Latest news with #appDevelopment
Geek Culture
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Geek Culture
Singapore Student Wins Apple's Swift Student Challenge With Focus App Concept, Is Invited To WWDC, Gets Attention Of Tim Cook
Concerned with short attention spans and the need for instant gratification among the younger generation, 16-year-old St. Joseph's Institution student Jatin Rakesh opted to submit a concept app that focuses on keeping people's attention span. What he didn't expect was to not only win Apple's Swift Student Challenge and be among one of 50 Distinguished Winners globally, but he also received an invitation to attend the recently concluded Apple Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC), and got noticed by Apple CEO Tim Cook in the process. Jatin Rakesh (top row, 10th from the right) posing next to Apple CEO Tim Cook and fellow Distinguished Winners. 'I wasn't expecting to meet Tim Cook as part of our tour, but was pleasantly surprised when he joined the Distinguished Winners' group photo next to the iconic rainbow arch at Apple Park,' remarked the excited student of his week-long experience visiting Apple Park in Cupertino, California. 'I had butterflies in my stomach when he decided to stand next to me and put his arm around me for the photo! Meeting someone as respected and inspiring as Tim is a true bucket list moment I will never forget.' And he has his mother to thank for this journey, as she was the one who pushed him to start his coding journey, which began when he was just 11 years old, with block coding and subsequently, syntax coding with the help of a private tutor. These two coding structures are concepts that even the average adult will struggle to comprehend, but it was his mother who encouraged him to do so. 'At first, I joined reluctantly,' Jatin recalls, 'but as I went through the stages of coding, I learnt that coding is so much more than clacking keys – it made me realise how it can empower people's lives.' And that empowerment led him towards Apple's Swift Student Challenge, a prestigious international competition that began in 2020 with the goal to support and recognise young coders and their creative ability. His winning concept app was among the 350 winning global submissions for the year, with his exceptional work further earning him an invite to Apple Park. His winning entry, Attention Tractor , is a short story-based simulation game featuring a hamster named Theo who has trouble focusing. The app playground, which refers to conceptual prototypes that are not full apps, includes a series of mini-games alongside its simple narrative that encourage the fostering of positive habits to improve one's attention span, such as setting an early bedtime, exercising active listening, as well as the importance of healthy eating and meditation. Attention Tractor On a personal level, the idea stemmed from wanting to help his generation of peers focus, tackling an apt problem faced by many in this fast-paced digital age of short-form content like 30-second TikToks. It also hit closer to home, of wanting to help his younger sister after witnessing its negative effects first-hand. 'My entry was inspired by the insight that my generation tends to have low attention spans.' he explains, 'With the proliferation of social media, and according to my research, this can negatively impact long-term focus, concentration, and mental health, and can worsen if left unaddressed over time.' 'I also wanted to address this issue because I wanted to see how I could help my younger sister manage her short attention span, as I've seen it affect her in various ways.' Attention Tracor After two previous attempts at participating in the Swift Student Challenge, he took the opportunity to kill two birds with one stone and following two months of hard work, his efforts earned him an all-expenses-paid trip to WWDC 2025, where he made connections with global app creators and shared in their experiences. 'I was able to learn more about accessibility and how the user experience on Apple's ecosystem can make people's lives better.' says the young developer, 'The experience really showed me the diversity of the global developer community and reminded me of what we all have in common – to make people's lives easier and more efficient through code and the apps we create.' 'Being around experienced developers and other Distinguished Winners, we discussed ways to improve our apps, share goals, and learn more from each other about Apple's technologies,' adds the former Kranji Secondary School student, who has quickly taken in the feedback received on his code, along with ideas that have made him rethink how he presents himself and his apps. While studying at Kranji Secondary School, Jatin, along with three of his friends, developed a travel planner app, Journify . 'That's what makes being part of the developer community so amazing – you know you are not alone, and that there will always be other smart people with better capabilities and ideas to help you out, because we all share a vision of using technology to make people's lives better.' While his coding and app creation journey has only just started, Jatin is fast realising that coding can play a big role in his future. 