Feedback and user review analyzing tools: On the use of app store reviews in software industry

App stores offer a platform for users to download and browse, and for developers to launch applications. The use of app stores has risen along with the use of smartphones. App stores can be used for downloading, launching, updating, or browsing apps. Each app also offers a possibility to write a review of the app or give it a rating. Therefore, app stores offer a high number of feedback which can be informative for the developing teams of the applications. The thesis introduces six tools developed for managing and analyzing the feedback provided via app stores. Research focuses on explaining the concept of feedback in software industry, characteristics of app stores and app store reviews, and introducing six different tools. The concepts of feedback, app store reviews, and four of the tools were based on literature, and two of the tools are introduced based on the use of free trials the providers offered. The data proves that there is a need for app store review analyzers in software industry. Even though app store reviews can be generally associated with nonsense information or they may lack context, yet they offer a valuable repository of user feedback. Consumption of applications is rising and therefore, the standards of quality will also do so. User involvement in software development is proven to lead to better understanding of requirements. Therefore, the use of app store reviews in software industry needs to be studied more to help integrating the use of them as a solid part a software development cycle