Firebase for Fun and Profit

Crafting the modern app










Nitya Narasimhan | @nitya
AppsCamp - Jul 2016

About Me

  • PhD @ UCSB
  • Advanced Research @ Motorola
  • Startup Consulting @ Various
  • Organizer @ Google Developer Groups
  • Solopreneur @ DigitalHV


About you

  • Mobile/Web Developer
  • Designer
  • Entrepreneur
  • Other

About this talk

  • What is Firebase?
  • How do I use it?
  • Why would I use it?
  • Where do I go next?



Modern App Development

Table Stakes

Modern applications need to be responsive, reactive, cross-platform and real-time out-of-the-box!














Website Credit: IsaacChansky

The Full-Stack Vision

The Full-Stack Reality

The Sad Truth

Your USER doesn't care about the backend BUT

  • wants fast + responsive UX
  • .. and offline support
  • .. and support on all devices
  • .. and secure + reliable ops
  • .. and seamless authentication

That 'invisible' back end?

  • Scalable Database
  • Real-Time Data Sync
  • Media/File Storage
  • User Accounts
  • Push Notifications
  • Server Hosting
  • Analytics + Audience
  • SEO + Monetization
  • Testing + Crash Reports

Wake-up Call

Front-end developers shouldn't be required to manage
complex infrastructure! Focus on UX!



What if I told you..

Firebase has you covered

A real-time backend-as-a-service
with tools to develop your app, understand user behaviors, grow your audience and monetize their interactions.

Firebase Features




Develop Apps

Real-Time Database


  • Cloud-hosted, NoSQL store
  • Offline support built-in
  • Client libraries (native/web)
  • Server API (REST)
  • Real-time sync, conflict res

Authentication


  • Robust + Simple Auth
  • Core Providers (Google, FB, Twitter,..)
  • Templates (Verification, Reset,..)
  • Anonymous, Custom Auth

Cloud Messaging


  • Free + Unlimited + Reliable
  • Cross-Platform support
  • Backed by Google Cloud
  • Optimized for battery use

(File) Storage


  • Store user-generated content
  • Robust Upload/Retrieval
  • Backed by Google Cloud Storage
  • API access from client, cloud

(Web) Hosting


  • Deploy to Global CDN
  • One-click Rollback
  • Custom Domains
  • Firebase CLI

And More..


  • Remote Config: push app updates in-place, customize content for diverse audiences
  • (Android) Test Lab Android Studio integration, custom test scripts, diverse device configurations
  • (Native) Crash Reporting: Comprehensive crash data capture, correlate user behaviors (w/ analytics)



Grow Audience

Supercharge Mobile Apps


Tools to increase user engagement with native apps




Monetize Engagement


Primarily through seamless AdMob integration



Know Your User

Analytics: Connecting The Dots


  • Free + Unlimited Support
  • 500 event types (up to 25 attrs. each)
  • Seamless export to BigQuery
  • Audience segmentation (age, gender, location)
  • Correlate user behaviors, campaign

Demo
(walkthrough)

Demo: What we'll explore





Resources!




THANK YOU!