Useful Tools and Plugins To Enhance Flutter App Development

Flutter is an open-source mobile application framework that has become increasingly popular for its advanced cross-platform mobile app development capabilities. With features like hot reload, vast community support, and an extensive widget catalog, Flutter is becoming the first choice of mobile app developers. One of the main benefits of Flutter is that it enables developers to build cross-platform mobile apps using the same codebase. In doing so, it accelerates the development process and reduces time-to-market. However, there are several tools available for Flutter app development that can make the process even faster and provide several other advantages. 

In this blog post, we are going to talk about open-source tools and plugins that can improve and accelerate Flutter app development. Each of these tools can make the development process faster, easier and more efficient in one way or another. Let’s move further and explore these tools and their benefits in Flutter mobile app development. 

Also read New Features and Enhancements In Flutter 1.9 With Dart 2.5

Useful Plugins For Flutter App Development

At Oodles Technologies, we have successfully completed several full-scale Flutter app development projects for startups and small-to-medium enterprises. To accelerate the development process, improve app performance and efficiency, we have been actively using the following tools and plugins.

#1 Flutter-WebRTC

It is an open-source media handling plugin for Flutter-based applications that renders real-time communication capabilities via simple APIs. The plugin is compatible with mobile, desktop, and web platforms and adds advanced audio/video capabilities to facilitate seamless real-time communications. Flutter app developers can implement the same plugin for both Android and iOS mobile apps with minimal code changes. Apart from rendering real-time communication features, the plugin also provides support for live screen capture and recording sessions. 

#2 Codemagic

Codemagic is an extremely useful tool that speeds up the Flutter app development process by automatically carrying out several essential tasks. In fact, it lets you automate the whole process including build, testing, and releasing pipeline of the Flutter and non-Flutter app. As a result, it accelerates development and significantly reduces time-to-market. Codemagic eliminates the need for manual testing as it automatically tests the app after every commit. At the same time, it notifies the dedicated team members of the latest updates.

#3 Supernova

Supernova Studio is a UI tool that bridges the gap between developers and designers. Recently, Supernova has also rendered support for Flutter-based mobile app development. It enables designers to easily generate suitable UI code for the app and pass it on to developers for further deployment. With the new material design widget in Flutter, it is possible to make UI changes in real-time as the app runs in parallel. With Supernova, you do not have to save and import PSD and Adobe XD files to Flutter SDKs. Instead, you can simply export these files directly to Flutter as Supernova converts your designs into production-ready code. Doing that saves you valuable time and speeds up the entire process. 

#4 Chewie 

Chewie is an open-source video player plugin for Flutter application development services that provides low-level access to video playback. It is a simple yet powerful video player that masks an intuitive Cupertino UI. Please note that the Chewie video plugin is currently not functional on iOS simulators. It is, therefore, advisable to use an iOS device during development or testing processes. 

#5 Appetize

Appetize is a popular web-based iOS simulator and Android emulator enables developers to run native apps in a web browser. It renders support for HTML and JavaScript-based programming and provides in-app previews. It also provides plug-and-play solutions for automated testing that gets to work in minutes. 

You may also be interested in reading The Inevitable Need For Mobile App Quality Assurance

The Bottom Line

The aforementioned tools and plugins are extremely useful for Flutter app developers whether they are beginners or experienced professionals. Not only do they accelerate the development process but also enable developers to create feature-rich mobile applications that deliver engaging user experiences. 

Why Choose Oodles Technologies For Flutter App Development?

We are a seasoned Flutter app development company that specializes in building cross-platform mobile apps for Android and iOS platforms. Our development team uses Flutter SDKs in combination with the latest tools and plugins to build high-quality mobile apps with custom features. Our Flutter app development services ensure that your app performs seamlessly across multiple platforms with minimal downtime or latency. We critically analyze your project requirements to formulate effective mobile app development strategies for better user engagement and interactivity.

The Future of Retail With The Internet of Things

The internet of things is rapidly changing the way we perform our day-to-day activities. From the creation of smart homes to improving workforce productivity, IoT application development services are driving automation across various industries. Since many IoT applications have become mainstream, an increasing number of businesses are benefiting from the connected IoT networks. That being said, the retail sector is amongst the top industries that have been using IoT applications to improve their customer experiences. 

An increasing number of retailers are actively using IoT-based applications to enhance their customers’ shopping experiences. Not to mention, the use of IoT has unlocked vast opportunities for them to attract potential customers and maintain customer relations. Let’s explore some transformative applications of IoT in retail that are significantly impacting the shopping experiences worldwide.

