Mobile App Development Archives - Page 12 of 26

Most of the modern-day applications have the facility of Google maps and location-sharing. Whether a taxi-booking app or a social media app or a food-ordering app, all have this vital feature embedded in the apps. Since this feature has become essential, several businesses have developed advanced location-sharing apps or at least embedded this feature in diverse apps.

So, in this blog, we are going to look at the basic procedure to build a location-sharing app or integrate this vital feature in them. Here we will use Ionic, the popular cross-platform framework, for this purpose. The reason to consider Ionic app development is that this technology is easy to adopt, enables the development of captivating UI/UX, and feature-rich performance-based apps. It is built on AngularJS which offers various functionalities for development and a robust environment that makes the code more manageable. Besides, the Ionic framework utilizes Cordova plugins and allows widget development. Owing to such myriad benefits, a plethora of businesses hire Ionic app development services for architecting enterprise applications.

So let’s get started, but before that, let us have a quick look at the criteria that the Ionic app developers would be assuming before starting with the development.

We will be using Firebase for saving the data.
We will create a custom directive for integrating Google Maps into our application.
We will be creating a mobile app for the Android platform.

Steps to Architect a Location-sharing app with Ionic

Check out the process of employing Ionic application development to create a location-sharing app.

Installations of relevant softwares

The first step is to install Node.js which automatically installs npm i.e. node package manager. Now you can install Ionic with the use of npm.
Also, install the required dependencies for the Android platform. After installing them, you need to create a blank Ionic project.
Now navigate to the project directory iMapApp. After this, you can add the desired platform, develop it, and emulate. Now, a blank app will probably be running in the Android emulator. But, this process of running the app in the emulator every time will be time-intensive. So, it is advisable to use Ionic CLI for running the application in the browser. Once again, it is essential to install the required dependencies with the use of npm.
After installing the dependencies, you need to run “ionic serve” in the terminal for the app to run in the browser.

UI Creation

You can begin with the addition of a new template for showing the map. Now create a new folder known as www/templates in the project directory. Also, create a file named map.html inside templates.
Google Maps will be rendered inside the HTML map where a div known as #map will be present. Also, there will be an input text box below the map for the users to fill the description and also a button for the details to be saved.
Now we will be using the “ionNavView” directive to create different templates based on various states. Add this directive to index.html page. The next step is the removal of the current contents of the body tag and addition of the “ionNavBar” directive above the “ionNavView” for building a top bar.
The title for the “ionNavBar” will be set from the rendered “ionView”.
For the proper organization of the app interfaces into multiple states, the Angular UI router module is utilized by Ionic. Now open www/js/app.js as we will define a state for the map.html template by writing the required code.
After implementing this code a new state for the URL “/map” is defined. This state will be rendering the template map.html and will be controlled by “MapCtrl” controller. To set the map as the default state, command “$urlRouterProvider.otherwise(‘/map’)” is used.
Now create a file- “controller.js” inside “www/js/” and also add its reference in the file called- “www/index.html”
Then define the angular module first for defining controller code inside “controller.js”
After this, define the controller “MapCtrl” and then enter the “starter.controllers” module into the starter app. After saving this, you can view the map.html template.
Then you should add the Google Map in map.html which can be done by the creation of a custom directive known as “map”. Let us now define the directive in controller.js and add the directive attribute to div #map in map.html.

Adding default parameters like longitude, latitude, zoom in the Maps

First, pass the longitude, latitude, and zoom parameters to the google map directive. With the use of parameter “attrs” you can access these attributes inside the link function of the directive.
For evaluation of AngularJS expressions, “scope.$eval” is used.
The next step is to include the Google Maps API reference in index.html. Using the default values, Google Map’s latitude and longitude can be defined. Also, define map options for Google Map.
With appropriate code, add style to “www/css/style.css” for styling the “#map” div.
Lastly, save all the modifications to view Google Maps on the map page.

Adding a marker to the Google Maps

We need to modify the directive with the right code. Marker’s default position is set as longitude and latitude that is passed as an attribute. Also, the draggable option is set as true.
After implementing the code and saving the changes, a draggable marker will be visible in Google Maps.