'My passion for coding has continued to grow – programming a website is only bound by my imagination, and the freedom of coding has given my life a whole different meaning and allowed me to get creative.' So, what's next for the budding app developer? For now, exams are his main priority, although he hopes to continue working on Attention Tractor, evolving it from an app playground to a full-fledged app that can benefit countless others. 'There is one thing I'm certain of, though, and that is making a positive impact in another person's life and building apps that help the community benefit and grow. My biggest goal in life is to be a good human being and be remembered as someone who used technology to empower people and help others in their daily lives.' Kevin is a reformed PC Master Race gamer with a penchant for franchise 'duds' like Darksiders III and Dead Space 3 . He has made it his life-long mission to play every single major game release – lest his wallet dies trying. Apple Singapore swift student challenge wwdc WWDC 2025
Geeky Gadgets
13-06-2025
- Geeky Gadgets
How Apple PaperKit Simplifies App Development with Pre-Built Components : Apple WWDC25
What if creating a stunning, high-performing app was as simple as sketching ideas on paper? At WWDC25, Apple introduced PaperKit, a new framework poised to redefine how developers approach app creation. In an era where app development often feels like a tug-of-war between creativity and technical complexity, PaperKit promises to tip the scales. By combining intuitive tools with advanced functionality, Apple has crafted a solution that not only accelerates workflows but also enables developers to focus on what truly matters—crafting exceptional user experiences. Could this be the most developer-friendly innovation Apple has unveiled in years? In the video below Apple Developers provide more insights into the fantastic potential of PaperKit, exploring how its pre-built components, real-time previews, and seamless integration with Apple technologies like SwiftUI and ARKit are reshaping the development landscape. Whether you're a seasoned developer or just starting out, you'll discover how PaperKit simplifies the most daunting aspects of app design while maintaining Apple's hallmark for quality and innovation. But beyond the technical features lies a deeper question: can PaperKit bridge the gap between functionality and creativity in a way that redefines app development for the next decade? Let's explore. Apple Unveils PaperKit What is PaperKit? PaperKit is a developer-focused framework that integrates advanced tools to simplify the app development process. Its core purpose is to reduce complexity while allowing the creation of polished, high-performing applications. Whether you are building an app from the ground up or refining an existing project, PaperKit offers a robust foundation that bridges the gap between technical functionality and user experience. By addressing both creative and technical aspects of app design, it allows developers to focus on innovation and deliver exceptional results. One of PaperKit's standout features is its ability to streamline the development process without compromising on quality. By offering tools that cater to both novice and experienced developers, it ensures accessibility while maintaining professional-grade outcomes. This dual focus makes PaperKit a versatile solution for a wide range of app development needs. How PaperKit Simplifies App Development PaperKit excels in simplifying app development by automating repetitive tasks and providing pre-built components. These features allow developers to allocate more time to innovation and creativity. The framework includes modular design templates that can be customized to suit the specific requirements of any app. These templates not only speed up the development process but also ensure consistency in both interface design and functionality. For instance, instead of manually coding common UI elements, developers can use PaperKit's ready-made components. This approach significantly reduces development time, minimizes errors, and ensures a professional, cohesive design across the app. By eliminating the need for repetitive coding, PaperKit allows developers to focus on creating unique features and enhancing user engagement. Apple WWDC25 Meet PaperKit Watch this video on YouTube. Browse through more resources below from our in-depth content covering more areas on Apple iOS 26. Focusing on User Experience User experience lies at the heart of PaperKit's design philosophy. The framework provides tools that enable developers to create apps with intuitive navigation, responsive layouts, and visually appealing interfaces. One of its most notable features is the real-time preview capability, which allows developers to see how their app will look and function across various Apple devices, including iPhones, iPads, and Macs. This real-time feedback ensures that apps deliver a consistent and engaging experience, regardless of the device being used. By prioritizing usability and aesthetics, PaperKit helps developers design apps that resonate with users and meet Apple's high standards for quality. Additionally, the framework's focus on responsive design ensures that apps perform seamlessly across different screen sizes and resolutions. Seamless Integration with Apple Technologies As part of the Apple ecosystem, PaperKit is designed to integrate effortlessly with other Apple technologies. It supports tools like SwiftUI, CoreML, and ARKit, allowing developers to incorporate advanced features such as machine