What is Firebase?
Google has long been a pioneer in the tech world and with their solid platform “Firebase”, it seems that they are continuing to push the envelope even further. Before we get into the nitty details about how to effectively use Firebase and which popular apps are running on this platform, let’s dive into what exactly Firebase is.
Firebase isn’t new, however the latest update of Firebase has sent developers into a frenzy (not in the bad way, more like “Flash Mob” frenzy). Firebase launched in 2014 and had roughly 110,000 developers jump on board. Since then the number of enthusiastic developers grew to 450,000 and with the latest announcement at I/O, that number is set to grow even more.
Essentially Firebase is a platform that integrates some of Google’s best features into the app building environment. It’s a unified platform that will give app developers the tools to take their apps to the next level.
What can you expect when using Firebase?
Here’s a quick overview:
- Google Analytics (built into Firebase for free)
- Site Hosting (any hosting)
- Global CDN (Cloudflare, CloudFront, or MaxCDN)
- Storage (S3)
- AdSense for ads (built into Firebase)
- Cloud/Realtime Messaging/Notifications (Pusher)
- More (oh so much more!)
A quick overview of the features included in Firebase
It’s important to stress that Firebase will take all of your app development to a whole new level, especially with the latest update. These add-ons will allow you to understand your demographics like never before and can even help you with ad revenue in a way that is simple and easy to integrate.
Some of the new features include:
- Realtime Database
- Hosting
- Authentication
- Storage
- Cloud Messaging
- Remote Config
- Test Lab
- Crash Reporting
- Notifications
- App Indexing
- Dynamic Links
- Invites
- AdWords
- AdMob
Essentially, with this platform you’ll be able to do everything you require for proper app development and metrics analysis in a simple fashion without having to add any complex coding to the process. This has been heralded as one of the most significant allies for app developers across many different platforms.
What popular Apps use Firebase?
There are many major apps that are currently using Firebase as their backend. Below I’ll dive into some of the most significant ones that have seen great success by using this platform.
This application is available both on iOS and Android and has more than 120 million downloads to its name. Essentially, this is a photo editing app that allows you to make collages from photos, Youtube Videos and awesome fonts and cutouts to make amazing looking collages which you can share with friends and family.
PicCollage uses Firebase for analytics, remote configuring, crash reporting and for instant notifications from their users. According to the PicCollage team, they found that Firebase has simplified their process of data analysis, implementation of quick experiments and iteration. One Dashboard to rule them all.
This app was developed at Duke University and is aimed at helping people replace “bad habits” with healthy rituals that will improve your health and well-being. This app is only available for Android currently however it has also seen millions of downloads and the people who use it has seen great benefit from use.
Fabulous uses Firebase for Analytics, Authentication, Remote Configuration, Crash Reporting, Notifications and Dynamic Links as well as invites to the app.
The team at Fabulous said that with Firebase they were able to integrate all their tools into one dashboard and it allowed them to increase efficiency like never before.
Finally, we take a look at Shazam, which is an app that is being used by more than 120 million people around the world. This app allows you to interact and share awesome video, audio or even printed content.
The people at Shazam use Firebase for Analytics, Crash Reporting and the implementation of Dynamic links.
According to the team at Shazam, they use Firebase as their sole solution to most of their challenges giving them the opportunity to scale their app according to reliable data and to give quick solutions to critical errors that may arise with updates and so forth.
As you can see, Firebase is quickly becoming key to the app development world in relation to analytics, scalability and measurements. It’s definitely all app developers need in their toolbox.
