Hello:
I have an unfinished, but working, Particle app written for Windows in C#. I'm an experienced C++/C# programmer for Windows and Unity.
I am NOT a Javascript, Android, or iOS (XCode?) programmer!
I am looking for the easiest way to create an Android (phone) app without having to learn new languages. I've started looking into Maui. I'd like to be able to build in Unity or C# on VS2022 and publish on Android. Unless I missed something, the Particle Unity example has a bunch to do with NFTs and a bunch of blockchain stuff?
Is there a relatively easy way to get Particle into an Android?
iOS is a stretch because I don't have a Mac.
Thank you!
Hey Brian, welcome to the community!
What is it that you need from a native app?
Do you need a particular native feature?
Example: if your app will not use BLE, then you might write a web app, deploy it in a server and your users will load it on their mobile browsers, no mobile app required.
Let me know,
I think I can do a Web app. I have Linux machine running a Plex server that could also host the Web app. The project is a set of outdoor RGB sconce lights using Argons. It's Particle-cloud based sitting on local WiFi. As of now, no BLE. I didn't want to waste a lot of time with trial-and-error, so I reached out to you guys!
My concern was the Particle SDK on different platforms.
Is there a DLL or source that I can use with a WebGL project? That would be a breeze in Unity. I could actually host it on Windows or Linux at this point.
Happy to provide more info if you need it. Again - I'm just hoping to avoid wasting a lot of time trying to figure this out on my own.
Thank you!
ok, I would fgo that way too to avoid the hassle of mobile apps, app stores, etc. More work for nothing (in this case).
Now I need to ask what the web app will do. If it is only a function call on the argons and/or get a variable, implement the https request on c# (or whatever language you choose) then no need for the Particle SDK - which I'm not sure is still supported.
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As stated, I have some outdoor RGB lights. The current PC/C# app uses a color wheel to pick the color and send that data to the lights. The problem is - I can't see/tweak the color from my desktop PC!
I basically have 1 Particle function broken up into commands via the parameter string. As of now, I have 1 Particle variable for some debug and status info.
I also log in via the app, so I need the login API command.
So - short-story-long, that's it. Very low overhead as far as Particle comms.
Can you please send me a link to this https method?
I definitely appreciate all of your help!!! Thank you!
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oh, now that you mention RGB, that reminds me of https://blynk.io/
Would you like to check it out? With Blynk you can create an app with zero code, and they have, I believe, an RGB wheel.
There is a blynk library for Particle devices which you can use.
Otherwise, link to hit the function is coming up...
In general, those docs pages contain everything.
But think about Blynk, I use it for a few home projects and it looks superbe.
And I've been thinking about your original question:
Easiest way to Android or iOS app?
The easiest way is NO app at all.
If you can get away with a web app, do that.
If you can get away with what's already there (ubidots, adafruit.io, blynk) use that.
If your app needs a native feature (example: BLE), well, then you might need an app.
I've had a lot of success recently with Noodl (www.noodl.net) - it deploys web-apps in react for self-hosting, but you can use things like Capacitor (capacitorjs.com) to make native apps. I've not done the native app route yet as web-app serves my needs for now.
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Hope you'll permit a tangential question:
If going with the "no app" approach, how do customers do the initial Particle wifi configuration? I'm currently requiring customers to use a USB cable and a chrome-only web app, but interested in other approaches. Was very surprised when Particle dropped support for their Android app with the P2.
Hi, sadly that goes against this statement:
If your app needs a native feature (example: BLE), well, then you might need an app.
Unless you are using Muons. There you can use a function call via cellular to configure Wi-Fi credentials.
If most of your customers are on Android, you could use the combination of the ble-wifi-setup-manager library and this Android app. Or that library and a chrome-only web app.