApps joined Adam Torres on the Mission Matters Podcast to announce his new book and dive into InspiringApps’ latest insights on the business applications of artificial intelligence. The discussion explores challenges and lessons learned in growing a company, emphasizing the significance of a strong team and strategic decision-making, and predicting the future of AI from revolution to best practice. Watch the Podcast Key Takeaways AI & Automation AI is transforming how we create solutions. Artificial intelligence (AI) has become a significant force in our lives, particularly through our mobile devices. AI can predict our routes and provide traffic information, making it a useful tool for automation and more.  Representing one specific type of AI, ChatGPT has gained popularity because of its ability to generate content. However, there has been a backlash due to concerns about copyright infringement. Despite this, companies like InspiringApps are finding ways to integrate generative AI capabilities into products, creating more targeted solutions for consumers. We need to approach AI implementation thoughtfully. Overall, AI presents both opportunities and challenges for businesses, and it’s crucial to approach its implementation thoughtfully. While some see potential benefits, others worry about job security. For example, starting out as a copywriter in this space may be challenging, as entry-level positions could be affected.  Large companies initially reacted with fear to ChatGPT, but now they are seeking guidance to understand the technology better and implement best practices within their organizations. Building an Inspiring Business Complex business challenges are no match for inspirational leadership. In his chapter of the new book, Brad discusses the challenges and importance of growing a successful company and cultivating a winning culture. He emphasizes the need for a strong team and a solid organizational structure. The concept of “team” is crucial to Brad. He has found that having a cohesive leadership team and solid continuity across all roles in the organization is essential. InspiringApps invests in meeting its team’s needs and involving everyone in decision-making, making it a great place to work and keeping turnover low. Brad also addresses the idea of creating cool stuff for clients versus building a real business. He shares a personal story about being “slapped with a backhanded compliment.” In this experience, Brad came to realize the need for long-term sustainability and formalizing roles for success. InspiringApps is as nimble as a startup but as mature as an enterprise when it comes to app development capabilities. As the company continues to grow, the team recognizes the importance of understanding its strengths and bringing value to clients, whether they are startups or large enterprises. Entrepreneurship & App Development “Despite having many business degrees, I’ve made many business mistakes.” BRAD WEBER, CEO | INSPIRINGAPPS, BOULDER CO Brad shares his experiences and mistakes, hoping that others can learn from them. He believes that learning from both “triumphs and goofs” is valuable. Growing a company is fraught with risk. Cultivating a winning culture requires an employee-based team. A flat org structure will only take you so far. Create cool stuff for clients or build a real business. To get the full story on topics like these, buy the book on Amazon today!

Meet Gen Alpha—the most globally connected, educated, and largest generation to date. They’re also expected to be the wealthiest generation and to live the longest. Having a deep understanding of this generation’s collective needs and expectations will give you strategic insight into developing digital products for Gen Alpha and gaining more market reach for your app. We’ve written about market considerations for app development, noting the importance of defining your product vision and objectives before launching into any technical work. One of the most critical items to pinpoint is your target user—the person for whom your app solves a problem or meets a need. In this post, we are exploring top considerations when developing apps for Gen Alpha. We’ll also highlight key background and behavioral factors that inform those considerations. Who are Gen Alpha kids? Gen Alphas are currently teenagers or younger. Addressing Gen Alpha’s need for digital technology means creating tailored experiences for a young demographic. Already seen as a generation of brilliant innovators, Gen Alphas are meant for great accomplishments and entrepreneurial endeavors. The Largest Future Generation Generation Alpha is a term coined by ‌demographer Mark McCrindle in 2013. Born in the 21st century from 2010-2025, Gen Alphas are the “children of Millennials.” However, according to McCrindle’s research, Generation Alpha will surpass Millennials in size—numbering more than two billion ​​by 2025—making them the largest generation in history. Educated & Entrepreneurial Gen Alphas like to think out of the box and are technologically savvy. Furthermore, Generation Alpha values social justice and social responsibility. They’re more informed and globally connected. This will result in Gen Alphas starting a business earlier than the generations before them. Device & AI Connected Experiencing a global pandemic has only exacerbated feelings of isolation and numbness surrounding tech. Gen Alphas were thrust into a world of digital technology from their birth—and once COVID hit, Gen Alpha kids turned to their mobile devices for solace and authentic connections. Artificial intelligence is becoming increasingly popular with Gen Alphas. Technologies like Siri and Alexa are common household names. How is the digital world shaping Generation Alpha kids? Digital Skills Gen Alphas grew up in an app-first world where technological advancements were integrated into every aspect of their lives. Unlike previous generations, Gen Alpha was immersed in technology from the start. Screentime is at an all-time high. Gen Alphas are creating a massive shift in how they view and interact with the world. Beyond digital natives, Gen Alpha has all the world’s knowledge at their fingertips, in real time. Generation of Consumers According to experts, Gen Alpha will become consumers at a young age. As future consumers across a digital divide, Generation Alphas will expect a flawless, tailored, and straightforward user experience. The Role of Millennial Parents Millennial parents’ preferences and values heavily influence app development for the Alpha Generation. App developers that understand the importance of creating apps that align with Millennial parents’ desires will be more successful in reaching their Gen Alpha (kid) customers. Millennial parents have safety concerns for their children, and enabling parental control and age restrictions is paramount. Millennials have grown up exploring technology like search engines and social networking apps—they tend to be more hands-on, technologically apt, and overall less trusting compared to Generation Alpha and Generation Z. While Millennial parents are the decision-makers in terms of purchasing decisions, Gen Alphas also strongly influence their parents’ buying decisions. Finding ways of engaging kids and caregivers alike allows for better success of your app. Creating ethical and empowering experiences can help your app gain loyalty from Gen Alphas and their parents. Technical Considerations for Gen Alpha Apps Personalized Experiences Gen Alpha is acclimated to personalized experiences—from targeted ads to personalized content. Developers should consider incorporating personalized features into their app designs. Gen Alphas need to be able to express their individuality and creativity within an app. Developers can use existing tools like Youtube or TikTok to optimize app engagement and reach a specific target audience. Interactive Social Media Campaigns What better way to introduce a new marketing concept than with an experiential and interactive campaign? Experiential marketing provides a memorable experience and helps to reach Generation Alpha kids. Interactive social media campaigns can help developers hit the mark and pique the interest of this user group. Source: Adobe A great example of a creative social media campaign: Apple’s #ShotOniPhone. Apple wanted to show off its new iPhone 13 Pro camera capabilities. Users were encouraged to share their photos on Instagram and Twitter using the hashtags #ShotOniPhone and #iPhoneMacroChallenge. Judges chose 10 winners, later used in digital campaigns and other marketing efforts. The campaign garnered more than 26 million posts on Instagram from the two hashtags alone. Artificial Intelligence Artificial intelligence (AI) has transformed how we interact with technology and is an essential tool in app building for Gen Alpha. Using AI in app development empowers developers to create smarter, more intuitive, personalized applications that enhance user satisfaction. AI can enhance various aspects of an app, such as user experience, personalization, and automation. AI enables apps to learn from user behavior through machine learning algorithms, resulting in intelligent recommendations and tailored content. AI-powered automation can streamline processes, improve efficiency, and optimize app performance by automating repetitive tasks and decision-making. High-Quality Design Following these design principles, developers can create high-quality apps that engage, delight, and captivate Gen Alpha users: Apps for Gen Alpha should be intuitive—simple navigation, a minimalistic design, and gamification features. Incorporate vibrant and captivating visuals, including appealing graphics, illustrations, and animations, to grab and hold their attention. Maintain consistency and simplicity in the design language throughout the app, ensuring a cohesive experience that is easy for young users to understand. Ensure the app is regularly updated and maintained for optimal performance and to address user feedback. Accessibility & Inclusivity Much like Gen Z, Generation Alpha will care deeply about social justice. Billions of Gen Alphas are exploring the technical landscape. Apps have the potential to empower, delight, and transform Gen Alpha kids’ lives. Prioritize accessibility by making the app inclusive for children with diverse abilities, supporting adjustable font sizes, voiceover capabilities, and alternative input methods. Strive for inclusive content representation by featuring diverse characters, stories, and perspectives. By embracing accessibility and inclusivity, app developers can ensure that all Gen Alpha users can fully participate and benefit from the app’s offerings. Screen Time Limits Gen Alpha is a generation flooded with stimuli in daily life. Find ways to bring more harmony and value to Gen Alpha’s lives. Developers should consider ways to limit and monitor screen time in their apps. Implement features encouraging mindfulness, such as reminders to take breaks, guided meditation sessions, or suggestions for offline activities. Develop apps with low screen time usage to avoid overstimulation for this age range. By designing apps with Generation Alpha’s prolific access to technology in mind, developers can help users strike a healthier balance between digital experiences and other aspects of their lives. App Development Empowers Generations Creating apps for the Alpha generation can be rewarding and impactful. As an app development company, we understand that developers who take the time to understand this unique generation can scale their apps to higher heights. Ultimately, it all comes down to the demographic you’re trying to reach with your app. Considering their unique perspectives, you can build technology that invites and inspires an entire generation.

