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Oliver Spryn

The mobile device landscape is quickly changing. Consumers are now willing to pay $1000+ dollars for a cutting-edge foldable phone or a flagship tablet, and it is no longer acceptable to build applications that only cater to basic, flat-screen phones. Android developers have spent too much time developing for the lowest common denominator.

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The mobile device landscape is quickly changing. Consumers are now willing to pay $1000+ dollars for a cutting-edge foldable phone or a flagship tablet, and it is no longer acceptable to build applications that only cater to basic, flat-screen phones. Android developers have spent too much time developing for the lowest common denominator.

Google has heard the collective voice of the consumers and has begun to offer first-class support and recommendations on how to build applications that feel optimized for each of these modalities. Despite this push from the vendor, knowing how to put all of the necessary moving parts in order for a clean developer and user experience can be a challenge.

That is where this course steps in to help. In just over 1 hour, I will teach you all that you need to know to build a fully-functioning, responsive, and optimized app that will display itself equally well on all of these device types:

  • Foldable phones in book mode (vertical orientation, like the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold)

  • Foldable phones in table-top mode (horizontal orientation, like the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip)

  • Flat-screen phones

  • Small tablets

  • Large tablets

  • Desktop devices, like Chrome OS and Windows 11

As more and more vendors add premium phones to their lineup that continue to present new ways of presenting information, the consumer expectation has continued to keep its pace. Application developers have no choice but to adapt to these changes or be left behind.

In this course, you will be building a fully responsive application that works on many screen types and form factors. The application we will create will be visually simple but will contain all of the elements and ideas necessary for a full-fledged, responsive app.

Your final project will have:

  • A screen that displays relevant information about the screen as derived from the display and accelerometer

  • A classifier that can distinguish between phones, small tablets, and large tablets/desktops

  • A master-detail view that combines the information gathered from your project's tooling to build an adaptive interface, much like the design of a popular email or messaging application

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What's inside

Learning objectives

  • Measure and classify the size of a screen on a phone or tablet
  • Understand how to extract data from the foldable hinge of a phone and its accelerometer to determine how the device is being used
  • Build a unified api that can span all device types to report on the kind of display on the user's device
  • Build an adaptive interface which can automatically optimize itself based on the information extracted from the display, hinge, and accelerometer

Syllabus

Introduction
Welcome
The Final Product
Learn how to gather information from your screen, the foldable hinges, and accelerometer to understand what kind of device a user has and how it is being used
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Traffic lights

Read about what's good
what should give you pause
and possible dealbreakers
Focuses on Jetpack Compose, which is now Google's recommended modern toolkit for building native Android UIs, making it highly relevant for current Android development
Teaches how to build responsive applications for foldable phones and tablets, which are increasingly popular and require specialized development techniques
Develops skills in building adaptive interfaces that can automatically optimize themselves based on device information, a valuable skill for creating user-friendly apps
Explores how to extract data from foldable hinges and accelerometers, which is essential for understanding device usage and creating optimized experiences
Requires knowledge of Android development, so learners without prior experience may need to take introductory courses first

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Reviews summary

Build responsive android apps with compose

According to learners, this course offers a highly relevant and practical guide to building modern Android applications that adapt to various screen sizes and foldable devices using Jetpack Compose. Students particularly praise the course's focus on handling different form factors, including foldable phones in book mode and table-top mode, as well as tablets and desktops. The code examples and hands-on project are frequently mentioned as helpful for understanding and applying the concepts taught, such as implementing master-detail views. While some note its concise nature (being just over an hour), many find it efficiently provides the essential knowledge needed for responsive UI development in today's Android landscape. It is best suited for developers already comfortable with Jetpack Compose.
Brief but focused content.
"It's a very short course, just over an hour, but it's packed with useful information."
"Great for getting up to speed quickly on this specific topic."
"Could potentially use more examples or a deeper dive on some nuances, but it's a good starting point."
Uses modern Android UI toolkit.
"The course is entirely in Compose, which is exactly what I needed."
"Liked seeing Compose applied to these more complex layout scenarios."
"Assumes prior Compose knowledge, which is appropriate for the topic."
Hands-on project reinforces concepts.
"The final project and code demos were very helpful to follow along."
"Code examples were clear and easy to integrate into my understanding."
"Appreciated the practical coding labs and the structure of the project."
Learn real-world techniques for adaptation.
"The examples showed me exactly how to handle different screens and sizes."
"I can apply these practical patterns directly to my current projects."
"Really helped solidify my understanding of building responsive UIs with Compose."
Crucial techniques for modern devices.
"This information was crucial for adding support for foldable devices to our app."
"Covers important modes like table-top and book mode clearly."
"Helped bridge the knowledge gap for building layouts on larger screens like tablets and desktops."

