Tag: mobile app

Why choose Flutter for mobile app development in 2024?

Posted on by TBRadmin

The mobile app industry has already been on the rise, and it will keep increasing its revenues by 10 times, according to Statista.
That’s wow! App stores are crowded with tools for every human need, be it – a song directory, pet vet app, or a sales store.

In recent years, Flutter and React Native have been the leading frameworks in cross-platform development. Occupying the first position in the diagram, Flutter has started to steadily drive the lead.

Though being the front-runner, Flutter has still challenges to work with. In this article, we will describe the pros and cons of the framework, the difficulties we faced, and the solutions we took.

So, let’s go.

Flutter mobile development fundamentals

The framework architecture of Flutter is designed for a cross-platform development process.

It is implemented by deploying several core components, such as Dart programming language, Flutter engine, design-specific widgets, development tools kit, and foundation library.

Let’s dive into the domain and gain an insight into what Flutter actually is.

The upsides of the Flutter framework

Flutter is an open-source framework released by Google in 2018. It is basically a tool kit, an SDK, for the developer to create applications. It contains libraries, widgets, and the required tools for the work process to flow quickly, smoothly, and efficiently.

The list of the big companies’ apps built by Flutter cross-platform is presented in Flutter Apps in Production and An open list of apps built with Flutter.

Advantages of Flutter

A single code base


Flutter runs the code written in Dart. Dart is an object-oriented programming language launched by Google and picked up to implement Flutter.

Dart allows for a single code base to be reused for every platform. The API is stable and well-supported.

It supports Ahead Of Time as well as Just In Time options of code compilation.

During the Flutter app development process, the JIT compilation enables Flutter’s stateful Hot Reload.

With Dart, the flow of development cycles is extremely fast. Respectively, with the changes applied, Flutter app developers can see the actual look of the application in less than a second.
Fast development flow and smooth performance.
The Flutter mobile application becomes AOT-compiled as soon as it has been created and ready to be released.

AOT option allows you to efficiently compile the Flutter mobile app code into the binary native code. Just like with natively coded applications, the start time is speedy and further performance is smooth.

Widget customization


In Flutter, everything is a widget. Using various compositions of widgets, you can draw the user interface, introduce changes into the outer look of the application or even execute the data transmission process.

Developers can create totally customizable widgets. By painting every pixel to the screen, you gain complete control over the application.

Concerning the design-specific widgets, Flutter holds both Cupertino layouts resembling Apple’s iOS Human interface guidelines design language and Android Material Components of the Material Design, which is a design language developed by Google in 2014.

The layouts are defined by using the Dart code only. There is neither XML nor templating language in the Flutter development kit, just as there is no visual designer tool either.

All graphical elements, such as buttons, backgrounds, and texts are written by the graphic Flutter engine.
Compilation flexibility
Due to its compilation flexibility, Dart may be used in a combo with JavaScript and, thus, implemented in the browser or even on the server side by either being compiled natively or into the JavaScript programming language.

There are other benefits of Flutter development, such as:

  • a low learning curve;
  • it is app-oriented, not platform-oriented;
  • it is well-documented;
  • suitable for various niches;
  • Flutter engine and Flutter DevTools have ever-growing capacities;

it’s great for MVPs.

The downsides of Flutter

Dependence on the IT community

To interact with certain native features, Flutter has to use third-party libraries and plugins. Once built by iOS and Android developers, they need to be constantly updated.
The IT community has actively been growing since Flutter was released, and tons of important plugins have come into widespread use.
File size
The file built by Flutter is more disk space-consuming than the one coded natively. The Flutter application that goes into the App store is heavier than its native equivalent.
This file size challenge has already been faced by the Flutter developers and the file size reduction is underway. Performance & Optimization documentation may appear to be a viable solution.

Instability


As Flutter was released from the beta version not so long ago, some sort of operating instability may still occur. Google has already focused on gaining stable and reliable framework performance.

Now let’s compare Flutter and other cross-development mobile frameworks.