Tracking the position of Marker

For this purpose, we will be attaching a “dragend” event to the Google Maps marker. Also, for attaching the drag end event listener inside the directive, add the right code.
After saving these changes, just try to drag the marker. Now inspect the browser console which must include the current longitude and latitude.

Saving all the details

In “MapCtrl”, define a $scope variable called “user” which will consist of information like longitude, latitude, and the data that the user enters.
In “MapCtrl” controller, create a function known as “saveDetails” which will use “scope.user” variable for fetching the required information.
Update the variables- “$scope.user.longitude” and “$scope.user.latitude” in the “dragend” event listener’s callback function when the users will move the marker on the map
For updating the model bindings, call the “scope.$apply” function. After this, you need to attach the following:
- a ngModel directive to the description input text box
- a ngClick directive to the save button
Now save the data to Firebase. For this, you will first need to register with Firebase if you don’t have an account. After logging in, you will get a unique firebase URL.
After signing to the Firebase account, in the dashboard, you will find a plus link next to this URL. Click on that plus link and enter the below-mentioned inputs to get a sub URL- /MapDetails.
- value as 0
- name as “MapDetails”
To use firebase in the app, Include the script references in index.html. Insert firebase in controller.js and MapCtrl controller. Create a firebase object inside this controller. Create an instance of the firebase object. Use the firebase push API inside the saveDetails function, for saving the data to firebase. Once saved, refresh the application.
Now just drag the marker to a certain location on the Maps, enter some description and save this. All this data should be present when you check the firebase dashboard.
After the data is saved, using the Ionic popup, create an alert for notifying the users. In the MapCtrl controller, inject the $ionicPopup. Again, in the MapCtrl controller, add a function known as “showAlert”.
This function calls the “$ionicPopup” service for showing a pop-up having a template and a title.
After this, you should call “showAlert” in the success callback of the push API call.
Finally, save all the changes and the details once again. After saving these details in Firebase,you will get a pop-up showing a success message. This completed the process.

Conclusion:

We just saw the step-by-step method to integrate Google maps in the Ionic Apps. We hope this will be useful to the Ionic developers, an Ionic mobile app development company as well as the entrepreneurs who intend to create the best location sharing app. aiming to design impeccable apps with location-sharing functionality.

Was this blog useful to you? Let us know your vital thoughts in the comment section.

Mobile apps have brought a revolutionary shift in everything around us. It has made a paradigm shift in how businesses and individuals operate in their respective capacities. This has helped to connect with the target audience very easily thereby boosting the profits in a big way. No wonder there is a huge demand for mobile application development worldwide. However, with the development of apps, come security nuances that businesses should not ignore. If the apps are not well-engineered against security threats, they can become an easy target for hackers to do malicious activities. So, companies must ensure that they proactively work on ‘how to build secured apps’ and also follow certain mobile app security standards during the development process.

Do you know what the hackers with malicious intention do?

Tamper your app’s code and reverse-engineer to create a hoax app containing malware.
Hack customer data and use for fraud or identity theft
Induce malware in the apps to access data, grab passcodes for screens, store keystrokes, etc.
Steal sensitive data, intellectual property, business assets, etc.
Access your IP and launch harmful attacks

Would you ever want something like this happening to your app? Never! So, mobile app security cannot be taken for granted. Yet, it is quite shocking that over 75% of the mobile apps fail to meet the basic security standards.

This blog outlines some of the crucial mobile app security measures that every mobile application development company must employ while they architecture their apps. Before we delve deeper, let us quickly glance at some common security lapses that could occur while architecting secured mobile apps.

Notable Security Lapses in the Mobile Application Development Process

Not checking the cache appropriately and not using a cache cleaning cycle
Not doing thorough testing of the app
Applying weak encryption algorithms or no algorithms at all
Utilizing an unreliable data storage system
Neglecting the Binary protection
Picking up a code written by hackers by mistake
Neglecting the transport layer security
Not ensuring the server-side security

Mobile App Security Best Practices

Here are a few common security tips that are endorsed by various industry experts. These are applicable to both Android and iOS apps; however, some additional tips and guidelines are available for both platforms, which we will cover in another blog. That simply means, after applying the below practices, one can also implement best security practices for iOS app and Android app meant for respective platforms. For now, let’s get started with the common security measures for mobile apps.

