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The hottest trends in computing right now are cloud applications for mobile devices. As these two trends continue to merge, old technologies like desktop computers are becoming unnecessary. Mobile computing through smartphones and tablets utilizing the power of the cloud could create a new business structure that no longer revolves around a single workstation in a specific office. Workers can take their data and information anywhere and store it on the company's servers through any wireless connection.

Mobile Apps Cut to the Content

One of the emerging benefits of using mobile apps is the requirement that they consume less bandwidth. To meet this goal, programmers strip the apps down to the core content. Rather than resulting in less functionality, the change creates a welcome minimalism. Users like the absence of useless content that once cluttered the screen.

Mobile apps are simple and easy to navigate. The challenge of reducing software to the smallest possible configuration has made it possible to identify the most important elements of the software and eliminate redundancy. Streamlining software makes it easier to use and more powerful in the long run.

Less Expensive Hardware

Companies that invest in mobile devices rather than desktop or laptop computers can save thousands, if not millions, on hardware investments. Since mobile devices rely on wireless connections rather than wired networks, they do not need as much infrastructure to operate effectively. Because operations run in the cloud, the necessity to support all that hardware and data with their own systems vanishes. The cost comes down to paying a company to manage data, or simply running servers.

Mobile Cloud Apps are Cheaper for Vendors

Vendors are beginning to appreciate the inexpensive nature of distributing mobile cloud apps to consumers. They need only upload the app to a cloud server. Users do the rest. There is no longer a need to package or distribute software to individual users because each user can access the software directly through the cloud. Keeping the vending costs down helps keep the cost of the software down, which is good for everyone. Hundreds of users can access apps for the same vending cost and effort of supplying that software to one individual user.

Cross-Platform Compatibility is Key

In order for mobile apps and cloud computing to continue working together, the apps need to be available for all of the mobile platforms in use today. Users need to download apps for their iPhones, iPads, Androids and Blackberries for the cloud-computing trend to remain viable. By designing browser-based applications software developers can let the browser companies make their programs usable across platforms, making them work for everyone. As tablet technology continues to grow and change, the cloud grows with it.

Jessica Bosari writes about technology for Technology-Colleges.info. The site helps students find the right technology colleges for their career aspirations.