Technology Reseller - v18 2019

37 MObILE PHONES technolog y reseller.co.uk With the launch of the Royole FlexPai, Samsung Galaxy Fold and Huawei Mate X and rumours of similar devices from Apple, LG and Motorola, many app owners are becoming anxious about how foldable devices will impact their apps and websites. What seems clear is that usage patterns are likely to change as users and app owners find new ways to take advantage of the many advances offered by foldable smartphones that marry larger screen sizes with a smaller, more convenient form factor. These include: 1 Improved productivity. The extra screen space will enable users to be more productive and use their devices more efficiently. 2 Multiple Screens. This could allow apps to segment and highlight key pieces of app information, such as notifications and live data, across the user interface (UI). 3 Multitasking. The additional screen space and ability for multiple apps to be used simultaneously could be perfect for ‘second screen’ apps, such as live voting on the X-Factor or Tweeting about the latest celeb gossip whilst reading news feeds. 4 Larger Keyboards. These will provide more space for the app UI and allow users to enter data more easily. 5 Desktop/Laptop Quality Apps. With devices’ greater capabilities, users will drive demand for more feature-packed apps. Could this mean the end of computers at home? Be prepared In preparation for the emergence of this new category of device, app owners and app developers will need to monitor developments closely over the coming months, paying particular attention to the following areas: Hardware Announcements. It will be important to track the variety of devices coming to market and the different opportunities they present; Platform Announcements. App owners are unlikely to invest in novel interfaces until support is provided directly by the operating system, which Google has already done for Samsung; Device Specific. Each foldable device is likely to be different (based upon patents) and their uptake will determine which features are worth supporting from an app perspective. App owners will need to evaluate the options and balance the ROI on a device-by-device basis; and Responsive Design. Smartphones/tablets come in a wide variety of sizes, resolutions and aspect ratios, and best practice has been to design app interfaces to resize to scale to each device’s screen. Continuing to do this will give an app the best opportunity of adapting to any unknowns on the horizon. Likely timescales The imminent launches of the Galaxy Fold and Huawei Mate X give a good indication of likely timescales. What we know already is that while both Apple and Google generally only release major updates to iOS and Android in Q3, making it unlikely that there will be large-scale adoption before then, device manufacturers could develop bespoke Software Development Kits (SDKs) to allow app owners to harness device-specific hardware features well before they are adopted by the operating systems. Samsung, for example, first announced what was then called Galaxy X at a technical event, solely to drive adoption by app developers. Because most platforms already support flexible screen sizes, device support may be possible from the outset, making it essential for app owners to begin their preparations immediately. They should start by reaching out to their developers or specialist app agencies that are best placed to offer guidance on how to prepare their apps and websites and how to tailor them to take full advantage of this technological evolution. The bigger picture Anthony Main argues that app owners should start preparing for the likely impact of foldable smartphones on apps and websites Anthony Main is Managing Director of The Distance, a UK-based app development company. The Distance delivers intuitive mobile solutions for iOS and Android for a range of customers, from disruptive start-ups to global enterprises, including NHS, Bentley Motors, Virgin Trains, PGA Golf, Slimming World and Astra Zeneca. https://thedistance.co.uk Anthony Main Premium prices The higher manufacturing costs of flexible screens will result in smartphones retailing at premium prices (as reflected in the retail price of the Mate X and Samsung Fold). While this is in part the result of the prices commanded by other technological innovations, not least 5G modems, the flexible screen presents a significant manufacturing cost to vendors. This will inhibit mass adoption at launch, and it is likely that only enthusiastic early adopters with deep pockets will purchase flexible phones in 2019. As flexible screen technology becomes more ubiquitous, competitive pressures will drive prices down. Beyond the screen, other components have needed to be made compatible with a flexible form factor, most notably the battery. Although not as problematic for foldable devices, once phones begin to migrate towards a roll-able design, the battery will be the biggest challenge. Highly flexible lithium-ion battery technology is being developed by a wide range of companies, from start-ups to multi-nationals, though many are currently focused on smaller, less power-hungry devices, such as wearables. Other key component considerations are SoC (system on chip), the camera module, memory and storage, all of which need to be capable of inclusion in a flexible device as we continue to move down this flexible pathway. www.futuresource-consulting.com