To develop an app that meets the needs of Baby Boomers, it’s crucial to understand their characteristics and how they impact the market. By considering these factors, you can create an app that is perfectly tailored to their needs. In a previous article, Designing Apps for Every Generation, we explored the profound influence of collective generational experiences and values on shared motivations, preferences, and expectations regarding technology usage. In this article, we will uncover key insights into the opportunities and challenges that product owners face when developing apps for Baby Boomers. Additionally, we provide our specific recommendations to consider implementing within products. Despite preconceived notions of “Boomers being Boomers,” Boomers are not as old-fashioned as they are made to be. They are avid tech users, have a great pulse on current events, and are highly pragmatic and efficient. They are currently the nation’s largest living generation, with high buying power. This demographic poses a great opportunity for app developers to explore, with considerable untapped potential. Who are Baby Boomers? Undermarketed Digital Adopters Baby Boomers, born between 1946-1964, have experienced a remarkable evolution of technology in their lifetime. Baby Boomers are currently the largest generation. They’re working longer hours and delaying retirement. They have the most considerable spending power and disposable income of any generation.  Despite the app market honing in on users in younger generations, Boomers are avid tech users with a significant online presence. Their digital integration only continues to expand as time passes, and businesses have plenty of opportunity to leverage it. “The Boomers have always embraced science and technology and are using today’s internet-linked products to enrich their lives by staying connected, socializing, shopping and entertaining themselves.” —The Nielsen Company & BoomAgers LLC There is certainly untapped potential to be explored with this ambitious generation. Boomers as Consumers COVID advanced the digital transformation of Boomers, so much so that Boomers engage with shopping apps as much as younger generations—but at a higher price point. Boomers adopted technology in their lives, first out of, then means for connection. They now prefer digital services such as curbside pickup, telehealth, online purchases, and loyalty programs. According to the New York Post, Boomers are the fastest adopters of smart tech: Sixty-six percent immediately acclimated to their smart devices. Eighty-five percent considered themselves experts with their devices within a week of getting them all set up. Two-thirds started using their devices “right away.” Recommendations: Developing Apps for Baby Boomers We’re breaking down some development considerations to remember when building apps that will be marketed toward Baby Boomers: Embrace tech friendliness. Support device and operating system (OS) preferences. Tailor content and experience. Anticipate shorter sessions. Support your Boomer users. Embrace Tech Friendliness Boomers expect apps to be approachable, reputable, and easy to use. Older generations are often less likely to be as app savvy as their younger counterparts; they formerly preferred TV and radios over mobile phones. Ever since COVID, technology has become increasingly prevalent in their lives. Boomers are becoming more acclimated with tech options in their lives. The majority of Boomers report using more digital technology to accomplish daily tasks than if the pandemic hadn’t happened. They look to tech for solutions to their ailments and needs. Design Considerations Because Boomers are less mobile-friendly, make the app easy on their senses: Keep the user interface and layout simple and include only viable and informative features.  Incorporate features and user interface (UI) elements like larger buttons, bigger fonts, and more hand-holding with customer service assistance. Consider incorporating design principles into your app driven by data-based insights on this generation’s user preferences and needs.  Consider working with app developers who have extensive experience developing apps for Baby Boomers. Example: Fitbit Take Fitbit—the company became a household name and top in the industry while gearing its product primarily toward Baby Boomers. Their top-selling fitness trackers hone in on a high area of interest (health and fitness), are easy to configure, and are an easy company to interact with. Fitbit continues to have a competitive advantage in the fitness tracker space. Support Device & OS Preferences Boomers may be less likely to iterate on previous device purchases and are less apt to adopt sweeping feature changes. As such, make your app practical and reliable across new releases. Baby Boomers may be less inclined to upgrade or switch their devices than younger generations. They might be more cautious about adopting new technologies or prefer to stick with what they already know. By keeping your app practical, reliable, and compatible across new releases and actively involving Baby Boomers in the testing and feedback process—you can create an app that aligns with their preferences and fosters a beneficial user experience. Tailor Content & Experience Tailor enterprise apps and overall user experience to meet Boomers’ specific needs and preferences. Identify patterns and preferences unique to this generation. Above all, keep apps informative, safe, and practical. Relevant & Meaningful Content When using technology as a means to an end, Baby Boomers will adopt digital products that help them achieve their goal or provide a needed feature. Provide content that resonates with Baby Boomers’ interests and life stages. Focus on health and wellness, retirement planning, financial management, caregiving, hobbies, travel, and social connections. Practical Language The best products deliver pragmatic solutions that users seek, accompanied by a straightforward experience. Use straightforward and jargon-free language to ensure your content is easily understood. Avoid complex technical terms or acronyms that may be unfamiliar to Baby Boomers. Security & Privacy Baby Boomers may have concerns about privacy and data security. Build trust by clearly communicating the measures you have in place to protect their information. Use secure authentication methods, encrypt data, and outline your privacy policy in a transparent and easily accessible manner. Speaking To Their Needs Baby Boomers are looking for apps that fill a need in their lives and provide them with means for connection. They are less likely to download an app out of curiosity and more likely to use apps or smart devices that serve a purpose in their life. What that means for app developers is identifying this generation’s underlying needs and finding innovative ways to address those needs. Anticipate Shorter Sessions Because this audience will choose digital products that work for them, you can anticipate shorter user cycles and less time spent in-app or on a device than their younger cohorts. However, Baby Boomers may allot more time regarding long-form content. The trade-off? Customer loyalty. Anticipate shorter user cycles and less in-app time but high app loyalty. They tend to be loyal customers of apps that enhance their lives and foster connection. Conducting user research, gathering feedback, and continuously improving the app based on their needs and preferences is key to maintaining loyalty among Baby Boomer users. Support Your Boomer Users Providing reliable customer support channels, such as responsive email support or phone assistance, can go a long way in building loyalty. Being “old fashioned” in communication styles, Baby Boomers appreciate having access to human assistance when they encounter issues or have questions about the app. Customer support is key. Like most app users, Boomers want the ability to get needed resources efficiently, but those expectations may vary depending on the individual. By providing a variety of clear pathways for support, you can ensure all users have the tools to adopt innovations. Conclusion: The Future Is Digital for Every Generation Understanding all the nuances when developing apps for Baby Boomers is important because this generation will continue integrating technology into their daily lives. As the second to largest generation with considerable spending power, they expect seamless digital interactions and will reward the businesses and apps that meet their expectations with strong brand loyalty. The future is digital for Boomers and for every generation. Each generation’s unique preferences, motivations, and needs will set up your app for ultimate success. If you have questions or concerns about developing apps for Baby Boomers, Millennials, Gen Xers—or any other generation—we would be happy to provide a free consultation at InspiringApps.

