Users worldwide spend almost 90% of their “phone time” on mobile apps. As a result of the usage increase compared to the last few years, app development is the fastest-growing field in the software industry. Although a developer has several choices, when it comes to native app development, they’re faced with a choice between iOS or Android.
Both platforms are clearly excellent choices to build great seamless apps, but both platforms have as many advantages as disadvantages.
So, any professional developer would have made an informed decision based on a few basic facts about each platform’s pros and cons. 

ANDROID PLATFORM PROS

• Flexible and easily adaptable
  Android’s environment is not very limited, making the process, from development to distribution, very resilient. There are few chances for the app to have hardware compatibility issues since it can virtually run on any Android device.
  Java, a versatile programming language, permits developers to work on any kind of device even though they’re developing an Android App.

• Access to resources
  Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced developer that is seeking some professional answers, Google helps you consult professional materials, get free training, and access a very extensive knowledge base.

• Easy to publish
  Although today it takes more time for the Android platform to reconsider an app before publishing it on Google Play, it is still quite easy and cheap to get in. You just need to make sure that your product doesn’t violate any of the company’s content policies, and it will most likely be approved.

• Easy to expand to other devices
  With Android, you have the opportunity to develop an app that can extend to an entire ecosystem of devices. Your app’s functionalities can be adapted to your user’s car, smartwatch, TV, headset, etc.

ANDROID PLATFORM CONS

• Quality Assurance
  A developer can develop multiple applications at the same time on the Android platform, but this can complicate the quality assurance process. Also, most Android users have stuck for many years with the same old operating system, making it difficult for every simple app to function properly.

• Cost
  Developing on the Android platform requires additional time and quality assurance compared to iOS; therefore, it has increased costs.

• Users spend less
  Most Android users are spending less on apps. They’re prone to use free apps and they make fewer in-app purchases compared to iOS users.

• Security issues
  Being an open source makes Android more vulnerable and increases the chance of cyber attacks and viruses.

iOS PLATFORM PROS

• High performance
  iOS apps are fast, reliable, and easy to use. They perform very well and have very few bugs in the final product.

• Apple Ecosystem
  A secluded platform like iOS might be inconvenient for users when they need to transfer files from one device to another. On the other hand, it offers the developer the chance to build an app for a whole ecosystem and not just for a phone.

• great user experience.
  Thanks to Apple’s detailed instructions on how to create the interface of an iOS app, users can enjoy a user-friendly app.

iOS PLATFORM CONS

• Rigid and not so flexible
  To develop a native iOS app, a developer needs to use the XCode software and he can do it only on Mac.

• Difficult to publish
  Although the reviewing process only takes 2-3 days, many iOS apps get rejected for not being relevant or useful enough.

• Customization
  The detailed guidelines on the app’s interface give several options to customize it and add features in case they are needed.

So?
Which platform is best for developing the best product? To answer this question, you need to carefully evaluate the above arguments and add a few. Start by considering your audience, your budget, and the app’s features.
Overall, both platforms can serve you perfectly to create a great app. All you have to do is to decide which one suits your specific project the most.

Why hire a quality assurance engineer when you can hire more highly experienced developers? Many think that the task of a QA engineer is solely to track bugs in the development process of software. Even though humans are more prone to making mistakes, that is not the only reason every developing team must have a QA engineer in the squad. So, what exactly does a tester do, and why is it such a significant role?

1. They save money
Fixing a bug detected in the preliminary stages of the development process costs much less than fixing it when it’s too late. That is why every company should hire QA engineers at the very beginning stages of a project.

2. They also provide security.
Security is one of the key things that any user or client looks for when using software. If the product goes under testing at all stages, the chances are higher that it will be a reliable product.

3. They ensure the quality of the product.
When a team is working on a project, numerous requirements are clear only to somebody or are spread in documents and chats. The tester makes sure that nothing slips into production and that every unit or system developed meets the overall goal of the product based on the client’s requirements.

The work process of a QA engineer is crucial for the software to fully function, provide a good user experience, and have full compatibility with various operating systems and devices.

4. They ensure customer satisfaction.
The overall success of any project stands on its quality and the customer experience it supplies. That is the number one requirement of every client. But if the developed software has glitches and doesn’t work, the client will lose faith and won’t trust your team anymore. Hiring a professional QA engineer is a prerequisite for every professional company to succeed and deliver a great final product.

5. Improves the process development
When a developer works on a specific feature, all his efforts are concentrated on making it work perfectly. But somehow, the developer might slip the fact that these changes might impact previously developed features. The tester must work in parallel with the developing tea to track changes and fix them in the preliminary stages.

6. They determine the software performance.
QA engineers are the ones that evaluate the product inside-out. They check everything from integration to UI, data, and security and ensure nothing has slipped through the development process. That makes their role particularly important to determine if the product to be released will work well in any condition and meet all the requirements.

Our culture
Honesty! Being faithful to ourselves and others is the thing we value the most. We believe in individuality. We believe that everyone has their own character and should embrace it.
Our team spirit is rooted in trust and respect for one another.
Diversity and inclusion are the things that make us strong. We at AtraX value other perspectives; we respect differences and embrace cooperation and transparency.

