Develop Reference

Is it possible to develop mobile keyboard app in react native

we want to develop mobile keyboard app - (Third party keyboard) that have some unique features (such translate on the keyboard).
We would like to know if there is a way to developed it once both for IOS and Android, with React native, or any other solution?
Thank !

Short answer: no, it can only be developed in native code (java/android, Objective-C or Swift/iOS)
Long answer: React Native would be an overkill in this case since it would bring a lot of features which cannot be used by a custom keyboard. For example, all the List components or Navigation which are quite heavy.
If you want to build a custom keyboard I would recommend to read the tutorials for iOS and Android about this matters:
https://developer.apple.com/library/content/documentation/General/Conceptual/ExtensibilityPG/CustomKeyboard.html
https://developer.android.com/guide/topics/text/creating-input-method.html
This pieces of functionality are really simple to develop so not a lot needs to be learned, plus having to maintain two codebases is not going to be a big overhead

Application requirements to write a home manager in PhoneGap

Is there anything (plugin, library etc.), that would allow me to write a start up application / home screen manager for Android, using PhoneGap? If yes, then what particular circumstances must such application met?
Or, as I assume, this isn't possible and a native, Java-based, application for Android must be written to accomplish this?

Hello I'm sorry to tell you, but my opinion is that
it's IMPOSSIBLE to achieve such goal using Cordova/PhoneGap.
Hybrid applications are using smartphone's native WebView , thus you cannot invoke/reach the WebView from the Home/Launcher of the phone.
In order to get such WebView you must be in some sort of application (e.g. hybrid app written by you). The Home/Launcher CAN'T SERVE as WebView therefore you can't make such things with Cordova/PhoneGap
Sorry for killing the hope :D

Webapp based Android keyboard

I am programming an Android keyboard. Right now I reached the point where I have to rewrite the KeyboardView and I'm asking myself why not to switch to an Webapp instead of a native Android app. Thereby I could later easily deploy the application for other platforms whithout the need of rewriting.
My approach would be to use the Android App as an container for my web app probaply in combination with GWT. I am also considering using PhoneGap.
The problem is that so far I haven't found anything about people using webapps for an InputMethod. Now I'm wondering if it's reasonable or even possible to use webapps for this task or if they are only suitable for normal activities.
Has anyone tried doing this before or some hints why or why not it is possible?

Where can I find CSS theme for a Mobile web app for Android?

I am developing a web mobile app for Android, and I'd be glad to use a native-theme like this one.
Android Play doesn't provide CSS of that theme, do you know where I could find it (or something similar)?
Edit: I just found this png:
Does anyone created the CSS of this?

I have been looking for such css theme for sometime, as far as my search goes, I made a small list.
KendoUI Mobile - ( I think this is the best android theme ).
DojoMobile - Pretty good android theme.
QooxDoo Mobile - Good android theme.
I think the most close theme to what you want is KendoUI Mobile android theme. One thing about it, is that its paid.

When looking for good themes for hybrid frameworks like Trigger.io Forge, it's best to look for mobile-ready HTML/CSS skeletons. The app itself is just a little web page so projects to assist with mobile web sites are most suitable.
Depending on what level you want to work at, you could take a look at Sencha Touch (we have a demo app built using with Trigger here), HTML5 Mobile Boilerplate and 320 and up; going from heavier to lighter.

Here is the Mobile Showcase for qooxdoo's qx.Mobile:
http://demo.qooxdoo.org/devel/mobileshowcase-android/index.html#%2F
As you can see, it even supports tablet devices, now. The theming can easily changed via LESS/CSS.
But a lot of Android apps do not even have the native Android look. Simulating the native look is difficult, because the app can only have one appearance of a an android version (2.x, 3.x, or 4.x). So, I would not try copy it, because you do not know how Android 5.X and later will look like.

mobile multiplatform development with native UI

i have developed an app, running on iphone and android, using phonegap and jquery mobile.
The combination of them is really great.
To support multi platform, I have also evaluated some other platforms too, but the problem that i have is that the UI does not feel native (and although not a problem for most apps performance cannot be compared with native).
The only solution so far giving acces to native UI seems to be monotouch.
Do you have any suggestions on platforms offering native ui at least on iphone and android, regardless of language used?
Thanks.

The only way to have native UI response is to write native apps.

The native UI is a puzzle indeed. You need read HIG firstly, cook UI with color and images to get close with system default ones. But if you are using PhoneGap thing, why do you even worry about it? Just rely on framework to get close the look and feel. Get your app really useful is more attractive than looking accustomed for user.
But it is important to adjust interactive design to avoid conflict. For example iOS navigation bar has return button in left most part, don't put it at right. And Android user will get disappoint if there is no response for long pressing or context menu key pressing.

for now i will go with a mixed on js based on phonegap and native controls plugin which i will extend as needed.