There’s a feature in the Apple mobile ecosystem that can dramatically enhance how you market your app. Custom product pages allow you to segment your digital products in ways that will increase conversions and revenue. You can tailor your landing pages and create custom search ad campaigns that match customer demographics. The App Store hosts over 2 million apps, and users have short attention spans. Employing custom product pages can ensure a uniform and uninterrupted journey for users throughout their acquisition experience—from Apple Search Ads to the App Store. With the right approach, custom product pages can be a game-changer for your app’s success. How can you get the most out of custom product pages with a new or existing app? If you aren‘t currently using custom product pages, now is a great time to implement them to gain an edge over your competition. Beyond user targeting, you can promote a seasonal event, showcase culturally relevant content, and more. What are Apple custom product pages (CPPs)? Every app on the App Store has a product page, also known as an app store listing. Beyond this main page, Apple‘s custom product pages enable you to customize the look and feel of your Apple product for specific audience segments, keywords, or promotions. With Apple’s custom product pages, you can design up to 35 different versions of your app’s store listing. You can use these variations to optimize search ad campaigns and promote unique listings through shareable URLs. Key Features Customization: You can change ‌three assets on the variations of your product page: screenshots, app previews, and promotional text. Discoverability: You can optimize each page using specific keywords for search and messaging that expands your reach. Localizability: You can use different languages, so custom pages reach audiences in multiple countries. Control: You can use the App Store Connect API to make changes across multiple custom pages simultaneously. Android vs. iOS Apple has always been known for its strict control over the user experience of iOS apps. Apple custom product pages enable greater control and creativity to market your app. While Google’s Play Store provides more flexibility through its custom store listings, Apple is catching up with custom product pages. Here, we’re focusing on Apple‘s feature set, but the benefits and best practices apply across platforms. Benefits of Custom Product Pages Improved App Marketing Metrics Custom product pages are crucial in conversion rate optimization (CRO) and app store optimization (ASO). Custom pages can help you to: Increase CRO: By tailoring your messaging and visual design to your target audience, you’ll increase the likelihood that users will download your app. Improve ASO: Multiple versions of your store listing can capture more promotional traffic and improve keyword and engagement metrics. With the right strategy, customer product pages can significantly boost user acquisition and marketing ROI. Targeted Search Ads Custom product pages in Apple’s App Store and Search Ads allow for different ad variations and strategic campaigns targeting different types of users. These features help potential customers better understand the app before downloading it. For instance, the app Mountain Climber can run separate ads targeting cyclists, hikers, and rock climbing enthusiasts. Based on the URL clicked, those ads drive potential users to three tailored custom product pages for the same app. You’re increasing the chances of app conversions by corresponding the custom App Store page with the ad creative that attracted the customer in the first place. Tailored Testing It’s important to note that custom product pages won’t appear in organic search results on the App Store. Of course, the organic experience is still important, and you can improve it using Apple features for testing tailored to your marketing goals. Split Testing Through Product Optimization Using Apple’s product page optimization feature, you can perform split tests on up to three distinct “treatments” of your default page. However, the elements you can adjust are limited to visuals—app icon, preview video, and screenshots. After determining the most successful treatment, you can apply it to your app’s default page, ensuring all users receive the most impactful organic search result. Variable Testing With Custom Pages While Apple‘s split testing tool for product page optimization has benefits, custom product pages may offer a more reliable approach to testing theories about your app page. By designing multiple custom pages with unique designs or copy, you can evaluate which version performs better in engagement metrics, conversion rates, and return on investment. You can then apply those learnings to improve your organic default page. Creating a Custom Apple Product Page Apple provides a detailed technical guide when you are ready to configure your product pages. Before taking that leap, consider the following insights to guide your efforts to success. Identify Your Target Audiences Designing effective pages that resonate with multiple target audiences requires a deep understanding of each audience’s specific needs and preferences. For example, a TikTok user’s preferences will vary based on specific demographics like age. You’ll want to learn those preferences in depth to get the most out of any customized versions of these landing pages. Before embarking on a custom product page project, researching your target audiences is an obvious first step. You can effectively focus your efforts where they’ll have the most impact through user surveys, testing, and analysis. Surveys User surveys can help you gather feedback and insights from your target audience on their needs, preferences, and pain points. You can use online survey tools like SurveyMonkey or Google Forms to create and distribute surveys to your target audience. Testing User testing involves observing users as they interact with your app to identify areas of improvement and gather feedback. You can use remote user testing tools like UserTesting or Userlytics to conduct user testing sessions with your target audience. Analysis App Store analytics can provide valuable insights into your target audience’s behavior and preferences. By analyzing App Store data such as user reviews, ratings, and search queries, you can better understand your audience‘s needs and preferences. Impact Creating multiple versions of your app page can be time-consuming and may require additional resources. Consider focusing your efforts on your most valuable audience segments, where you can maximize the impact of your custom product pages while minimizing the resources required to create them. Choose Strategic App Previews & Screenshots The key benefit of custom product pages is the ability to segment what each user sees when they preview your app. Here are some tips to choose assets that will attract and convert your target user. Emphasize features: Use your media to highlight your app’s key features and benefits. Targeted images and videos can catch the attention of different user segments. Keep it concise: Use short video clips and images. Quickly and effectively communicate your app’s target value proposition to each of your audiences. For instance, let’s consider a “Fitness Tracker” app targeting two user types: gym enthusiasts and busy professionals. For the gym enthusiast audience, you can use app previews to show users how to set up and customize their workout plans, track their progress, and view their stats and achievements. For the busy professional audience, you can use screenshots to showcase the app’s meal planning and nutrition features. For either audience, users can see firsthand how the app can help them achieve their fitness goals at first glance. Provide Relevant Content & Keywords in Promotional Text Content about your app and relevant keywords in the promotional text help you attract the right users and increase conversions. For example, if you’re developing three custom product pages for a healthcare app—one for patients, one for doctors and clinicians, and one for health organizations—here is how the promotional text and keywords might vary per page. Custom Page for Patients Promotional Text: Take control of your health with our intuitive healthcare app Access personalized health information and track your progress Connect with healthcare professionals and schedule appointments easily Keywords: Healthcare app, personalized health information, track health progress, connect with healthcare professionals, schedule appointments Custom Page for Doctors & Clinicians Promotional Text: Streamline your practice with our advanced healthcare app Efficiently manage patient records and appointments Access medical resources and collaborate with colleagues Keywords: Advanced healthcare app, practice management, patient records, appointments management, medical resources, collaboration tools for doctors Custom Page for Health Organizations Promotional Text: Transform your healthcare organization with our comprehensive app Improve patient outcomes and streamline operations Gain insights through data analytics and reporting tools Keywords: Comprehensive healthcare app, patient outcomes, streamline operations, data analytics, reporting tools, health organization management Measure & Optimize After your customized product pages go live, you can gauge their