According to a statistical result, Samsung is currently the smartphone with the highest global market share (quote: 40 countries around the world, major OS and model share). iPhone is very popular in Japan, but globally, Android smartphones boast an overwhelming share rate.
We will focus on "Android app development" which is indispensable for using such Android smartphones, and explain what is necessary for development, recommended development environment, development language, and cost.
In my journey exploring mobile platforms and app development, I've delved deep into Android, a platform developed by Google. As someone who's been directly involved in developing Android apps, I've seen firsthand how these apps thrive on devices with Android OS. The unique aspect of Android apps is their ability to harness the full potential of each platform. This includes direct access to features like push notifications, location information, and cameras - elements crucial to mobile app functionality.
As I learned more about how to develop an Android app, I discovered that these apps are not just about technical prowess but also about understanding and maximizing platform-specific functions. Our team at JIITAK has been instrumental in this area, focusing on both system development and app development, with a keen eye on Digital Transformation. For those interested in how to develop an Android app, JIITAK's service introduction page offers detailed insights into our mobile app development process, showcasing our expertise and commitment in this field.
The diversity in the types of Android apps available on the Google Play Store is staggering. Categories range from games to SNS, business, education, entertainment, and more. This variety is a testament to the wide range of genres and categories developers and companies, including ours, have ventured into. Each Android app is a unique blend of developer creativity and platform capabilities, providing users with an enriching experience.
In our company, which is heavily rooted in system development and digital transformation, understanding how to develop an Android app is not just about technical skill but also about strategic thinking and innovation. As we continue to evolve and expand our expertise, our focus remains on leveraging the Android platform to its fullest, ensuring we deliver apps that are not just functional but also engaging and relevant to our users.
Even though it is the same application, Android development and iOS development are very different, such as developers and processes. Here, we will introduce the characteristics of what are the specific differences. In addition, a summary of the merits and demerits has also been posted on the past blog "[Introduction to iOS App Development] An easy-to-understand explanation from basics to applications", so please take a look at it as well.
・Android
It is an OS developed by Google, and various manufacturers, not only Google, are developing and selling Android devices. All apps are reviewed and approved in accordance with the standards and guidelines set by the Google Play Store.
・iOS
It is an OS developed by Apple and can be used with Apple products such as iPhone and iPad. All apps are reviewed and approved in accordance with strict standards and guidelines on the App Store before being used.
・Android
The "Material Design" guideline provides guidelines and resources to provide users with an intuitive, consistent and simple interface.
・iOS
"Human Interface Guidelines" is a standard for iOS app developers to provide users with an easy-to-use, unified, and beautiful interface.
・Android
An integrated development environment called Android Studio is used for the development of Android applications, and the development languages are mainly Java and Kotlin.
・iOS
An integrated development environment called xCode is used for the development of iOS apps, and the development languages are mainly Swift and Objective-C.
・Android
In order to publish the Android app, you need to obtain a Google Play developer account, and the initial registration fee of 25 US$ (about 3,510 yen) is required. ( As of June 2023)
・iOS
In order to publish the iOS app, you need to participate in the Apple Developer Program, and a fee of 99 US$ (about 13,900 yen) per year is required. ( As of June 2023)
Other features unique to Android devices include the "back button" on the screen and "SD card can be inserted". Also, because Android is an open source platform, Android app developers can flexibly customize apps and realize their ideas.
What can I do for Android app development? I will introduce what you need.
・PC / Mac
Windows is recommended, but it can also be developed on Mac.
・Development environment
You can start development by downloading and installing development tools such as JDK and Android Studio on your computer.
・Programming language
In Android application development, programming languages such as Java and Kotlin are used. Java is said to be more difficult to learn than Kotlin, but Kotlin is highly interoperability with Java, so more and more people are learning Kotlin recently. Which language to choose depends on the developer's preferences and project requirements.
The above is the minimum required for the development of Android. You can start creating Android apps as long as you have a computer at hand, so you can start more easily than iOS app development.
Here, we will introduce the recommended environment and development language for iOS app development.
・Android Studio
An integrated development environment (IDE) recommended for Android app development provided by Google.
・Xarmarin
A development environment tool developed by Microsoft. It is used in cross-platform development that can be developed by some iOS.
・JDK (Java Development Kit)
JDK is a set of tools and libraries necessary to develop Java programs. The Java language is widely used for Android app development, and you need to install JDK.
・Emulator
For testing and simulating apps on virtual Android devices. It helps to check the actual operation and interface. It can be changed to various devices, so you can check it using an emulator even if you don't have a real machine.
