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Top iPhone Apps Designed for the Elderly

The term technology symbolizes ‘the application of scientific knowledge for practical purposes, especially in the domain of computer technology and communication.’ This dictionary definition of the word technology symbolizes the rationale behind the concept of mobile application development. Away from the fun quotient of application usage there is a very meaningful side to it.

The elderly and senior citizens are very important part of the community. They cannot be ignored and require technological innovation that can assist them during difficult times. Addressing this thought, several mobile apps development companies have designed some amazing application that helps overcome varied challenges of the old age. Here is a list of top iPhone apps that are designed for the elderly.

1. MedMory

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A very thoughtful app that is designed to ensure that the user does not forget to take his/her pills on time. By simply entering the same, a user can set reminder for pill intake, dosage, time and other relevant information. It is an extremely user friendly apps that can be customized as per individual need and requirement.

(iTunes store:- https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/medmory-pill-reminder-medication/id627325275?mt=8)

2. VizWiz

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This is a free iPhone application that is designed for partially –sighted and visually impaired users. This application allows users to take picture of an item and then speak a question upon which they get multiple spoken answers. A great application for all practical need and purpose.

(iTunes Store:- https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/vizwiz/id439686043?mt=8)

3. Dragon Dictation

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Dragon dictation is amazing applications that allows elderly users to text message or compose an email by just dictating into the phone. It is a voice-recognition app that is very easy to use.

(iTunes Store:- https://itunes.apple.com/en/app/dragon-dictation/id341446764?mt=8)

4. Magnifying Glass

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Magnifying glass is a free, useful app that allows old and weak eyes to read the minutest texts. This application incorporates the zoom feature of a camera that acts like a magnifying glass. The application has received rave reviews which have made reading easy for many older people as well as those who have poor reading vision.

(iTunes Store:- https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/magnifying-glass-light-digital/id406048120?mt=8)

5. Blood Pressure Tracker

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BP or blood pressure is a medical condition which is generally associated with old age. However, given the life condition, stress and poor eating habit that the generation of this century is synonymous with, a number of young and middle age people are seen with this condition. Blood pressure tracker is a perfect application that is simple to use on an iPhone. It helps users monitor blood pressure levels, heart rate which is crucial for maintaining good health.

(iTunes Store:- https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/blood-pressure-tracker-pro/id305992149?mt=8)

6. Motion Doctor

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Joint pain and arthritis are some common ailments associated with old age. To reduce pain and restore mobility of hand and legs, Motion Doctor is an amazing application that teaches older people different types of physical and mobility exercises. One can easily customize an exercise plan my filling relevant information such as baby part, profession, age etc. This application acts like your personal trainer and ensures that you remain healthy at all times.

(iTunes Store:- https://itunes.apple.com/in/app/motion-doctor/id403219869?mt=8)

7. Crossword

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Crossword, the age old game that is usually found in news paper column is now in the form of an application. It is a perfect application that engages older people which constructive activity. There are several crossword apps available both on the iTunes and Google’s Play Store. One such popular app is “NYTimes Crosswords” by Magmic Inc..

(iTunes Store:- https://itunes.apple.com/en/app/nytimes-crosswords/id307569751?mt=8)

In many ways technology and high end gadgets have made life easy for all of us. It is normally perceived that older people take time in embracing new trends, technology or a gadget that may be very popular otherwise. Perhaps application is an excellent way to bridge the gap between elderly and technology.

There are several iPhone developers who have conceived the idea for applications that are extremely handy for senior citizens. Many older people have benefited from these apps and are using it on a regular basis. Since, these application are built keeping in the mind the elderly, they are extremely easy to use and handle.

How to Reduce Chances of Your App Being Rejected by Apple

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With Apple’s stringent controls, mobile app developers have to meet extremely high standards in order to get their app accepted for the iTunes store. With a waiting period ranging from a few weeks to several months, while the app gets reviewed, the app may lose out on opportunity, if there is a further delay due to rejection.

In our earlier blog Top 6 Reasons why Apple rejects apps, we had highlighted the most common faults that make apps not ready for the store. This article provides tips on how rejection can be avoided.

1. App Review guidelines

The first and most important step is to read thoroughly and understand Apple’s app review guidelines. Granted that some of them may seem downright silly, but you won’t be laughing when your app gets rejected. So, following every little rule with regard to development, user interface and functionality will help as it ensures that you are following the high standards that Apple expects.