effectiveness using App Analytics in App Store Connect. You can track product page impressions, downloads, re-downloads, and conversion rates to assess how well each page motivates app downloads. You can also measure retention and the average proceeds per paying user for each custom product page. Another way to gain insights is to compare your custom product pages to your default. Doing so lets you determine whether users who downloaded your app through a custom product page tend to stay engaged longer or spend more on in-app purchases. This information can help you make informed decisions on how to optimize your app‘s marketing strategy. Promoting Your Custom Product Page Reach Broader Audiences With Distributed Campaigns After developing a custom product page, you can share it through your promotional communications and marketing efforts with its distinct URL. Your app‘s marketing channels might include email marketing, social media, digital advertising, influencer programs, and promotions—the possibilities are endless. For instance, an app that caters to sports enthusiasts might showcase the latest Superbowl champions in an email promotion and connect to the tailor-made product page that spotlights that team. The exclusive URL incorporates a new product page ID parameter into the standard product page URL. Increase Impressions With Apple Search Ads Apple Search Ads enable you to produce ad variations for App Store Today tabs and search results for eligible custom product pages. When you establish your ads campaign, you can customize your ad message and visuals for different audiences, product launches, or seasonal promotions. Tailored product pages can greatly enhance the effectiveness of Apple Search Ads and thereby increase the ROI of your paid campaigns. Giving users a more relevant and individualized experience boosts the conversion rate of keywords and reduces the cost per install. Ultimately, you‘ll obtain more downloads—while paying less for each. Promote Events for Maximum Exposure Certain seasons, holidays, and events present great opportunities for increasing downloads. To capitalize on these moments, you can create custom product pages that showcase them. These pages can be tailored to highlight relevant features, promotions, or content related to the specific occasion, making your app more appealing to visitors. There has been a lot of excitement around in-app events, as well. Adding to the iOS marketing arsenal are these timely in-app experiences, such as challenges, competitions, or special content launches, featured on your product page. In-app events have unique promotional capabilities and App Store discoverability. Notably, all visitors to the custom or default product page will see the same in-app events. Understanding the diverse needs and motivations of your target audience can help in tailoring your marketing approach accordingly. These are just a few examples of how in-app events and custom product pages can be used together strategically: Engage existing users: You can re-engage existing customers through a pairing that piques their interest and encourages further engagement. For example, a user-targeted custom product page alongside an in-app event challenge. Attract new users: You can target an untapped demographic by marketing specific promotions that expand reach. For example, a seasonal custom product page alongside a special in-app event featuring new holiday releases. Whether for seasonal promotions alone or combined with in-app events, the specific implementation of custom product pages is in your hands. It’s important to adapt to your unique business context, promotional timelines, creative assets, and advertising approach to ensure success. Final Thoughts Improving Conversion Rates With Custom Product Pages Custom product pages offer powerful freedom and flexibility, allowing you to segment your digital products in ways that boost conversions and increase revenue. You can use custom product pages to engage with users at any level and tailor your approach to your specific marketing goals. With the fast-paced and competitive app landscape, innovating and adapting are crucial. By embracing the power of custom product pages, you can stand out from the crowd, captivate your target audience, and achieve significant growth for your app. List of Additional Resources For implementation support, Apple’s developer site has a step-by-step technical breakdown to configure multiple product page versions. Learn more about the unique promotional opportunities and guidelines for Apple in-app events. InspiringApps’ Complete Guide to the App Store & Google Play is the ultimate technical playbook for setup and navigation of the digital marketplace. For more insights on identifying your target audience(s), download our free ebook InspiringApps: A Business Perspective on Building Mobile Apps.

Generation X has become an important demographic for businesses and app developers alike. They have a higher spending power compared to younger generations. Gen Xers are known to be independent, resourceful, and pros at maintaining a work-life balance. This generation has a strong desire for convenience and efficiency in their daily lives. To successfully develop apps for Generation X, developers should consider the unique needs and preferences of this age group. This includes creating intuitive interfaces, prioritizing data transparency, and offering real-time solutions. To stay ahead, businesses have to leverage their greatest tool—intuitive features that hit the mark. What We Know About Generation X Born between 1965-1977, Gen X makes up the smallest generation. They grew up with little to no supervision and lots of independence. This generation spent much of their youth exploring brilliant cinema like Star Wars, video games like Atari, and the premiere of MTV. As a result, they have a special relationship with pop culture that remains unique to this generation. Gen X witnessed the rise of personal computers, video games, and other technological advancements. They were the first generation to grow up with home computers and video game consoles. Ever-evolving technology advances allowed Generation X to be connected like never before. More than a whopping 80% of Gen Xers report that they are online daily. In terms of social media, they gravitate to platforms like Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Reddit, and Instagram. Many are surprised to hear that Gen Xers spend about 2 ½ hours on phone screens daily—that’s less app time than younger generations, but still significant in terms of hours of screen time. Generation X has strong brand loyalty and will be lifelong users of products they feel add real value to their lives. Although initially skeptical, once they’re hooked, they’re hooked. Gen X grew up during a time of change and uncertainty. Their experiences shaped their attitudes and values, including their focus on independence, self-sufficiency, and resilience. They look to apps that fulfill a specific purpose and provide meaningful value in their lives. How Gen X Uses Technology Differently Gen X is a generation that values efficiency, productivity, and simplicity. Collectively, Gen Xers are known to be independent and resourceful individuals. They tend to mistrust large corporations and are often skeptical at first. But once you earn their trust, you’ll find this generation to be exceedingly loyal. Gen Xers bring a critical component to the table and the economy at large—a wealth of experience. Because of their years in the workforce, they have a lot of purchasing power. Additionally, Gen X has very specific circumstances and interests unique to their collective experience. Parenting, health, travel, and lifestyle are often at the forefront of their minds. The people in this generation tend to be collaborative, experienced, and hard-working, which makes for strong leaders. That said, they are less likely to casually browse their smartphones like their younger counterparts. In terms of phone surfing habits, Gen X is a pragmatic generation and tends to use technology for practical purposes, such as communication, productivity, and entertainment. They are less likely to use social media for personal creative expression and more likely to use it for networking and professional purposes. They prioritize privacy and security and are more concerned about data privacy than other generations. App developers need to specifically address a need and create apps that reflect their browsing habits. They will need to develop feature-specific apps that solve problems and offer real convenience to users. Attracting the Elusive Gen X When Developing Your App Smarter, Not Harder Gen X is managing a heavy load and holding down the fort. Make their lives easier by streamlining their tasks and creating solutions to accomplish their everyday undertakings. While Millennials value convenience, Gen X values practicality. Gen Xers aren’t married to their work and appreciate a positive work-life balance with time away from work. They also appreciate disconnecting from their phone at times to avoid being constantly occupied online. Consider incorporating features such as notifications, “time limits,” or project tracking to make the app useful for their work and personal lives. Example: Pomodoro Method Take Asana’s Pomodoro app, for instance. Pomodoro is a time management method that uses a