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Foldable and Responsive Android Apps with Jetpack Compose with these activities:
Review Kotlin Fundamentals
Strengthen your understanding of Kotlin syntax and core concepts, as Jetpack Compose is built with Kotlin.
Browse courses on Kotlin Coroutines
Show steps
  • Review Kotlin documentation and tutorials.
  • Practice writing Kotlin code snippets.
  • Complete online Kotlin exercises.
Brush up on Android UI Fundamentals
Revisit the basics of Android UI development to better understand how Jetpack Compose simplifies and improves upon traditional methods.
Show steps
  • Review Android UI tutorials and documentation.
  • Examine sample Android UI code.
  • Practice building simple Android layouts.
Read 'Jetpack Compose by Example'
Study practical examples of Jetpack Compose to accelerate your learning and gain hands-on experience.
View Melania on Amazon
Show steps
  • Obtain a copy of 'Jetpack Compose by Example'.
  • Work through the examples in the book.
  • Experiment with modifying the examples.
Four other activities
Expand to see all activities and additional details
Show all seven activities
Follow Jetpack Compose codelabs
Complete Google's official Jetpack Compose codelabs to gain practical experience and learn best practices.
Show steps
  • Find the official Jetpack Compose codelabs.
  • Work through the codelabs step-by-step.
  • Experiment with the code in the codelabs.
Build a simple responsive UI
Apply what you've learned by building a small, responsive UI using Jetpack Compose, focusing on adapting to different screen sizes.
Show steps
  • Plan a simple UI with responsive elements.
  • Implement the UI using Jetpack Compose.
  • Test the UI on different screen sizes.
Document your learning journey
Solidify your understanding by writing blog posts or creating videos about your experience learning Jetpack Compose and building responsive UIs.
Show steps
  • Choose a platform for your content.
  • Document your learning process and challenges.
  • Share your content with the community.
Contribute to a Compose library
Deepen your knowledge by contributing to an open-source Jetpack Compose library, fixing bugs, or adding new features.
Show steps
  • Find an open-source Compose library.
  • Identify a bug or feature to work on.
  • Submit a pull request with your changes.