・Java
A programming language that has been widely used in Android app development for a long time. It is an object-oriented programming language, has many developers' experience, has high stability and versatility, and provides rich libraries and frameworks. In addition, Java code can perform high on Android devices.
・Kotlin
Kotlin is a new language and a new programming language recommended by Google. Because of its high interoperability with Java, it is possible to coexist with Java code. Kotlin has a simple and easy-to-read grammar compared to Java, and it is said that it is easier for new programming learners to enter because of the low learning difficulty. It is widely adopted among Android developers because Google officially supports Kotlin.
Even if you proceed with development without solid requirements such as targets and objectives, it will only take time and cost. By firmly setting the requirements of the project and firmly following each process, we will approach the success of app development. Here, we will explain the specific development procedures.
Requirement definition and plan
Clarify the purpose, functions, target users, etc. of the app to be developed, and make a development plan.
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Preparation for the development environment
Install Android Studio on your computer and set up the necessary development tools, JDK and SDKs.
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Creation of the project
Open Android Studio and create a new project. Select project settings and templates to create a basic project framework.
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UI/UX design
Use design tools such as Figma and AdobeXD to design UIs such as app screens and layouts.
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Function implementation (coding)
Use programming languages such as Kotlin and Java to implement the functions necessary for the app.
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Testing and debugging
Test the app with an emulator or actual machine to check the operation and display. If there is a problem or bug, debug it and fix it.
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Preparation for release
Set the target age, version, content, privacy policy, etc. for the release.
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Release
Apply for an app on the Google Play Store and release it when it passes the review.
The above is a series of development flows, but the app is not the end of the release. After actually releasing, as the number of users increases, it is necessary to receive various feedback and bug reports and provide maintenance and support. It is also important to strive to improve the quality by updating the version and adding new functions.
The cost of app development depends on the type and complexity of the functions included, such as push notifications and messages. There are many types of functions, so this time I will introduce parts other than functions.
Development costs (= Resource Allocation Cost + Miscellaneous expenses)
・Resource Allocation Cost
Costs related to the cost of developers and teams with the personnel and man-hours required for development. It is calculated by the developer's human month (one month of personnel required for development) x human monthly unit price x development unit.
・Miscellaneous expenses (server, domain fee, maintenance and operation expenses, etc.)
Includes bug fixes, security patching, user support, server maintenance, etc. Maintenance and operation costs are calculated based on the labor of developers and operation staff, server maintenance costs, and other operational costs.
Registration fee
The registration fee for a Google Play developer account required to release on the Google Play Store is $25 only for the first registration.
Annual fee
Paid apps and in-app purchases, such as subscription formats and in-store purchases, charge 15% to 30% of the purchase amount. The specific commission rate varies depending on the type of app.
The above is the general framework of the cost of development. If you try to add too many functions to development, the development cost may increase. Therefore, it is very important to reflect the needs of users without losing sight of the purpose of development.
Developers can maximize revenue by fully understanding the nature and target of the app. I will summarize 5 or less representative examples.
・Paid download
The easiest monetization method for users to pay fees to purchase apps. The first sales become a direct profit.
・In-app purchase
Pay when the user purchases additional content and features in the app. We provide the app for free, and users can choose the content that suits their needs within the app.
・In-app advertisement
Earn money by displaying advertisements. The app can be provided for free, and advertising revenue may increase depending on the number of app downloads and usage.
・Fed-rate billing (subscription model)
Users can pay monthly or annual fees and use the app. It can get stable revenue and provide regular updates and support.
・sponsored companies
Companies related to the app provide revenue through advertising and partnerships. You can get funds and resources from companies and expand your brand and users.
As mentioned above, there are several ways to monetize the app. It is important to understand the purpose and user's needs, and to carefully refine the monetization method according to the optimal business model.
So far, we have explained from the basic part of Android app development, how to do what you need for development, the environment, cost, and how to monetize it.
Android has the highest share in the world, is spreading in emerging markets and developing countries, and is still rapidly expanding its user base. Demand is increasing not only for individuals but also in the market for companies, and new business opportunities are being created for Android app developers.
Android application development is constantly evolving, and with the advent of new technologies and frameworks, and the use of advanced technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI) and augmented reality (AR), developers develop more creative apps and Android apps It can be competitive in the market and provide new value experiences to users.
In addition, even in Japan, where the share rate of iPhone is high compared to the world, some generations have high popularity of Android, so the need for Android application development is extreme when developing apps that are used by more users. It can be said that it is extremely expensive.
JIITAK has a wealth of development experience, and in addition to developing native apps for iOS and Android, we are developing hybrids that use unique functions of the device regardless of OS. If you are interested in app development among those reading this article, Contact JIITAK for your Android App development needs.