Thriving in Android Development Using Kotlin: A project-based guide to using the latest Android features for developing production-grade apps

Build a range of Android applications including a messaging app, a photo editor, and a video streaming platform while learning how to address common real-world issues such as authentication, connecting to synchronous and asynchronous remote sources, rendering complex UIs with Jetpack Compose, and moreKey FeaturesUnderstand complex concepts in a coherent way by solving challenging real-world problems and developing three practical projectsUse the latest features of libraries in Jetpack Compose, Room, CameraX, ExoPlayer, and moreLeverage best practices for UI creation, app structure, data handling, and lifecycle managementPurchase of the print or Kindle book includes a free PDF eBookBook DescriptionWith resources on Android and Kotlin abound, it’s difficult to find content that focuses on resolving common challenges faced by app developers. This book by Gema Socorro Rodríguez – a Google Developer Expert for Android with over 15 years of experience and a proven track record as an effective instructor – is designed to bridge the gap between theory and real-world application. It equips you with the skills to tackle everyday problems in Android development through hands-on projects.Under Gema's expert guidance, you’ll build three sophisticated Android projects. You'll start your development journey by building a WhatsApp-like application, learning how to process asynchronous messages reactively, render them using Jetpack Compose, and advance to creating and uploading a backup of these messages. Next, you’ll channel your creativity into Packtagram, an Instagram-inspired app that offers advanced photo-editing capabilities using the latest CameraX libraries. Your final project will be a Netflix-style app, integrating video playback functionality with ExoPlayer for both foreground and background operations, and implementing device casting features.By the end of this book, you'll have crafted three fully functional, multi-platform projects and gained the confidence to solve the most common challenges in Android development.What you will learnCreate complex UIs with Jetpack ComposeStructure and modularize apps with a focus on further scalingConnect your app to synchronous and asynchronous remote sourcesStore and cache information and manage the lifecycle of this dataExecute periodic tasks using WorkManagerCapture and edit photos and videos using CameraXAuthenticate your users securelyPlay videos in the foreground and background and cast them to other devicesWho this book is forIf you're a mid-level Android engineer, this book is for you as it will not only teach you how to solve issues that occur in real-world apps but also benefit you in your day-to-day work. This book will also help junior engineers who want to get exposed to complex problems and explore best practices to solve them. A basic understanding of Android and Kotlin concepts such as views, activities, lifecycle, and Kotlin coroutines will be useful to get the most out of this book. Table of ContentsBuilding the UI for Your Messaging AppSetting Up WhatsPackt's Messaging AbilitiesBacking Up Your WhatsPackt MessagesBuilding the Packtagram UICreating a Photo Editor Using CameraXAdding Video and Editing Functionality to PacktagramStarting a Video Streaming App and Adding AuthenticationAdding Media Playback to Packtflix with ExoPlayerExtending Video Playback in Your Packtflix App Read more