Mobile Cloud Computing:
Is It Right For Your App?

Deciding to build an app is just the first step of many in an app development journey. Choosing the right app type to fit your concept is one of the most meaningful decisions you’ll have to make.

We’ve developed apps of all kinds, from web apps to native mobile apps to desktop apps and more.

A mobile cloud app is just one of many possible approaches. It gives you incredible flexibility and scalability, but as with all app types, it comes with limitations as well.

In this blog post, we’ll explore the definition of cloud computing and mobile cloud computing, discuss some of their applications, and take a look at some of the benefits you can expect to experience when using them to build your app.

Let’s dive right in.

Table of Contents

What is cloud computing?

Cloud computing is a term that is used to describe the delivery of computing services – including servers, storage, databases, networking, software, analytics and intelligence – over the Internet (“the cloud”) to offer faster innovation, flexible resources and economies of scale.

There are three primary models for cloud computing: public, private and hybrid. Public clouds are owned and operated by third-party service providers, which deliver their services over the Internet. Private clouds are owned and operated by a single enterprise, which delivers its services internally. Hybrid clouds combine elements of both public and private clouds, giving organizations the ability to use the best of both worlds.

What is mobile computing?

Mobile computing is a term that is used to describe the ability to access information and applications from anywhere, at any time, using any device. It’s a technology that allows data, voice, and video to be sent using mobile hardware and software.

What is mobile cloud computing?

Mobile cloud computing (MCC) is a type of cloud computing that delivers services and applications to mobile devices over the Internet. MCC has emerged as a result of the growing popularity of mobile devices and the increasing demand for mobile apps.

What’s the difference between cloud computing and mobile cloud computing?

Mobile cloud computing is a type of cloud computing that is designed for mobile devices, such as smartphones and tablets. Mobile cloud computing merges mobile computing and cloud computing technology to allow mobile users to access data and applications from anywhere, at any time.

Mobile cloud computing technology is a cutting-edge innovation that enables developers to create and execute high-quality applications on portable devices regardless of the operating system, storage capacity, or computational demands.

End-users and application developers benefit from the improved performance and adaptability of mobile cloud computing. It mixes mobile app development with cloud-based services, allowing developers to deliver cloud services and applications to their customers via smartphones.

The applications run in remote data centers where relevant data is kept. This allows cloud-based mobile apps to perform based more on the capabilities of the cloud servers than the device itself. The improved performance is the result of faster data processing and data storage that is less dependent on the device’s processor.

Mobile cloud apps vs. native apps

Native apps are designed to run on a specific platform, such as iOS, Android or Windows. They are written in the native programming language of the platform and use the platform’s APIs.

Mobile cloud apps, on the other hand, are not tied to any specific platform. They are written in HTML5, CSS and JavaScript and can be deployed to any platform.

The main advantage of mobile cloud apps is that they can be deployed to any platform, which makes them much easier and cheaper to develop than native apps. Mobile cloud apps also have the advantage of being able to scale quickly and easily, as they are not limited by the number of devices that can be supported by a given platform.

What are the advantages of mobile cloud computing?

There are many advantages of MCC, including:

Increased storage capacity

Mobile devices have limited storage capacity, so MCC allows mobile users to store their data in the cloud and access it from any device with an Internet connection.

Improved application performance

By storing applications in the cloud, mobile users can experience improved performance because they are not limited by the processing power and memory of their device.

Location independence

MCC allows mobile users to access their data and applications from any location with an Internet connection.

Increased security

MCC can provide increased security for mobile users because data is stored in the cloud, away from the reach of potential hackers.

Mobile cloud computing examples and applications

There are a number of different mobile cloud applications and services that are available to mobile users. Below, we discuss some of the most popular applications of MCC as well as mobile cloud apps that utilize these functions.

Cloud file and data storage

Cloud storage services, such as Dropbox and Google Drive, allow users to store their files in the cloud and access them from any device with an Internet connection.

