Unit 8 - Task 1

Level 2 Group B

James Saunders - 1543710

West Cheshire College

ContentsIntroduction..........................................................................................................................................................2

Chosen Applications..............................................................................................................................................2

Purpose and Features............................................................................................................................................3

What’s App........................................................................................................................................................3

Netflix................................................................................................................................................................3

Annotated screenshots.........................................................................................................................................4

What’s App........................................................................................................................................................4

Netflix................................................................................................................................................................6

Cost.......................................................................................................................................................................8

What’s App........................................................................................................................................................8

Netflix................................................................................................................................................................8

Operating system and programming language......................................................................................................9

Link......................................................................................................................................................................10

What’s App......................................................................................................................................................10

Netflix..............................................................................................................................................................10

Plug ins for app....................................................................................................................................................11

What’s App......................................................................................................................................................11

Netflix..............................................................................................................................................................11

Review of the app................................................................................................................................................12

What’s App......................................................................................................................................................12

Netflix..............................................................................................................................................................12

Strengths and Weakness’s...................................................................................................................................13

What’s App......................................................................................................................................................13

Netflix..............................................................................................................................................................13

Introduction

I currently am working for EduTek a leading publisher in education they have requested me to develop and create a mobile application to assist children in learning the alphabet, however before undertaking the design and development of this application my manager has requested I help him to understand the different uses and features of mobile applications.

He has requested me to review two different applications providing information of strengths and weakness, describe the intended uses of both applications, and review how features of the applications affect the intended use, overall usability and how it can apply to the target audience.

By completion of this task it will help my manager gain an understanding and improve my own knowledge of mobile applications how the features are there to meet the purpose of the application and appeal towards the target audience. This gained knowledge would also be applied during the development of my own application for EduTek improving the overall quality of the mobile application.

For this I have chosen to speak about the following two applications to demonstrate my awareness of the task.

Chosen Applications

What’s App Netflix

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.whatsapp

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.netflix.mediaclient

Purpose and Features

What’s App The purpose of this application is to provide an internet based communication application that can be widely used in replacement of standard text messaging and phone calls, as this is an instant messaging platform and offers a VOIP (voice over internet protocol) service. This application uses the pre-existing phone number of the user and as such helps towards preventing spam and other malicious content.

Features within What’s App, VOIP over a cross platform basis to make the improved connectivity and widen their target audience users can make phone calls to other operating systems with the application without issues.

It features added functionality to use group chat function.

What’s App also features end to end encryption keeping the user’s messages secure and safe from intercepting hands.

What’s App also includes a feature where it indicates if a user has received the message, if its still waiting to be delivered or if its been read the purpose of this feature is to keep all involved in the conversation informed and know their messages have been seen.

What’s App features a function to mute users to prevent messages from chats causing a disturbance this particular function comes in usefully in active group chats.

Netflix

The purpose of this application is to provide access to the Netflix streaming service for its members with the use of this application Netflix members are able to log in and stream their service to their personal mobile devices. Features of this application include being able to download content to the mobile device so the user is able to watch on the go without being connected to an internet connection, this way it would reduce the cost of mobile data plans as the content could be downloaded while connected to Wi-Fi.

Users can also select a link within the application taking them to the website and loading up their account allowing them to manage the membership and viewing permissions such as parental controls.

Some membership packages allow for multiple viewers on the platform as this is a feature the app asks you to select a user upon login as it stores your viewing habits and location in a program/movie so you can carry on. This reduces time taken to find what you last watched and improves user experience.

One more feature that is built into the netflix app is the ability to cast it onto a smart tv alloying the user to view it directly on the tv screen via controlling it in the application.

The user also can use the search function to locate something the user wishes to find on the netflix streaming service.

Features simple graphical tiled layout for the ease of use. That is fit for purpose for all user’s

Features a multiple user selection at login to allow viewing habits of different users on one account as to tailor picks for them. As well as saving locations of viewed films and shows.

