Journey of Android Developer in last two Years

Posted on January 25, 2019December 2, 2023 by Krunal Vyas

When a mobile app developer starts off as working in Android development, he/she may undergo various new problems. These problems turn as great lessons for him/her in future. Some developers might realize that it is their best decision to be involved in Android development, while some may regret. It has been seen that those who consider it to be the best decision are actually the happy, satisfied, and learning ones. While those regretting, may possibly quit the job or are just working for the sake of working.

There are many mobile app developers who have shared their experience over the Internet. They have discussed the problems they underwent, what they learnt from the problems, how did they figured out the solutions, and also have shared some suggestions and recommendations for the upcoming developers. This will help the upcoming developers to speed up and also not to make the same mistakes which earlier developers have made.

Some of the best thoughts that the developers have shared after working for two years as an Android mobile app developer includes the following:

Check out some Android libraries

The developers might get stuck or encounter some problem while developing the app. It will just waste the time of the developer if he/she wants to solve the problem by himself/herself. Instead, he/she may look out for some Android libraries which can provide them with the solution easily for the problem they encountered. After all, it’s very rare that the problem he/she encountered may have not risen and troubled the earlier developers. The best possible source of going through all Android libraries is Android Arsenal.

Choose and use Libraries Wisely

Github provides a database of open-source libraries for free for the Android mobile app developers. But, again, the decision is up to the developer, which library or libraries he/she should go with. This decision, as the early developers have stated, should depend on the ratings and reviews a particular library holds. Also, the developer should check out the information about the author of that particular library. He/she should further check the issues which can give a better idea to him/her about the robustness of the library. It is important to ensure that the code provided in the library is reliable, of high-quality and most importantly, bug-free.

Read codes given by earlier developers

The best developers spend most of their time in reading the codes of other developers than writing the codes themselves. The reason behind this is that until something is read, a new thing cannot be formed. To improve the quality of the code in the development process, it is necessary to learn and read the codes of other developers. Since Android is open-source platform, the developer can easily learn the code by implementing the framework. As stated above, Github has a wide range of Android libraries, so the developer can check the code from the library and how that code was implemented by the developer who framed it.

Read also : Android handily beats the iPhone?

Maintain coding standards

The developer should write codes in a precise, clean and readable form. This will not only help him/her but also the other team members to understand it easily. The code written should look like a story.

Use ProGuard

Today, there are more hackers than developers. So, before releasing the developed app on Google PlayStore, make use of ProGuard. ProGuard helps to encrypt the code in such a way that becomes difficult for other developers or hackers to understand or replicate it. ProGuard is available free of cost because it comes as a part of Android SDK. Using ProGuard is easy and creates a good amount of security for the developed app.

Choose Architecture properly

Most Android developers make use of MVP architecture. MVP stands for Model-View-Presenter. MVP architecture helps to decouple the framed code into multiple layers which can be easily managed. This improves the flexibility of the framed code as well as helps to reduce the maintenance time. MVP provides a good demo for the project.

Interactive User Interface

User Interface is considered to be bad if the developer needs to explain all the features and its interoperability. A mobile app developer should concentrate on making UI interactive. He/she should think from the perspective of the user while developing and designing the app. If UI is not good, it can result into a good app turning failure while if UI is good, it can result into a not-so-much good app turn into success. The developer should concentrate on creating a good, simple, clean and beautiful user interface. A good user interface ensures customer loyalty.

Analytics are to be relied upon

To develop a really good app, the developer needs to rely on different analytics tools. These tools help to analyze the overall performance of the app including the track of usage of various parts of the app. Thus, analytics can help in crash reporting as well as tracking of app usage. Crash reporting tools help to find the faults in the code and fix them. Also, the analytics tools will help to bridge the gaps between the perspective of the developer and perspective of the user.

Creator of Excellent Marketing

For the app developer, his/her task is not complete until he/she indulges in marketing of the app too. A developer needs to be marketing Ninja. After developing a good app, no developer would want to fail just because of not good marketing. In order to gain a large audience for the app, it is necessary for the developer to invest proper time and effort in marketing. To do all this, the developer needs to be aware of the strength and weakness of the competitors.

Time for optimizing the app

Writing a code is easy but writing an optimized code is difficult. So, the mobile app developer needs to utilize his/her time on writing optimized code. The optimized code refers to the code that runs quickly, uses less memory and occupies relatively less data storage. If the app is unoptimized, it will not be able to work in worse conditions.

