Parija Rangnekar – Page 20

What are the Persistent Issues in the React Native Framework?

What Features are Covered in React Native’s 0.61 Version?

How does the ‘Fast Refresh’ Feature in this Update Impact the Developer Community?

All such questions about React Native 0.61 version will be covered in this blog. We will especially elaborate on the Fast Refresh Feature in this blog. So without much delay, let’s get started.

A Bit about React Native 0.61

React Native 0.61 is quite a small update comparatively. It is an attempt to resolve several persistent issues present in the older versions. The broken hot-reloading feature was one of the biggest pain points for React Native App Developers and the Community. This new update majorly focuses on a new reloading experience called Fast Refresh. With this update, the developer community can heave a sigh of relief.

But before looking into features in this new version, let’s have a quick look at the persistent issues in React Native. Like any other technology, this technology had several shortcomings and no matter how small, but these shortcomings did affect the overall mobile app development.

Shortcomings in React Native Framework!

Hot-reloading Issue: Being one of the most popular features of React Native, the hot-reload feature got much attention from the developer community. But sadly, it didn’t go that well and especially failed to work appropriately with Stateless Functional Components (SFC). In the React Native 0.61 version, this issue has been fixed, and now, reloading any React Native code reliably is possible without reloading the complete application.

Time-consuming Updating Process: Updating React Native from an older version to a new one is tedious and needs a lot of time. This process especially becomes highly time-consuming in case the React Native Developers haven’t installed a few updates and then want to update it once for all.

Sudden App Crashes at Times: Several times, React Native apps can crash suddenly and there is not much information available to know the reason for such app crashes.

Finding Main Reason of Exception: Finding the main reason for the exception is quite challenging in the React Native framework. Stack trace in the Chrome debugger console makes the debugging process much time-consuming. In this case, component DidCatch also doesn’t seem much helpful.

Issues with Ram Bundle: The ram bundle of React Native isn’t supported by any OTA platform like CodePush. This issue is caused since React Native community is not connected widely.

So, to overcome such challenges and solve the existing bugs, React Native 0.61 was introduced. New features in this version will help the developer community to leverage an improved development process and also result in a better end-product.

Notable Features of React Native 0.61 and its Impact on the Developer Community

React Native 0.61: Fast Refresh Features

Better CocoaPods support: A few updates in the 0.60 version of React Native were by default made to integrate CocoaPods. But this leads to several issues in the use_frameworks! But thankfully, this issue is being worked upon and fixed in 0.61. After this update, it has become much simpler to integrate React Native into the iOS projects that are developed with dynamic frameworks.

React 16.9 Upgrade: In this version, there have been improvements to act. Also, the old names for the UNSAFE_ lifecycle methods have been deprecated.

The ‘useWindowDimensions Hook’ Feature: Hook is another fascinating feature introduced in this version that offers and subscribes to dimension updates. This feature can be used instead of the Dimensions API in several cases.

Fast Refresh: The “hot reloading” and “live reloading” features have been unified into a single feature called “Fast Refresh” for addressing the hot-reloading issue. This update is quite helpful to the developer community and every React Native App Development Company. So, let us have a quick look at what’s so impressive about this feature.

Significance of the Fast Refresh Feature

The hot-reload issue needed enhancements for a long time and in this update, it has been addressed. So, what are these enhancements, and how is these will impact the developers as well as React Native App Development services leveraging this framework? Please read along.

The feature doesn’t exercise invasive code transformations. Thus, the code can be considered more reliable and trustworthy even if kept ON in the settings by default.
This feature provides complete support to new-age React along with function components and Hooks completely.
This feature helps to skilfully recover from typos and similar mistakes. Besides, whenever required, the Fast Refresh feature can be switched to full reload.

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Final Views:

We have seen several features of React Native 0.61 version along with its Fast Refresh feature. About this feature, the developer community finds it much flexible to use. It works well for both functional components and class components. Though it is almost similar to the hot-reloading feature, this time, it is much more efficient and excellent in performance.

That is all in this post!

What is your experience with React Native 0.61? Do share in the comments section.

For any further assistance, please feel free to discuss with us!

Wearable technology, one of the most ground-breaking innovations of the modern age, has set a novel trend in itself. Some of its popular end-products are Smartwatches, Fitbit, Smartglasses, Hearables, Head-mounted displays, Sports watches, Fitness trackers, and temperature controllers.

Wearables were primarily used by the high-profile niche category like armed forces, healthcare professionals, intelligence agencies, and specific enterprises. Later, this technology entered the private consumer market. Today, consumers use wearables for a wide range of activities; right from tracking fitness to enhancing gaming experiences. The usage of wearable devices and apps not only makes our lives easier but also elevates business performance across diverse industry verticals. Consequently, wearable app development companies are multiplying every year. As per a report published by the prominent online portal Statista;

“The total number of connected wearable devices around the globe was 325 million in 2016. This number shot up to 835 million in 2020 and is predicted to exceed one billion by 2022.”

No. of connected Wearables in Millions

Statista also observed that amongst wearable devices “smartwatches have been the bestsellers in the past couple of years. Ear-worn hearable devices are also gaining momentum and are expected to dominate the consumer market in the years to come.”