learning, augmented reality, and dynamic user interfaces into their apps. This seamless compatibility ensures that apps are optimized for Apple's hardware and software, delivering a smooth and reliable experience for users. For example, if you are developing an app that uses augmented reality, PaperKit's integration with ARKit simplifies the process. This allows developers to focus on creating immersive experiences without being bogged down by technical challenges. Similarly, its support for CoreML enables the incorporation of machine learning models, making it easier to build intelligent, data-driven applications. Key Features of PaperKit PaperKit offers a comprehensive suite of features tailored to meet the diverse needs of developers: Pre-built components to accelerate app development and reduce repetitive coding tasks. to accelerate app development and reduce repetitive coding tasks. Real-time previews to ensure cross-device compatibility and consistent user experiences. to ensure cross-device compatibility and consistent user experiences. Seamless integration with Apple technologies like SwiftUI, CoreML, and ARKit for advanced functionality. with Apple technologies like SwiftUI, CoreML, and ARKit for advanced functionality. Responsive design tools for creating visually appealing and adaptable user interfaces. for creating visually appealing and adaptable user interfaces. Optimization for smooth performance across the Apple ecosystem, making sure reliability and quality. Why PaperKit Matters PaperKit represents a significant step forward in app development by addressing the challenges developers face in creating high-quality applications. By simplifying workflows, enhancing user experience, and integrating seamlessly with Apple's ecosystem, it provides a powerful toolkit for developers to bring their ideas to life. Whether you are an experienced developer or just starting out, PaperKit equips you with the resources needed to create innovative, functional, and visually appealing apps. The framework's emphasis on usability, efficiency, and compatibility ensures that developers can meet the demands of modern app users while maintaining Apple's high standards for performance and design. By reducing the technical barriers to app creation, PaperKit enables developers to focus on what truly matters—delivering exceptional user experiences and driving innovation in the app development space. Media Credit: Apple Developer Filed Under: Apple, Top News Latest Geeky Gadgets Deals Disclosure: Some of our articles include affiliate links. If you buy something through one of these links, Geeky Gadgets may earn an affiliate commission. Learn about our Disclosure Policy.
Gizmodo
24-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Gizmodo
This AI App Is Using an AI-Generated Ad to Show How Easy It Is to Generate AI App Slop
Back in my day, the phrase used to be 'there's an app for that,' and that's still the case, though with one major amendment: now, it's 'there's an AI app for that.' In fact, there's even an AI app for making apps—buckle up, kiddos, things are about to get meta. Let me explain: Rork, which I stumbled across while scrolling X, is—if we are to drink the Kool-Aid—the app to end all apps. The font from which all other apps may flow. The cold fusion of coding. Alright, I'm exaggerating, but it's exactly what I alluded to: an app that makes apps, which is like a hat on a hat if the first hat actually made the second hat. To make things even more meta, Rork used an AI ad with Google's new Veo 3 video generator to promote its tool. Is your head spinning yet? Mine kind of is. When I say Rork makes apps, I mean it really makes the damn thing (at least I think it does since I wouldn't know a functional piece of code if it sat on my chest and suffocated me like a sleep paralysis demon). But on the surface, it does the whole thing. I went to the web version of Rork to try it out (there's no mobile app that I'm aware of), and it seemingly took my text prompt, 'I want to make an app that matches me with similar-sized people in my area to fight. Like Tinder but for fisticuffs,' and ran with it. Introducing Rork 1.0 Make any mobile app you want, save it to your phone or share it with the world – in minutes. Powered by Claude 4. Video by Veo 3 AI. — Rork (@rork_app) May 22, 2025 Once I punched the prompt in (pun intended), Rork got to work (thinking for a while as AI does) and then used its corresponding large language model (Anthropic's Claude 4 model) to start drawing everything up. And I mean everything—colors, features, parameters, basically every aspect of an app that you might need to launch. And the conjuring doesn't stop there. Once everything is devised, Rork's interface splits everything off into packages if you want to look at the code (that is, if you're capable of reading it, unlike me), and then it does my favorite part—it generates a usable preview that you can test on your phone or another device. After the AI had coded everything, I was able to scan a QR code and generate a preview using ExpoGo, a tool that lets you deploy code in a preview mode. So, without further ado, ladies and gentlemen, I present to you: FightMatch, Tinder for kicking ass. It's worth noting that I tried to make this even more meta by prompting Rork to make an app that uses generative AI to make images or video—an AI app that generates AI—but it ran into some issues that I wasn't able