Repeat test cycle

Testing is important phase after developing the app. Testing should be repeated over and over again. Thus, various test cases need to be formed and test cycles repeated. The developer needs to develop various severe situations and check how the app reacts in those situations. If there’s any fault, fix it, and again repeat the tests. It is necessary to spend much time testing so that the ultimate user can get best out of it.

Avoid Android fragmentation

One of the biggest challenges that an Android developer faces is fragmentation. There are variety of devices which run on Android platform. These devices have different screen size and hardware specifications. There are various device manufacturers who are trying their best to customize Android OS according to the customers. Thus, it is necessary for the developer to use SharedPreferences API, and spend a greater amount of time in creating different layouts which can be customized with different devices.

Create difficulty for hackers

Since Android is open-source platform, it is more vulnerable to different attacks. All the apps for Android OS can be decompiled, ripped, reverse-engineered and manipulated easily. The developer needs to be aware of securely storing API keys in the app. If the app deals with any sensitive data of the customer, it is necessary for the developer to encrypt all the data. A developer needs to put the right encryption algorithm and also prevent the backup of the app data. Since nothing can be fully secured, the developer just can make things difficult for the hacker to crack the app data.

Develop on low-end device

Though high-end devices are preferred, but for development purpose, the best option is low-end devices. A high-end device can have many flaws while the developer develops the app. But a low-end, old device full of apps can be the ideal one for mobile app developer.

Learn design patterns

It is wise to learn different design patterns. When a developer is in the process of developing complex apps, there will be some common problems which he/she might face and which earlier developers might have also faced. Thus, the solutions to the problem lies in design patterns. The developer can learn different design patterns from Github. The most famous design patterns are of Java Design Patterns.Some other important design patterns include Callback, Adapter, Singleton, Strategy, Iterator, Builder, Factory method and Event Driven Architecture.

Time for giving back

Since all the free libraries from Github are accessible to all developers, it is much evident that some of the earlier developers have made time to build these libraries for the upcoming developers. There are various websites where the developers share their problems and get the solutions. This interaction and helpfulness are the reasons which contribute to the success of the Android community.

BUILDING A GPS TRACKING APP EFFICIENTLY

Posted on January 9, 2019December 5, 2023 by Krunal Vyas

The basic aim of developing a on demand app is to track the real-time location of a person. But this tracking information as well as functionalities of various apps can be transformed and used in many ways across various industries. Some instances of using this app include following:

GPS location tracking can be used to streamline the fleet management operations. The users of the location tracking apps can offer the drivers with the mapping as well as routing functionalities. Through the GPS tracking app, the user can produce reports along with forwarding warnings, in case of any emergency. In these situations, a GPS location tracking app abolishes the need of buying any handheld electronics supporting GPS.
GPS tracking, when combined with the time tracking, can help to determine the efficiency as well as performance of employees. In addition to this, the GPS tracking app developer can integrate the automatic reporting with payment, but this depends on extra time the developer has. Thus, this app can stand as an efficient as well as robust management tool.
The developer can develop a GPS location app for outdoor as well as athletes so that the users can plan their day routes efficiently and get details of the distance they covered.

Factors affecting GPS tracking app development

The actions of the users as well as their frequency of re-evaluations are conducted with respect to the change in position or location of the user
Keep a record of location for references.
Cell-ID, Wi-Fi, Network data, along with GPS can help to provide the data on the location of the users. But it depends on the choices and can be difficult at times because all of them have differences in speed, exactitude, as well as battery efficiency.

These last two factors can lead to unfolding prevalence of the assisted GPS app. This app uses both functions of GPS as well as network data so that the information about the location can be obtained. Google Maps along with other map-related apps utilizes this style as well as recommend the user to connect their device to network data for getting an enhanced location positioning.

Real also : Build Own Real Time GPS Tracking Apps with Integrated Google Maps

If the customers of GPS apps happen to be iOS users, then the developer needs to compare Core Location Framework with the related APIs. It will help the developer to identify the status of the app’s user along with his/her direction, design, as well as plan the delivery of place as well as manage events, creating the geofence if there is any such requirement making sure that the app works well with iBeacons.

Developing a GPS application for Android users

There are two different approaches for receiving the information about the location of the user. These approaches are well compatible with Android platform.

Utilizing Google Play services location APIs
Utilizing Android framework location APIs

If GPS tracking app has to be developed, the developer needs to remember some points which require a special attention:

Optimum application performance. There are applications that can greatly heat the smartphone while operating. The reason is sometimes hidden in non-optimal algorithms for processing data collected from sensors or the lack of methods for caching and filtering information. That’s why it’s so important to hire development experts who really know how to create a GPS location app at a high professional level.
Interface design. The geolocation app of any format will display a large amount of information at different zoom levels. The designers should conduct several iterations of Usability testing in order to make sure that the GPS tracking app development leads to the desired result.
Quality assurance. Emulation of the location is not always able to find weaknesses and possible errors in mobile services. Therefore, QA engineers have to conduct many test scenarios in real operating conditions.

