It seems as if hundreds of smartphone applications are entering the marketplace daily. Some provide us with a novel form of entertainment while others (such as apps to learn English) are extremely useful from an educational point of view.
It can be challenging to appreciate some of the qualities which are associated with a high-quality program. What hallmarks should you search for? Are there downsides to avoid? Let us take some time to answer both of these questions.
The Signs of a Trustworthy Smartphone Application
The good news is that most applications have been designed by qualified engineers. Thus, they should contain few (if any) issues.
One way to confirm that this is the case is to perform research regarding the company itself. For example, how many previous applications has it produced? How long has the firm been in existence? Is the app itself available on trusted portals such as Google Play and the Apple Store?
In terms of functionality, perhaps the most important metric is how smoothly it runs. The app should not “hang” or suddenly cease working. It must also provide an intuitive and streamlined user interface.
In the event that you have a question, the most reputable software providers will offer numerous contact methods (such as a dedicated telephone number, a live chat widget or email support).
On a final note, always be sure to peruse any reviews by previous customers. It is always best to choose applications associated with mainly positive feedback (although an occasional negative comment is bound to occur from time to time).
What Types of Apps Should be Avoided?
One of the most common (and frustrating) issues involves the presence of bloatware. Bloatware is additional coding that has been embedded within the application.
This is relatively common with free bundles, as third parties will often place links to other unrelated products within the program itself.
Bloatware can impact the available memory of an operating system and in some cases, it may even contain malicious elements (such as malware). If you notice that your phone has been relatively sluggish after a download, the chances are high that the app contains some type of bloatware.
Notwithstanding malicious or incorrect coding, there are many other signs that an application should be avoided. These include:
- Little or no information regarding the manufacturer.
- Mainly negative customer reviews.
- No updates have taken place for a significant period.
- The app requires a massive amount of memory even though its functions seem limited.
- Your phone displays a security warning immediately after the download has been completed.
- Crashes for no apparent reason.
Knowing what to look for in a quality smartphone application will help to ensure that you choose the right bundle at the appropriate time. While no app is perfect, it is a foregone conclusion that some are much more impressive than others.