IoT Applications In Retail

According to a report by Verizon, various retail companies are starting to realize the potential of IoT applications and their positive outcome. Nevertheless, nearly 77 percent of the retailers showed positive signs when asked about the implementation of IoT in retail. Below are the four most innovative use cases of IoT in the retail sector.

Also read Using IoT To Fight The COVID19 Outbreak

Smart Shelves

A large number of retail store brands have implemented smart shelves to effectively track their in-stock items and manage their inventory accordingly. Smart shelf systems use Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) technology to manage the inventory levels and alert the store manager in case of shortage. A typical smart shelf system mainly consists of three elements i.e an RFID tag, RFID reader, and the antenna. All items kept in the store are equipped with RFID tags. These RFID tags further contain an integrated circuit and a microchip antenna that transmits data to an RFID reader. When the RFID reader collects the information from the RFID tags, it is transferred to an IoT platform for further analysis.  

In this way, smart shelves enable managers to effortlessly manage their inventory and warehouse data with utmost accuracy. At the same time, the smart shelf systems provide them the opportunity to understand their customers’ likes, preferences, and buying habits. 

Connected Beacons

Beacons are miniature Bluetooth devices that can send real-time alerts to a smartphone app based on location proximity. These devices have become increasingly popular in the retail industry as they enable retailers to attract more customers. In retail, beacons automatically send push notifications to the shoppers’ smartphones as they enter the coverage area. 

Retailers can use beacons to send attractive offers, discounts, and other useful information about their products to the customers roaming in their proximity zone. Such offers and product information will be instantly available to the customers who have the store’s app installed on their smartphones. Beacons use low-power Bluetooth connections to send push notifications and they have become an integral part of the business intelligence (BI).

Digital Signage 

Several retail stores in shopping malls and supermarkets are using digital signages to deliver more personalized shopping experiences to their customers. These intuitive touch screens are effective at seeking customers’ attention and make them aware of the new offers and discounts on various products. 

Using digital signages is a better alternative to traditional print media as they bring cost savings and deliver better in-store experiences. These screens can be used to show ads, display new arrivals, best-selling items, price fluctuations, and much more. In addition, retailers can connect these signages to various IoT devices such as beacons, shelves, and other in-store accessories. 

You may also be interested in reading Connecting Devices To The Cloud Using AWS IoT Core

The Final Word

Realizing the great potential of IoT, several retail store chains, brick and mortar shops, supermarkets, and shopping malls have been taking a keen interest in IoT application development services. As the retail industry continues to evolve according to the dynamically changing customer needs, IoT is likely to become an integral part of the retail businesses.

 

Avail Our IoT App Development Services To Enhance Your Retail Business

We are a seasoned IoT app development company that specializes in building high-quality IoT applications with cross-platform compatibility. Our development team is experienced in using the latest tools and technologies for IoT application development. We use agile techniques and effective development methodologies to develop data-driven apps for seamless user interactions. Our comprehensive IoT app development services provide seamless data handling capabilities to facilitate real-time user interactions with increased convenience.

Estimating the Costs for Developing Wearable Apps

As the technologies continue to evolve, devices are getting smaller and more powerful. We have seen several transformations in the field of computer technology, starting from personal computers to laptops and smartphones. The advent of wearable devices is an apt example of how tremendously the technologies around us are evolving. As of today, we have access to an increasing number of smartwatches, fitness bands, and hands-free GPS systems. All these devices are equipped with advanced sensors, chips, and microprocessors backed by a powerful operating system. Similar to smartphones, wearable devices support different types of applications that enable users to sync data from their devices.   

Over recent years, there has been a substantial rise in the demand for wearable app development. At Oodles, we receive frequent requests for the development of wearable apps that can support devices like Apple Watch, Android Smartwatch, and Witness Bands. A majority of clients or prospects are more concerned about the development costs and seek faster deployment of their proposed functionalities. 

We hope this blog post answers most of your queries and guides you with the right wearable app development strategy.

Also read Creating AR Apps for Better Customer Engagement.

The project cost for developing a wearable app depends on many factors. In this blog post, we have curated a list of parameters that majorly impact the development costs of a wearable application. 

Type of Project

Development costs vary in accordance with the supported software platform or hardware devices. A common misconception is that it is easier to build applications for Android Wear devices and they cost less. On the contrary, Apple Watch app development is faster and more cost-effective. 

The simple reason is that the development cost varies for different screen sizes. Since Android powers a large number of wearable devices, developers need to scale the application to support different screen sizes. It increases development costs and time. In the case of Apple Watch, the devices are limited which significantly reduces the development costs and yields faster development.