2. Research

Do your homework, and research or read about success stories of apps that received approval at the first try. In addition, read about rejections to understand what caused them. This will give you a better understanding of what to do and what not to do.

3. Tools

To speed up the development process, use tried and tested open source tools that can be easily integrated on the app for enabling a better user experience such as sharing content through social media, SMS and email.

4. Test, Use and then submit

While most apps are tested by a technical team before submission, go one step further and get users to play around with the app to see how it works. Based on user feedback, make modifications, test the app and conduct user reviews (as many times as it necessary, until it’s perfect), before you submit the app for review.

5. Success is in the details

Prepare a checklist of requirements that your app has to pass in order to be ready for review, and then tick off each item on the list. This could include Apple’s rules regarding the app’s name, description, category listing, app URL, support URL, Copyright, End User License Agreement, Artwork, Rating, etc. Get it right on every count and your chances of success will improve.

6. Be prepared

Once you submit the app, be prepared for the feedback. If there’s nothing to be changed, your app will get approved soon. Keep a realistic launch date after taking into account the chances that there might be more fine-tuning required. There will be an App Reviewer assigned for your submission. In the event that your app is rejected, politely interact with him to find out the reason for rejection. Be prepared to make quick modifications for resubmission, so that you don’t miss your launch deadline.

If your app does get rejected, don’t look at it as the end of the world. Many apps that are on the iTunes Store faced rejection first before they saw success. Popular apps such as Pocket God, Chess Wars and Convertbot went that way, before a simple modification and resubmission resulted in approval.

We hope these tips are helpful in your journey to the app store and would love to hear about your iPhone app submission experiences.

Amazon Appstore: The Emerging Android App Marketplace

While Google Play Store is usually the first choice for Android App Developers to launch their Android app, there are many alternative marketplaces which allow developers to list their apps, and from where users can download apps directly. Amazon Appstore is one such android app marketplace, considered second best by many developers.

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Amazon Appstore for Android opened to U.S. consumers in March 2011, and has since amassed over 75,000 apps. It is flying high on apps, and is looking towards exponential growth as it seeks to catch up with iOS (800,000+ apps, launched in July 2008) and Google Play (600,000+ apps, launched October in 2008). Amazon recently announced expansion of its Appstore to reach nearly 200 countries worldwide, up from the 7 countries that are currently served. The new markets include Australia, Brazil, Canada, Mexico, India, South Africa and South Korea. Once Amazon completes their international expansion, they will surpass Google Play and iOS App Store, which currently support 132 and 155 countries, respectively.

According to mobile app analytics firm App Annie, Amazon’s app marketplace is seeing growing traction among developers. The company surveyed over 1,500 app developers, and found that 22.5 percent of them were now publishing to the Amazon App Store, and around half of that group (50%) quoted the game category on the Amazon Appstore as their leading revenue driver. If data released last summer by mobile gaming startup TinyCo and another analytics firm, Flurry is to be believed, a big point on which Amazon Appstore is beating Google Play is the one considered most important to developers, revenue. Bertrand Schmitt, CEO of App Annie said, “While Amazon Appstore is the new kid on the block, we hear great things from developers about their ability to monetize from the store.”

Rumors of Amazon planning to release a smartphone to complement the Kindle Fire line makes things even more interesting. And that is not all; the latest rumor from Bloomberg has Amazon working on a set-top box, with engineers from Logitech who had worked on that company’s Google TV box. The combination of Amazon’s Kindle tablet line, a likely smartphone line and an inexpensive set-top box that are all fueled by Amazon’s vast array of content could represent a serious competitor to Apple and Google. Moreover, Amazon’s potential is not only tied to its increasing reach, but also to its deep experience with e-commerce and related infrastructure. Amazon customers have their account information on file, and can use 1-click purchasing to buy apps.

With all these points in mind, android developers looking to have their app found, and more importantly, purchased should start looking at Amazon Appstore, sooner the better!

Top 7 Improvement Suggestions for iOS7

We know that Apple is in rush to showcase their new product iOS7 at the worlds developers conference next month. The internal testing for the same is on as we get web traffic report that indicates visits from iOS7 propelled iPhones and iPads. In the past, Apple has always tried to appease users by extending innovative and smart features that promises to augment overall experience of using their devices.

