Cloud computing exists when tasks and data are stored on the internet instead on one device, providing on-demand capability. Data is provided and administered by a service provider. Programs are started on a remote server and then sent to the user. Although cloud style computing has seen widespread use in PC and Mac development, its viability is limited in mobile application development. But, analysts guess that up to 20 times the current amount of mobile cloud based programs in 2014 when compared to 2009. Let’s examine how mobile cloud computing will change mobile applications.

Mobile cloud computing can give mobile device users a number of advantages. Company users are able to share resources and applications without a high level of capital expenditure on hardware and software resources. Due to the nature of cloud applications, users will not have to have highly technical hardware to run applications since complex computing operations will be powered by the cloud. This reduces the price of mobile computing for the client. End users will see a plethora of new features enhancing their phones due to mobile cloud computing. A few examples of such applications have already begun to emerge like applications that give users the ability to monitor home security devices and others which make the creation of location based social networks possible.

Manufacturers can also greatly benefit from mobile cloud computing. The most significant advantage to cloud computing for programmers is that it means they can have access to a larger market. Since cloud computing applications run through a browser, the end user’s mobile operating system does not have any bearing on the program, which means that any program will be useable with any app that has a suitable browser. Because of the advanced improvement in mobile browsers influenced by Apple and Google over the previous few years, nearly every mobile can have a suitable browser. This means developers will have a much wider market, means they can bypass the restrictions placed by mobile operating systems.

Along with a bigger market, cloud computing offers programmers the chance to make programs that cost less, and keep a larger share of the profits. As developers only have to make one build of the application and still have access to all mobile device users, their development costs will be reduced in comparison to if they needed to develop for every mobile platform individually. Creating cloud applications also allows developers to get passed application shops Apple’s App Store. This means that they won’t have to shell out a percentage of their revenue to the mobile platform manufacturer.

Mobile cloud computing gives new business opportunities for mobile network providers. Several operators such as Orange, Vodafone or Verizon have started to sell cloud computing services for companies. These services give the chance for businesses to outsource their IT infrastructure, forgoing huge monetary investments using high end hardware. These cloud services help businesses to pay resource costs such as data storage and application hosting. The network operators demand subscription fees for these services. Network providers also provide security capabilities for cloud networks, and that shows another unique opportunity available due to cloud computing

A real challenge for cloud computing is the availability of networks and intermittency. A cloud application needs a constant connection that might prove to be an Achilles heel for this new technology. However as mobile network capabilities continue to get better, it is likely that solutions to such a problem will become apparent. Developing programming languages like HTML 5 are already giving a solution by enabling data caching through a mobile device, and this allows a cloud application to continue to work until the connection is restored.

The refining of this new technology looks to be the next big step in mobile application development. Mobile cloud computing provides benefits for each agent within the mobile devices or applications field. It expands the market, reduces the cost of programs, reduce hardware needs and provides new chances for network operators. As mobile web technology reaches levels of useability to PCs and Macs, cloud computing is likely to become a very popular method in developing, distributing and using mobile applications.