Teamwork makes the dream work.
We strive for everyone to be an active team member, believe in their ideas, and share them with others. We aim to build conversations because, through communication, we can all achieve true growth.

All for one and one for all.
We believe organizations like ours should be open, with no closed doors and no bossing around. We welcome new initiatives and always listen to our team members. Everybody is responsible for their time, and there is always space to merge work with fun.

Did someone say party?
We work hard and party hard. The days can be long, and we welcome an after-work get-together. A beer, playing sports, or a team retreat are the moments that bring us closer together and create long-lasting relationships.

Do you feel stuck and want to grow?
If you are getting bored with your current role or simply want to learn something new, you’ve come to the right place.
We always want our team members to grow and continuously evolve. Create your new path with us. We will help you rise to the top.

Do you want to take a bite of the apple?
Your equipment is what will take you to your next level, and we are happy to provide it. Mac or Windows is your choice, and yes, you can take it home.

Never stop learning.
If you feel like learning something new, just tell us. We are more than happy to help you.
We can train you internally and create contacts for you with mentors or professional communities.

Certifications.
As mentioned before, we want you to be the best version of yourself. Do you feel like reaching a new level? We are happy to provide you with the tools to obtain your next certification.

Your personal life.
The concept of work-life balance is crucial now more than ever.
We are happy to discuss your preferred work solution, whether you choose in-office, hybrid, or remote. Talk to us about your needs, and we will find a solution. Just ask our team.

Our offices.
Our brand-new offices are based in the centre of Tirana and offer a stunning panoramic view.

And there’s more…
Coffee, tea, soda drinks, and fruits are all available free of charge. Oh, and did we mention lunch is on us?

Going back to just a couple of years ago, we all remember thinking of remote working as the vanguard future in the innovative industry of software development. That’s right… the future. Then Covid-19 happened, and the world had no other way to keep moving but remotely. We had no option but to make the future happen now… and strangely enough, it worked. Fast-forward today, tech companies, and startups all around the world have already adopted this new practice and are operating with full-scale distributed teams. In just two intensive years we’ve gathered a great amount of experience and we can now easily recognize the obvious benefits of working with remote teams as well as identify the challenges it poses. This experience has shown us that if addressed properly, we can overcome the difficulties and build great outsourced teams.

EDUCATE YOUR CLIENT
You’ve searched for a long time and you’ve finally managed to recruit new promising talents. Hang on a minute. Don’t rush to start working. Take some time to train your clients instead. They should be well aware of the process that waits for the project and how it will work. Make sure they understand that your goals are in line with their business goals and that the team you’ve built is there to build THEIR product.
Also, tell to them everything about the limitations related to working hours and availability, especially if you’re working in different time zones. Better do it earlier than later.

DISTRIBUTE THE TEAM
Finding the best fit for the specific project is great. It’s arranging them into teams, that is tricky! Are groups of 2-3 people too small? Are 9-10 people too much? Should you group them by their nationalities? There are no right or wrong answers, but experience has shown that teams of 5-6 people work best. Communication between them flows easier and each one of them understands better his specific role.

ESTABLISH A COMMUNICATION
Communication is without a doubt the biggest challenge that remote teams have to deal with. Talking at any moment and discussing things face-to-face is difficult when part of the team is in Asia, part in East Europe, and part in Israel. Use specific tools that will help you facilitate the communication. Choose from the beginning a platform that works best for you and your team and stick to it.
Establish core working hours. Since you are probably working in different time zones, you have to set up a minimum of 3-4 hours when all team members are available online. Discuss it with them prior, understand which hours work best for them, and be flexible. The important thing is to find the best solution for everyone.

SET UP CLEAR ROLES
You have to assign a specific role to each team member and clearly define their responsibility. Make sure they’ve understood what is expected of them, they know the tasks they have to complete and how to do them.

INTRODUCE A CLEAR ROADMAP
At the beginning of the project and throughout the process, you should have clear long-term and short-term goals and make sure all team members are aware of them. They should have a clear view of where the project is going. It’s important to set up precise mile-stone and deadlines.

SET UP A MANAGEMENT PROCESS
Dealing with a big project and managing several distributed teams at the same time can be an overwhelming endeavor. There are too many things to do and you should have control over all of them. That is why platforms like Backlog, Wrike, Monday, etc. can be a great tool for project management.

CREATE AND ENCOURAGE COMPANY CULTURE
Working for 8-hours straight inside an office with other colleagues helps create personal connections. Personal connection makes communication and collaboration between teams easier. Communication and human relations stand at the core of every company’s culture.
Even though with remote work building human relationships seems difficult, that doesn’t mean it is impossible. You should constantly organize team buildings, offline meetings, and outdoor activities whenever it is possible, even if not everyone can join.
Create a just culture among the teams and within each team. Make people feel appreciated for what they do. Make them feel safe to step up and share with you any mistake they’ve made. This way you’ll have the chance to fix it immediately instead of doing it much later when the problem is too big to go unnoticed.

In the end, when building distributed teams, you have to TRY, IMPROVE & TRY AGAIN. You have to be willing to improvise when needed and adapt your practice to whatever works best for the team and the project.