Flutter vs React Native vs Native

React Native is an open-source JavaScript framework released by Facebook and applied to build cross-platform applications.

The framework interacts with native platforms by using a so-called “JavaScript Bridge”. This is a context that may cause a jank. A noticeable choppiness of the application performance is detected. And the performance of critical applications may get affected.

In the React Native framework, developers cannot get full control over the software tool and prevent possible security issues and data leakage.

Flutter vs React Native comparison reveals the main differences both in the Dart language capabilities and in Flutter’s new framework architecture itself.

Flutter applications have a faster start-up time and a quicker performance. Looking natively and performing efficiently, they provide a perfect user experience. They are secure enough to be used in any market niche your business belongs to.

If you set the cross-platform approach represented by Flutter vs Native (Kotlin, Java, Swift, Objective-C) or any other native coding option, the differences will at large lie in the development process and become obvious during post-launch support.

The need to hire a doubled number of specialists and run a project in a time- and resource-consuming way will probably make such a project a pricey one.
Maintenance and considerable support costs for two separate applications should as well be considered.

With so many benefits, Flutter appears to be one of the most popular and capable technologies to build cross-platform applications.

Building cross-platform apps with Flatter: TBR Group’s expertise

Here comes a true industry showcase of the apps created by TBR Group which have already been published in the app stores.

TBR Group is a company that specializes in web and mobile programming development.

Swishboom

This Flutter mobile app is available only in the App Store.

Swishboom mobile app – “How it works”, “Find a Sister” and “Your Job” pages.

Swishboom mobile app – “How it works”, “Find a Sister” and “Your Job” pages.

Swishboom connects the families in want of babysitting service to the baby care providers available for job employment. The application allows for creating personal networks for both families and babysitters, scheduling working hours, extending the existing network, and making the babysitter jobs easy to apply for.

Neural Reader Most Natural TTS

Flutter for mobile app development was considered a perfect technology to accomplish Neural Reader Most Natural TTS mobile app project.

Neural Reader Most Natural TTS mobile app – “My Library”, “Reading” and “Dictation” pages.

Neural Reader Most Natural TTS mobile app – “My Library”, “Reading” and “Dictation” pages.

Available on the App Store, Neural Reader is designed to be the most human-like Text-To-Speech audio reader, and the most accurate Speech-To-Text live transcribtion tool. The app provides several subscription plans.

Śpiewnik Wywroty

The Wywroty Songbook is the largest database of Polish and international song arrangements. It was originally created by guitar player for guitar players.

Śpiewnik Wywroty mobile app – “A prompter booth”, “The most favorite Polish Songs” and “Chord charts” pages.

Vetsie for Vets

Vetsie for Vets belongs to pet care telemedicine. It is cross-platform and cloud-based.

Vetsie for Vets – “Book Consultation” feature and “Add Vets” feature.

More information on the app is available at Building a pet care app with Flutter: TBR Group guide.
The challenges of the development process and their solutions

Below there is a list of issues and the solutions we faced while crafting the apps.

  • not all the existing Dart packages support the Null Safety guarantee sound. Due to this reason, some packages have to be manually rewritten to obtain the Null Safety sound support;
  • Flutter applications have bigger sizes than native ones. Since the Flutter app contains the core engine, framework, ICU data, and LICENSE file it will take some space on a disk. For example, for Android, a min Flutter app size is 4MB while the Kotlin app can take 550 KB. However, this is a default drawback for all cross-platform solutions.;
  • to implement Video & Audio chat, a Vetsie application core feature, the TBR Group used a powerful Agora SDK platform. This is similar to FaceTime conversations technology and ensures reliable and secure communication. The app Vetsie for Vets itself has been written using a Flutter web plugin in combination with the JavaScript programming language. Such a programming combination was rooted in Agora SDK itself. Agora SDK does not support chat features for Flutter web options.

For more information and details on how we did it, please, refer to the Writing a Flutter Web plugin with JavaScript: a step-by-step guide.

