Discussion 1 - lamarjshaw/Mobile-App-Development GitHub Wiki

Part I

Developing a mobile app today means much more than writing code and publishing it to the app store. You must understand the entire ecosystem, starting with picking the right development platform. There are a few key types. Native platforms, like Android Studio (Java or Kotlin), which offer full access to Android’s features and best performance. Cross-platform tools, such as Flutter or React Native, allow you to build one app for both Android and iOS, which is a huge time saver. Then there is low code or no code options like Power Apps or MIT App Inventor, which I think makes it easier for people with less coding experience to prototype ideas. You also have Progressive Web Apps (PWAs), which are websites that act like mobile apps and can even work offline. Android itself is an open-source operating system developed by Google, built on the Linux kernel and released under the Apache 2.0 license. Google’s vision or plan with Android was to make mobile technology accessible and to expand its ecosystem by providing it freely to manufacturers and developers. This move helped Android become the most widely used mobile operating system globally (Android, 2024). From a business perspective, Android makes it easier and more affordable for startups to build apps and reach millions of users. For consumers, Android’s open platform has kept smartphone prices competitive and allowed great innovative services like healthcare apps, mobile banking, and real-time translation to thrive. Android has progressed through its many versions. Android 4.4 (KitKat) introduced immersive mode for full-screen experiences. Android 5.0 (Lollipop) brought Material Design, which created a stable look and feel across devices. Android 6.0 (Marshmallow) added more control over app permissions. Version 10 introduced gesture navigation for edge-to-edge screens. Android 12 added “Material You,” which personalizes your phone’s theme colors based on your wallpaper. Android 13 introduced per-app language settings, making the platform more globally accessible (Lifewire, 2025). Android 14 focused on health integrations and better support for foldable devices (Wired, 2023), while the upcoming Android 15 boosts platform stability earlier in the development cycle (Google, 2025). Overall, I believe that these updates keep improving privacy, usability, and performance, making life easier for both developers and users. Innovation is what turns a basic idea into an engaging app. For example, in a habit tracker app I’m developing, I use TensorFlow Lite to detect patterns in user behavior locally on the device, such as identifying when a user typically logs habits, without needing an internet connection (Google, 2023a). Once the user is online, Firebase Realtime Database syncs their progress, reminders, and achievements across all devices (Google, 2023a). Jetpack WorkManager ensures that scheduled habit reminders or offline updates still go through, even if the user loses connectivity temporarily (Google, 2023b). I think that this combination of smart on-device insights and cloud-based syncing directly addresses a common challenge, helping users stay consistent with their habits no matter where they are or what device they’re using. I believe that by carefully aligning each technology with the user’s needs, the app becomes more responsive, supportive, and truly effective in driving long-term behavior change.

Part II

I think that MIT App Inventor is a great tool, especially for beginners or those who want to prototype quickly. Its drag and drop interface make it easy to design functional apps without writing difficult code. For me, as a developer, it’s useful when I want to test out ideas fast or build something alongside a coworker who may not have a coding background. During this course, it’s a great way to build the foundations of an app before moving to something more advanced. I would still try to use full development platforms like Android Studio or Flutter for more complex projects. These environments give me more control, let me work with custom APIs, and support things like offline encryption or Bluetooth communication, which App Inventor isn’t built for. App Inventor is great for learning and prototyping, but professional grade apps typically require the flexibility and scalability that traditional tools offer. GitHub is another great tool in the app development process. It’s a cloud-based platform that helps manage code using version control. This means every time I make a change, I can track it, go back if something breaks, or share it with coworkers or teammates for review. GitHub also supports collaboration through issues, branches, and pull requests, making teamwork much smoother. In a business setting, GitHub helps speed up development cycles, reduce bugs through peer reviews, and keep everything organized in one place. Using GitHub also supports automated workflows, like running tests or publishing updates, which I think saves time and adds value by making releases more reliable (GitHub, Inc., 2025).

References

Android. (2024). Android (operating system). Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Android_(operating_system)

GitHub, Inc. (2025). GitHub: Where the world builds software. https://github.com/

Google. (2023a). TensorFlow Lite documentation. https://www.tensorflow.org/lite

Google. (2023b). WorkManager overview. https://developer.android.com/topic/libraries/architecture/workmanager

Google. (2023c). Android 14 overview. Android Developers. https://developer.android.com/about/versions/14

Google. (2025). Android 15 Beta 3 release notes. Android Developers. https://developer.android.com/about/versions/15

Lifewire. (2025). Discover the evolution of Android. https://www.lifewire.com/android-versions-4173277

MIT. (2025). MIT App Inventor – Get Started. http://appinventor.mit.edu/explore/get-started

Wired. (2023). The top new Android 14 features. https://www.wired.com/story/how-to-download-android-14-and-features