IOS server-based application - ios

I know that this is not really a code related question, but this is driving me crazy.
I have an IOS app that enables users to coddect to a common "cloud" and share data with each other. Exactly like Facebook or whats' app. The problem is that I don't seem to find a service I can use. I need functions such as upload, download, delete, check for existence, update, etc. and without a limit of requests/space. StackMob with amazon s3 was perfect but now that stackMob is down I have to delete all of my work. What other similar service could I use? Does anyone with experience knows how to do in this cases? How do I know that the next won't close down?

Have you checked out parse.com? Depending on your long term plans, you might want to write your own custom backend.

Related

Is it possible to add hyperlinks/deeplinks to images in Apple PassKit?

I'm currently exploring the capabilities of custom passes in Apple Wallet.
One thing I would like to do is enable users to be able to go to my website if they click their gift card's icon.
However, after looking through the documentation - there doesn't seem to be any support for this basic ask.
The closest thing I was able to find was adding URLs to the back of the custom passes. Anyone know of a workaround?
I'm looking for the same thing.
I'm surprised people praise Apple Wallet passes that much, when it's really bad to work with.
Everything is file based, and you have to create a physical zip-file.
Google's approach is much better imho: everything is done via an API, so the pass itself is just a url with a token. Sharing a Google Pass is so much simpler and works everywhere.
Updating a pass is simple; just call the Google Api and everything will be ok. Images and assets are urls. Much much better to work with.
Updating an Apple pass involves fricking Push notifications, it's mind bogglingly complex compared to Google's solution.
Oh well

Database for Real Time Queries/Push Notifications

I am looking to build an iOS app and website that work 'together'.
What the plan is for each:
On the iOS side, it will be pushing information to the server in the form of a post. The users will then be able to vote up and down on the posts as well; which also implies they will be able to see the other users information (in real time).
The website will be viewing this information in real time and using the posts. If a post gets enough down votes the server should tell the website and apps to remove it.
I have experience with SQL. Although SQL does not seem to be the appropriate server choice - for what I want to do - given my experience with it. (I could definitely be wrong.)
I would like to host the information myself, however have heard that Parse is good about holding information for iOS apps. I just don't know whether it gives you enough freedom to work with websites as well.
TL;DR: What kind of database/datastore should I use for a real time queries that allows for push notifications?
All suggestions are welcome. Thank you.
Try Using FireBase
firebase.google.com
Documentation

Alternatives to storing data to database rather then using Parse

I have been using Parse lately for applications I develop, mainly due to the simplicity of getting an app off the ground. This could eventually be costly, more so unless I store to my own database on a rented server, I'd assume. So my question is: How would I go about storing data externally to my own server? Is there any sort of framework like parse for this with option to use one's own server storage instead? I'd assume theres something considering writing a whole login system etc that's secure multiple times would seem a bit repetitive, hence Parse. Thanks in advance!
Google has provided a mobile backend starter some time ago, here is the link https://developers.google.com/cloud/samples/mbs/. Hope it will help!
Yes you have. Kindly look into DynamoDB from amazon.
Here is a good documentation for iOS SDK.
More granular detail is here
I hope that helps.
You may need to have an account with amazon aws in order to create your appID & all.

Using Google Maps to store custom set of locations (iOS Google Maps SDK)

Create mobile application, which gives the user ability to look for certain places (payment terminals) nearby and to add new ones. Of course user will have ability to edit places, change some of their meta-info fields, add photos, etc.
I can understand, how to implement such things at the mobile device side(i mean interface and model), but can't imagine, what i have to do at the "google-side" to store locations and get them to device.
I'm looking through developers.google.com for appropriate service, but google have so much different "Maps" services and their variety makes me disappointed, which one can give me necessary instruments.
I'm sorry, if my question is too stupid but i can't realize how to implement such functionality.
If anybody ever made such applications, please help me to find, at least, the service, which can help me to implement such functionality. Sample code at github will be the great!
You're looking to build a "back-end" or a database to store the locations that you are interested in. This means that you will save them on a server, that you will access through requests over the internet from your iPhone.
For a really simple back-end to set up, check out Parse that is very simple to implement.

Is it OK to use Twitter and Facebook profile images without storing them in my server?

Currently I'm using Facebook connect and Twitter oauth to authenticate users. and I'm using their profile image urls directly instead of storing them on my server. I guess it's better to save the thumbnails and think eventually may need to do that, but for now am trying to save as much money as possible. (I'm currently using Heroku to host my project and can't store files unless I use S3 or the likes, which would cost me money)
I'm wondering if this is OK, and if most web apps start out this way. Or if I need to store the images.
Also, now I want to let users set up accounts without Twitter or Facebook. In this case, is there a way to use a "third party thumbnail hosting site" (I don't even know if such a thing exists) for free instead of using S3? It can even be a short term hack, since I plan to eventually implement image storage if this gets traction.
I think not storing them is the best way. If someone changes their picture, you always show the latest this way, if you stored them, well then you would have an old version of their picture after time which could make your app look stale.
As for where to store alternatives, I would really consider s3. It is very cheap storage, and thumbnails won't need a lot of space. It would only get expensive if you had a LOT of users, and if you have a LOT of users, you should be able to afford the storage.
Also, have you looked at Gravatar? A lot of people have those linked to their email addresses, it might be another good way to get their picture. http://en.gravatar.com/site/implement/

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