App-code Encryption:

Encryption of the code and testing it for vulnerabilities is one of the most fundamental and crucial steps in the app development process. Before launching the app, mobile app developers protect the app code with encryption and practices like obfuscation and minification. Also, it is necessary to code securely for the detection of jailbreaks, checksum controls, debugger detection control, etc.

Data Encryption:

Along with the code encryption, it is essential to encrypt all the vital data that is exchanged over the apps. In the case of data theft, hackers shouldn’t be able to access and harm the data without the security key. So, key management must be a priority. File-level encryption secures the data in the files. The encryption of mobile databases is equally important. Also, various data encryption algorithms can be used like Advanced Encryption Standard (AES), Triple data integration standard, RSA technique, etc.

Robust Authentication:

If the authentication is weak, severe data breaches can take place. Hence, it is imperative to ensure a powerful authentication in the apps. Make sure that your app only allows strong passwords. Utilizing two-factor authentication is a good practice. Also, biometric authentications like a fingerprint, retina scan, etc. are widely being used these days in mobile apps to assure high security.

Protecting the Binary Files:

Negligence towards binary protection gives a free-hand to hackers for injecting malware in apps. It can even cause severe data thefts and lead to monetary losses ultimately. Therefore, binary hardening procedures must be utilized to ensure the protection of binary files against any threats. Several hardening techniques like Buffer overflow protection or Binary Stirring can be applied in this scenario.

Servers’ and other Network Connections’ Security:

The security of servers and network connections is an integral part of mobile app security as these are a leading target of hackers. To keep them secure, it is advisable to use an HTTPS connection. Also, the APIs must be thoroughly verified to shun from the spying of data that is transferred from the client to servers. Another security measure is to scan the app with the use of automated scanners frequently. Also, enhanced security can be ensured with encrypted connections or VPN i.e. a virtual private network.

API Security:

Since mobile application development hinges so much with the APIs, protecting them from threats is not an option but a necessity. APIs are the channels for the flow of data, functionality, content, etc. between the cloud, apps, and users. Vital security measures like authorization, authentication, and identification help in the creation of a secure and robust API. To enhance the app security, an API gateway can be integrated. Moreover, for secure communication between APIs, mobile app developers can use various authentications like OAuth and OAuth2.

Exhaustive Testing and Updating the Apps:

To speed up the time-to-market, testing usually falls to the sideways. But this step helps to avoid any anticipated security loopholes in the apps. So, before launching the apps and even after their launch, rigorous security testing must be conducted. Thus, potential security threats can be identified and resolved proactively. Also, updating the apps from time-to-time will help to eliminate the security bugs apart from other issues that arise in the apps after it is out in the market.

Code Signing Certificates:

Code signing certificates help in enhancing mobile code security. In this process, the certificate authority needs to digitally sign the scripts and executables. These certificates help in authenticating the author and assure that the code won’t be edited or tampered by anyone else. A Code Signing Certificate is a must for every publisher or mobile app developer.

Final Verdict:

Thousands of mobile apps arrive in the market daily, but if, they aren’t protected well, they can pose a threat to the entire ecosystem. Needless to say, hackers and fraudsters are lurking around to steal important data and destroy app security. On the contrary, a well-secured mobile app can prove to be highly efficient, reliable, and profitable for the business as well as the end-users.

So we can conclude that mobile app security holds the utmost importance in the whole process. A smart strategy along with the guidelines mentioned in this blog can help you build a powerful impeccable app with high-level security.

We hope this blog was helpful to you!

Do you have any other mobile app security measures to add to the above list?

Please comment and let us know your thoughts.

Mobile App Development, Page 12 Category

Ionic app development: Creating a Location-sharing app with Ionic!