Whats New in Android Studio 2.2 - Firebase Integration and Instant Run

 

We recently update our Android Studio (with instant run support) to the latest 2.2 version. It is focus to create a fast and productive integrated development environment (IDE) for Android. We start developing Android on Eclipse IDE but switch to Android Studio 3 years ago. Today 92% of the top 125 apps & game developers on Google Play, plus millions of developers worldwide, use Android Studio.

 

So, today we update our old Android Studio to the latest Android Studio 2.2 stable version. Here is what we like about the new Android Studio 2.2

 

 

1. Now your can download the Android SDK component in the background. You can still coding while downloading the new SDK component. It is simple but we love this new features.

 

 

2. Now you can build android APK and Analyze back the APK and reduce your APK size. The new APK Analyzer helps you understand the contents and the sizes of different components in your APK. You can also use it to avoid 64K referenced method limit issues in your Dex files, diagnose ProGuard configuration issues, view merged AndroidManifest.xml file, and inspect the compiled resources file (resources.arsc).

 

 

3. New Merged Manifest Editor. With new Merge Manifest editor you can find out with legend where the permission of your application come from. 

 

 

4. You can also design Android Interface using new layout manager. The new Layout Editor: Android Studio 2.2 features a new user interface designer. There are many enhancements but some of the highlights include: Drag-and-drop widgets from the palette to the design surface .Design surface has a blueprint mode to inspect the spacing and arrangement of your layout. Properties panel can you help edit the value of component quickly.

 

 

5. New constraint layout: This new layout is quite similar with RelativeLayout bu the constraint Layout was designed to be used in Studio and it can efficiently express your app design so that you rely on fewer layouts like LinearLayout, FrameLayout, TableLayout, or GridLayout. 

 

 

6. The built-in automatic constraints inference engine to automatically predict the layout in potrait and landscape mode. It is huge time saver.

 

 

7. Easy firebase integration.Firebase is the new tools for developer that can help you develop high-quality apps, grow your user base, and earn more money. Inside of Android Studio, you can add Firebase to a new or existing Android app with the new Assistant window. You can now explore other Firebase services like Firebase Cloud Messaging or Firease Crash Reporting to add your application. Learn more about firebase integration here.

 

 

8. Find sample Code directly from the IDE. Just highlight any code or API and the IDE will find a sample code for you that you can copy and paste or learn more about the documentation.

 

9. Help UI test with new Expresso recorder.