How to Create a Mobile App for IoT

If there is anything undisputed that belongs to the 21^st century, it is the advancement in technology. The inventions and innovations, mind-blowing they are, never seem to end and the best part of this is that they have come to stay.

One of these, which has emerged extremely powerful in the tech world, is the Internet of Things (IoT).

Statistics have it that there were 15 billion IoT connected devices as of 2015 but today, there are over 27 billion of these devices in use. With the calculations, the world may be looking at over 76 billion IoT-connected devices by 2025.

When the Internet of Things (IoT) is spoken of today, the interconnected Apple watch and its wearables are not the first call of thought anymore, (well maybe it is for some people) as the Internet of Things now runs in just about everywhere and anywhere: from the agricultural sector to the production sector, healthcare, industries, offices and of course, our homes.

You have a smartphone, you have an IoT there with you! The very ability to switch on and off the music, control the room temperature, tell a location, or access a security alarm in your homes or offices using your devices such as your smart smartphone is the Internet of Things in operation.

What is the Internet of Things (IoT)?

Think of interlinking of several devices without a wire, think of the Internet of Things (IoT).

Internet of Things (IoT) is a network of things in this context, devices that can be accessed and controlled through the Internet with the use of software that is IoT based.

It works as a space(cloud) where it allows IoT gadgets and applications to connect to each other; providing data and utilizing standard IPs.

Basically, data is acquired, transmitted, processed, and stored.

Also, Internet of Things (IoT) programs serve as a network, bridging the chasm between the data network and the device sensor.

These sum up the basic levels that any IoT system consists of:

• Software
• Hardware
• Cloud
• Network

Having said this, let’s delve in a step further.

The Connection Between Mobile App and IoT.

Mobile phones are the best connection between mobile app and the IoT.

Seeing that mobile phones, especially smartphones, are now becoming human best companions and accessories; with a lot of apps and different sensors fully loaded in these smartphones, IoT cannot be the more efficient.

The Internet of Things sector leverages these apps, providing highly flexible data transmission and super remote controls of devices (smartphones). These apps provide the best platforms that can be used to harness all of the benefits of the IoT and with the everyday innovations, it can only get better.

Answering the question of the day, “How can I create an IoT mobile app and how does it work?

Let’s get started.

1. Creating an IoT App

   Just like in any other classic software development, mobile app development for the Internet of Things device goes with the same rules. Similar processes and stages, however, with a few specifics which we would be discussing.

   So how can I create an Internet of Things (IoT) app?

   Here are some steps I believe would be of help:

   • Choose a niche.
   • Choose what to use.
   • Ensure it’s a user’s friendly app.
   • Quality and speed.
   • Maximize security.

2. Choose a niche

   Economists have taught us that in venturing into any business or labor, the questions of what and why should clearly be answered. Thus, in creating an IoT app, the same applies.

   Choosing a niche is a fundamental step to take in building an IoT app, as every other subsequent condition would only follow through from this.

   In choosing a niche, you will be answering what problems the app you intend to create would be solving, why the need for that solution is, and how your app would be providing that solution.

   Remember, that the IoT system cuts across a wide range of sectors from the production sector to the business world, agricultural, medical, transportation amongst many others. Therefore, narrowing your development to a particular sector would be needed.

   Once you can do this, that is, identify what problem there is in a particular sector, developing an app can then truly serve a purpose.

3. Choose what to use

   Here, the technical work has begun. You will agree with me that there are thousand and one raw materials available for use in building just about anything. Same with the IoT system. There are a plethora of options that are opened to you and with different special features.

   Now if you have chosen what sector you would like to niche on, choosing what to use can thus, be streamlined.

   You may want to pick from the developing platforms that are already available, or you may decide to build yours, depending on what suits your project efficiently. Here, you should be on the look for credibility, accuracy, and what works well with your project seeing that there is a variation in cost, effectiveness, and efficiency.

   Some of the IoT platforms that you can work with include:

   • IBM Watson
   • Microsoft Azure IoT
   • Google cloud
   • Amazon Web Services (AWS)
   • SAP
   • Kaa
   • Cisco IoT Cloud Connect
   • Hp Enterprise Universal
   • Zetta
   • Salesforce IoT

4. Ensure it’s a user’s friendly app

   Everyone wants a mobile app that is user’s friendly and not some complicated techy one full of 0s and 1s. So, no matter how techy it gets ensure it can be best understood. By this I mean, convert whatever techy language you may want to use into the common language spoken and understood.

   Also, recall that mobile phones are the best devices that can be used in operating IoT-based apps because they are easily accessible. This, however, does not discard the use of IoT programs on desktops or any other electronic device such as tabs, wearables, and pads.

   So, your IoT app system must therefore be created in such a way that it can be easily accessed by any of these devices without having to create a fuss.

   Your user’s comfort must always be prioritized.

5. Quality and Speed

   In a world where quality thrives, you cannot afford to develop an app which standard is below the acceptable.

   You must ensure that the quality of your IoT app is top-notch. T’s crossed where they ought to, and I’s dotted where they need to.

   Should I be of the speed?

   No one likes to sit at a system whose apps take days to load and with the IoT app in question, a little delay in loading could lead to a whole mess.

   For example, say you are creating an IoT mobile app under the medical sector which pumps oxygen into an incubator at an interval, say per second, and there is a delay in the communication commands, the outcome could of course be fatal.

   Therefore, the quality and speed of your intended IoT app cannot be over-emphasized; it is very much important.

6. Maximize Security

   The Internet of Things (IoT) system is always faced with data security issues.

   From our definition of what IoT is, we said that the Internet of Things is a network of things that can be accessed and controlled through the Internet with the use of software that is IoT-based.

   Meaning that there are a lot of several connections from your homes, offices, industries that are linked to a device and in this case, your smartphones or probably your desktop.

   Because of this, the IoT system is subjected to a whole lot of breaches of data security which is quite alarming.

   So here you come in.

   In creating an IoT application of whatever sector you may have chosen; you must ensure that your security is at its optimum in order to not just satisfy your users but also to protect sensitive information.

   You must take precautions here to ensure that:

   • Hardware vendors are carefully inspected, running through a security specialist.
   • Only well-known and proven IoT platforms are used.
   • Security practices such as verification and encryption are adhered to.

   It’s your user’s interest and that must at all times be protected irrespective of the rise in cyber-attacks.

Final Thought

So, whether it’s the medical sector or agricultural sector you may want to niche, joining the number of developers in creating an IoT app could be the one step to walking into the hall of fame.

With the surge in the IoT industry, creating an IoT app would not be a Herculean task of which one may doubt its productivity.

Taking these steps mentioned above, you can walk that walk of fame.