June 2, 2016 at 16:47Google I / O 2016: Firebase Platform Development
Hello, Habr! A year and a half ago, the Firebase development team joined our friendly Google team . Since then, our BaaS (backend-as-a-service) has grown more than four times - from 110 to 450 thousand developers. And all this time, we provided all the same services - DFID (real-time databases), user authorization, hosting - making application development easier. It is time to move on, so we are pleased to present you a major expansion of Firebase.
Firebase is becoming a universal platform for building Android-, iOS- and mobile web applications. New tools aimed at simplifying development, attracting users and monetization, as well as a new analytics product are waiting for you under the cut.
We have always been faithful to the principles that were originally laid down in Firebase initially:
Firebase Analytics is a new, free tool for ... analyzing mobile applications. In part, he inherited something from Google Analytics, but has a number of significant differences:
First, Firebase Analytics works around the user and events. Sessions, page views and application screens are good, but Google already has them. Our new product focuses on what exactly the user does in your application. You can also find out exactly where users come to you from - tracking paid ads and channels for attracting users gives visual charts and tables.
Secondly, we have already talked about the principle of reasonable integration - here it is implemented to its fullest. FA provides reliable information about user activity within the application, which allowed to implement a new function - Audiences . Audiences allow you to identify different user groups with similar properties. Subsequently, you will be able to receive separate information for different Audiences within a single Firebase environment.
Modern applications very often use interactive interactions to one degree or another - that’s why we are expanding our backend services. Google Cloud Messaging - the most popular service for delivering push notifications from the cloud to devices is now integrated into Firebase and is called FCM - Firebase Cloud Messaging . It is completely free, has no restrictions, is perfectly optimized, saves the battery of client devices and works great on iOS, Android and modern browsers. At the very core of FCM is scalability - today more than 170 billion (!) Messages are sent through it to ~ 2 billion different devices every day.
We have long been asked to add the ability to store images, videos and just learn how to transfer files - now, thanks to Google Cloud Storage, we also provide such an opportunity. Firebase Storage enables developers to easily and securely download and store files, and Google’s robust platform and technology provides unmatched accessibility, integration with Google services and scalability. We also paid attention to the advanced logic in the client SDK for Firebase Storage, so our service works fine even in an unstable Internet connection.
Firebase remote configAllows developers to tweak and update application elements on the fly without having to update the application package and wait for it to become available in the application store, and then update with users. You can turn certain elements of applications on and off, distribute the update to specific User Audiences - all this in a few clicks.
Of course, we have not forgotten about the existing products - BDVR, hosting and user authentication. The hosting has received a new interface and free third-party domain support for all developers. The database will receive a major update in the near future, but so far we can’t tell anything about it. Wait, the update will not disappoint you. Largest update received Firebase Authentication- here the new SDK and the redesigned backend structure are all that is needed for improvements in the field of security, reliability and scalability. Inside, the same technologies are used as in other Google products that work with Google user accounts. We also added linked accounts and proof of email ownership — something that we have been asked for a long time.
Falling apps are bad. Users are unhappy, write all sorts of nasty things in reviews, put one star, go to competitors. FIrebase Crash Reporting collects and sends you the most important information that can help you find problems for iOS / Android applications after the release. Of course, the Audience function also works here, which looks for similar signs - you will immediately see if there is anything in common between users who are faced with a similar problem: the same device, locale, specific region of application use, or maybe certain usage scenarios applications.
At the last I / O (in 2015), we introduced Cloud Test Lab - cloud testing of your applications on real devices located in our data centers. Now this service will be called Firebase Test Lab and will get all the benefits of integration with Firebase tools.
Even the most useful applications sooner or later face a decline in user interest. Firebase has five effective tools to help you get your customers back.
Firebase Notifications is a new interface built on the basis of the Firebase Cloud Messaging API, complemented by the capabilities of Firebase Analytics and Audiences. It allows you to send targeted alerts to users of your application without touching the source code editor. It has now become easier to talk about new promotions, discounts, offer personal terms, and draw people's attention to new opportunities.
