Streamlining User Experience: The Importance of Fast Streaming and App Launch Time

In today's digital age, users have a low tolerance for slow loading times and poor user experiences. In fact, studies have shown that users are likely to abandon an app or a website if it takes more than a few seconds to load. This is why streaming and app launch time matter so much for user experience.

What is Streaming?

Streaming refers to the delivery of media content, such as videos or music, over the internet. When it comes to streaming, the speed and quality of the internet connection are critical factors in the user experience. If the connection is slow or unstable, the streaming experience can be frustrating for the user, resulting in buffering or even complete interruption of the content.

App Launch Time

Similarly, app launch time is a critical factor in user experience. App launch time refers to the amount of time it takes for an app to open and be ready for use. A long app launch time can make users feel frustrated and impatient, leading to a poor user experience.

Consequences of Poor Performance

When an app takes too long to launch, users may assume that the app is not working correctly, and they may be tempted to close the app and look for an alternative. This is particularly true for users who are on the go and have limited time to wait for an app to load.

Strategies for Improvement

To improve the streaming and app launch time for users, developers can implement several strategies. For example, developers can optimize the app's code, reduce the app's size, and minimize the app's resource usage. Developers can also use a content delivery network (CDN) to improve streaming performance by reducing latency and ensuring content is delivered quickly and reliably.

Role of Technology

Using the latest technologies and standards can also significantly improve the performance of an app's user interface (UI). For example, for Apple devices, using Swift and SwiftUI can help create faster, smoother, and more responsive UIs. Native development, as opposed to using hybrid frameworks, can also help improve UI performance.

Article written by
Sylvain Corvaisier

Independent streaming and iOS engineer

Last modified: February 23rd, 2025