to fully wrap my head around. Per Rork, they were 'critical errors,' and even when I clicked the 'fix' button, it wouldn't budge. No AI app inception today, folks, sorry. On one hand, as someone with no coding experience, I'm impressed. Rork, as promised, was able to take my very simple text prompt (Tinder for fighting) and write up all the code to make it happen in about a minute or so. Again, a coder I am not, but that feels pretty extraordinary from a sheer idea to preview perspective. I'm fairly certain whatever Rork and Claude generated wouldn't be enough to push to an app store right away, both from a technical and aesthetic perspective, but as a first draft, it's at least serviceable, if very far from perfect. Also, if I'm being honest, I was looking for more of a Fight Club-type app over MMA, but I suppose Claude played this one safe. There's obviously vast potential here to expedite app creation, but just like with every generative tool like this, there's also potential for something less exciting—slop. Like I wrote earlier this week, tools like Google's Veo 3 and Flow are impressive technical feats, but they also feel primed to further bloat an already overwhelming bucket of AI slop. There's always that question: do we need more apps or do we need better apps? I'm a proponent of the latter philosophy, but if there's one thing I've come to expect in the tech world, it's more. But hey, if I get rich quick with FightMatch, I can't really complain, can I? And if you disagree, swipe right, and let's settle this the old-fashioned way.
Geeky Gadgets
23-05-2025
- Geeky Gadgets
How Flutter is Shaping the Future of Multiplatform App Development
What if you could build stunning, high-performing apps for mobile, web, desktop, and even embedded systems—all from a single codebase? Flutter, Google's open source UI toolkit, is making this bold vision a reality. With its latest updates, Flutter is not just keeping pace with the ever-evolving tech landscape; it's shaping it. From AI-powered development tools to new performance enhancements like WebAssembly support and the Impeller rendering engine, Flutter is redefining what's possible in app development. Whether you're a seasoned developer or just starting out, these advancements promise to transform how you create and deliver applications. In this comprehensive overview, we'll explore the most exciting updates in Flutter, from its multiplatform capabilities to the latest innovations in the Dart programming language. You'll discover how new tools like Gemini Code Assist are streamlining workflows, how enhanced accessibility features are broadening app inclusivity, and how Flutter's growing community is driving innovation. But that's just the beginning—these updates aren't just about efficiency; they're about empowering developers to think bigger, build smarter, and deliver experiences that truly resonate. Let's unpack what makes Flutter's latest evolution so fantastic. Flutter's Latest Innovations Multiplatform App Development Flutter's standout feature is its ability to support multiple platforms using a single codebase. This unified approach eliminates the need to manage separate frameworks or tools for different platforms, significantly reducing development time and effort. With Flutter, you can build applications for mobile, web, desktop, and embedded devices while maintaining a consistent design and functionality. Recent contributions from industry leaders like Canonical (Ubuntu) and LG have further strengthened Flutter's multiplatform capabilities. Features such as multi-window support and enhanced accessibility for desktop and embedded systems have been introduced, making it easier to create applications that cater to diverse user needs. By using these advancements, you can deliver seamless and high-performing applications across a wide range of devices. AI-Powered App Features Artificial intelligence is transforming the way applications are developed, and Flutter is at the forefront of this evolution. The integration of AI tools into Flutter's ecosystem enhances both the development process and the end-user experience. Firebase AI Logic, formerly known as AI, provides seamless access to AI features like Gemini APIs, allowing you to incorporate intelligent functionalities into your applications with ease. Additionally, AI-powered tools such as Gemini Code Assist are now integrated into popular development environments like DartPad, Android Studio, and Visual Studio Code. These tools allow you to prototype, debug, and refine app layouts more efficiently, saving time and improving accuracy. By using these AI-driven features, you can create smarter, more responsive applications that meet the demands of modern users. What's New in Flutter 2025 Watch this video on YouTube. Advance your skills in multiplatform app development by reading more of our detailed content. Dart Language Enhancements The Dart programming language, which serves as the backbone of Flutter, continues to evolve with updates designed to enhance productivity and performance. New features such as null-aware elements, digit separators, and wildcard variables simplify coding, making it easier to write clean and efficient code. These enhancements not only reduce the likelihood of errors but also improve the overall development experience. Dart's performance has also been boosted with faster command-line tools and ahead-of-time (AOT) compilation, resulting