Android Tips and Tricks

Android Studio 4.1 made it onto the stable channel last month, bringing a number of useful new features for Android developers. There are some interesting inclusions this time around, so read on to see what you need to know! Embedded emulator One of the most interesting updates comes to the Android emulator, which is now built right into the IDE itself. In other words, the emulator no longer opens as a separate app but rather in a tool window. This is said to “save screen real-estate” for all us peasants working on sub 4K, 42” monitors. See also:  Android Studio tutorial for beginners While this is mostly a cosmetic change, it does make the experience feel more cohesive and intuitive. It’s also easier to monitor code while the app is running. It is a great stride toward a more integrated and seamless experience. The feature is not turned on by default, however. To access it, you first need to update your preferences by going to File > Settings > Tools > Emulator ...

Material Design is a design language created by Google to encourage developers to implement cohesive and attractive UIs. Material Design relies on a number of guiding principles, as well as specific building blocks called Material Design components. This approach to UI is utilized across most of Google’s own apps and tools but is also found in many other Android apps and even websites. If you are an Android developer, having at least a passing understanding of Material Design can go a long way to giving your app that professional sheen that resonates with users. Fortunately, it is now easier than ever to implement Material Design components. But should you? The rules of Material Design If you want to learn the “rules” of Material Design, check out Google’s own Guidelines. Generally, everything in a Material Design app should represent physical “materials” and interactions. Elements should appear as though they are on a physical surface. Usually, this is flat card and paper. The...

Here at Android Authority , we have already discussed how to make money as a copywriter . This is a flexible, profitable gig that anybody can use to earn some cash online. But if you want to charge the big bucks, you should become a technical writer . In this post, we will discuss what a technical writer does and how to become one. See also: What is the gig economy? Why the future of work is online (and how to prepare) What is a technical writer? A technical writer is a writer who explains complex, technical subject matters, in a clear and concise manner. These topics include “specialist” subjects that require specific expertise. In some cases, a technical writer may stick to a particular area of expertise. In other cases, they might be prepared to quickly learn and explain new technologies and concepts. Even if the writer were to spend weeks researching the topic, they likely wouldn’t develop the necessary understanding. Most freelance writers do not have the ability to w...

The best cyber security courses can advance your career, build a futureproof resume, and even help you protect your own personal data. Cyber security specialist is arguably one of the more glamorous roles for an IT professional. Hollywood has a fascination with cyber warfare and the idea of large companies being “hacked” by malicious-yet-ingenious bad guys in their basements. This is a battle of the minds, with the most precious commodity of the 21 st century at stake: information. See also:  Futureproof your career and salary as an information security analyst Of course, we all know that Hollywood has embellished the role of the information security professional. Yet, even with the reality being significantly less dramatic, it is still an exciting, important, and in-demand skill. Cyber security really does require lateral thinking, creativity, and technical know-how. And you could really be protecting data that is worth thousands or millions of dollars in some cases. It’s ...

Amazon Web Services (AWS) is Amazon’s powerful, market-leading solution for cloud computing. The platform offers a suite of products for businesses: security, cloud backup, machine learning, IoT solutions, and more. In this post, we will explore how to use AWS. What you need to know Many entrepreneurs and small businesses may assume that AWS is not for them. Perhaps the pricing will be too prohibitive, or it will require too much technical know-how. While both of these issues certainly do crop up from time-to-time, the truth is that Amazon’s offerings are extremely wide-reaching and include options at many different price points and levels of complexity. That is to say, that while some products might be off-limits, others are not. Some AWS products are completely free and very simple to get to grips with! See also: AWS vs Azure vs Google Cloud – Which certification is best for professionals? AWS includes over 175 different products, some of which don’t even require an AWS accou...