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Google Turns Firebase Into Its Unified Platform For Mobile Developers (techcrunch.com)

Posted by BeauHD on from the unified-platform dept.

An anonymous reader writes: Google has announced a plethora of new features to Firebase, its cloud services provider that mobile developers can use to power their apps. TechCrunch reports: "In its previous incarnation, Firebase was somewhat similar to Facebook's now-defunct Parse in that it offered a database service, user authentication features and hosting tools. In this new version, Firebase takes many of Google's existing developer tools, like Google Cloud Messaging, and combines them with new and existing Firebase services. With this update, Google is turning Firebase into a unified app platform for its now 470,000 developers on the service (up from 110,000 when it acquired Firebase)." The new Firebase features deeply integrated analytics services, allowing developers to track specific parts of their apps with fine-grained events. Firebase can build audience segments and allow developers to analyze their behavior in even more detail than before, and view how their advertising campaigns are performing. With these audience segments, developers can make remote configuration changes in apps and take advantage of Firebase's new notifications system. This feature is based on Google Cloud Messaging, which is now changing its name to Firebase Cloud Messaging. Google is offering all Firebase users free and unlimited notifications with support for iOS, Android and the Web. They're also integrating its Cloud Test Lab into Firebase for testing mobile apps on real hardware, renaming it the Firebase Test Lab. Other new features include crash reporting, the ability to create dynamic deep links into your app, Firebase Invites for allowing app users to share referral codes, Firebase App Indexing for bringing app content into Google Search, and integration with Google's AdWords and AdMob advertising platforms. Last but not least, Google is introducing new pricing plans for Firebase, including a new free plan, a fixed-rate plan, and a pay-as-you go plan.

11 comments

  1. where's that disable advertising option by turkeydance · · Score: 1

    when i need it?

    1. Re: where's that disable advertising option by Frosty+Piss · · Score: 1

      Indeed, how many Googe Slashverts have there been today?

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      If you want news from today, you have to come back tomorrow.
    2. Re: where's that disable advertising option by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Calm down it's Google I/O, no need to set up countermeasures. Gotta learn the difference between rare and recurrent events. No need to inquire about scuba diving gear that you can wear 24/7 just because you fell into a lake today.

    3. Re: where's that disable advertising option by Threni · · Score: 1

      Possibly avoid tech sites during the 3 days a year Google holds a conference to announce new stuff?

  2. Start the countdown by BarbaraHudson · · Score: 1

    How long until they abandon it? 1 Mississippi, 2 Mississippi ...

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    "Transparent" is a shit show that trades on every stereotype going. A man in drag is NOT a transsexual.
    1. Re:Start the countdown by mujadaddy · · Score: 1

      "Ephemeral" is not really one of the qualities associated with desirable enterprise partnerships...

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      Populus vult decipi, ergo decipiatur...
      "Force shits upon Reason's back." - Poor Richard's Almanac
  3. Thanks by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    If you are interested in this shit, please kill yourself now.

  4. Why do I find this concept ominous ? by swell · · Score: 2

    Does this mean that every mobile app (and presumably desktop apps in the near future) will be spying on me no matter what I do with it, and reporting to various entities about my activities?

    Of course it's for optimizing the software and reducing crashes and optimizing my experience as a user. It's a self-diagnostic that diagnoses me and my behavior as a bonus. And like everything in current internet advances, it's about precise targeting and advertising results.

    Half a million developers will fine tune these technologies and make our lives a living hell.

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    ...omphaloskepsis often...
    1. Re:Why do I find this concept ominous ? by floatpt · · Score: 1

      Does this mean that every mobile app (and presumably desktop apps in the near future) will be spying on me no matter what I do with it, and reporting to various entities about my activities?

      No, not in the future. It's been as you describe for a minute now.

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      d-_-b
    2. Re:Why do I find this concept ominous ? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Does this mean that every mobile app (and presumably desktop apps in the near future) will be spying on me

      Not if you stick with F-Droid.

  5. Still no database recovery by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    You simply cant restore your DB in a previous state if its more than a few GBs. Firebase is extremely misguiding when they say they offer a backup plan. They take a backup alright but its a backup you cannot use to restore. An extensive blog post with that will follow in the future, it has caused our team extremely huge problems and stress.

    Firebase is a DB that doesnt offer the most basic functionality a DB should have. Steer clear