September 1, 2022

With the Android Platform, Stack Mobile Ushers in a New Era of Web 3 in 2023

Stack mobile refers to the set of programming languages, platforms, etc. needed to create an effective mobile app. Learn more about stack mobile in...

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Anuska

Home » Blog » Blockchain Basics » With the Android Platform, Stack Mobile Ushers in a New Era of Web 3 in 2023

Introduction

The Android platform has long been the go-to choice for mobile app developers looking to reach the widest possible audience. But in 2023, Stack Mobile is set to take things to the next level by leveraging the power of the Android ecosystem to usher in a new Web3 era. With the release of its new mobile app, Stack Mobile is delivering an unprecedented level of security, decentralization, and accessibility to users around the world, making it the premier choice for anyone looking to take advantage of the latest advancements in blockchain technology.

But first,, some context,, via the mobile development stack:

What is a Mobile Development Stack?

The term mobile development stack, or mobile stack, refers to the various technologies, tools, and software that are required to develop a functional mobile application. This stack can be divided into several components, each with their own unique purpose and function.

The frontend is the part of the mobile stack that deals with the user interface, or the part of the app that interacts with the end-users. This includes the visual elements of the app, such as buttons, text, and images, and making them responsive to user interactions.

The backend is the part of the mobile stack that deals with the underlying processing that takes place on the server.

The development component of the mobile stack is a consolidated platform that provides the necessary libraries and interfaces to build the app.

Lastly, the supporting technologies in the mobile stack are various tools and technologies that improve the security, flexibility, and performance of the app.

It is important to note that the options of technologies for the mobile stack will depend on the platform that the app is targeting.

Android Technology Stack

When building a mobile app for Android, there are several core technologies that are commonly used by developers.

The programming languages used to write the app’s code is one of the most important considerations. Two of the most popular programming languages for Android app development are Java and Kotlin.

Java is a widely used language and has been around for a long time. It is well-supported and has great scalability, which means it can handle large and complex projects. Additionally, there are a wide variety of tools and libraries available for Java, many of which are open-source.

Kotlin, on the other hand, is a newer language that has become increasingly popular among app developers. Google has declared it as the second official Android development language. Kotlin is fully compatible with JVM, which means you can still use Java frameworks for developing the app.

Another key technology for building Android apps is the development tools. One of the most widely used development tools for Android app development is Android Studio, which is the official development platform for Google’s Android.

When it comes to creating the user interface, developers have multiple options.

Jetpack Compose is a modern UI toolkit that allows developers to describe the UI elements and the framework dynamically renders it. It is currently not production-ready, but a developer version is available.

Alternatively, Android provides pre-built templates that are handy for developers to build user interfaces quickly and easily.

Technology Stack for iOS Apps

When developing an iOS mobile application, one of the most important considerations is the programming language that you will use. The two main options for iOS app development are Objective-C and Swift.

Objective-C is the original language that was used to build iOS apps, and it’s still supported by Apple. However, it can be difficult to work with and developers may make mistakes while using it.

Swift is a relatively newer language that was introduced in 2014. It has a safer syntax and allows for faster development time, which means fewer mistakes and faster app development.

Another important consideration is the development tools that you will use. The official development tool for iOS apps is Xcode, which is provided by Apple. Xcode is a powerful tool that has all the features needed to build a native iOS mobile app, including a visual interface builder.

However, if you are looking for an open-source alternative to Xcode, there is AppCode. While AppCode enables iOS mobile app development, it lacks some of the features of Xcode and is somewhat dependent on it.

Finally, you will also need to consider the UI frameworks that you will use to build your app.

UIKit is the basic framework for building graphical components in iOS apps. It contains templates that define the UI elements that form the building blocks of the app.

However, if you are looking for a more efficient way of designing UI elements, you can use SwiftUI, which is a newer framework that was introduced in 2019. However, it’s important to note that SwiftUI only works for iOS 13 and later and has limited resources as it is relatively new.

Cross-Platform Technology Stack

When building an app that targets both iOS and Android, using a cross-platform development tool can save you from having to maintain different codebases for each platform. There are several popular cross-platform development tools available, such as React Native, Flutter, and Xamarin.

React Native, which is based on JavaScript, is a popular choice among developers for cross-platform app development. It offers fundamental building blocks that work on both iOS and Android, making it a versatile option for developers.

Flutter is another popular cross-platform development tool that is developed by Google. It features a “hot reload” function that allows developers to see the changes they make in real-time, without having to constantly run the app on emulators or simulators.

Xamarin is another cross-platform development tool that is based on C#. It is a great choice for developers who are proficient in C# as it allows them to use the same language for both iOS and Android app development. The codes written in C# are cross-compiled to native programs for both Android and iOS, which means that the app will have the same performance as if it were built using a native development tool.

While cross-platform development has many benefits, such as reducing time to market and keeping development cost low, it also has some downsides. One of the main downsides is that you are limited to the functionalities allowed by the toolkit. Some device-specific features may not be accessible with cross-platform development.

Backend Technology Stack

When choosing the best technology stack for mobile app development, it’s important to first decide on the backend, as it handles the business logic, authentication, data management, and other crucial processes for the app.