In fact, GPS apps are counted in those providing geolocation services and whose functions solely base on the location data of the user.

GPS Apps having notifications in certain locations

Such apps are very effective for planning loyalty programs in different companies. For instance, a geolocation service can provide the users an opportunity to gain points when they visit certain locations. And then later these earned points can be used to avail some discount or some gift coupons.

So, if a person has a chain of shops, restaurants, pharmacies, and wants to do promotion of one of those outlets, he/she should opt for the GPS tracking app development.

GPS Apps for finding various places and availing various services

Few examples of the apps which need geolocation service include Zomato and Foursquare. The apps allow the users to go through the various offers of the nearby restaurants. With these apps, it becomes easy for both the owners of the place to dine and for businessmen who need the creation of GPS location app for earning through advertisements, and getting paid exclusive features

Using the geolocation feature for developing GPS tracking apps.

1. Transport services

There is an ongoing competition between transport companies. This competition is increasing with the increase in time. That’s why a developer should search for new opportunities to grow the business as well as lower the costs. Today, one of the emerging opportunities is to develop GPS tracking app for transportation & logistics business.

A GPS-enabled app plays an important role in:

Taxi services. It is because of the geolocation feature in the app that the dispatchers can easily track the location of the taxi. The customer booking a taxi now has a chance to check the number of nearby cars, and the distance of those from his/her location. If any such business which is related to the taxi service, the owner of the business needs to get a GPS app.
Shipping and courier delivery. Because of GPS tracking apps, one can easily and effectively track the cargo transportation, check the delivery of goods, and track location as well as speed of the vehicles in real-time.

2. Content related to a certain location

Here, it refers to those apps whose content is available only in certain locations. For instance, SnapChat app offers its users the feature of Geo filters which helps in making the snaps supplemented with some specific pattern, specifically, for a certain location. There are many brands which take advantage of it to promote their services. For instance, McDonald’s has an excellent set of Geo filters which the users of Snap Chat can enjoy simultaneously dining in the establishment.

3. Caution about dangerous situations

The developer can create a location app which can help to send notifications to the users about possible dangerous situation near them. This geolocation service collects negative news as well as report the people about their immediate safety measures.

4. Automate tasks

People really love it when some other person performs the boring and monotonous routine actions on their behalf because there are various actions which are associated with certain locations. So, the app with geolocation services is likely to be in great demand, and it will beneficial for the developer to create such apps (that is, GPS tracking app development), because it can turn out to be a good source of profit.

There are some examples of such apps that already exist, like Trigger application. This app helps to send the notifications to the person who is leaving office in evening. The interface of this app is user-friendly with the disadvantage that it is compatible only with Android OS.

5. Recreation as well as entertainment

Thinking about how to build a GPS location apps if you want to provide people with a service that will help them to have a more effective rest. Such an application will tell users what restaurants they should visit nearby, which stores around them are offering discounts right now, where there is a sale, etc. This is a very promising area, believe us.

Arousing Consumer interest in the GPS location app development:

Expanding the boundaries

Earlier, any individual would have to demonstrate to others his/her identity through his/her page in any social network. But this information was of “static” nature. With the introduction of the geolocation feature, it has become a trend of logical as well as improved continuation. Because of this, the user can feel “dynamism”. Now he/she can provide more information about his/her daily routine, lifestyle, and social status.

High involvement of the users in the process of recommendations, assessments, and ranking

Today, almost all the successful businesses use geolocation services to a particular extent while interacting with the customers so that they can help them in generating independent content. Along with this, the users have freedom to create various geolocation marks so as to achieve an exclusive social status or to gain more points. This mechanism is very powerful and growing viral.

Commercial benefits

Any typical customer would appreciate the great advantages of location apps, like an opportunity to get the recommendations, tips, as well as hints from nearby people who have already availed that service. So, a GPS-based app development is expanding its range for influencing the users. Instead of casually informing the user about the nearby happenings, these GPS-based apps are turning out to be a discount searching tool.

Why GPS Tracking Devices Are Getting More Popular Among Parents

Posted on October 14, 2017March 7, 2024 by Krunal Vyas

GPS tracking services has been into existence for quite some time now. The technology has been helping a lot of sectors with its advanced features. For example, GPS tracking technologies help military in their operations, the drivers while they are driving, businesses while managing their fleet, and parents to monitor their children round the clock.

