EcoTech Explorer

In the past decade, mobile apps have evolved from simple tools to intelligent assistants. From ordering food to monitoring your health, apps are no longer standalone software; they are powered by cloud computing and connected to the Internet of Things (IoT). This combination is reshaping how we use our phones in daily life.      In this post, you will see real examples and a hands-on proof of concept that used Raspberry Pi, OpenCV, and IBM Bluemix to tackle a traffic problem.    Cloud + IoT: Quick Overview IoT (Internet of Things): devices and sensors such as wearables, smart home appliances, and Raspberry Pi that collect and process data. Cloud Computing: platforms such as IBM Bluemix, AWS, and Google Cloud that store, analyze, and sync data across devices in real time. Combined benefits: Smarter: real-time insights and ML-driven decisions. Faster: edge processing plus cloud anal...

If you’ve ever worked on a mobile development team, you know the pain points of continuous integration and delivery (CI/CD): slow builds, conflicts between feature branches, flaky test runs, and the occasional “Why is the deployment broken this time?” moment. In my journey optimizing CI/CD pipelines for iOS and Android teams, I’ve tested everything from fully-managed services like Bitrise and Codemagic to fully customized environments. We ultimately chose to build our own setup using GitLab CI , Fastlane , and MacStadium  - powered by Tart for macOS virtualization. Here’s what worked, what didn’t, and how you can apply these lessons to build faster, more reliable pipelines. Why We Went Custom Instead of Fully Managed Managed CI/CD platforms like Bitrise and Codemagic are fantastic for small teams or early-stage projects. They offer: Preconfigured build environments Easy integration with GitHub/GitLab Minimal setup overhead But as our...

When most developers think of building browser extensions, they picture Chrome and desktop workflows. But Safari Extensions on iOS are quietly becoming one of the most powerful and underused tools in mobile app development. In this post, I’ll share how and why I started exploring iOS Safari Extensions and why I think they’ll play a key role in the next generation of mobile-first, content-aware apps. Why Safari Extensions on iOS Matter Let’s start with the basics: Safari iOS Extensions allow developers to inject scripts into websites on a mobile device , detect patterns, and pass data back to a native iOS app, all while respecting privacy and Apple’s permissions system. That unlocks a lot of creative possibilities: Scanning a page for structured or semi-structured content Detecting when a user is shopping or watching a video Triggering reminders or in-app actions based on Browse behavior Offering content-aware UI overlays inside Safari The key difference is ...

Introduction As a senior iOS software engineer, my journey with mobile development has been a rich and evolving experience. Starting my career in 2012 with Android development on Eclipse IDE, I've seen the landscape of mobile development shift dramatically. My transition from Swift native development to learning Flutter has not only broadened my technical expertise but also expanded my vision of mobile development. This article delves into my experiences, the similarities and challenges I encountered, and the overarching principle that regardless of technology, our primary goal is to meet software and business needs. Early Beginnings with Android Back in 2012, Android development was a different beast. Working with Eclipse IDE required patience and perseverance, but it laid a solid foundation for my understanding of mobile development. This period taught me the fundamentals of Java, the intricacies of Android's architecture, and the importance of meticulous debugging. These ski...

In the digital age, mobile apps have become indispensable tools for businesses and consumers alike. However, developing a successful app is only half the battle; monetizing it effectively is essential for long-term sustainability. In this article, we explore various strategies that app developers can employ to generate revenue from their creations. © Photo by Muhammad Salim on Unsplash 1. Freemium Model The freemium model involves offering a free version of the app with limited features while enticing users to upgrade to a premium version for full access. This model leverages user engagement to upsell additional functionalities or content. Technical Implementation: - Feature Gating: Use conditional statements to lock certain features behind a paywall. - A/B Testing: Implement A/B testing to determine the optimal set of features that drive conversions. - Analytics Integration: Track user behavior and conversion rates using analytics tools like Firebase Analytics. Example: Spotif...

Hey there, friends! Welcome to our journey into the exciting world of making software in a cool, flexible way. I'm excited to share my experiences with you as someone who helps teams work better together as a Scrum Master and as a senior developer. Agility isn't about being fast like a superhero (though that would be cool). It's all about being able to change directions quickly and work together smoothly, which is super important in today's tech world where things are always changing. So, let's get started on our adventure! Here's a sneak peek at what we'll be exploring: 1. Understanding Agile Principles: We'll start by figuring out what "agile" really means and how it helps teams. Think of it like learning the basic rules of a game before you start playing. 2. The Role of a Scrum Master: I'll show you what it's like to be the guide of a team, helping them stay on track and work well together. 3. Agile Mindset in Action: We'll se...