March 2020 Summaries

Ionic Appflow has introduced a highly anticipated feature that allows developers to publish their applications directly to the Apple and Android app stores, marking a significant advancement in the continuous integration and delivery (CI/CD) process for mobile apps. This update eliminates the need for Mac hardware during the iOS app submission process and automates several previously manual steps, such as uploading binaries and logging into app store accounts. The new feature streamlines the entire app delivery pipeline, allowing developers to release updates more frequently and efficiently without needing extensive DevOps expertise. Appflow's solution is especially beneficial for teams that do not currently employ a CI/CD tool, as it simplifies the build and release process, making it more accessible and less cumbersome. With the ability to automate app store submissions, Appflow addresses a significant pain point in mobile app development by providing a dedicated framework that integrates smoothly with developers' workflows. This enhancement is now available on all paid Appflow plans, offering developers a more efficient path to maintaining and distributing their applications.

During the COVID-19 crisis, the Ionic community has actively developed a variety of Progressive Web Apps (PWAs) to provide valuable resources and information to the public. Developers across the globe, from the United States to South Africa, have created apps to track the outbreak, manage stress and anxiety, and offer practical solutions like handwashing games and pantry storage tools. Many of these projects are open source, allowing for collaboration and rapid deployment outside traditional app stores, which faced delays and restrictions. The community's response highlights the significance of PWAs in disseminating critical information swiftly and efficiently, with Ionic facilitating this web-first approach. The efforts of these developers underscore the potential for PWAs to drive innovation and connectivity during challenging times.

Mike Hartington highlights the advantages of deploying an Ionic React Progressive Web App (PWA) to Vercel, emphasizing its fast and scalable hosting solutions for static sites, JAMstack-based web apps, and serverless functions. Vercel's simple integration with GitHub allows for quick deployment, where users can connect an existing app, configure build commands, and deploy instantly. The process involves selecting a project from GitHub, adjusting the output directory and development command to suit the framework used, and deploying the app, which is assigned a .now.sh domain by default. Hartington notes Vercel's compelling service due to its ease of use, speed, and seamless integration with popular frameworks, making it a top choice for hosting PWAs. He encourages exploring Vercel's documentation for more possibilities and acknowledges the service's potential as a comprehensive solution for future applications.

Auth Connect, an Ionic solution, now supports Salesforce authentication, allowing developers to integrate secure single sign-on (SSO) capabilities into Ionic apps with ease. Auth Connect addresses the challenges of building secure user authentication by using OAuth and OpenID Connect standards and native System Components for enhanced security, avoiding risks associated with outdated plugins and poorly implemented integrations. With pre-built integrations for popular authentication providers like Auth0, AWS Cognito, Azure AD, and now Salesforce, Auth Connect simplifies access to Salesforce data within mobile apps by utilizing Salesforce’s connected app framework. This framework allows external applications to interface with Salesforce using standard protocols, ensuring secure access and integration. The announcement encourages developers to explore Auth Connect through a demo to enhance their app’s security and user experience with Salesforce data.

Capacitor, developed by the Ionic team, is a modern cross-platform runtime that addresses many limitations of Cordova by enhancing mobile app development experiences with features such as robust cross-platform support, straightforward native configuration, and improved long-term stability. Unlike Cordova, which focuses primarily on mobile and presents challenges with opaque native configurations and plugin stability, Capacitor embraces a web-first approach with Core APIs that function seamlessly across web, iOS, Android, and desktop environments. It simplifies native project management by encouraging developers to engage directly with native IDEs like Xcode and Android Studio, fostering a deeper understanding of the native ecosystem. Capacitor also offers built-in support for migrating from Cordova, streamlining the transition process and allowing developers to leverage existing Cordova plugins while benefiting from Capacitor's improved framework. This strategic approach reduces app size, enhances performance, and provides developers with greater control, making it easier to implement features and manage projects confidently.

The blog post announces the introduction of the @ionic/angular-server module for Angular Universal, which enables server-side rendering (SSR) for Ionic apps, a feature that has been highly anticipated by the developer community. Universal JavaScript allows applications to be rendered on the server, leading to benefits such as improved load times, enhanced SEO, and better social media integration. The post explains how to set up an app with Angular Universal, using Angular's library to run apps on the server, and details on adding the Express engine and the @ionic/angular-server module to an Ionic project. It also addresses technical considerations, such as compatibility with libraries that require a DOM, and encourages developers to provide feedback as this is a pre-release version. The post concludes by highlighting the potential of Angular Universal for topics like prerendering, state transfer, and static site generation, and expresses enthusiasm for the future possibilities with Angular and Ionic.

Ionic is seeking Native iOS and Android engineers to expand its team as the company continues to grow, powering over 10% of the Apple App Store and 15% of the Google Play Store. The aim is to enhance Ionic's Native APIs and Solutions, providing developers with robust tools to create apps across various platforms. The ideal candidates should have experience in Objective-C/Swift for iOS and/or Java/Kotlin for Android, along with an interest in JavaScript, and the ability to work across multiple platforms, with additional experience in Cordova or React Native being advantageous. Ionic, known for its popular open-source UI component kit, the Ionic Framework, has been instrumental in the creation of over 10 million apps and offers a suite of Native APIs and the Capacitor for web app development. Its commercial platform is trusted by companies like Burger King, Panera, and GE for app development strategies.

Max Lynch, CEO of Ionic, discusses the intricacies of Capacitor, Ionic's Native API and Web View layer, in a personal newsletter aimed at those interested in Ionic-related topics. His deep dive into the genesis and philosophy of Capacitor provides insight into how this tool functions at a low level, offering readers a comprehensive understanding of its operation. Lynch's newsletter, Ionic Insiders, is presented as a less formal setting for exploring such topics, and he encourages interested individuals to subscribe for more in-depth analysis and updates on Ionic and related developments.