Companies that make apps for smartphones are taking advantage of technology by creating a system of applications that mobile users can access practically anywhere. The applications vary by the type of smartphone, as they all try to capture a part of the wide market and adapt to each individual cell phone user. The applications are as unique to the types of phone operating systems as they are to themselves. The best applications keep users intrigued and tantalize users to continually take advantage of what they have to offer.
Companies that Make Apps for Smartphones
Glu Mobile
Glu designs and distributes a variety of games for the Apple iOS, Blackberry, and Java-enabled cell phone markets.Some of their most popular apps include:
- Deer Hunter
- Build-a-Lot
- Age of Empires
- Guitar Hero
- Diner Dash
- Call of Duty
Freeverse
Known for their arcade-style games, Freeverse caters to the Apple crowd providing low-cost games for the iPhone, iPod touch, and iPad.
Some of their most popular apps include:
- Flick Baseball Pro
- Flick Bowling
- Flick Fishing
- NBA Hotshot
- Skee-Ball
- Top Gun 2
EA Mobile
Few companies that make apps for smartphones have been able to cross the platform borders. EA is an exception. They provide games for Blackberry, iOS, Windows Mobile, and Android devices.
Some of their most popular apps include:
- The Sims 3
- Scrabble
- Hard Rock Casino
- SimCity
- Maden NFL
- SimCity Deluxe
Gameloft
Gameloft entered the mobile applications business before "apps" became popular. Dating back to the days of 1.8-inch screens with basic keypads, Gameloft's extensive portfolio spans across multiple platforms, including iOS, Blackberry, Windows Mobile, and Android.
Some of their most popular apps include:
- Real Tennis
- Tom Clancy's Splinter Cell
- Brothers in Arms
- Date or Ditch
- GT Racing
- Uno HD
- Real Soccer HD
DataViz
DataVi is the manufacturer of the popular product line "Documents To Go," which allows mobile users to edit documents on-the-go. Platform support includes Blackberry, iOS, Windows Mobile, PalmOS, and many others.
Namco
Known for its involvement with Pac-Man, Namco offers a variety of retro, arcade, and action games for smartphones. Providing a refreshing blend of old-school Tekken with new age wonders such as Final Fantasy, Namco is quickly becoming one of the oldest companies that make apps for smartphones.
Some of their most popular apps include:
- Flight Control
- Tekken Resolute
- Final Fantasy
- Pac-Man
- Brain Exercise
Playfish
Playfish provides unique simulation, strategy, and puzzle games to keep your mind entertained for hours.
Some of their most popular apps include:
- Hotel City
- Word Challenge
- Pirates Ahoy!
- My Empire
- Geo Challenge
- Pet Society
Digital Chocolate
While you can't eat "digital chocolate," the company knows how to create fun games for Blackberry, Android, and Windows Mobile, in addition to the usual iOS mantra.Some of their most popular apps include:
- California Gold Rush
- New York Rollercoaster
- Penguin Catapult
I-play
I-play develops games for the Internet, computer, and iOS array of devices. Offering over a dozen games, I-play is quickly making a name for itself within the app industry. With the inclusion of Flash 10.1 on Android 2.2 Froyo devices, users should be able to play their online games without fuss.
Some of their most popular apps include:
- Deal or No Deal
- Fast & Furious Adreneline
- Turbo Subs
- Dream Day Wedding
- Women's Murder Club
The Future of Smartphone Apps
The Smartphone app industry is constantly changing as new platforms emerge and others dissipate. Industry analysts predict micropayments, security, business-oriented apps, location-based apps, social media apps, augmented reality apps, and mobile advertising will flood the market in 2011. Furthermore, expect a rise in HTML5-compatible games and online services (web apps), such as video streaming websites.