timer to break down work into intervals, split into short breaks. The PomoDone app helps people boost their productivity with scientifically proven timeboxing and Pomodoro techniques on top of Asana’s project management features. A win, win app with a killer benefit for the busy Gen X generation. Informed Transparency around sensitive information is important for Gen Xers. With increasing cybercrime and digital literacy, Gen X users are concerned about security threats online. Be sure to communicate with direct notifications and be explicit about what their data will and won’t be used for. Gen Xers are natural skeptics of unfamiliar brands. Rightfully so, as they’re also parents looking to keep their kids safe. It’s important to keep Gen X users in the know and in control of the way their data is used. Example: Customizable Privacy Tools Google manages customers’ data quite brilliantly by putting the user in the driver’s seat. Google offers customers controllable and customizable privacy tools so that the user can keep constant tabs on their privacy settings. Combine Real-Life Value With Real-Life Solutions While Millennials intrinsically value being connected, Gen X values “real life” experiences. This generation spent decades without technology, growing up in a tumultuous time in which they were mostly on their own. This generation is known to have the greatest brand loyalty and will be lifelong users of products they feel add *real* value to their *real* life. Consider anticipating the solution and providing the content they seek before they ask for it. Evaluate how your product can anticipate Gen X users’ needs. Shine a light before Gen Xers even enter the room. Example: Smart Technology Take Apple HomeKit, smart switches that turn on and off, open and close, with the snap of your fingers—or rather, your voice. Apple’s broad ecosystem offers powerful smart home controls, features, and monitoring, including a smart lock, smart lights, and much more. Whether you want to optimize your lighting to your preferences, grow a small indoor garden, or are just plain tired of carrying keys, smart tech has you covered. Let Your Solutions Shine Known as the “worker generation,” they’ve gathered years of invaluable work experience. Gen Xers are busy. They’re tackling matters like homeownership and child care and are reaching the heights of their careers. Save your product from their frustration and know that a straightforward approach is your best bet. Think less ornamentation and more functionality. Lose those few sentences of the fluffy copy. Ditch the long animations and unnecessary time. Create a simple, practical design; a good user experience connects Gen Zers to your product’s valuable solution as quickly as possible. Build an app that’s designed with a familiar UX for Generation X users, such as buttons, checkboxes, and dropdown menus. Avoid trendy design elements that may be confusing or distracting, allowing for your technology to shine. Example: Innovation & Impact For example, with the Cancer Exercise app, we collaborated with our client to create the first mobile exercise app for iOS designed specifically for cancer survivors. The innovation lies within the solution created by our client, Anna L. Schwartz, Ph.D., FNP-BC, FAAN, who is a world-renowned pioneer in cancer research. The app provides individual exercise prescriptions through a custom exercise program tailored based on daily fatigue, current treatment, treatment type, and more. The app is innovative, straightforward, and impactful—and brings great value to their target audience. Respect the Values & Identities of Every Generation Gen Xers bring a critical component to the table and economy at large: a wealth of experience. Although this generation is sometimes overlooked, they’re responsible, resourceful, and loyal once they believe in the technology and brand they’re consuming. Developing and addressing Gen Xers will prove to be beneficial in scaling your app’s success. You’ll attract pragmatic customers that will stay loyal to your brand through and through. Every person is unique in how they relate to technology and the world around them. At the same time, there are similarities between generations and how they use technology. Deeply understanding your audience and market is an important prerequisite to developing a successful app. Respecting the values and identities of every generation is key to developing apps that will resonate with your target audience.

Generation Z is a brilliant and forward-thinking generation making a progressive transformation in the world as we know it. Following behind Millennials, they are heavily immersed in the technical landscape and are highly app savvy. They were born into a world of expansion and innovation with creations like the Apple iPhone and Facebook. Having grown up with the ability to access knowledge at the tap of their fingertips, they’re educated individuals with great entrepreneurial goals. They expect companies to anticipate their needs and will move on when they don’t deliver. They’re looking for flawless app design, fast iterations, responsible data collection, creative outlets, and more. Some Facts About Generation Z Born between 1997 and 2012, they’re in the era of self-discovery. Since their youth, Gen Z parents have been navigating the rise of technology and the online privacy issues that come with it; for Gen Z, finding their true selves is no easy task. Due to their immense media consumption, they expect instant gratification and high-speed delivery. As the “mobile generation,” 96% of Gen Zers are reported to own a cellphone—many spend 10 hours plus connected online. They frequent social platforms like Instagram, Youtube, TikTok, Twitch, Snapchat, Pinterest, Reddit, and other platforms. Gen Zers gravitate to mobile banking apps to serve their financial needs and streamline their tasks. Consequently, email is slowly dying out among this community of users. Generation Z interacts with apps in their lives as a means of communication, to fill a need in their life, and for play and creative expression. They are true digital natives and are hyper-connected to the world around them—making them increasingly self-aware and emotionally reflective. Generation Z also reports high rates of anxiety, depression, and mental challenges—more so than in past generations. Experiencing a global pandemic has only exasperated their mental health struggles. Consequently, prioritizing and addressing mental health is of great importance. Take Oye—a creative wellness app created by singer J Balvin “to make the world feel better.” It’s an app to transform your emotions into creative actions with mind-body practices, daily emotional check-in tools, personalized goal setting, and mindful notifications. Gen Z has proven to be catalyzed citizens who want to make a difference through social responsibility. Their innate understanding of the power of social networks and their regular consumption of news and information has allowed Gen Z to move past the era of Millennial armchair activism. While navigating life in today’s world, Gen Z confidently prioritizes experiences over objects. Considerations in App Development for Generation Z The Generation Z cohort is a significant target for app developers. Being born and raised in the digital age, they are always looking for novel tech to explore. Generation Z represents much larger historical forces at play, driving progressive transformation in the workplace that will redefine the entire generational experience. As a result, this generation has experienced increased globalization, technological advancements, and a fast-paced influx of information. Generation Z is changing the way we build digital experiences. Generation Z is the first generation to merge the digital and physical worlds into one experience. They view the internet as more than just a transaction and instead see it as a human experience. What that means for development is creating intuitive experiences that Gen Zers will love—innovative, straightforward, and seamless. With this information in mind, we’ve identified vital considerations to keep in mind when developing digital products for Generation Z. What Gen Z Consumers Want in An App Obsessively Tested, Flawless Design Gen Zers value efficiency and flawless design. That is why thorough testing and gaining user feedback are paramount. Be sure to ask for feedback from this generation and integrate the user input throughout your app’s development process and in updates. “If the designer doesn’t remove themself and try to see the user’s perspective, they can overly complicate the journey.” AARON LEA, ART DIRECTOR AT INSPIRINGAPPS, BOULDER CO Glitchy user interface behaviors and poor design choices are instant turnoffs for Gen Zers. Make your app seamless and flawless from the start, or you may lose your customer. Build your app with swift and straightforward interactions, and don’t reinvent the wheel for every feature within your product—draw inspiration from apps that are already working. By sticking with best practices and standard features and anticipating your users’ desires, your users will navigate more intuitively and stick around for more. Fast Iterations Gen Z consumers have grown up in a fast-paced digital world and value convenience and efficiency. They prefer mobile apps that offer quick and uninterrupted experiences, such as fast loading times, easy checkout processes, and streamlined workflows. Keep your app low on data—fast to download and delete. Control Over Their Digital Footprint Gen Zers quickly went from a private world to everything constantly being shared online. In their formative years, they grew up with little technology at their disposal. They were thrust into a world of hyper-technology and interconnectedness as time progressed. With that in mind, here are essential factors to keep at the forefront of your app development: Privacy Settings Gen Z should be able to manage their privacy settings on apps. This type of functionality includes having the ability to choose whether their information is shared publicly or only with specific individuals and having the option to limit the usage of their personal data. Data Transparency Gen Z should have clear access and information about what data is collected, how it’s used, and to whom it gets shared. Responsible Data Collection It’s essential to ensure that Gen Zers’ personal data is protected from data breaches and cyber threats. Apps should implement robust security practices to keep user data safe. Value-Add Through Personalization You can add value with personalization by using various technologies, such as saving login information, geolocation, machine learning, and AI, to cater to the specific needs of Gen Z. It is crucial to find a proper balance in incorporating personalization that genuinely adds value, without overdoing it. Here are a few core components to adding value through personalization: Saving Login Information Gen Z is all about convenience, and one way to provide that is by saving their login information. By doing so, you not only save them time but also provide a straightforward user journey. Geolocation Gen Z consumers are constantly on the go and expect a personalized experience based on their location. Using geolocation technology, you can offer tailored recommendations, promotions, and content based on their location. Machine Learning & AI If you want to better understand your Gen Z customers, machine learning can be a potent tool. By analyzing their data, you can personalize their experience and provide the results they seek—before they even ask. AI and machine learning are great tools for automating manual tasks as well. Machine learning (ML) and artificial intelligence (AI) can be used in many ways to develop apps for Gen Z. Here are some ways to incorporate ML and AI in your app to improve its performance: Personalized Recommendations: ML algorithms can provide customized recommendations to Gen Z users based on their interests, behaviors, and preferences. Chatbots & Virtual Assistants: With natural language processing (NLP) techniques, it’s now possible to create bots that can interact with Gen Z users in a way that feels just like talking to a real person. Bots can help users with tasks such as scheduling, finding information, or making purchases on their mobile devices. Image & Video Recognition: Computer vision techniques can be used to recognize images and videos, which can be helpful in apps such as social media platforms, gaming, or e-commerce. Predictive Modeling: Predictive modeling techniques can be used to forecast future behaviors and trends. For instance, a news app can predict which articles will be most popular among Gen Z users. Predictive modeling ensures your app stays ahead of the curve. Voice Recognition: Voice recognition techniques can be used to develop voice-enabled apps and devices that can be controlled with voice commands. This technology can be helpful in apps such as virtual assistants, smart home devices, or hands-free gaming. ML and AI can help app developers create more engaging, personalized, and interactive apps for Gen Z users. By leveraging these technologies, app developers can improve the user experience and stay ahead of the competition. Creative Tools More than half of Gen Zers believe they are more creative than previous generations. Most of them engage in creative activities in their free time. Gen Z is a highly creative generation that values individuality and self-expression. Therefore, niche tools enabling creativity are essential for creating apps that resonate with them. Concluding Thoughts on Developing Apps for Gen Z Gen Zers have a unique vantage point when it comes to app development. They’ve experienced the best of both worlds—an era of privacy merged with hyper-connectedness. They are vicarious app consumers, making them ideal customers for app developers. Brands that take the time to understand their Gen Z users’ behaviors, motivations, preferences, and expectations will experience significant growth. Considering the above considerations, one can ensure that their app hits the mark with this brilliant and forward-thinking generation. Gen Z wants more than just an app. They crave a unique experience that fulfills their daily needs and brings joy. The app should leave them feeling special and enhance their well-being. At InspiringApps, we stay on the pulse and ahead of the curve to bring you the most forward-thinking and trending app development insights. If you have any questions or thoughts on the above material—we’d be delighted to connect!

Boulder, CO—In the latest article from Built In Colorado, InspiringApps’ Creative Director, Aaron Lea, shares his advice on creating simplified user journeys within digital products. How To Simplify User Journeys When do you know it’s time to simplify your product’s user journey? When we design digital apps, we’re always looking for ways to simplify the user journey. Limiting the number of interactions users have to make is a best practice for most apps. The more users have to drill down into extra screens, the more likely they are to leave. I like to think of it this way: design the app like you’re in the Target parking lot and about to go inside the store to buy Tide Pods. As a user, I want to be in and out as quickly as possible. A quick exchange that’s easy for me to use means I’m more prone to open the app the next time I’m in that Target parking lot. It’s often the case that apps are downloaded, opened once, and then deleted. These apps are too cluttered, and people won’t reuse them. On the other hand, when users know it doesn’t take too long to accomplish a task—no guided tours they’re more likely to use the app. A simple experience is a successful experience. Unless we’re creating something like TikTok, we aren’t designing the app to keep users in it. We’re here to help users achieve something or access a specific feature. The fewer interactions it takes to accomplish that, the better the journey. What process do you use to identify opportunities for simplification? App design is an art that involves trusting your instincts. I like to think of this process as similar to editing a script. Editors are great at identifying what’s essential and getting rid of clutter. But their real goal is staying true to what makes the script great—and amplifying that by revealing only what needs to be there. For example, an app may have a component that mirrors the functionality of Slack or Youtube. These are established popular apps. And even the best digital products aren’t going to lure people away from them. Any project, whether it’s designing an app or a home improvement project, can be subject to scope creep. Is that feature really needed? Was it added at the last minute? We all get distracted in the creative journey, and the risk is that we keep getting further away from—or even lose sight of—the reason we started, the problem we wanted to solve. We need to stay true to what inspired us in the beginning to create the app. ART DIRECTOR, AARON LEA | INSPIRINGAPPS, BOULDER CO What are some common traps designers can fall into that result in an overly complicated user journey? One trap is elevating ego over empathy. If the designer doesn’t remove themself and try to see the user’s perspective, they can overly complicate the journey. Designers must constantly evolve, challenge themselves, and put themselves in others’ shoes. ART DIRECTOR, AARON LEA | INSPIRINGAPPS, BOULDER CO Another trap could be the designer finding a new design tool or method they want to use and deciding to use it in a particular product. Novelty is not a substitute for suitability. A good rule of thumb is, don’t force it if it doesn’t deserve to be there. Sometimes, designers get set in their ways. Just because it worked last time doesn’t mean it will work this time too. Or conversely, designers may reinvent the wheel. If the design worked the first time, there’s no need to rethink it. Time management is critical. With mobile apps, people remember the launch, the middle, and the endpoint. A trap could be spending too much time on incidental interstitial areas. Don’t focus all your time there. Take that time and instead pick the three most vital sections—the app’s beginning, the middle, and its exit—and make those experiences ones that keep users coming back. Meet InspiringApps’ Creative Director Aaron Lea We believe that Inspired Employees Make InspiringApps and that our diverse backgrounds, skills, hobbies, and perspectives are what make us a stronger team. Aaron Lea finds his inspiration steeped in pop culture, a tradition of art in his family, and a creative digital design process that enables him to put novel creations back into the world and inspire others as a result.  