Development Time

As already discussed, development time is a critical factor that directly impacts the development costs of a wearable app. It is self-explanatory that the longer an app takes to develop, the more expensive the project will be. Moreover, most developers or development companies charge for their services on an hourly basis. Therefore, developing an Android Wear app will be relatively expensive. However, you can significantly reduce the development costs by limiting the functionalities of your application.  

Number of Resources Required

If you want to accelerate your wearable app development project, the most preferred way is to increase your available resources. It seems more legit than limiting the app functionalities but is equally expensive. The better approach under these circumstances is to avail the services of a wearable app development company instead of hiring individual developers.  

Development Partner

Choosing the right development partner is essential to develop a user-friendly wearable app that will engage the target audience. It is also a significant capital-factor that directly impacts the overall cost of the development project. 

If you want to implement simple functionalities that require fewer man-hours, the ideal approach is to hire freelancers or individual developers. However, large-scale development projects require more resources and it is recommended to partner with a wearable app development company.  

You may also want to learn Risk mitigation techniques using IoT devices.

Cost Variations In Development Phases 

Development costs for wearable apps also vary in different phases of development. Let’s explore how the following phase of development impact project costs.

App Design 

App design is a pre-development phase that starts with creating wireframes, mockups, and prototypes which usually takes up to two weeks. Once the app layout is finalized, the design team works on creating user interfaces for different app screens. The time consumed in-app design depends on the number of screens in an application. However, the design cost is relatively less than the development cost because it doesn’t comprise of the actual app functionalities.  

Infrastructure Planning and Development

Once the app design is finalized, the development team formulates the project roadmap and initiates the development process. Development costs may be uniform throughout the entire period but may vary in accordance with the required functionalities. Most companies have a fixed hourly cost for their services while they may consider changing it based on the project requirements.

Quality Assurance and Testing

Quality assurance is equally important and is essential to ensure the smooth performance of a wearable application. During this phase of development, you avail services of QA engineers who holistically test your app on several quality parameters. These tests are essential to identify and resolve bugs, software glitches, and potential points of failure in a wearable app. 

Support and Maintenance

Newly developed wearable apps are prone to unplanned downtime, glitches, or software failure. Support and maintenance services provide technical assistance to maintain high app performance and prevent downtime or failure during peak load instances. The support services may go on for several weeks and they usually incur uniform charges.

Why Choose Oodles Technologies For Wearable App Development?

We are a wearable app development company that builds interactive and user-friendly apps for smartwatches and other types of wearable devices. Our development team is skilled at creating dynamic user interfaces for varying device screens to deliver engaging user experiences. Our smartwatch app development services enhance user experiences by enabling users to effortlessly perform routine tasks with increased interactivity.

Benefitting from AI, Blockchain, and IoT Technologies

The impact of AI, Blockchain, and IoT technologies is realized by every major section of the society. The little we have discussed the amalgamation of these three technologies and how it can impact the business industry. 

According to Gartner’s predictions, the total spending on IoT Endpoint Security solutions will rise from $240M in 2016 to $631M in 2021, accomplishing a CAGR of 21.38%. 

According to Tractica, a Market Research Firm - the global AI software market is expected to experience a revenue increase from 9.5 billion U.S. dollars in 2018 to 118.6 billion by 2025.

As per Stratista’s predictions, global blockchain technology revenues are expected to rise by 23.3 billion U.S dollars by 2023. 

The above predictions state that businesses can invest in these technologies to experience rapid technological advancement. The amalgamation of AI, blockchain, and IoT technologies can influence the revenue of businesses. Let’s discuss how! 

Oodles Technologies is a well-established software development company. We use AI, blockchain, IoT technologies to design apps for clients across the globe.  
 

Blockchain

Blockchain has influenced every major industry including healthcare, supply chain, and retail by adding a layer of security and transparency into their processes. It is one of the most adopted technologies by entrepreneurs today. Some of the core advantages blockchain provide to an organization are: 

1. Transparency

2. Stability

3. Data Privacy and Security
4. Decentralized database
5. Distributed ledger

Apart from the benefits, there are certain threats/ challenges businesses have to face with blockchain as a technology. Let’s understand what are these treats. 
 

Challenges with Existing Blockchain Model:

1. Interoperability 
2. Performance
3. Interoperability
4. Cost and Complexity
5. Legal Implications and Regulations

The limitations of current blockchain technologies cannot be ignored easily. To prevent these challenges convergence model of blockchain, IoT, and AI is needed. The mixing capabilities of these radiating technologies can improve the condition of blockchain within an organization. 

How AI creates Value for Blockchain

AI addresses various challenges faced by blockchain technologies. Let’s know-how:

Energy Consumption: Data mining needs immense computing energy. AI  keeps a check on energy consumption to minimize wastage.  