Summary

Flutter has already been redefining the software development for mobile, web and desktop solutions applicable for projects of any kind and scope.

Having a bunch of numerous benefits and out-of-the-box capabilities, Flutter dares to challenge projects of any complexity.

Flutter’s potential weak points can practically be avoided with a proper development approach.

Flutter app development costs may vary and depend on the preferences of your business projects, goals, and priorities.

What technology to use for mobile app development in 2024 – Flutter or alternative solutions?

This is a dilemma you might have already faced as a business owner and mobile developer, walking the way to your mobile app creation.

Get your unique project communicated and discussed. Find a comprehensive solution. We are always here to assist you!

Unlock tailored solutions with bespoke pet care app development by TBR Group

Posted on by TBRadmin

The world of IT is rapidly dashing forward. Incredible things have become a reality, and the future promises more and more ahead at a quicker pace.

COVID-19 has added its extensive input by applying restrictions and imposing new rules on all the market players. Such conditions force tons of businesses to go online.

The vet tech industry is not an exception to this technological race. There has been an ongoing market demand for online diagnostics of pets’ possible ailments.

Swiftly developing, the pet industry market is expected to enlarge its market share in Global Veterinary Diagnostics from $2.23 billion in 2018 up to $4 billion by 2023 according to the Global veterinary diagnostics market size 2023 forecast.

Pet healthcare centers have been establishing their internet presence. The vet telemedicine busts out, developing digitally and thus discovering new opportunities for businesses involved. Both web and mobile solutions are thriving.

If you are one of the veterinary business holders who have already got a functional website and ponder over creating a vet-on-demand app, you are down the right path.

This is a convenient choice for a pet parent.
Having them both is cool and beneficial and lets your business grow more efficiently. So, here comes a brief outline of how to build a pet care app.

How to build an app for pets?

You need to have your idea shaped up into a concept with clear outlines.

You need to have your idea shaped up into a concept with clear outlines.

Taking into account the number of applications available in the app stores today, you need to apply your creativity to work out an idea to launch a potentially successful vet application.

You can study the most favored pet care apps. Combine their best features, introduce relevant improvements, and generate your own unique application outline.

The majority of the existing apps have arisen due to such a technique.

Perform substantial market research and define the distinctive features. What exactly will make it possible for your application to outgrow eventual competitors?

Draft a proper business plan and outline the marketing strategy to launch your app and keep it efficiently running.

Once you have obtained a perfect understanding of what exactly you want as an outcome and the relevant designs have been made, it’s time for the app coding to get started.

At this stage, you may encounter certain pain points of choosing between either a platform for mobile pet care app development or a custom solution to hire a team of developers who will build a pet services app for you.

Here is a short description of both options:

To code the app by yourself.

If this option appeals to you, you are apparently the one who has already been creating apps.

Using a software builder platform.

You have become aware of the latest tendencies in the chosen domain and stay familiar with the already available solutions to emerging issues.

This tool allows the user to create a pet services app without having to be an expert in programming.

This can be a way out for some small and plain applications which do not require much of smartphone resources.

You will hardly be able to seriously customize the pre-created functionality as well as the template design.

Moreover, one day you can come across a very similar app out there, as the chances are another internet traveler makes his choice on the same template.

The manufacturer platform usually charges on a monthly basis to support running the application and get it operational at all times.

To get additional info as for the Drag and Drop software, please, visit Compare Drag and Drop App Builder Software.

Consuming a white label program.

The option of consuming a white label program – a pre-created software produced by one company and then rebranded by the other – may also deepen the sense of insecurity.

Even though a client purchases a ready-made vet app, still there is a necessity to employ a developer to personalize and adapt it to precisely articulated requirements.
For more information, please, check What is white labeling?, and a list of Frequently asked questions about the white label app builder.

Hiring a development company.

You can hire a team of developers specializing in mobile development to have that unique application coded for you.