Cloud-based productivity apps

Cloud-based productivity apps, such as Google Docs and Microsoft Office 365, allow users to create and edit documents from any device.

Cloud-based gaming

Cloud-based gaming services, such as OnLive and Gaikai, allow gamers to play games on their mobile device without having to download them.

Cloud-based music

Cloud-based music services, such as Spotify and Apple Music, allow users to stream their favorite music on their mobile device.

As the popularity of mobile devices continues to grow, so does the demand for mobile cloud computing applications and services.

Keys to building mobile cloud apps

If you’re a developer who’s looking to build a mobile cloud app, there are a few things you need to keep in mind.

1. Design for the cloud

When you’re designing your app, keep in mind that it will be running in the cloud, not on the device. This means that you need to design your app to take advantage of the cloud’s processing power and storage capacity.

2. Optimize for performance

Performance is key when it comes to mobile apps. Make sure your app is optimized for performance by using a cloud-based framework that is designed for mobile devices.

3. Use the right tools

There are a number of different tools and technologies that you can use to build your mobile cloud app. Choose the right tools for your project, and make sure they are compatible with the cloud-based platform you’re using.

4. Test your app

Before you launch your app, make sure to test it thoroughly. This will help ensure that your app is stable and performant when it goes live.

Mobile cloud computing providers

Most cloud technology providers now offer mobile cloud service. Platform as a service providers such as Amazon Web Services (AWS), Google Cloud Platform, and Azure all offer mobile cloud services. These providers offer a variety of features and services that can be used to build mobile apps, such as:

• SDKs and APIs for building mobile apps
• Mobile app development tools
• Mobile backend services
• Push notification services
• Analytics and reporting tools

Backendless provides all of these services as well, along with a robust Codeless application development framework that can build used to build apps visually, with or without writing code.

Mobile cloud computing challenges

While mobile cloud computing offers many advantages, there are also some challenges that need to be addressed. Some of the most common challenges with MCC include:

Security

One of the biggest concerns with mobile devices is security. When data is stored in the cloud, it may be more vulnerable to attack.

Privacy

Another concern with MCC is privacy. Data stored in the cloud can be more difficult to keep private.

Reliability

One of the challenges with MCC is reliability. Mobile devices are often not as reliable as desktop computers, so it is important to make sure that data is backed up in case of a device failure.

Battery life

Another challenge with MCC is battery life. Mobile devices rely on a battery unlike desktop computers, so it is important to make sure that data is managed in a way that doesn’t drain the battery too quickly.

How to overcome mobile cloud computing challenges

There are a few things you can do to overcome the challenges of MCC:

1. Use a trusted cloud provider

When you’re looking for a cloud provider, make sure to choose one that is reputable and has a good track record.

2. Use security features

Most cloud providers offer security features, such as encryption, that can help protect your data. Make sure to use these features to keep your data safe.

3. Use backup features

Many cloud providers offer backup features, such as disaster recovery, that can help ensure your data is always available. Make sure to use these features to keep your data safe.

4. Use battery-saving features

Some cloud providers offer features that can help save battery life, such as energy-efficient storage. Make sure to use these features to keep your data safe.

Closing

As we’ve discussed, mobile cloud apps have some tremendously benefits but also carry some risks.

Every app project is different. Finding the right approach for building your app, be it mobile cloud, native, web, or otherwise, is the first step to getting the most out of your application.

Do you think a mobile cloud application is right for your project? Let us know in the comments below.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does mobile cloud computing have anything to do with edge computing?

Yes, mobile cloud computing is a type of edge computing. Edge computing is a type of computing that delivers services and applications at the edge of the network.

What are some common use cases for mobile cloud computing?

Some common use cases for MCC include cloud storage, cloud-based productivity apps, cloud-based gaming, and cloud-based music.

What are some of the challenges with mobile cloud computing?

Some of the challenges with MCC include security, privacy, and reliability.