Scalability: AI utilizes blockchain’s stability, paving the way for decentralized learning. 

Optimizing security: Blockchain in itself is a highly secure platform however its integration with machine learning and deep learning technologies adds another layer of security within the transactions. 

Efficiency: AI optimally utilizes resources to minimize wastage and reduce the cost associated with blockchain.

Fixes Talent Requirements: The demand for blockchain implementation has increased in recent years. The blockchain professionals are very few in comparison to their demand.  AI-powered virtual agents can replace the task of these experts by playing an instrumental role in tasks such as creating new ledgers on its own. 

Provides Data Screening: Massive data put into the use of blockchain makes privacy and personal data vulnerable.  AI-powered data gates and data screening can enable monitor access to personal data. 

We are a blockchain app development company providing secure blockchain solutions for enhanced security and privacy of your digital transactions. 

 

Artificial Intelligence (AI)

Artificial Intelligence(AI) is a computer science area. It focuses on the creation of intelligent machines that act and work like humans. 

Artificial intelligence (AI) is an area of computer science that emphasizes the creation of intelligent machines that work and react like humans. Activities computers along artificial intelligence are designed for include: 

• Learning 
• Planning
• Expert Systems
• Self-correction
• Reasoning
• Speech recognition
• Problem-solving

Artificial Intelligence makes machines capable of mimicking human intelligence and performing tasks on their own. Providing cognitive abilities to computers enables them to automate human tasks and bring a paradigm shift in the business world.  
 

Key Features of Artificial Intelligence are:

1. Better Data Management
2. Personalization
3. Future Prediction
4. Error Deduction
5. Real-Time Assistance
6. Data Mining

Challenges faced by AI: 

1. Limited Computing Power
2. Limited People Power
3. Building Trust
4. Differences in Mind-Sets

The above AI challenges propose serious threats to business models. The convergence of Blockchain with AI improves security, scalability, and flexibility to robotic operations. They add efficiency to autonomous cars or facilitate in bitcoin mining. 

We are an AI App development company that develops interactive chatbots for your business app or website. We integrate blockchain solutions with AI to improve the scalability and security of AI operations. 

 

How Blockchain Supports AI

A blockchain decentralized ledger system adds value to AI implementations. It augments the AI system in the following ways let’s know-how: 

Defines AI decisions: AI solutions sometimes fail to explain the reason behind a decision or taking a course of action whereas the blockchain database holds the data to explain the build-up of the rationale.

Increases AI Efficiency: Blockchain solutions secure the shared data streaming, shapes efficient data models,data-driven insights and data-centric actions. 

Data Marketplace for All: Blockchain’s decentralized database system holds diverse data from various sources in a secure, easily accessible, and transparent manner. It provides bulk data that can be accessed by small and large enterprises easily. Democratizing the large volume of data of an AI-powered database provides more strength to individuals and organizations. 

Reduced Catastrophic Risks: Organizations rely on blockchain technologies to securely access the mission-critical data. AI with blockchain secures mission-critical data and provide alerts about the upcoming disaster.

 

IoT

Internet of Things (IoT) is the interconnection of physical devices using the internet. Some of the common IoT devices organizations use today are RFIDs, sensor technologies, wireless technologies, and QR codes.

 

Key features of IoT Technologies: 

1. Automation and Control(Home and Offices)
2. Asset Tracking 
3. Cost-Effectiveness
4. Time-Saving

Some of the challenges IoT is facing includes: 

• Security
• Privacy
• Insufficient IoT knowledge
• Cloud Attacks

To overcome IoT challenges amalgamation of the Blockchain, IoT, and AI is needed to resolve the prohibiting issues.

The convergence of Blockchain, IoT and AI:

According to the co-founders of Singularity University Ray Kurzweil and Dr. Peter Diamandis, there will be complete digital integration between humans and computers by 2030. 

Also, By 2023

• IoT will showcase 83% of the AI chipsets market.
• The Global General AI market will be $50.8 billion USD.
• AI-driven IoT solutions market can reach $5.8 billion
• Up to 50% of enterprise organizations will use AI for networking 

We are an IoT app development company that provides various office and home automation solutions to clients across the globe. 

Artificial Intelligence, when combined with  IoT, provides a gradient system which is powerful and interesting. AI can analyze the data captured on the IoT devices to identify decisive patterns that were difficult for humans to discover and alter. 

AI, when combined with IoT and Blockchain, provides a new view of the future. IoT systems will gather data that will be analyzed by AI. AI Analyzed data is further recorded and time-stamped on the blockchain platform as a persistent record of choices made and communicated on our behalf.

Are you planning to use the three disruptive technologies to bring changes to your organization? Click to get in touch with our experts today!