RAD Studio XE8 has been launched today with a host of new features for both mobile and desktop applications.
Discover How RAD Studio XE8 Expands Your Business
- Multi-platform FireUI
- Extend Windows apps to mobile
- Mobilize business with EMS
- Update subscription
- Get productive
- Native Platform Controls
- Stay informed with Analytics
For more on whats new visit RAD Studio XE8 documentation
My Google Play app built with XE8
I have been playing with a new application that combines my hobby as a Basketball referee with my geeky side and have published using RAD Studio XE8 a new Google Play store application for managing Basketball Shot Clocks.
I started this app using components that was introduced in XE7 – AppTethering and Multi-View, and these have been great, but I have benefited recently from the new FireUI updates in building a version for multiple screens. I now have it running on Tablets, Phones and Android TV. (which is kind of fun).
Adding in XE8 “toys”
Analytics
Getting to XE8 was trivial from XE7, and my next step now is to add in the new Analytics features of XE8. AppAnalytics provides developers with a visual representation of how users are interacting with applications built with RAD Studio XE8
I’ve found you get some good analytics about platform and country etc from Google App Store, which is cool, but I want some in app details to know when its being used. – This is especially cool as this can be used in VCL and FireMonkey applications and there is a free version of the service with the option to purchase enhanced online analytics.
More Native Controls
I’m also going to look to increase the native controls used in the app with the new options for a number of the controls I have used (like the slider and list view). I like the way FireMonkey abstracts this as an option and even surfaces some new options in this area.
For more about the new controls and everything else that is new in XE8 please visit the online help documentation.