Broadening Android App Appeal and Reach from Pluralsight

The Android platform encompasses a rich ecosystem of users and devices. In this course, you’ll learn how to create apps that effectively engage this ecosystem through multiple language support, device adaptability, accessibility, and custom views.

The Android platform encompasses one of the largest user bases of any platform and provides those users with a rich device ecosystem filled with choices. In this course, Broadening Android App Appeal and Reach, you’ll learn how to succeed in this environment by creating apps that effectively engage the needs of these users and that adapt to their individual device capabilities. First, you will see how to use the Android resource system to create apps that dynamically adapt to device features and capabilities. Next, you’ll explore how to create locale-aware apps that have multiple-language support and display text in the user’s language of choice. After that, you’ll dive into creating custom views that allow your app to present a rich and engaging user experience. You’ll then learn to add Android Studio design-time configurability to your custom views and incorporate interactive features. Finally, you’ll gain an understanding of how to create apps that provide support for accessibility features such as non-touch navigation and screen readers. By the end of this course, you’ll have the skills and knowledge to create your own Android applications that that effectively engage and meet the needs of the rich ecosystem of Android devices and users.

What's inside

Syllabus

Working with Resources for Localization and Adaptability

Creating a Custom View

Handling Custom View Positioning and Sizing

Incorporating Custom View Interactivity and Configurability

Adding Accessibility

Making the Custom View Accessible

Good to know

Know what's good

, what to watch for

, and possible dealbreakers

Helps learners expand their Android programming skills

Provides valuable techniques for adapting apps to different devices

Covers essential aspects of app development for the Android platform

Taught by instructors with expertise in Android development

May require additional knowledge in Android development

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 Broadening Android App Appeal and Reach with these activities:

Review Android Development Fundamentals

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Deepen understanding of fundamentals to create a stronger foundation for creating custom views.

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Review documentation and tutorials on core Android concepts
Complete practice problems to reinforce understanding of Activities, Intents, and Fragments
Set up a basic Android development environment

Review Java

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Brushing up on Java will ensure that you are familiar with the fundamentals of programming before diving into Android development.

Browse courses on Java

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Go through your Java notes from previous courses or online resources.
Practice writing simple Java programs to reinforce your understanding.

Read "Android Programming: The Big Nerd Ranch Guide"

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This book provides a comprehensive overview of Android development and will help you build a solid foundation for this course.

View Android Programming: The Big Nerd Ranch Guide... on Amazon

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Read the chapters on Android fundamentals, UI design, and app development.
Complete the exercises and projects in the book to practice your skills.

Ten other activities

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Compile a list of useful Android resources

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Having a curated collection of resources can help you quickly find the information you need when working on Android development projects.

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Identify and gather useful resources such as documentation, tutorials, and code libraries.
Organize the resources into a structured format, such as a document or spreadsheet.

Design a Custom View Concept

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Solidify understanding of creating custom views by outlining a concept for a custom view.

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Brainstorm a new custom view concept
Sketch out the design of the custom view on paper
Identify the features and functionality of the custom view
Write a brief description of the custom view

Join a study group

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Discussing the course material with peers can help you understand concepts more deeply and identify areas where you need further clarification.

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Find a study group or create one with your classmates.
Meet regularly to discuss the course material and work on assignments together.

Follow Android Studio tutorials

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Android Studio tutorials can provide step-by-step guidance on specific Android development topics, helping you reinforce your learning.

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Find tutorials on topics that you are interested in or that you need to improve your skills in.
Follow the tutorials carefully and complete the exercises.

Practice writing Android code

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Regular practice is essential for developing proficiency in Android development. Coding drills will help you improve your problem-solving skills and strengthen your understanding of the language.

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Set aside time each day to write Android code.
Solve coding challenges or write small programs to practice your skills.

Practice Implementing Custom View Attributes

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Strengthen skills in creating custom views by practicing the implementation of custom view attributes.

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Create a new Android Studio project
Design and implement a custom view
Define custom view attributes in the XML layout file
Implement a custom attribute handler
Test and debug the custom view

Build a simple Android app

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Creating your own Android app will allow you to apply the concepts you learn in this course and build your portfolio.

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Choose a simple app idea that you can complete within the timeframe of the course.
Design the UI and functionality of your app.
Develop the app using the skills you learn in this course.

Explore Advanced Custom View Techniques

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Expand knowledge of custom views by following tutorials on advanced techniques.

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Read tutorials on creating custom view groups
Follow tutorials on implementing custom animations in custom views
Explore tutorials on working with advanced custom view attributes

Contribute to open-source Android projects

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Contributing to open-source projects allows you to collaborate with other developers, learn from their code, and improve your own coding skills.

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Find open-source Android projects that align with your interests and skill level.
Identify issues or areas for improvement in the codebase.
Submit pull requests with your proposed changes.

Build an Android App Using Custom Views

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Synthesize knowledge of custom views by designing and developing an Android app that utilizes them.