Firebase dynamic linksimproves work with links in two directions at once. First, the links have become "reliable." That is, they lead to a specific place in the application (for example, to a specific project, event, company, whatever), even if the user clicked on it and just downloaded your application for the first time from Google Play. No more questions like “I downloaded the application, what's next” or repeated clicks on the links. Such a "warm welcome" showed excellent results in terms of involving users in working with the application.
Secondly, links can dynamically change their purpose depending on the environment in which they are running: different devices, browsers, clients - something like the advanced & utm_source.
Firebase Invites allows you to build a referral network in two ways - let your customers bring new ones. Minimum effort, maximum result.
Firebase App Indexing , (formerly Google App Indexing) allows Google users to find results directly from your application. Given the new capabilities of Android N to run applications without installation, accelerated installation (if the user required it all) and new Dynamic Links features, you will regularly replenish the user base with those who are really interested in your products.
AdWords, our advertising platform, is now integrated into Firebase. Firebase tracks the progress of your campaign in AdWords and automatically populates the relevant sections in Firebase Analytics. As you probably already guessed, there is also an integration of Audiences and event tracking here: this way you can configure AdWord parameters to achieve the maximum efficiency of advertising campaigns.
The process of integrating various products was unstoppable. :) So the Google advertising platform is now also part of the Firebase ecosystem. We simplified the work with AdMob: as soon as you start using the Firebase SDK in your project, AdMob is at your service. Various advertising formats (including native advertising), quality statistics, integration with other Firebase elements are already included.
At the very beginning of the post, we said that Firebase has one SDK, one console, and one place where you can get answers to your questions, support, and all the necessary documentation. This place is firebase.google.com .
Well, since Firebase now has a new home, we also chose the most modern interior. The new console received a redesigned interface, tightly integrated with other Google products, such as Google Play, Google Cloud and those projects that moved under the wing of Firebase.
Integration with Google Cloud carried out at a very deep level. For example, Firebase Analytics can export raw data to BiqQuery for further analysis. We will continue to build bridges between Google Cloud and Firebase, and expand your ability to use our cloud. Another good example of integration was linking your Google Play developer account to a Firebase account - this way the console becomes the center where everything is flocked to: starting from user inconsistencies, purchases within your application, and features of use by various user groups, ending with financial data.
Finally, we are pleased to present the beta version of the new C ++ SDK. All documentation and the necessary “starter pack” are already available on our website.
Most of the new products, including Analytics, Crash Reporting, Remote Config, and Dynamic Links, are completely free and do not have any restrictions. Paid services - Test Lab, Storage, DDRV and hosting - got a simplified pricing grid . Today we offer:
After Google I / O 2016, much has changed, but the basic principles of Firebase have remained the same. Our main goal is simple and comfortable development with our APIs, intuitive interfaces, comprehensive documentation and tight product integration. We are committed to cross-platform development for iOS, Android and the web, and if you encounter difficulties, we will be happy to provide you with all possible support.
If you already use our products, nothing will change for you until you yourself want it. We will continue to support old customers and their products, but we recommend that you read the updates and evaluate the new features of Firebase, not in vain we tried ?! :)
We have done a great job, but we have something else to improve in Firebase. To date, the JavaScript SDK does not yet support all the new features. We have put all our efforts into closing the gap in these technologies, and we will be glad to hear your feedback - for sure, we have something else to improve. You can leave an opinion about the new features of Firebase, report a bug or suggest an idea here .
In the meantime, you can personally try new opportunities. Check out our new website , evaluate the documentation, and try using Firebase in your products, as large projects like Shazam, SkyScanner, and PicCollage are already doing.
Firebase is becoming a universal platform for building Android-, iOS- and mobile web applications. New tools aimed at simplifying development, attracting users and monetization, as well as a new analytics product are waiting for you under the cut.
We have always been faithful to the principles that were originally laid down in Firebase initially:
- The developer is our user, and user experience is very important. Ease of use, quality documentation, intuitive APIs make the developer happy;
- Cross-platform. Equally important are iOS, Android and the mobile web;
- Product integration where possible. Firebase has one SDK, one console, and one place where you can get answers to your questions, support, and all the necessary documentation. You choose which of our capabilities and in what combination to combine, our task is to provide the fastest and most comfortable work with data wherever possible.
Firebase analytics
Firebase Analytics is a new, free tool for ... analyzing mobile applications. In part, he inherited something from Google Analytics, but has a number of significant differences:
First, Firebase Analytics works around the user and events. Sessions, page views and application screens are good, but Google already has them. Our new product focuses on what exactly the user does in your application. You can also find out exactly where users come to you from - tracking paid ads and channels for attracting users gives visual charts and tables.
Secondly, we have already talked about the principle of reasonable integration - here it is implemented to its fullest. FA provides reliable information about user activity within the application, which allowed to implement a new function - Audiences . Audiences allow you to identify different user groups with similar properties. Subsequently, you will be able to receive separate information for different Audiences within a single Firebase environment.
Speed up development with Messaging, Storage and Config
Modern applications very often use interactive interactions to one degree or another - that’s why we are expanding our backend services. Google Cloud Messaging - the most popular service for delivering push notifications from the cloud to devices is now integrated into Firebase and is called FCM - Firebase Cloud Messaging . It is completely free, has no restrictions, is perfectly optimized, saves the battery of client devices and works great on iOS, Android and modern browsers. At the very core of FCM is scalability - today more than 170 billion (!) Messages are sent through it to ~ 2 billion different devices every day.
We have long been asked to add the ability to store images, videos and just learn how to transfer files - now, thanks to Google Cloud Storage, we also provide such an opportunity. Firebase Storage enables developers to easily and securely download and store files, and Google’s robust platform and technology provides unmatched accessibility, integration with Google services and scalability. We also paid attention to the advanced logic in the client SDK for Firebase Storage, so our service works fine even in an unstable Internet connection.
Firebase remote configAllows developers to tweak and update application elements on the fly without having to update the application package and wait for it to become available in the application store, and then update with users. You can turn certain elements of applications on and off, distribute the update to specific User Audiences - all this in a few clicks.
Of course, we have not forgotten about the existing products - BDVR, hosting and user authentication. The hosting has received a new interface and free third-party domain support for all developers. The database will receive a major update in the near future, but so far we can’t tell anything about it. Wait, the update will not disappoint you. Largest update received Firebase Authentication- here the new SDK and the redesigned backend structure are all that is needed for improvements in the field of security, reliability and scalability. Inside, the same technologies are used as in other Google products that work with Google user accounts. We also added linked accounts and proof of email ownership — something that we have been asked for a long time.
Simplify Debugging: Test Lab and Crash Reporting
Falling apps are bad. Users are unhappy, write all sorts of nasty things in reviews, put one star, go to competitors. FIrebase Crash Reporting collects and sends you the most important information that can help you find problems for iOS / Android applications after the release. Of course, the Audience function also works here, which looks for similar signs - you will immediately see if there is anything in common between users who are faced with a similar problem: the same device, locale, specific region of application use, or maybe certain usage scenarios applications.
At the last I / O (in 2015), we introduced Cloud Test Lab - cloud testing of your applications on real devices located in our data centers. Now this service will be called Firebase Test Lab and will get all the benefits of integration with Firebase tools.
Expanding Application Capabilities
Even the most useful applications sooner or later face a decline in user interest. Firebase has five effective tools to help you get your customers back.
Firebase Notifications is a new interface built on the basis of the Firebase Cloud Messaging API, complemented by the capabilities of Firebase Analytics and Audiences. It allows you to send targeted alerts to users of your application without touching the source code editor. It has now become easier to talk about new promotions, discounts, offer personal terms, and draw people's attention to new opportunities.
Firebase dynamic linksimproves work with links in two directions at once. First, the links have become "reliable." That is, they lead to a specific place in the application (for example, to a specific project, event, company, whatever), even if the user clicked on it and just downloaded your application for the first time from Google Play. No more questions like “I downloaded the application, what's next” or repeated clicks on the links. Such a "warm welcome" showed excellent results in terms of involving users in working with the application.
Secondly, links can dynamically change their purpose depending on the environment in which they are running: different devices, browsers, clients - something like the advanced & utm_source.
Firebase Invites allows you to build a referral network in two ways - let your customers bring new ones. Minimum effort, maximum result.
Firebase App Indexing , (formerly Google App Indexing) allows Google users to find results directly from your application. Given the new capabilities of Android N to run applications without installation, accelerated installation (if the user required it all) and new Dynamic Links features, you will regularly replenish the user base with those who are really interested in your products.
AdWords, our advertising platform, is now integrated into Firebase. Firebase tracks the progress of your campaign in AdWords and automatically populates the relevant sections in Firebase Analytics. As you probably already guessed, there is also an integration of Audiences and event tracking here: this way you can configure AdWord parameters to achieve the maximum efficiency of advertising campaigns.
Monetize apps with admob
The process of integrating various products was unstoppable. :) So the Google advertising platform is now also part of the Firebase ecosystem. We simplified the work with AdMob: as soon as you start using the Firebase SDK in your project, AdMob is at your service. Various advertising formats (including native advertising), quality statistics, integration with other Firebase elements are already included.
New console, documentation and SDK
At the very beginning of the post, we said that Firebase has one SDK, one console, and one place where you can get answers to your questions, support, and all the necessary documentation. This place is firebase.google.com .
Well, since Firebase now has a new home, we also chose the most modern interior. The new console received a redesigned interface, tightly integrated with other Google products, such as Google Play, Google Cloud and those projects that moved under the wing of Firebase.
Integration with Google Cloud carried out at a very deep level. For example, Firebase Analytics can export raw data to BiqQuery for further analysis. We will continue to build bridges between Google Cloud and Firebase, and expand your ability to use our cloud. Another good example of integration was linking your Google Play developer account to a Firebase account - this way the console becomes the center where everything is flocked to: starting from user inconsistencies, purchases within your application, and features of use by various user groups, ending with financial data.
Finally, we are pleased to present the beta version of the new C ++ SDK. All documentation and the necessary “starter pack” are already available on our website.
Price policy
Most of the new products, including Analytics, Crash Reporting, Remote Config, and Dynamic Links, are completely free and do not have any restrictions. Paid services - Test Lab, Storage, DDRV and hosting - got a simplified pricing grid . Today we offer:
- Free SPARK tariff with some restrictions, perfect for the first steps, application prototype, term paper or thesis, start-up startup;
- A fixed rate on the FLAME tariff for those who need a predictable monthly price in the early stages of application development;
- Payment of consumed resources - BLAZE configurable tariff for the largest customers.
The constancy of the beautiful
After Google I / O 2016, much has changed, but the basic principles of Firebase have remained the same. Our main goal is simple and comfortable development with our APIs, intuitive interfaces, comprehensive documentation and tight product integration. We are committed to cross-platform development for iOS, Android and the web, and if you encounter difficulties, we will be happy to provide you with all possible support.
If you already use our products, nothing will change for you until you yourself want it. We will continue to support old customers and their products, but we recommend that you read the updates and evaluate the new features of Firebase, not in vain we tried ?! :)
Future plans
We have done a great job, but we have something else to improve in Firebase. To date, the JavaScript SDK does not yet support all the new features. We have put all our efforts into closing the gap in these technologies, and we will be glad to hear your feedback - for sure, we have something else to improve. You can leave an opinion about the new features of Firebase, report a bug or suggest an idea here .
In the meantime, you can personally try new opportunities. Check out our new website , evaluate the documentation, and try using Firebase in your products, as large projects like Shazam, SkyScanner, and PicCollage are already doing.