Colorado has evolved as a tech hub in the past decade. The region is home to notable businesses like Apple, Google, and Facebook, among myriads of other diverse local startups. Whether you are kickstarting a startup or building up an established business, there are numerous resources and opportunities to connect to the tech community in Boulder and Denver. The mile-high city is an established entrepreneurial hub with opportunities for brilliant collaboration and innovation. There are many shared spaces to hone your skills or discover a new passion. All pose as great ways to meet interesting people, grow your business network, and stay up to date with the latest developments in the industry. We broke down the top ways for you to get connected to the tech community in Colorado into five main categories: Join a local meetup. Connect at a communal workspace. Participate in events. Hone your tech skills. Join a digital community. Join a Local Meetup Denver and Boulder have numerous groups that meet regularly to connect people across the tech world. Collaborating with other entrepreneurs is invaluable for business growth and success. Here are some of the top networking meetups from intimate to large groups: Looking for a large networking meetup?  New Tech Colorado, the largest “community of geeks” in the state with 14,000+ members, is highly active with plenty of events and networking opportunities. So is Creative Connections, an equally large group for local creatives looking to connect with other like-minded individuals. Unite with other creatives to enjoy a relaxing and innovative space to share ideas and get together with local artists. Looking for a smaller group? If you prefer a more intimate group size, consider House of Genius. With chapters in both cities, they bring together a diverse mix of collaborators from the community for an evening each month filled with disruptive thinking, supportive community alliance, and creative output of innovative ideas. Seeking a group addressing a specific niche in technology? Denver Denver Founders is a vibrant network of 9,000+ members sharing entrepreneurial experiences, knowledge, and connections. From startups to established companies, all are welcome. Denver UX hosts events on everything user experience. With over 3,000 members strong, they host UX events monthly. Boulder Denver BigData offers opportunities to learn and share your experiences with NoSQL and big data technologies. Software development serves up countless meetups covering nearly any topic under the sun. Boulder  Boulder JS is ideal for those interested in delving into the wonders of JavaScript. Boulder Open Coffee is a fantastic resource for anyone looking to get into or expand their startup. CodeForBoulder is excellent for techies passionate about nonprofits and volunteering. Flatirons LGBTQ Tech Meetup is a community of LGBTQ folks and allies with a focus on networking. Analyze Boulder is an active group with monthly TED-style talks on various data-focused topics. It’s a space to live, work, and play for data enthusiasts. Women in Tech There are a whole host of ways for women in tech to connect with each other. Find communal support and expert knowledge from women-led meetups. SheSays is an incredible organization that organizes educational events and happy hours with groups in Denver and Boulder. Women Who Code is also in both cities and inspires and empowers women in technical fields to achieve business success. National Center for Women in Technology (NCWIT) is a non-profit organization that works to correct underrepresentation and increase the meaningful participation of women in computing. Ladies Get Coffee, Women in Tech, and Women Who Startup are fantastic groups for female entrepreneurs and innovators that aim to build community through education and events. Connect at a Communal Workspace Adaptive, collaborative workspaces have become popular in the last few years. Joining a coworking space can be an excellent way to meet new people and share ideas and inspiration. Denver and Boulder are home to larger coworking chains, including Industrious, WeWork, and Galvanize. Prefer a more intimate feel? Here are a few more popular spaces Denver has to offer: Green Spaces and Converge Denver are spaces for the sustainable and forward-thinking entrepreneur. Commons on Champa, an incubator and accelerator space, offers everything from free coworking spaces to free coffee and wifi or private offices for rent. Boulder also has some outstanding local shared spaces: Expansive is one of our favorite unique spaces that also includes nifty perks like local beer on tap. NiCHE Workspaces (Boulder-owned) has both a Pearl Street and a North Boulder location. CAMPWORKS is another lovely Boulder option with an outdoor workspace and proximity to beautiful nature trails.  Participate in Events Events are a great way to connect with other entrepreneurs and gain high-value knowledge in a single session. Boulder has bragging rights as the founding city for the “startup week” concept, and Boulder Startup Week continues to host a fantastic event year after year. Denver Startup Week began a couple of years later but is now the country’s largest (free) entrepreneurial event, bringing thousands of people together. The local chapter of TED, TEDxMileHigh, is also a great gathering to consider, with speakers sharing wisdom and innovative insights on various topics. Given the size of Denver, it’s worth noting that it attracts a lot of great conferences for those in the tech field, from GlueCon to the Digital Summit. Consider setting up an alert on Eventbrite to get notified when something new is coming to town. Hone Your Tech Skills In the fast-moving world of tech, there is always more to learn. You can leverage your desire to improve your skillset to connect to others with similar interests. General Assembly has a vast array of classes on subjects ranging from diversity and inclusion in tech to introduction to branding, visual design, and product management.  Galvanize, which has locations in both Boulder and Denver, offers tech bootcamps. Build your skillset with part-time or full-time courses like data science immersive or Python fundamentals. Turing School is another computer programming school local to Denver, offering 7-month-long full-time programs.  In addition to the above resources, some coworking spaces also host events and classes for their members for an entrance fee. Join a Digital Community  If your schedule is tight, you may prefer networking online. We’ll close with a few online resources to help you keep up with the latest trends and networks. Are you interested in the startup community? We highly recommend joining the Colorado Startups Facebook group, a broad group of over 10,000 startup enthusiasts. It’s also worth signing up for Techstars’ Startup Digest. Sent weekly, it will keep you plugged into the entrepreneurial community through curated events and content. Final Thoughts The wealth of resources available to the Boulder and Denver tech communities is outstanding. We hope you venture out and try one of these value-packed events, meetups, or classes mentioned above. Have any questions on the above material? We’d love to connect; contact us at any time.

Your company has an exceptional idea for a new mobile app—now it’s time for you to share it with the world. Which is the best choice for your app: native, hybrid, or cross-platform app development? Deciding which platform to use can be daunting, but we’re here to simplify the process and save you valuable time. According to Statista, in 2023, the annual number of app downloads is expected to surpass 299 billion and generate more than 935 billion dollars in revenue. And according to Data.ai, people spend 4.8 hours daily on mobile devices, making mobile applications attractive to all kinds of businesses. In a highly-saturated world of mobile app development, there are three main options: native, hybrid, and cross-platform. Each approach has its unique advantages and disadvantages. The best option for your app depends on various factors, including the nature of the project, target audience, budget, and timeline. This article will explore the key differences between native, hybrid, and cross-platform mobile app development and provide insights into which option might be best for your business. Native Application Development A native mobile app is developed for a particular mobile platform using the platform’s native programming language. Native apps offer stellar performance and a smooth user experience because they are optimized for the device’s specific mobile operating system, hardware, and software features. Native apps are also known for their ability to integrate with the mobile device’s hardware features, such as the camera, GPS, and sensors. Native development solutions offer superior design, performance, security, and compliance. You should consider using native development for building complex apps or for an application where heavy data processing is to be expected. Due to the platform’s core development language and APIs, native apps possess superior performance and intuitive UX. InspiringApps developers have extensive experience in native app development using Java for Android and Swift for iOS app development. Let’s discuss the pros and cons of native mobile app development. Pros of Native Mobile Apps Offline functionality: Native users will have access to your app online or offline—making your app easily accessible. App complexity: Native apps are fast and responsive. Is your app complex, with advanced features heavy on data processing? Native development solutions offer speedy performance and great UX. Quality UX: Native development offers intuitive and customizable UX that makes the flow of the app feel natural and seamless. Access to native features: With accessibility to the device’s complete feature set, native apps offer enhanced experiences for users—because they can reach and interact with all functions on the device. Hardware access: Apps that have the ability to directly access file systems, cameras, microphones, proximity sensors, and other hardware specific to mobile operating systems may provide better functionality and performance. App security: Native development is ideal for app security because they have tools for creating built-in security features, such as intelligent fraud detection and file encryption. Cons of Native Mobile Apps