in quicker runtime execution. Furthermore, the language's expanded cross-compilation support for embedded devices increases its versatility, allowing you to develop applications for specialized hardware with greater ease. These updates make Dart a powerful and adaptable choice for developers working on a variety of projects. Advanced Developer Tools Flutter's suite of developer tools has been significantly upgraded to optimize your workflow and simplify complex tasks. Key improvements include: Enhanced debugging options that enable faster identification and resolution of issues. that enable faster identification and resolution of issues. An improved layout inspector and property editor for precise control over UI elements. and property editor for precise control over UI elements. Faster analysis tools to help you identify and address inefficiencies in your codebase. to help you identify and address inefficiencies in your codebase. Updates to the Dart package manager ( for streamlined dependency management. These tools are designed to minimize technical challenges, allowing you to focus on building exceptional applications with greater efficiency and precision. Native API Interoperability Flutter's Direct Native Interop initiative simplifies the process of integrating native APIs into your applications. Tools like FFI gen and JNI gen make it easier to incorporate C and Java/Kotlin libraries, allowing you to use native platform features without compromising performance or reliability. The Build Hooks feature further streamlines the management of external libraries and binaries, making sure a seamless development process. These advancements empower you to create applications that fully use the capabilities of their target platforms. WebAssembly (Wasm) Performance For web developers, Flutter's support for WebAssembly (Wasm) represents a significant leap forward in performance. Wasm reduces load times and enhances the responsiveness of web applications, making them faster and more efficient. The introduction of Stateful Hot Reload in preview mode further enhances the development experience by allowing you to see changes in real-time without restarting your app. These features make Flutter an excellent choice for building high-performing web applications. Impeller Rendering Engine Rendering performance has been a key focus for Flutter, and the Impeller rendering engine is now the default for Android. This engine delivers smoother animations and higher-quality graphics, making sure a polished and visually appealing user experience. On iOS, updates include high-fidelity UI elements like 'squircles,' which add a modern and sophisticated touch to your app's design. These improvements demonstrate Flutter's commitment to delivering exceptional visual performance across platforms. Community Contributions Flutter's vibrant and active community plays a crucial role in its ongoing development and success. With over 150 Meetup groups in 66 countries, developers worldwide contribute to its growth by sharing knowledge, creating plugins, and providing feedback. Organizations like Canonical and LG have also made significant contributions, such as LG's development of a Flutter SDK for webOS, which opens up new possibilities for embedded applications. These collaborative efforts highlight the community's dedication to innovation and continuous improvement. Real-World Applications Flutter's versatility and capabilities are reflected in its adoption by major brands across various industries. Companies like Google Cloud, Universal Studios, and LG are using Flutter to create innovative solutions, ranging from journaling tools and museum interaction apps to AI-powered research assistants. These real-world applications demonstrate Flutter's ability to meet diverse business needs and its growing influence in the tech landscape. Accessibility in App Development Accessibility remains a top priority for Flutter, with updates designed to ensure that applications are inclusive and usable by all. Improvements across web, desktop, and embedded platforms make it easier to create apps that cater to users with disabilities. By prioritizing accessibility, Flutter enables you to reach a broader audience and create applications that are both functional and inclusive. Embedded Device Cross-Compilation Flutter's support for cross-compilation extends its reach to embedded devices, allowing you to develop applications for specialized hardware. This feature is particularly valuable in industries such as automotive, healthcare, and consumer electronics, where embedded systems play a critical role in delivering innovative solutions. By allowing cross-compilation, Flutter provides the tools needed to create high-quality applications for a wide range of use cases. Future Roadmap Flutter's future roadmap includes plans for expanded platform support, deeper integration of AI-driven development tools, and enhanced native interoperability. These advancements aim to solidify Flutter's position as a leading framework for multiplatform app development, making sure that you can continue to build innovative and high-performing applications with ease. Media Credit: Flutter Filed Under: Technology News Latest Geeky Gadgets Deals Disclosure: Some of our articles include affiliate links. If you buy something through one of these links, Geeky Gadgets may earn an affiliate commission. Learn about our Disclosure Policy.