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Although iPhone5, the sixth generation of the iPhone received positive reviews, there were certain impending hitch within the iOS6 that ignited concerns for many consumers and reviewers alike. As excited and patient users, all Apple fans including me are certainly expecting a better and considerably improved iOS7. I hope that Apple engineers and paying close watch to what users are expecting for the new OS. Here are few suggestions from ‘me to them’, that will make iOS7 much better from its predecessor, the iOS6.

1. iMessage needs to be revamped

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Within a short while after the release of iOS6, Apple’s iMessage was really meddling with people’s sanity. Online forums were filled with complaints the iMessage was highly unreliable and unstable. Several iPhone users were facing a problem, wherein each time the device lost internet connection, the iMessage would stop working and after a gap would begin working on its own. Although this problem did not require a troubleshooting session, it certainly did leave the users frustrated. I hope that the software or bug that caused this problem is rectified in iOS7.

2. Apple Maps requires a major face-lift

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When Apple released its mapping service independent of Google Maps, it was bound to be compared with the latter. If one were to compare the two, Google Maps certainly wins hands down for it is extremely user friendly and easy to determine. Currently, Apple Maps is devoid of public transit directions and the labels and directions it showcases are incorrect at several instances. In short, Apple Maps in its current form is quite unreliable and need a major face-lift, so as to stand a chance of winning against Google Map. I hope the engineers of iOS7 are working on this aspect of the OS.

3. Apple menu setting could be better

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There has been endless talk about bettering Apple’s menu setting. Android phones allow its users to access phone setting with just a drop down. It’s not the same with iOS, as reaching menu setting on iPhone is a very tedious process. We hope that with new iOS design in store, this matter is duly addressed.

4. Apple needs to work upon the notification banner

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Overall performance of Apple’s notification banner has been quite impressive. However, it does tend to become a little intrusive and somewhat cluttered. Perhaps inclusion of banner pop-up, instead of complete dropdown and easy and quick clearance of notification box will certainly enhance the performance of the center.

5. Apple must re-work Apple apps store design

We know that the app store on iOS6 devices underwent major interface change. Although, the design and aesthetic appeal of the app store is good, search result could be better. A better search result also stand true for Apples Maps and general browsing on an iPhone. We hope that iOS7 does not fail to address these looming issues.

6. Apple should allow its Weather Icon to support visual updates

The weather Icon on Android phones is visually explanatory. Just by looking at it, one can determine the weather situation outside their homes and office. I hope that Apple works on this aspect of the phone and supports live feed in the form of image or icon on the home screen.

7. Apple must improvise on the Game Center

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The interface of Apple Game center could be more relaxed. Currently adding friends and challenging players in a game is a very daunting task. Perhaps with iOS7 the game addicts will find a better and improvised interface.

7 Popular Lifestyle Applications on the Apple App Store

According to the recent report submitted by IDC (International Data Corporation), there has been a sharp decline in the import and sale of PC (Personal Computers) by nearly 14%. This is a sharp plummet since 1994, the time around which IDC started tracking data in the sphere of information technology and telecommunications. A close look at the market indicates that the primary reason for this change is due to a drift in consumer inclination.

In the last few years mobile technology has improved by several notches. From sending an email to uploading pictures or managing ones schedule, everything can be done from the palm of one’s hand. All this is made possible because a considerable headway is made in the domain of apps development. iOS is one of the popular mobile operating systems that dominates the market today, wherein a number of mobile application enterprises engage Skilled iPhone developers to built high quality applications for the platform.

In the past the term ‘application’ was predominantly aligned to games. However, with greater penetration of Smartphone usage, application development acquired a whole new meaning. Today, the scenario is such that you name the most random stuff and maybe there is an application for that. One of the most popular genres of mobile application development is Lifestyle. Applications made for this category encompasses the essence of modern day living wherein a user can enjoy life to the fullest in a social yet meaning full way. Lifestyle apps essentially allow a user to carry on their day to day proceedings in a productive manner which could be associated with work, business, social, self-grooming and efficiency. Helping users to strike the right chord, here is a list of top 7 lifestyle applications that are currently popular on the Apple Apps Store.

1. Cook’s Illustrated

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Eating right and shopping for the right food is a compelling need of contemporary lifestyle. This is an amazing application that assists your kitchen life with best recipes and videos. In addition to that it helps you generate a shopping list. So, next time you are lost on a shopping aisle wondering what to put in your shopping cart take help from ‘Cook’s Illustrated”.

2. Sunrise

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This is a very useful application to all the social buddies in town. A beautiful application that conjoins Facebook and Google Calendar, thus keeping you updated with every update on Facebook. In addition to that it helps you remember anniversary, birthdays of your friends and loved one as well gives you a complete weather report that allows you to plan your social calendar accordingly.

3. Wunderlist 2

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Wunderlist 2 is the improved version of application with the same name. It is a wonderful application for the forgetful souls as it allows synchronization as well as setting up of recurrent reminders on your phone, personal computer or tab.

4. BackWay

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This is a perfect application for all the back packers who consider traveling and adventure an integral part of their lifestyle. Infused with a simple interface, BackWays helps travelers find back to their destination with utmost ease and proximity. The best feature of this application is that it even works even when one is offline.

5. Timbre

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Timbre is a must have application who love attending live band or music. A “free location based band discover y app” that allows you to fetch details on on-goings concerts and music recitals in your area or a city near you.

6. Amazon Windowshop

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Designed specifically for the iPad, Amazon Windowhsop is a rich application that adds much value to the experience of virtual shopping. It is a big hit with the ladies as well as the boys who wish to remain updated by the latest products and gizmos from the world of technology. The highlight of this application it is simple UI and an intuitive design.

7. Hairstyle

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Self grooming applications are becoming a very popular genre, wherein a number of iPhone apps development is being carried out in this category. Hairstyles as the name suggest is a lifestyle application that allows users to select the hairdo that makes them look chic and cool.

iOS 7 in Use? Emerges in Web Traffic Reading

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Use of iOS7, which recently emerged on the web traffic reading, is the latest breaking news from the tech world. This is not very surprising, as for the last few months there are records that point towards the usage of iOS7 propelled devices. However, during the course of last week there was a significant rise in iOS7 user traffic that seems to emerge from the San Francisco and Cupertino area. MacRumors and Onswipe, AppleInsider are few noted websites that have seen web traffic from an iOS7 driven iPhone or iPad.

“Over the past week, Onswipe found a significant bump in the number of visits from iOS 7 iPhones and iPads, specifically located in both Cupertino and San Francisco. SF had the most iOS 7 visits, with 18.75 percent, and Cupertino accounted for 17.9 percent of the total. May 2 saw the highest iOS 7 traffic to date, representing 23 percent, or nearly a quarter, of all unique iOS visitors to Onswipe-enabled sites. Most were visiting from iPhones (75 percent), but iPads also represented a full quarter of visits.”

This indicates that currently Apple is conducting Internal testing for the yet to be launched OS (Operating System). According to the reports, Apple Inc. is all set to showcase the much awaited phone of the year at the World Developers Conference (WDC), which is scheduled to be held sometime next month. This is a positive current considering there were reports suggesting delay in the release date of iOS7. I am sure it is great news for all the tech enthusiasts who are eagerly waiting to lay eyes on Apple’s newest creation. Nonetheless, one will have to wait a bit longer before Apple announces the public release of the phone which is expected to be by the end of this year.

iOS7 is Apple’s boldest undertaking, as it initiates major design changes within the OS. It is expected to have a new interface including flatter design which is a major shift from ‘gloss, shine and skeuomorphism’. It is also being spoken that Apple engineers are focusing on keeping the interface simple which can easily be identified by users across technological familiarity. In addition to that the new iOS is also expected to have a better notification box, application management, more widgets, and better home /lock screen.

Here hoping that the most anticipated device of the year withstands user expectations and does not disappoint. Currently there are several concept videos whirling the web, trying to encompass flatter design and other talked about features that iOS7 is anticipated to extend. It will also be worth considering how the mobile application development industry, particularly iPhone and iPad app development incorporate these change to their design methodology.

It is a well known fact that Apple apps store is very strict with respect to acknowledging and accepting applications for the platform. Perhaps iPhone apps developer and designers may have to work and determine ways to improvise on designs and concepts, which befits the Apple app store ecosystem. These changes will only become apparent once iOS7 is released publicly. It is only then all existing rumors and scenarios shall be dispensed or proven correct.