March 2021 Summaries

Ionic Secure Storage is a newly released high-performance, secure data storage solution designed for Ionic apps, enabling developers to encrypt, access, and manage data on iOS, Android, and the web without requiring expertise in mobile security. This solution addresses the challenges of storing and managing large volumes of client-side data securely, ensuring compliance with regulations like HIPAA while offering robust data-driven experiences that function offline. By utilizing SQLite for efficient data handling, it provides ACID-compliant transactions and encryption at rest with 256-bit AES, safeguarding user data from unauthorized access and data loss. Developers can integrate it with Ionic Storage for a consistent API across platforms, although direct SQL queries are not supported in web environments. Ionic Secure Storage simplifies the complexities of secure app development, allowing teams to focus on delivering reliable, high-performance applications without delving into the intricacies of long-term maintenance or evolving security practices.

Ionic Storage v3 has been released as an open-source library designed to simplify data storage in Ionic applications across platforms such as iOS, Android, and the Web by automatically selecting the optimal storage engine. Originally built with Angular support, the updated version now extends compatibility to React, Vue, and any JavaScript project, enhancing its appeal and usability for a broader developer audience. Key changes include the removal of the localforage-cordovaSQLiteDriver dependency, the introduction of the create() function replacing the manual promises-based ready() function, and the addition of Secure Storage integration for encryption support. The update also resolves over 30 issues to improve the plugin's stability, while maintaining the core API functionality to ensure minimal migration effort from version 2.x. Developers are encouraged to leverage the new version for apps with varying storage needs, while guidance is provided on selecting between Ionic Storage, Capacitor Storage, and Ionic Secure Storage based on specific application requirements.

Ionic's March 2021 event highlighted significant developments across its open-source and commercial products, with the introduction of Capacitor 3 as a Release Candidate being a standout announcement. Capacitor, a cross-platform native runtime, bridges web and native technologies, providing an efficient tool for developers to create mobile apps. The updates promise improved performance, developer experience, and community engagement, with Capacitor becoming a standard for web developers building mobile apps. The Ionic Framework, known for its UI toolkit for mobile and desktop apps, has enhanced accessibility features to support users with disabilities. Additionally, Auth Connect and Identity Vault have introduced new APIs and features for seamless authentication and biometric solutions. Appflow, Ionic’s mobile DevOps platform, has expanded its capabilities with support for monorepo projects and Android App Bundles, among other enhancements. The event underscored Ionic’s commitment to supporting a global community of developers and emphasized its role in enabling the creation of scalable, high-impact apps across various industries.

Simon Grimm, an Ionic Developer Expert, provides a comprehensive tutorial on building a Progressive Web App (PWA) using Ionic and Angular, enhanced with Capacitor plugins to utilize native functionalities like image capture and geolocation. The guide walks through the setup of a new Ionic project with Capacitor, integrating PWA capabilities using Angular schematics, and adding Capacitor plugins for native device interactions. It illustrates the process of capturing images and obtaining user location data, then sharing it using Capacitor's Share plugin. To test and deploy the PWA, the tutorial recommends using tools like http-server for local testing and Netlify for hosting, emphasizing the straightforward adaptation of the app for native iOS and Android platforms. Grimm also highlights the flexibility of Capacitor to work with various frameworks and suggests resources for further learning, including his Ionic Academy and YouTube channel.