Costly: Building native apps can result in a larger expense when planning to launch an app to Google Play and the Apple Store. Time-consuming: Native app development can be time-consuming because your source code requires separate development for each platform, which can be costly and time-consuming. Customer reach: Native apps are only available for download in platform-dedicated app stores and cannot be promoted on multiple app stores—thus resulting in less customer reach. Examples of Native Mobile Apps Some popular examples of native mobile apps include: Waze Spotify WhatsApp Native App Development Tools iOS Development There are several native app development tools available for iOS, including: Objective-C XCode iOS SDK TestFlight Swift Playgrounds Android Development You can develop native Android apps in Java, Kotlin, Scala, and C++ programming languages. Google provides native developers with advanced Android development tools, such as: Android SDK IntelliJ IDEA Firebase Android Jetpack Hybrid Mobile App Development Hybrid development involves building an app using web technologies such as HTML, CSS, and JavaScript and then wrapping it in a native shell. This approach allows developers to create apps that work across multiple platforms with a single codebase. However, since an app relies on an embedded browser, it may lead to slower performance and lack of harmony on the user interfaces on different platforms. You should consider choosing hybrid development if you want to create an app quickly—it can be cheaper, faster, and more efficient. Pros of Hybrid Mobile Apps Easy maintenance: Building an app across multiple platforms allows you to test and update apps simultaneously—allowing for easier maintenance. Quick launch: Using a hybrid app development framework could result in a shorter wait time to get your app on the market. Cost reduction: Because you only need to develop a single codebase, you can rely on one team of developers to create an app, which can be more cost-effective. Improved UI + UX: Hybrid apps have the benefits of native and web apps while offering an enhanced user experience. Cons of Hybrid Mobile Apps App vulnerabilities: Hybrid apps are more vulnerable to security threats due to running on web-based technologies. No offline support: There are no offline support capabilities. Performance: Some hybrid solutions combine native and non-native components, which makes the code more complex and may affect the app’s performance. Examples of Hybrid Apps Some popular examples of hybrid mobile apps include: Instagram Twitter Gmail Hybrid App Development Frameworks Ionic Apache Cordova Cross-Platform Mobile App Development Cross-platform apps are built using a single codebase that can run across multiple platforms, such as iOS, Android, and Windows. They use frameworks such as Flutter, React Native, and Xamarin. You should consider a cross-platform approach if your app concept is relatively straightforward because cross-platform apps tend to lag in performance and UX. Cross-platform mobile development has incredible value because you don’t have to hire separate developers for each platform—everything is built in one framework (e.g., React Native). By streamlining app development across multiple platforms, cross-platform frameworks can reduce expenses, save time, and get a better return on investment. Pros of Cross-Platform Apps Single codebase: Updating a cross-platform app is easier because you are dealing with a single codebase. Code reusability between iOS & Android apps: Code built is reusable across platforms and allows you to use a single codebase on multiple platforms. Faster development time: Using a cross-platform framework will result in reusable code and, thus, faster development, enabling you to get your app on the market in less time. Easier maintenance: Cross-platform solutions are easier to maintain because app updates and changes can be made to the codebase, which applies to all platforms. Cons of Cross-Platform App Development Complex integrations: Cross-platform mobile development does not offer platform-specific features—developers may find it challenging to integrate cross-platform apps into local settings. Delayed features: While new software development kit (SDK) releases include new updates and features, cross-platform frameworks require a separate update to access new features. No offline functionality: There are no offline support capabilities. Increased security configurations: Cross-platform applications are more vulnerable to security threats due to running on web-based technologies. Examples of Cross-Platform Mobile Applications Skype Walmart Airbnb Cross-Platform App Development Frameworks Xamarin React Native Flutter Selecting Your Approach To Build a Mobile App Development Time & Speed to Market Developing a native application requires teams of developers with specialized skills for each platform. This can be time-consuming and expensive. When you have a tight timeline, cross-platform and hybrid apps are the way to go. Native development tends to be a more lengthy process due to having to create different versions of the app and a separate codebase for each platform. Development Cost & Budget Your business priorities, budget, and project scope will play a significant factor in which developmental route to take. If your company has a limited budget, hybrid and cross-platform approaches will best fit your needs; a single codebase saves you money by allowing you to reuse code for future use. Security Mobile applications can get targeted with security threats—putting the user’s data and privacy at risk. Native development is ideal for app security because they have tools for creating built-in security features, such as intelligent fraud detection and file encryption. Performance Some apps are high on data and have heavy computing requirements. When looking for speedy performance, opt for native development. Native app development provides users with an intuitive UX, natural features, and familiar buttons and actions. Complexity, Custom UX, or Consistency Across Platforms For complex mobile applications and customized UX—native development is ideal. Native app development offers smooth performance and UX that surpasses hybrid and cross-platform development. If your app requires access to device-specific features, like the camera or GPS, then a native application may be your best bet. While hybrid and cross-platform apps can access some device features, they may not be able to provide the same level of functionality as native apps. Conclusion When developing a mobile app, the choice between hybrid, native, or cross-platform framework depends on various factors. Native apps are built for a specific platform, making them highly responsive and offering a seamless user experience. However, they can be expensive and time-consuming to develop. On the other hand, hybrid apps are easier and faster to develop than native apps. However, hybrid apps may not always be as responsive as native apps, and that can lead to lower user satisfaction. Cross-platform apps, on the other hand, allow developers to write code once in Xamarin, Flutter, or React Native and deploy it across multiple platforms. They are more cost-effective and faster to develop than native apps while still delivering a great user experience. With cross-platform apps, businesses can reach a broad audience and save time and money on development costs. In conclusion, the choice between hybrid, native, and cross-platform depends on your specific business objectives. While native apps offer a superior user experience, they can be expensive to develop. Hybrid apps are faster and easier to develop but may not always offer the same level of responsiveness as native apps. Cross-platform apps offer a cost-effective and efficient solution that can help businesses reach a wide range of users and save on development costs. Ultimately, the ideal choice depends on your business requirements, budget, and timeline. FAQ Native, hybrid, and cross-platform app development: what are the key differences? Native, hybrid, and cross-platform mobile apps differ in UX, UI, development speed, code base, app development costs, time to market, and other factors. Native programming languages cannot be streamlined across platforms, while hybrid and cross-platform can. Native app development refers to the process of building apps specifically for a single platform, such as iOS or Android.This mobile app development approach involves using the core programming languages and tools that are specific to that platform, such as Swift or Objective-C for iOS and Java or Kotlin for Android. Hybrid app development, on the other hand, involves building apps that can run on multiple platforms using a single code base. This is typically done using web technologies such as HTML, CSS, and JavaScript, which are then packaged into a native app wrapper that can be deployed on various platforms. Cross-platform app development is similar to hybrid app development in that it involves building apps that can run on multiple platforms using a single code base. However, cross-platform development typically involves using platform-specific languages and tools that are compiled into native code. Cross-platform development can improve performance and a more native-like user experience than hybrid apps. Native, hybrid, or cross-platform: which app development method is best for my mobile app? There is no one-size-fits-all answer to this question, as the best approach will depend on the specific needs and requirements of your mobile application development project. Each development approach has its own advantages and disadvantages, and the decision will ultimately depend on factors such as your app’s unique specifications, needs, and goals. When deciding among the respective platforms, consider user experience, development time and cost, desired app performance, required platform support, range of app functionality, maintenance costs, and complexity of updates. Innovation Within Reach ​​Innovative functionality and design are within reach. Whether it is a complex data solution, a custom integration, an internal app for employees, or an app that will deliver messages to the Moon, InspiringApps provides intelligent digital products that delight clients and end users with transformative results. Let’s move your business forward together. Speak with our experts in enterprise solutions.