Extract An Android APK And View Its Source Code

So you’ve just made an Android application. One that took you ages to complete and something that you feel proud of. What is going to stop someone from stealing your logic and source code? How easy is it to obtain? The short story is that your source code is not safe by default and it is very easy to obtain.

This tutorial is going to be broken up in two parts.

1. Extract the source code from a native Android application
2. Extract the source code from a hybrid Apache Cordova / Ionic Framework / Phonegap application

Both are designed differently, but the source code is just as easy to access. For each of these application types, you will see how to better protect your code using obfuscation practices.

Create, Delete, And Search Contacts In Ionic Framework

When you make an app or service, you may find your self wanting to strengthen the user experience by connecting with friends in some fashion. Applications like Facebook and Twitter allow you to search your contact book for friends that are already using their service. If your friend isn’t using the service, you have the option to invite them.

Using native Android and iOS code could make this process very painful for the developer as it is lengthy and difficult. Lucky for us, we are using Apache Cordova with Ionic Framework and there is a plugin for us that takes all the pain away.

The following steps will show you how to create, delete, and find all device contacts in your Ionic Framework project.

Using Slide Boxes and Tabs in Ionic Framework Apps

One of my Twitter followers recently asked me to do a tutorial on the topic of Ionic Framework slide boxes and tabs. I’m always up for a challenge, so I decided to attempt to meet his requests.

In this article we are going to discuss creating an application that makes use of tabs, slide boxes, and cards. The theme of the application will be cars, where two tabs will represent the interior and exterior photos of cars and the third tab will contain information.

Using The UI-Router To Navigate In Ionic Framework

Being that Ionic Framework relies heavily on the UI-Router for navigation, I thought I would do a write-up on how to properly use it.

We use the UI-Router to navigate between view states in our application. By view states, I mean screens composed as template files. If you’re looking for information on navigating in Ionic 2, visit my other post on the subject as it doesn’t use the UI-Router like Ionic Framework 1 does.

Manually Update Your Nexus Device To Android 5.0 Lollipop

So Google’s big Android 5.0 release is finally here after a week of delays. Android 5.0 Lollipop is now officially rolling out to the Nexus line devices. However, the roll-out is in batches so it could be as long as three weeks before you get your over-the-air (OTA) update.

If you’re impatient like I am, you’re going to want to manually install the update rather than wait for it to show up in a device update.

The following will get a factory Android 5.0 Lollipop image installed on your Nexus device in minutes.

Playing Audio In Your Android And iOS Ionic Framework App

One of my Twitter followers recently asked me to do a post regarding audio and Ionic Framework. Being the fiddler that I am, I decided to meet this request.

Using Ionic Framework, the Apache Cordova Media plugin, and ngCordova, we are going to make a very simple application with basic media controls.

Use SQLite Instead of Local Storage In Ionic Framework

Switching to object-based data storage can often be tough. If you’re trying to start Phonegap or Ionic Framework development and are coming from native development, the whole local storage concept can be a tough one to grasp. Or maybe you just prefer a structured query language (SQL) when working with your data.

Not to worry, because there is a plugin for that!

Making use of the Cordova SQLite plugin by Chris Brody, you can use a SQLite data source for managing your data in Android and iOS. Pair this with ngCordova and you can better compliment your Ionic Framework development with an AngularJS experience.

If you’re using Ionic 2, you should check out this tutorial instead.