As GPS tracking devices have become quite popular in recent times a large number of parents have started using it to track their children 24*7.

gps-tracking-technology-is-helping-parents-keep-track

In fact, these devices have become quite popular among the parents. One of the first reason as to why GPS tracking devices have become popular among parents is that it is a reliable and easy-to-use technology. Consequently, even the ones who are new to the technology can conveniently use the device.

Secondly, these new age GPS tracking devices are compact ones. Hence, they can be conveniently used along with the children. It can either be put in their pocket or backpack as it is light weight. The best thing is that parents can check the whereabouts of their children just by logging in either through their smart phone or computers.

Always Suggest to Read : Build Own Real Time GPS Tracking Apps with Integrated Google Maps

Moreover, there are numerous additional features in these GPS tracking devices that make them real popular among parents. For example, there are features like Safe Zone that sends alert to the parents through text messages or emails that the child has moved to the pre-determined safe zone. The benefit is that parents get a peace of mind when it comes to the safety of their children. With the help of these advanced features parents right from the comfort of their home get to know if the child has arrived or departed from their school premises or amusement parks, and so on and so forth.

Nevertheless, it is quite normal for parents to worry about the safety of their children. For example, if you are at office and your child is left at the day care you constantly worry about his or her safety. But if you have the GPS tracking device fitted with the child you will have a personal tracking system at your disposal. It will help your child stay away from potential dangers while they are in the safe zone. Another advantage of these devices is that when your children grow up and get a driver’s license even then you will be able to track their whereabouts and ensure their safety.

Why Parents and Children Need GPS Tracking Systems

The GPS Tracker App uses the latest Global Positioning System (GPS) technology to get the precise location of people within your network. Satellites send triangulated positions to the GPS Tracker Apps providing the most accurate location. This process continually updates to provide very accurate, real-time GPS tracking.

Building a Location-based Game or App Like Pokemon

Posted on August 2, 2017December 2, 2023 by Krunal Vyas

Building an App needs something that not many have – perseverance. Of course, we carry out our daily tasks with dedication. But, a game needs deep thinking and that is where we begin.

Apply some foresight

The game needs many things including the Pokemon like characters, the hiding place, some twists and turns in the plot, landscaping for the game, and more. As you think about them, they will grow, and you must put them down on paper so you will not go around in circles. For starters, make the list. Then, segregate the list into important and not important. You will see that this helps you get a better picture of what you are doing and what you have accomplished.

Pick the theme for the game

This is the fun part. You are not making Pokemon, only a Pokemon like game. This means you are doing an interactive geo-based game where you place the object for interaction in some public places. These are activated by the online game alone so they will not disturb anyone else. You might want to make cards for the game, just like you have in Pokemon but you could bring in your own modifications.

Design some roles

This is again fun. You can imagine the role playing you need in your story. It might be about vampires chasing innocent children or about aliens out to kidnap the small ones. Whatever it is, you must make the story run along without a hitch. There must be enough stops and the roles must fit in with the character of the story. You can add more roles for the higher versions of the game.

Or, you can have various levels with increasing difficulty of play. The children can choose the level according to their age. Also, plan some scale in the game. This means you need to have some side-plot that will turn the game into a smaller version of the main game. You could include lines such as the hero wanders off the main street and enters some side street.

Doing the design

You know how to use the Wikitude SDK to place the Pokemons around the user. You then list them in JSON format and you can fetch the creatures from any position. You also have features on the Wikitude SDK JavaScript API that fetches the user location and places videos 2D, and 3D content in geo spaces. These are AR.Geo Objects that have a callback function. You can use user movements, longitude, altitude, and latitude to run the code inside the Wikitude AR-View.

AR.context.onLocationChanged = function(lat, lon, alt, accuracy){

// store user’s location so you have access to it at any time

World.userLocation = {“latitude”: lat, “longitude” : lon, “altitude” : alt };

};

You can check Wikitude if you need more clarification on the codes. The real thing is to have an action plan and make the landscaping to suit the model you have in mind. Give users the option of choosing their own models and changing between them. It makes the game interesting for them but then it is your game.

Many alternatives to design

One of the best alternatives is to use Scratch to make the game and then improvise on it. The other one is to get a RPG Maker XP, download the Pokemon Essentials, and read the tutorials there. Then, you can make the game based on Pokemon.

Make realistic estimates for the game. You cannot just arrange a couple of objects and then hope to clinch the deal. It takes extensive planning and more often than not, you will be tempted to throw in the towel and start something else. This is because you have not thought the matter through entirely from all perspectives. Remember, planning is vital and only that will carry you through to the end. Wishing you luck on your journey.