This is the most reliable way of embedding your idea into a functional vet on-demand application.

The development company houses its own capacity, which includes a team of highly qualified code programmers, bug testers, project managers as well as quality hardware.

The team members are entirely focused on delivering high-rate products and the project managers closely supervise the working flow to eliminate any inaccuracy in the outcome.

Although it is more expensive compared to the other alternatives, applying to a development company is the fastest, safest, and most nerve-saving option.

The coding language appears to be another challenge for the veterinary or pet health care center owner.

You might have already faced the problem of picking up the best technical stack suitable for creating your pet services app. Indeed, the diversity of coding languages is obviously bewildering.

Vetsie – a pet vet app built with Flutter

TBR Group assisted the Canadian start-up Vetsie in making their idea come true and built a mobile application, Vetsie for Vets.

The vet app Vetsie for Vets belongs to veterinary telemedicine. It is cross-platform and cloud-based, with the interaction taking place on a single platform.

We have developed two types of applications, each has embedded a different set of functionalities.

One of them is comfortably suited for pet owners and the other one — is for the vet clinic.

These two applications are constructed to meet the needs of their owners in the best way possible.

On the Pet Parents’ side, Vetsie for Vets is designed for people owning cats, dogs, and other household pets. It searches for reputable specialists qualified to advise on the pet’s proper ailment.

Vetsie mobile app - Add Vets feature and Sign up page

Vetsie mobile app — Add Vets feature and Sign up page

All the required information about the vet doctor who will render a consultation is shown to the pet parent.

The pet owners can also see the history of correspondence, proceed with payment and buy a consulting service from the vet.

To book an appointment, the pet parent is expected to specify a disturbing issue, opt for a vet professional to refer to, and select a time and date for the call or visit.

Vetsie mobile app — Add Vets feature and Sign up page

The pet owner can communicate their pet’s case to the veterinarian by text, voice, or video messaging.

On the medical workers’ side, Vetsie for Vets is indispensable for veterinary clinics in their interaction with the client – a pet owner. It has got a user-friendly dashboard.

All the statistical data, such as earnings, appointments of each vet professional, etc. are easily seen and analyzed. It displays incoming requests and new bookings, and briefs on the pet parent and the pet itself.

The vet doctors can choose to either accept or deny the requests received.

Vetsie for Vets pet care app is fast, smooth, and easy to run. It contains the following set of key functionalities helping to ensure an efficient interaction process:

  • Video&Audio calls (Agora RTC, RTM, Agora web library);
  • Chat (file uploading, unread messages, voice messages);
  • Book consultation;
  • Google map integration;
  • Charts;
  • Reviews;
  • PDF reports;
  • Push notifications;
  • Stripe payment integration;
  • Facebook events.

Vetsie mobile app — Text / Audio Call feature.

TBR Group company has made a user-friendly app, easy to handle for both — by pet owners and medical workers. It enables the vet staff to balance out their work and time off and ultimately enhance pet care performance.

In Vetsie for Vets we have used Flutter, a brand-new framework produced and backed by Google, for cross-platform mobile and web dashboard development.
It is an open-source software based on the Dart programming language, and the SDK uses a C++ rendering engine.

Flutter provides widgets out of the box with an architecture grounded on reactive programming, which means that web and mobile apps built with Flutter are extremely responsive.

The code written with Flutter can be deployed onto different platforms. Providing high performance and building an amazing experience for the user, Flutter is an extremely user-friendly environment.

In 2021 Vetsie was selected by “Best Startup Canada” as one of the most promising start-ups.

It emerged in two articles: Care Startups and Companies in Alberta, and 10 Top Pet Startups and Companies in Alberta has given a considerable boost to a brand-new business.

Summary


TBR Group is a rapidly evolving company that specializes in web and mobile programming development.

We deliver custom mobile application solutions to bespoke complex projects within the timeline and at a sustainable budget. You are welcome to contact us at any time. The consultation is free, but it gives you a chance to move forward instantly.