The Wearable technology is capable of crafting game-changers like Smartwatch apps, Google Glass Apps, Smart Band apps, Apple Watch apps, Smarteye Wear Apps, Smart Fit Bands, Virtual Reality Apps, and wearables for Healthcare, Games, Navigation, etc. However, all manufacturers are not able to hit the jackpot as wearable app development and the technology itself involves several challenges. This blog pens down the advantages as well as the roadblocks associated with wearable technology, devices, and apps.

But before we dive deeper, let me introduce you to this technology!

Wearables: An Overview

Wearables are electronic devices that can be worn as accessories, implanted in the body of users, or inserted within their clothing. Smart sensors and powerful microchips are embedded inside these devices, which record, analyze, transmit and monitor the user’s biometric data upon their consent. So, the advancement of this technology is directly proportional to the growth of mobile networks, miniaturized microprocessors, and high-speed data transfer, Needless to say, its ability to connect additional devices using Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, or Cellular networks provides an enriching experience to wearable users. So, besides tracking personal data, these devices can also access apps and use the processed information to deliver feedback.

Wearables are considered as one major category of IoT because of the smart life-changing applications that it provides. The only difference is that, unlike most IoT mobile apps, a corresponding wearable app can work independently of a mobile app and this offers more flexibility to users. Yet, many wearable apps can share their load with a companion smartphone app if required.

Benefits of Wearable Apps and Devices

Healthcare Sector

Healthcare Wearables facilitate medical diagnoses, preventive care, treatment decisions, remote monitoring, and high-risk care management. Take a look at some instances.

The sensors present in smart health watches can detect early signs of the following diseases – Parkinson’s, strokes, fatigues related to cancer, and certain symptoms of Alzheimer’s.
Body-mounted sensors like Wearable ECG monitors, blood pressure monitors, and Biosensors detect crucial healthcare data such as pulse rate, muscle oxygen saturation, oxygen and glucose levels in the blood, and many more.

Fitness tracking

Fitness trackers measure the number of stairs climbed, the number of steps while walking; keep a track of the user’s heart rate, amount of calories gained; evaluate sleep quality; etc. They also provide feedback and reminders regarding the users’ fitness and health goals. For this reason, these gadgets have become an absolute necessity for modern individuals with super-busy and sedentary lifestyles.

Hearable devices

Hearables refer to wearable devices created for listening to music. These devices are wireless, small-sized, in-ear accessories; and use customized applications for delivering the best results. Samsung Galaxy Earbuds and AirPod by Apple are the leading examples.

Fashion Industry

The fashion industry has also started leveraging the benefits of wearables. Let’s see how?

Top clothing brands like Levis are developing wearable apparel in the form of suits, pants, and other forms of clothing accessories.
Wearable jewelry in the form of rings, necklaces, and armbands are being manufactured.

Gaming experiences

The gaming sector is leveraging the most recent technologies like IoT, Virtual Reality, Artificial Intelligence, and wearable technology to architect spectacular gadgets that boost gaming experiences. Some examples are eye-wear that produces real-life graphics, haptic devices that provide real-time tangible feedback to gamers, a wristband called Gameband+Minecraft which is dedicated to gamers.

Insurance agencies

Wearable technology allows insurance providers to access the biometrics of policyholders and other necessary information. This data helps them to prevent fraudulent claims, ensure underwriting accuracy and enhance customer engagement. For instance, Fitbit has entered into a partnership with United Healthcare, and so the users who record their activities in Fitbit devices receive healthcare credits as a reward.

Fintech and Banking

Wearable technology helps banks to interact in a better way with clients and offer improved services. Banks acquire specific client data in real-time and so can provide personalized services to clients. Customers, too benefit by enjoying easy-going services and contactless payments.

Employee tracking

Wearables help employers to track employees when they are not around. Alerts are sent to employees to which they can respond immediately. This way, employers are always connected to their employees, and work efficiency increases as well.

Challenges in Wearable App Development

Wearable technology being in its initial years of development is facing certain stumbling blocks. Take a look!

As the screen size of wearables is quite small, it becomes tricky for the UI/UX designers to accommodate all the elements and provide an attractive look at the same time.
Wearable apps involve data transfer between two devices and so chances of data breaches by a third-party are quite likely. So it is very important that the wearable app development company businesses opt should be able to handle the security of wearable applications efficiently.
Users tend to shun devices or apps that drain too much battery and so one must take care of this aspect to remain competitive. But, wearable app developers find it extremely challenging to strike the perfect balance between incorporating the best features and making the device/app a battery-saving one.
Wearables being small devices with limited functions, need to be tethered to a larger device for accessing more features of the application. So, the biggest development constraint is maintaining a decent range between two devices and Bluetooth to ensure that they stay connected.
Multi-platform support is essential for the success of a wearable app. But, as different coding is needed for each platform, developers need to focus on API and several protocols for creating a custom app that will run consistently across various devices.
Regular updates introducing new features and bug fixes are needed to stay relevant which is not so easy to achieve in wearable apps.

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Final Thoughts:

Wearable app development is still in a nascent phase and has a long road ahead. This technology is already a trendsetter and further advancements are expected in the near future. The Wearable App Development process does face certain challenges but with time the wearable industry will successfully overcome all hurdles and emerge as one of the most incredible assets of the software industry.

If you have experience in using or developing wearable apps, please share your thoughts in the comments section below. Contact us for further queries about wearable technology.

Parija Rangnekar, Page 20 Author

Influence of Fast Refresh Feature in React Native 0.61 on the Developer Community!