TechCrunch
20-05-2025
- Business
- TechCrunch
Google Play adds topic pages, audio previews, and new subscription tools for developers
Google is rolling out a series of upgrades to its Play Store to help Android app developers better market their software and services to consumers. Among the highlights are new tools for managing subscription apps, topic pages that let users explore a specific subject on the Play Store, a new feature that allows people to sample audio from developers' apps, and a more flexible checkout experience that will make it easier for developers to sell add-ons, among other things. Google last week shared a number of Android-related announcements at a pre-show before the start of its annual developer conference, Google I/O. However, it saved the Play Store improvements for Tuesday's keynote at Google I/O, highlighting their importance to Google's bottom line. Today, tech giants like Apple and Google are facing a market where app developers have more choice in how they price and sell their mobile software, thanks to anticompetitive regulations, new laws, and recent court victories. As a result, Google has been working to make its own Android app marketplace more compelling for developers, who now collectively sell over a quarter-billion subscriptions. For starters, the company said it's giving developers the useful ability to halt fully live app releases if the developer identifies a problem that needs to be quickly addressed. Another feature, initially only available in the U.S., will add new 'topic browse' pages for media and entertainment on the Play Store, allowing users to connect with apps related to over 100,000 different shows and movies. For example, you could look up a favorite show, movie, or sports event and find out which apps you could use to stream them. (Plus, the existing 'Where to Watch' feature that deep links users to their subscribed apps will roll out to the U.K., Korea, Indonesia, and Mexico after it initially launched in the U.S. last year.) These pages will be accessible from multiple places within the Play Store, including the Apps Home page, store listing pages, and search. Developers will also be able to add a hero content carousel and YouTube playlist carousel to app listings on the Play Store. For apps that have audio content, the Play Store will soon launch audio samples on the Apps Home page. (This feature is already live for Health & Wellness app developers in the U.S. Google says in early tests, audio samples helped improve app installs by 3x.) Curated spaces, a feature launched last year to Google Play users to connect with their interests — like comics or soccer, for instance — will also roll out to more locations and categories this year. Google noted that the curated space for comics was fairly popular, reaching over 920,000 users in Japan per month. In the Play Console for managing apps, a new asset library will help developers organize their visual assets, including uploading them from Google Drive, tagging them, and cropping them for re-use. Other new metrics will offer insights into apps' listing performance. New dedicated overview pages for testing and releasing software will arrive, as well as pages focused on monitoring and improving app releases. Both of these will include additional metrics and actionable advice for developers in a new 'Take Action' section. Subscription management tools are getting an upgrade, too, with added support for multi-product checkout for subscriptions, which means developers will be able to sell subscription add-ons alongside their base subscriptions under a single payment schedule. Image Credits:Google For users, this leads to a simplified checkout experience, while also letting them better control their subscriptions when it comes time to upgrade or downgrade their add-ons. The Play Store will remind users of their subscription benefits in more places, including in the Subscription Center, in reminder emails, and during purchase and cancellation flows. The changes, which have already rolled out, are decreasing voluntary churn by 3%, Google claims. Developers will additionally be able to choose to offer a grace period of 30 days or account hold of up to 60 days when their customers' payment method declines, giving the users time to fix the problem before their account is cancelled. The Engage SDK, launched last year, has offered developers a way to send personalized content recommendations to users' home screens on Android devices. Now, it's adding support for more categories, like Travel, and is rolling out to more markets, including Brazil, India, Indonesia, Japan, and Mexico. Image Credits:Google Plus, content created with the SDK will be featured on the Play Store later this summer, in addition to existing spaces like Collections on users' Android smartphones or the Entertainment Space on select Android tablets. Google notes that the Play Integrity API, which is designed to help combat emerging threats on the Play Store, has been enhanced with stronger abuse detection for all developers and device security update checks to safeguard an app's more sensitive actions, like transfers or data access. It will also be able to detect if a device is being reused for abuse or repeated actions, even after a device reset. This latter feature will be offered in beta.
