The introduction of smartphones has transformed the way customers consume data. While many smartphone platforms offer a wide variety of embedded and downloadable applications, these have not necessarily been designed with data traffic and energy consumption in mind. This further contributes to the rapid rise in mobile data traffic, which has surprised many mobile network operators.

To address this issue, the GSMA last year launched the “Smarter Applications for Smarter Phones Guidelines”, which provided developers with information about creating better mobile applications and were updated regularly.

The GSMA is now offering developers even more dynamic, up-to-the-minute content with the launch of the Smarter Apps Guidelines website. The new website contains useful information and specific guidelines for developers working on native mobile platforms including iOS, Android and Windows Phone, with a section for mobile Web platforms such as Firefox and Tizen. It also allows developers to log in, provide comments on each section of the guidelines and submit blog posts.

The guidelines in this new website continue to provide best practice advice for developers creating mobile apps leveraging mobile network resources, with particular emphasis on battery life impact, mobile network capabilities and bandwidth awareness. The content is available free of charge to all, and by logging into the site, registered users are able to comment and contribute to each topic covered.

The website is supported by key partners including AQuA, KT, SKT, Smart and Vision Mobile with Intel as the first official sponsor. Sponsors are also welcome to provide their own specific content on the website in line with the existing core content available.

The website will continue to evolve in the coming months and will include all the latest content updates.

Check out the website here.