Some of the most popular technology stacks for backend development include LAMP, Nest.js, Vue.js, Python-Django, and Ruby on Rails.

LAMP is a stack of open-source software components including Linux as the server operating system, Apache as the web server, MySQL as the database, and PHP or Python as the scripting languages, known for being robust, reliable, flexible, customizable, and easy to use.

Nest.js is a popular framework for building server-side Node.js web applications that uses progressive JavaScript and TypeScript.

Vue.js is a framework for creating user interfaces and single-page applications that are easily scalable.

Python-Django is a popular open-source technology stack for building backend services for mobile applications.

Ruby on Rails is an open-source and free framework that promotes quick web development with a rich repository of library integrations and is favored for creating mobile apps that are both expandable and handy as multi-purpose tools.

Web3: A New Era for the Internet

While Web2 was an era dominated by corporate giants, the new Web3 era that has taken its place is turning it on its head by putting the web in the hands of its users and the community through decentralized ownership and control. There are boundless opportunities for innovation with Web3, ranging from AI and VR to machine learning and blockchain, and, of course, the technology making all the headlines: the Metaverse. It is transforming the modern world through evolving day-to-day business operations and creating virtual economies, doing things that could not have been dreamed of a couple of decades ago.

The mobile app technology stack is one of these innovations. It is a combination of programming languages, platforms, frameworks, tools, UX/UI software, and other technologies required to develop a functional mobile app. This article aims to inform users about the Shardeum Stack Mobile application and the initial features that have been rolled out.

How to Use Stack Mobile

Stack Mobile is one of the best mobile app technology stacks that allow you to work on the go. Let’s go through how to use Stack Mobile with a step-by-step guide:

In the browser app, type go.stackct.com.
Log in using your Stack credentials (or sign up for an account if you are completely new to the platform).
From the project list that appears, select the project of your choice.
Once the project is opened, the Plans view will appear. You can click on the plans to open them and use the menu button in the upper right corner to navigate between Plans, Reports, and your Account.
Clicking on Reports will allow you to view the reported measurements from your project, while the dropdown arrow next to this title will let you switch between different reports.
The app also lets you “group” and “sort” your reports for ease.
The Accounts sections let you manage your account settings, update billing addresses, link your STACK account to one of our integration partners, and much more.
The app also houses a Chat button to get assistance from the Stack Mobile app’s success team.

Features of the Shardeum Mobile Stack

Let’s go through some of the features of the Shardeum Mobile Stack application:

1. Mobile Wallet Adapter

There is a protocol for connecting web applications and Android apps to wallets on mobile devices. This open-source protocol can work with wallet apps providing signing services to apps running remotely. It was designed to serve all mobile platforms, not just Android.

2. Seed Vault

The Seed Vault is a secure environment built into a mobile device to help keep private keys, seed phrases, and secrets separate from the application layer yet still capable of interacting with apps running on the mobile device or in a browser. It accesses the highest privileged security environment and enables a secure transaction signing experience through UI components built into Android.

3. Shardeum Pay for Android

Shardeum Pay, an integral feature of a decentralized payments rail on Shardeum, is built into the Shardeum Mobile Stack. It allows wallet apps to utilize the system features of Android devices to capture Shardeum Pay URLs via unique QR codes, NFC taps, messages, and browser interactions to power Shardeum pay requests. Users will also benefit from instant virtual card issuance, allowing them to make contactless mobile payments backed by their self-custodied funds.

To Conclude

The mobile app technology stack is one the essential parts of mobile application design today. Shardeum aims to simplify the process with its new Mobile Stack with various unique and exciting features.
Shardeum is an EVM-based, linearly scalable smart contract platform that aims to revolutionize the blockchain industry. Find out more about Shardeum.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What is a Technology Stack?

A technology stack refers to the combination of different programming languages and software that are used together to develop a mobile or web application. It is created by layering one component of the application on top of another. Mobile application technology stacks typically consist of two parts: the client-side, also known as the frontend, and the server-side, also known as the backend.

2. What is the App Stack used for?

A mobile app stack includes both client-side and server-side components and is used to develop, design and maintain the app. The client-side, also known as the frontend, is responsible for the user interface and the user experience of the app. The server-side, also known as the backend, is responsible for the business logic and the data management of the app.

3. What is the Best Platform for Mobile App Development?

There is no definitive answer to what the best platform for mobile app development is, since it depends on the specific requirements of your project. However, some popular platforms for mobile app development are iOS, Android, React Native, and Xamarin. Each platform has its own set of strengths and weaknesses, and the best choice for a project will depend on factors such as the target audience, budget, development team expertise and more.

4. How to Choose the Best Technology Stack for Mobile Apps?

Choosing the best technology stack for mobile apps depends on the app’s purpose, scalability, security, complexity, and the available timeline. Define the app’s goal, consider the type of project and its future potential, validate it through user testing, set clear goals, prioritize data security, and consider scalability and the time constraints. It’s also important to consider the community support and documentation offered by technology providers.

Disclaimers: Opinions expressed in this publication are those of the author(s). They do not necessarily purport to reflect the opinions or views of Shardeum Foundation.

About the Author: Anuska is an independent freelance writer freshly exploring web3 and blockchain space. Her articles blend personal exploration with established editorial methods, and she’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments!