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Blog
By Jason Robel
Director of Engineering
Mobile app development can be a daunting task. From managing platform-specific requirements to ensuring smooth performance on both iOS and Android, developers face numerous challenges. These complexities can slow down the development process and inflate costs.
At VAULT, we understand these pain points all too well. That’s why we are excited to share how Expo is revolutionizing our approach to mobile app development, allowing us to overcome these challenges efficiently and cost-effectively.
Launching a mobile application is a significant undertaking that involves more than just writing code. Developers must also create and manage screenshots, set up accounts, and abide by platform-specific requirements – not to mention ensuring the app runs smoothly once it is live on Apple and Google Play.
Previously, companies like AirBnB managed separate apps for Android and iOS on specific devices. However, at VAULT, we are always developing new apps, often with substantial gaps between projects. This makes having a stable and reliable development foundation critical to our success.
What is Expo?
Expo is an open-source platform for making universal native apps for Android, iOS, and the web with Javascript and React. This meta-framework provides a stable and consistent foundation for our projects.
Streamlines Launches
Expo significantly streamlines the process of launching mobile applications. It harmonizes the procedures required by Apple and Google, reducing the complexities associated with cross-platform development. This allows our team to focus on creating high-quality apps rather than navigating platform-specific intricacies.
Simplifies Development
One of the major benefits of using Expo is its ability to simplify our development process. With Expo, we can quickly spin up new apps and update existing ones with ease. This is an important feature for VAULT as we develop and maintain multiple applications regularly. Expo’s robust framework allows us to reuse libraries and simplify upgrades, ensuring a smooth and efficient workflow.
Continuous Native Generation
Expo features Continuous Native Generation, which automates the regeneration of native project files, eliminating the need for engineers to spend time debugging native iOS and Android issues. This automation allows our team to focus on shipping new features and improving user experience, rather than getting bogged down by technical issues.
Cost and Time Savings
Expo's build services and automated Continuous Integration and Continuous Delivery (CI/CD) platform significantly reduce the time and effort required for QA builds. This efficiency translates into cost savings, which we can pass on to our clients. With Expo, we no longer need to bill clients for the time spent on these manual tasks, making our services more cost-effective.
Another significant advantage of using Expo is the ease with which we can deliver updates. Instead of requiring users to install updates manually, we can simply provide them with a staging link, allowing them to access the latest version of the app instantly. This seamless delivers ensures that our apps are always up-to-date.
Many companies have successfully utilized Expo for their mobile app development projects. Here are a few examples:
Expo has matured into a robust platform that enhances our development efficiency and improves the workflow for our engineers. It provides a stable and consistent environment that simplifies the complexities of mobile app development, allowing us to build high-quality apps more quickly and reliably.
Expo is not a silver bullet, but it has significantly simplified mobile development for cross-platform products using React Native. By leveraging Expo, we have streamlined our processes, improved efficiency, and reduced costs. This means we can deliver better products to our clients and provide a superior experience for our users.
By incorporating Expo into our development process, VAULT is taking a significant step forward in delivering high-quality, cost-effective mobile applications that meet the needs of our clients and users. We are excited about the future and the possibilities that Expo brings to our development toolkit.
Stay tuned for more updates and innovations from VAULT as we continue to harness cutting-edge technologies to revolutionize mobile app development.
Want to chat? Book some time on our calendar here.
*Header image courtesy of Expo.dev