Build Own Real Time GPS Tracking Apps with Integrated Google Maps

Posted on July 31, 2017December 2, 2023 by Krunal Vyas

GPS tracker serves many useful functions including keeping an eye on the kids, checking the distance to the nearest petrol outlet, and of course, using it with Google Maps. Integrating the GPS tracking with the Google Maps helps us see where we are heading in our automobile or which we should head in case we know the name of the place.

Cheap and simple

Building a GPS tracking app is fun and simple. Integrating it with the Google Maps can be done. First, there is no cost involved for the software since you can get everything you need under Creative Commons. You can purchase all the other components you need for under $200.

Always Suggest To Read : Why GPS Tracking Devices Are Getting More Popular Among Parents

The hardware you need to assemble has three main components. One is the Microcontroller. This unit controls the entire works and is the central controller. You can choose the Arduino Uno which might cost around $35. The second thing you need is the GSM/GPRS module. This helps you connect to the internet through the GGSN. It gets its input from the GSM Base Station and this helps you coordinate the working.

Relaying the signal

You use your Real Time GPS Tracker to connect to the GSM Base Station. The GPS tracker gets its input from the GPS Satellite. The GPS chip outputs the information on the positioning that goes over the GPRS link to the Gateway GPRS Support Node (GGSN) of the mobile operator. This signal is then transferred to a remote server using a TCP connection. The server will store the positional data in a MySQL database.

It gets activated when any user clicks on the page meant for tracking it outputs a HTML page. It uses an opensource web application server called Zope. This page has an embedded JavaScript code. Using the browser, the user can retrieve positional information every second from the MySQL database. Since data is updated every second and the data is retrieved constantly, the GPS tracking effect is achieved.

The third part of the GPS Tracking unit is the GPS module. You can use the USGlobalSat EM-406A for your GPS Module. It is based on the SiRF Star III Chipset. It gives out timing and positioning data along with the SiRF binary protocol. This gives you an accuracy of 10 metres if you do not use WAAS. If you do, it will improve the accuracy to 5 metres. You can buy the GPS unit and a separate interface board and connect both. In all, it will cost about $80.

Assembly of the hardware

The hardware assembly is simple. Solder Arduino stackable headers on the GPS Shield and the GSM shield. Stack the GPS module on top of the GSM board after you solder it to the GPS Shield. Stack the two boards on top of the Arduino board. Now go to hhtp://www.arduino.cc/ and use the directions to compile and load the code onto the Arduino board. They use more libraries – TInyGPS, PString, and NewSoftSerial. Download and install these libraries first.

Please note that The code cell.println (“AT+CGDCONT=1, \”IP\”,\ “isp.cingular\””) ;establishes a PDP (Packet Data Protocol) context with AT&T’s APN (Access Point Name). Suppose you have a different service provider replace the “isp.cingular” with the correct APN. Go to the code in the line: cell.println(“AT+SDATACONF=1,\”TCP \”,\”your_ip_address\”,32000″); Change this to the IP Address for your TCP Server. You need to add more code to send serial commands to the cellular module. You can find it on the Instructables.com website.

Next, you connect the TCP Server. It is coded in Python. This receives the data and stores it in a MySQL database after opening a TCP port. The operation will run comfortably on Python 2 versions but for using with Python 3 versions you need to adjust the code.

Check out some Android libraries

Choose and use Libraries Wisely

Read codes given by earlier developers

Maintain coding standards

Use ProGuard

Choose Architecture properly

Interactive User Interface

Analytics are to be relied upon

Creator of Excellent Marketing

Time for optimizing the app

Repeat test cycle

Avoid Android fragmentation

Create difficulty for hackers

Develop on low-end device

Learn design patterns

Time for giving back

Factors affecting GPS tracking app development

Developing a GPS application for Android users

GPS Apps having notifications in certain locations

GPS Apps for finding various places and availing various services

Using the geolocation feature for developing GPS tracking apps.

1. Transport services

2. Content related to a certain location

3. Caution about dangerous situations

4. Automate tasks

5. Recreation as well as entertainment

Arousing Consumer interest in the GPS location app development:

Expanding the boundaries

High involvement of the users in the process of recommendations, assessments, and ranking

Commercial benefits

Why Parents and Children Need GPS Tracking Systems

Apply some foresight

Pick the theme for the game

Design some roles

Doing the design

Many alternatives to design

Cheap and simple

Relaying the signal

Assembly of the hardware

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