Open Dynamic Links Using The Cordova InAppBrowser

Previously I had written a post regarding how to use the Apache Cordova InAppBrowser plugin to launch external URLs in an Ionic Framework application. This previous post was basic and was only enough to get you started.

Since then, I’ve been asked a few times how to use the InAppBrowser as the default method to launching URLs. More specifically, URLs that have been created dynamically by users.

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.

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.

Find The Application Version In Your Ionic Framework App

If you’re like me, you want your users to know which version of your mobile application they are using. Nothing like feeling several generations behind without even knowing it. There are other benefits to knowing your application version. For example, maybe you need to upgrade legacy data when people upgrade between versions of your application. You can’t assume your users will be upgrading from the latest version of your application.

Now you can always hard-code the application version throughout your application and hope you remember to change it upon a new release, or you can make use of the nifty Apache Cordova plugin from White October.

My current favorite Apache Cordova framework is Ionic, so we’ll be configuring based on that. However, it is not difficult to use this information with Phonegap.