Mobile Solutions, From Start to Finish

While many companies feared wasting money on what may have been a technology fad, Google Play and Apple are continuing to see growth in the number of apps available for download as a result of the increased use of tablets and smartphones as the number one way to access information.  The infographic below, Global Mobile App Statistics, captures the continued growth of this technology and the importance they play in the world. Apps are here to stay. Has your organization adapted? 

Recently Apple celebrated its 50 billionth app download with huge prizes, but the technology giant that has held the number one spot for years has the competition on their heels.

Thanks to new devices from competitor Samsung and Google’s app store, Play, the Android platform has surged past Apple.  According to Business Insider, there are 900 million Android devices in today’s market, compared to 600 million Apple products. 

While the Fountainhead team has been creating apps for both the Android and iOS platforms for some time, more app developers are looking to create products for the Google Play store.  Many popular apps are now found on both platforms as companies are looking to broaden their audiences.  This strategy is working, as 2 billion iOS apps are download each month and 2.5 billion apps are downloaded from Play.

If Android continues to grow at this rate, Google’s Play will knock Apple out of the number one slot by October of this year.

Does your company prefer to the Apple iOS or Android platform?  Have you created apps for both marketplaces? 

According to New Relic, one of every four apps downloaded has been used once and then discarded.  To ensure success, they have put together this excellent infographic on the basics of mobile app development and what to do to keep it relevant in the ever growing marketplace.  

What has your experience been like? How do you keep your app relevant? 

The mHealth industry has shifted the paradigm and has contributed to the development of a new delivery model for value-based patient-centered healthcare. Patients who download a medical app have instant access on how to manage a disease, which leads to better overall health and fewer doctors’ visits.

This isn’t the only benefit of mHealth. MEDCITY News compiled a list of additional mHealth benefits:

1.  They engage patients and motivate them to be more active participants in their care: mHealth apps are an important and ever growing portion of this sector. There are more than 13,000 healthcare-related apps for iOS alone. Many of the apps downloaded monitor eating habits, enable calorie counting and track health and fitness goals. While they may not always be recommended by a doctor, patients are taking an increased interest in managing their own wellbeing.

2.  They facilitate the tracking and management of chronic illnesses: This new technology has significantly benefited those with chronic medical conditions. Disease management apps have enabled patients to monitor their vitals and symptom. Some are designed for children, which makes everyday health fun. Additionally, many can record relevant information, which makes it easy to share with your doctor.

3.  They contribute to patient understanding of their health: All of that literature the doctors give patients gets stuck in the back of the drawer, misplaced and sometimes accidently thrown out. Thanks to new apps and mobile-friendly versions of patient portals, doctors can send their clientele in the right direction for information.

These three benefits are just the start. As mHealth resources continue to grow and become more available to patients, the payback from these apps will be increase.