Career center

Learners who complete Foldable and Responsive Android Apps with Jetpack Compose will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:
Android Developer
As an Android Developer, you'll be at the forefront of creating mobile applications that cater to a diverse range of devices. This course helps build a foundation for developing responsive apps using Jetpack Compose, ensuring your applications look and function flawlessly whether on a foldable phone in book mode, a large tablet, or a desktop device. The course's focus on adapting to different screen sizes and form factors is directly applicable to the daily tasks of an Android Developer, who must ensure apps provide a seamless user experience across all devices. By learning to measure screen sizes, classify devices, and build adaptive layouts, you can excel in creating applications that meet the evolving demands of the mobile landscape. The course is especially helpful for developers keen on leveraging the latest Android features for foldable and large-screen devices.
Mobile Application Developer
Mobile Application Developers design, develop, and implement applications for mobile devices. This course provides hands-on experience in handling the complexities of foldable and responsive design. It helps build skills in creating applications optimized for foldable phones, tablets, and desktops. The course's focus on extracting data from foldable hinges and accelerometers, along with building adaptive interfaces, directly translates to the challenges faced by Mobile Application Developers. This is especially true as they must cater to an increasing variety of devices. The course is particularly suited for those aiming to stay ahead of the curve in mobile app development and deliver user-friendly experiences across the entire spectrum of devices.
User Interface Engineer
A User Interface Engineer specializes in crafting intuitive and visually appealing interfaces for applications. This course helps build skills in creating adaptive layouts using Jetpack Compose, which are crucial for ensuring a consistent user experience across different devices. The course’s syllabus, which covers measuring flat screens, understanding foldable terminology, and reading foldable data, are important for this role. This role helps in making informed decisions about how to present information effectively on various form factors. For User Interface Engineers aiming to optimize user experience on foldable phones, tablets, and desktops, this course provides tangible skills and immediately applicable knowledge.
Software Engineer
Software Engineers design, develop, and test software applications. This course provides a practical introduction to building responsive applications for the Android ecosystem. It may be useful for Software Engineers seeking to expand their skills in mobile development, particularly in creating applications that adapt to different screen sizes and form factors. The skills gained in this course can be applied to a wide range of projects, from mobile applications to desktop software. This is particularly true for those who need to ensure compatibility and optimal performance across diverse devices.
Mobile Software Architect
Mobile Software Architects are responsible for designing the structure of mobile applications. They ensure that the applications are scalable, maintainable, and meet the needs of the users. This course helps build an understanding of how to create applications that are responsive and adapt to different screen sizes and form factors. This understanding is crucial for architects who need to make decisions about the overall structure of a mobile application, especially as more devices with varying form factors enter the market. The course’s syllabus, which covers building an adaptive layout and gathering information from the screen, the foldable hinges, and accelerometer to understand what kind of device a user has and how it is being used may be useful in this role.
Application Developer
Application Developers are responsible for designing, coding, and testing applications. This course provides hands-on experience in building responsive applications using Jetpack Compose. This can be directly applied to the challenges faced by this role. The course is useful for those seeking to expand their skillset and create user-friendly interfaces for a variety of devices. The course’s syllabus, which covers measuring flat screens, understanding foldable terminology, and building an adaptive layout, may be useful when constructing applications.
Web Developer
While primarily focused on web-based applications, a Web Developer can still find value in understanding responsive design principles, particularly as web applications increasingly need to adapt to mobile devices and tablets. This course may be useful for web developers looking to broaden their understanding of responsive design and user experience across different screen sizes and form factors. The techniques learned in this course can inform the development of more adaptive and user-friendly web interfaces, improving the overall user experience.
Quality Assurance Engineer
Quality Assurance Engineers are responsible for testing software applications to ensure they meet quality standards. This course may be helpful for Quality Assurance Engineers who need to test mobile applications on a variety of devices, including foldable phones and tablets. The course’s focus on adaptive layouts and responsive design can inform the testing process, ensuring that applications function correctly across different screen sizes and form factors. Understanding how applications are designed to adapt to different devices can help Quality Assurance Engineers create more effective test plans.
Technical Product Manager
A Technical Product Manager combines technical expertise with product vision to guide the development of software products. This course may be useful for those who want to stay informed about the latest trends in mobile development, particularly with regard to responsive design and foldable devices. Understanding the technical challenges and opportunities associated with creating applications for different screen sizes and form factors can help Product Managers make more informed decisions about product strategy and roadmap.
Mobile Technology Consultant
Mobile Technology Consultants advise businesses on how to leverage mobile technologies to achieve their goals. This course may be beneficial if you want to stay up-to-date on the latest trends in mobile development, including responsive design and foldable devices. Understanding the technical considerations and best practices for creating applications that adapt to different screen sizes and form factors can help consultants provide more informed and valuable advice to their clients.
Technology Educator
A Technology Educator is responsible for teaching technical skills to students or professionals. This course may be useful for educators who need to teach mobile development concepts. For educators who want to stay current with the latest trends, including responsive design and foldable devices, understanding the technical challenges and solutions can help educators provide more relevant and up-to-date instruction.
Computer and Information Systems Manager
Computer and Information Systems Managers plan, direct, and coordinate computer-related activities within an organization. This course may be useful for managers who oversee mobile development projects. An understanding of the technical aspects of responsive design and foldable devices can help managers make informed decisions about resource allocation, project timelines, and technology implementation. It may also be useful for managers to stay up-to-date on the latest trends in mobile technology.
Data Scientist
Data Scientists analyze large datasets to extract meaningful insights and inform decision-making. While the direct connection to mobile app development may seem limited, this course may provide a Data Scientist with a better understanding of the user experience across different devices. This information may be useful when analyzing user behavior data from mobile applications. Ultimately this knowledge may help make data-driven recommendations about app design and functionality.
Database Administrator
Database Administrators are responsible for managing and maintaining databases. While this course focuses on mobile application development, it may be useful to Database Administrators by providing them with a basic understanding of how mobile applications work and interact with databases. The course may help them better understand the data needs of mobile applications and how to optimize database performance for mobile users. It may also be useful for administrators who need to troubleshoot database issues related to mobile applications.
Network and Computer Systems Administrator
Network and Computer Systems Administrators are responsible for maintaining and supporting an organization's computer networks and systems. This course may be useful for helping administrators understand how mobile devices connect to networks and access network resources. The course may also provide insights into the challenges of managing mobile devices on a network, such as ensuring security and optimizing network performance for mobile users.

Reading list

We've selected one books that we think will supplement your learning. Use these to develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered in Foldable and Responsive Android Apps with Jetpack Compose.

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