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Plan and design the Android app
Create custom views for the app
Implement the app logic and functionality
Test and debug the app
Deploy the app to a device or emulator

Career center

Learners who complete Broadening Android App Appeal and Reach will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Android Developer

As an Android Developer, you would be designing and implementing the next generation of Android apps. Broadening Android App Appeal and Reach will help you cultivate your ability to create apps that are both visually appealing and functional. The skills you will gain from this course will equip you with the expertise to create apps that engage with users while seamlessly functioning across an array of Android devices.

See salaries and explore the career path for Android Developer

Application Developer

An Application Developer builds and maintains software applications. As part of your responsibilities, you would be working on both the front end and back end of these applications. Broadening Android App Appeal and Reach will help you build a foundation in crafting applications that provide cross-platform compatibility. Upon taking this course, you will gain a solid understanding of how to adapt apps to the unique capabilities of different devices and users.

See salaries and explore the career path for Application Developer

Front-End Developer

Front End Developers are creators of the visual elements that users interact with on a daily basis, including websites and mobile applications. By taking Broadening Android App Appeal and Reach, you will gain the necessary skills to create beautiful and intuitive interfaces. With a background in front end development and the knowledge gained from this course, you will be able to craft user experiences that are both enjoyable and easily accessible.

See salaries and explore the career path for Front-End Developer

Back-End Developer

Back End Developers are responsible for all that goes on behind the scenes of a website or application. Broadening Android App Appeal and Reach will strengthen your understanding of creating applications that perform well on a variety of devices. This course will teach you the skills to design and implement back end systems that can handle the demands of a diverse user base. By bolstering your knowledge with this course, you will build a foundation for a successful career as a Back End Developer.

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Software Engineer

A Software Engineer designs, develops, tests, and maintains software applications. They may work on a variety of projects, from operating systems to mobile applications. Broadening Android App Appeal and Reach can help you build a foundation for a career in software engineering. By taking this course, you will gain experience in creating applications that are both efficient and user-friendly across diverse platforms.

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Software Developer

Software Developers design, create, and test software applications as part of a larger development team. Broadening Android App Appeal and Reach may be useful to you as a Software Developer, as it covers the creation of applications that are compatible with a variety of devices and users. By learning how to develop custom views and incorporate accessibility features, you will gain skills that enhance your career prospects.

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Web Developer

Web Developers build and maintain websites. As a web developer, you would be creating and maintaining code that is compatible with many different devices and browsers. Broadening Android App Appeal and Reach may be useful to you in your career, as it discusses how to create applications with dynamic sizing and custom views. These are skills that are valuable to web developers and can help you to create more effective websites.

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Mobile Developer

Mobile Developers design, develop, and test mobile applications. Broadening Android App Appeal and Reach will help you build a foundation for a career in mobile development, by providing experience with creating applications that are adaptable, accessible, and visually appealing. By taking this course, you will gain knowledge in the resources Android offers for localization and adaptability and learn to create custom views that enhance the user experience.

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UI/UX Designer

UI/UX Designers are responsible for the look and feel of a website or application. They work to create interfaces that are both visually appealing and easy to use. By taking Broadening Android App Appeal and Reach, you will gain experience in creating custom views and incorporating accessibility features. These skills are highly valuable to UI/UX Designers and will help you to create user experiences that are inclusive and engaging.

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Product Manager

Product Managers are responsible for the overall vision and strategy of a product. They work with designers, engineers, and other stakeholders to bring a product to life. Broadening Android App Appeal and Reach may be helpful to you as a Product Manager, by providing the understanding of how to create applications that are successful in the diverse Android ecosystem.

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Technical Writer

Technical Writers create and maintain technical documentation, such as user manuals and help files. Broadening Android App Appeal and Reach may be helpful to you in your career, as it provides experience in creating content that is both informative and accessible. Additionally, your knowledge of accessibility features will enable you to create documentation that is inclusive and easy to use for all.

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Quality Assurance Analyst

Quality Assurance Analysts test software applications to ensure that they meet quality standards. Broadening Android App Appeal and Reach may be useful to you in your career, as it provides experience in testing applications on a variety of devices and with different accessibility features. This experience will equip you with the skills to ensure that software applications are reliable and accessible to all users.

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Project Manager

Project Managers plan and execute projects, ensuring that they are completed on time, within budget, and to the required quality standards. Broadening Android App Appeal and Reach may be useful to you in your career, as it provides experience in working with a team to create a successful product. Additionally, your knowledge of accessibility features will enable you to create projects that are inclusive and accessible to all users.

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Business Analyst

Business Analysts work with stakeholders to understand their needs and develop solutions that meet those needs. Broadening Android App Appeal and Reach may be useful to you in your career, as it provides experience in understanding the needs of users and creating solutions that are both effective and accessible.

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Information Technology Specialist

Information Technology Specialists provide technical support to users and maintain computer systems. Broadening Android App Appeal and Reach may be useful to you in your career, as it provides experience in working with a variety of devices and accessibility features. Additionally, your knowledge of accessibility features will enable you to provide support to users with disabilities, ensuring that they have equal access to technology.

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