In a relatively short period of time, mobile phones went from being obscure technology to industry disrupters that have transformed the way people live, work, and communicate. Dealing with the rapid changes in mobile development can be a challenge. With some forethought and persistence, developers can stay abreast of these changes and maybe even create the next big thing in technology.
Develop a cache of news sources. The first thing you should do is find reliable sources of information about mobile development. Ideally, these sources should report on industry trends, discuss the impact of changes, and talk about how the technology is being used in the field. Tech blogs, digital magazines, and industry experts who focus on the mobile industry are all good resources for information about mobile development.
Invest in continuing education. The constant changes in technology can easily cause a person's existing skill set to become obsolete within a few years. Investing in continuing education will produce two primary benefits. First, it will provide some defense against skill degradation and antiquation by increasing your knowledge and improving your proficiency. Second, the courses and seminars are usually taught by industry experts who make it their business to track trends, and these people often share their findings with their students. This can help you stay tuned into changes that are relevant to your role in the industry.
Adopt relevant technologies. Even though it seems a new mobile development tool is being rolled out almost every week, that doesn't mean you need to run out and get it. What you should do, however, is consider your or your business's needs and adopt the tools and technology most relevant to them. For example, if your company has people who work remotely, using cloud applications like DropBox can improve communication and ensure everyone is walking in the right direction. Conversely, if you only work on Android apps, there is really no need to get a development kit for Apple products.
Anticipate future developments. Despite what psychics may have you believe, it's not possible to predict the future. It is possible, though, to analyze trends and make an educated guess about upcoming developments in the mobile industry. Many experts predicted the rise of tablets, for instance, because mobile technology was becoming more powerful and the consumption of digital products like eBooks was increasing. Make a habit of taking some down time to consider where mobile development and the technology industry as a whole is headed. This can help you better prepare for industry changes when they occur.
Keeping up with the speed of mobile development may mean an increase in workload for many developers. Implementing some of these suggestions, however, will make you and your company better equipped to take advantage of opportunities when they arise.
(Photo courtesy of freedigitalphotos.net)
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