Simplify App Development with Duet AI and Develop Flutter＆Firebase Apps on Windows

Simplify App Development with Duet AI and Develop Flutter＆Firebase Apps on Windows

Table of Contents

1. Introduction
2. Duet AI for Firebase
3. Automated Pre-release Testing
4. Firebase Console Updates
5. Windows Development Support
6. Firestore Queries
7. Deleting Firestore Databases
8. Excluding Fields from Firestore Indexing
9. Default Languages for Apple Platforms
10. Security Updates for Cloud Functions Gen 1
11. Firebase A/B Testing
12. Conclusion

Introduction

Welcome to the November edition of "Firebase Release Notes"! In this article, we will cover the latest updates and enhancements to Firebase. From the introduction of Duet AI for Firebase to improvements in Firestore and Cloud Functions, we have plenty of exciting topics to explore. So, let's dive right in and discover what's new in Firebase this month! 💥

Duet AI for Firebase

Firebase announced the integration of Duet AI for Firebase at Demo Day on November 8. Duet AI is Google's brand for integrating Generative AI features into its products, and now it's making its way into Firebase. With Duet AI for Firebase, you can expect a helpful Firebase Assistant to aid you in your development work. Stay tuned for more updates on this exciting integration! 🚀

Automated Pre-release Testing

Firebase is introducing AI-powered automated pre-release testing for your apps. This new integration allows you to run automated tests on devices in Firebase Test Lab for pre-release versions of your app. It's like giving our robot testing tool a "brain transplant" with AI capabilities. Check out the links in the description for videos showcasing this feature. 🤖

Firebase Console Updates

The Firebase Console is your go-to tool for managing all aspects of your Firebase projects, and it just got an update! Now, you can restore a deleted app within 30 days and easily select the organization to which your project belongs. But the most noticeable changes are the new visuals in both the light mode and the brand new dark mode. Check them out and let us know what you think in the comments! 🎨

Windows Development Support

Good news for Windows users! You no longer need to spin up an Android emulator, iOS simulator, or Chrome debugging instance when developing Flutter apps that use Firebase. The Firebase SDK for Firestore now supports building and testing on a native Windows app. This means a faster development cycle for Windows users before delivering the final build to Android, web, and Apple platforms. 🖥️

Firestore Queries

Firestore, Firebase's document-based NoSQL database, has received several updates. Firestore queries, which were launched back in March for most platforms, are now available in our SDK for Unity, C++, and the brand new SDK for Flutter on Windows. Additionally, the server-side sum and average operators, previously discussed in the web SDK, are now available in our SDKs for iOS and Android. Stay tuned for an upcoming Flutter SDK update! 🔍

Deleting Firestore Databases

Managing Firestore databases is now even easier. You can now delete a Firestore database from your project and reclaim its name for a new database. To prevent accidental deletion, you can also set a flag on each database. This new feature gives you more flexibility and control over managing your Firestore databases. 🗑️

Excluding Fields from Firestore Indexing

If you've ever wanted to exclude most fields from Firestore's indexing, we have good news for you. Instead of manually exempting each field, you can now add a wildcard to exclude all fields and explicitly add the individual fields you want to index. This makes customizing Firestore indexing much more convenient and flexible. 🔒

Default Languages for Apple Platforms

Firebase's SDKs for Apple platforms have undergone some improvements. Previously written in Objective-C for Apple and Java for Android, our SDKs now default to Swift and Kotlin as the default languages. This means that you no longer need to add extra dependencies or imports to access Kotlin and Swift APIs. Enjoy a smoother development experience on Apple platforms with Firebase! 📱

Security Updates for Cloud Functions Gen 1

For those using the first generation of Cloud Functions as the serverless backend for your apps, we have an important update. Cloud Functions Gen 1 runtimes now automatically receive weekly security updates after they've been created. This means you'll get the latest security updates without needing to redeploy your functions. Stay on top of your app's security with Firebase! 🔒

Firebase A/B Testing

Firebase A/B testing has undergone a significant behind-the-scenes change. We have switched from Bayesian inferences to frequentist inferences, bringing new benefits and insights to your A/B testing. If you're interested in the statistical details behind this change, stay tuned for a deep dive video by Marina on our Channel in two weeks. 📈

Conclusion

That wraps up our November edition of "Firebase Release Notes." We've covered a range of updates and enhancements, from the introduction of Duet AI for Firebase to improvements in Firebase Console, Firestore, and Cloud Functions. We hope you found these updates helpful in your Firebase development journey. Don't forget to give this article a thumbs up if you enjoyed it, and subscribe to our channel for more Firebase updates. See you next time! 👋

Highlights:

• Introduction to Duet AI for Firebase
• Automated pre-release testing with AI integration
• New updates and visuals in Firebase Console
• Windows development support for Flutter apps
• Firestore queries now available in Unity, C++, and Flutter
• Improved management of Firestore databases
• Enhanced control over Firestore indexing
• Swift and Kotlin as default languages for Apple platforms
• Weekly security updates for Cloud Functions Gen 1
• Switch to frequentist inferences for Firebase A/B testing

Resources:

• Firebase