Annotated screenshotsWhat’s App

From selecting this button on screen, the user will be able to call someone who uses this application

With the use of these ticks the user is able to establish if the message has been received, sent or read one grey tick indicates the message has been sent but not delivered, two grey ticks indicate that the message has been delivered, and two blue ticks indicate that the message has been read.

By clicking you may view any status uploaded by friends,

From this button found within a user’s “profile” you are able to mute the chat so messages from certain people won’t disturb you this is especially useful when you participate in an active group chat.

This indicates the end to end encryption between two users keeping the user’s messages private to those involved

By clicking here you will be able to add a status any friends that have you phone number stored and have access to what’s app will be able to view it.

With the option of using parental controls the member can limit viewing permissions for people connected to the members service.

Netflix

Each streaming plan is a different membership option the more expensive the membership the more features you have access to.

Search function where the user is able to search for films/shows/genres/actors ect.

Cast function allows users of the app to cast to another device logged into the account.

Simple graphical tiled design

Simple graphical tiled design for user selection tailoring viewing habits to each user and saving previous locations.

Cost

What’s AppWhat’s app is a free to use application once the user is signed up with there mobile phone that doesn’t use adverts to generate revenue or paid services the main focus of this application appears to be to grow it’s user base.

NetflixNetflix app is part of the member subscription service that works on a moth to month basis once you sign up to the membership plan you will be able to access the content available on the application

Netflix offers three membership options

£5.99 per month for 1 screen and Standard definition

£7.99 per month for 2 screens and High definition

£9.99 per month for 4 screens and Ultra-high definition

Operating system and programming language

On the android operating system the applications are coded in JAVA, it is possible to create the applications using C and C++ however Google don’t recommend it and as such JAVA is the most commonly used.

On the apples IOS however the applications are coded in Objective-C.

With he likes of the netflix application however most will be carried out by server side processing as the app is just a middle man displaying your options from the server.

Link

What’s Apphttps://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.whatsapp

Netflixhttps://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.netflix.mediaclient

Plug ins for app

What’s AppWhat’s App requires the user to sign up with there mobile phone number without doing this the person who wishes to use this application will be unable to do so as its used to verify the user’s identity and prevent bots.

NetflixNetflix app will require access to membership data obtained from the netflix servers, so it will require internet access to access its content unless that content has already been downloaded onto your device.

Review of the app

What’s App

What’s App is an extremely effective free to use mobile communication application that can be used for private chat as it has been encrypted end to end, what’s app utilises the internet connectivity of mobile devices to provide a low-cost solution to global communication. With What’s App users can send and receive instant messages and multimedia messages in replacement of text messages and MMS over Wi-Fi and data avoiding expensive phone charges, users are also able to use What’s App to make and receive voice and video calls over VOIP, avoiding extra chargers.

However, as an application it has plenty of potential to generate revenue from adverts displayed, a membership charge or an initial payment for downloading of the application etc. however at the current time the developers of this application don’t use any of these methods.

Netflix

Netflix application is only a portal to the service, providing ease of access. If the user didn’t have the application, they will still be able to use the netflix service for streaming but would be unable to use the download and watch later feature that the application has embedded. With the application it also provides a mobile friendly interface in an aesthetically pleasing manner.

Strengths and Weakness’s

What’s AppStrengths Weakness’sSimple and user friendly from the start makes it a very intuitive application

All users are required to have a smartphone

End to end encryption- keeps users messages private between users authorised to view them.

End to end encryption – prevents authorities to view evidence during investigations

Free to use – allows for a wider user base Users are required to have internet accessNo adverts annoying users whilst using the application

Users are required to share their phone number with others in order to communicate via What’s App

Netflix

Strengths Weakness’sUnlimited streaming of content with an active subscription

Can be used by unlimited devices reducing profitability

First month free – with a 30-day rolling service not tying users into a contract

Require large amount of data if not using wi-fi

Simple graphical layout providing an intuitive functionality

Shared login if you have multiple users on your membership all users are required to use the same email and password credentials

Able to set parental controls restricting viewing request by underage users

If downloading files to view offline requires a large amount of storage on the device