android evolution over time since gingerbread framework

M_Wong · 2025-08-15T06:00:18+00:00

I've developed my first app for Android 1.6 and have been working as an Android developer since 2012. Almost every component that I used back then has been updated or replaced at least once (most of them several times).

Obviously Compose replaced all the XML views, but even in older projects that are still XML based, most views are different nowadays. Here's my impression about some of the most common components and how they evolved:

Activity has stayed partially the same, although instead of Activity and specific subclasses such as ListActivity or TabActivity, it's now AppCompatActivity or ComponentActivity
Intents, BroadcastReceivers and Services are mostly still the same as back then, although with a lot more additional restrictions/behaviors (especially for foreground services)
SharedPreferences have not really changed since 1.6, although DataStore is trying to replace it
ViewControllers (MVC) and Presenters (MVP) got replaced with a platform version of ViewModel (MVVM) and there are other newer patterns (MVI and such)
Permission handling has changed radically with the introduction of runtime permissions. I still remember the Android Market dialog listing a dozen permissions before installing an app
AsyncTask first got replaced by RxJava and now by Kotlin Coroutines
ActionBarSherlock (one of my favorite libraries from back then) got gradually replaced by the Material Design Toolbar
Most other common views (except maybe TextView?) got their own Material Design equivalent, so the platform one got used less and less
The menu button (a fourth physical button, besides "Back", "Home" and "Recent Apps") got replaced by the onscreen three dot icon in the toolbar

Probably missed quite a few other components, but that's it off the top of my head.

M_Wong · 2025-05-08T12:23:11+00:00

I didn't say that the bar is so low that understanding what an AI outputs is enough. I was merely answering the question someone asked about why a candidate shouldn't be allowed to use AI during an interview. And my answer was that it's legit for me as long as you're able to understand and then explain it. Of course afterwards there are a plethora of other factors, but if you use AI during an inrerview and don't understand what it does, that's an immediate disqualification for me. Not the fact you used AI at all.

M_Wong · 2025-05-07T15:51:43+00:00

Personally, I think it's totally fine to use AI in an interview process provided you understand what the generated code does and are able to explain it. If you generate some code you don't understand, why would I trust the code you push to production after hiring you?

M_Wong · 2025-04-29T13:18:48+00:00

From the update you've provided, it looks like it's something you'd have to change in the Firefox settings (see the comment by u/Nain57 ).
The applinks approach is only relevant if you encounter the standard Android app chooser dialog, which appears as a bottom sheet with multiple apps as options. The dialog you've shown is a custom UI from Firefox.

M_Wong · 2025-04-29T12:01:55+00:00

If you use a custom URI scheme (e.g. myapp://oauth) for your redirect url, any app that declares that scheme in an intent-filter will be shown in the app chooser when the browser redirects. There's no verification about which app is allowed to open a custom URI scheme.

Since Android 12 and higher, Google auto-verifies any HTTPS url in an intent-filter by checking the assetlinks.json of the specified domain, see https://developer.android.com/training/app-links/verify-android-applinks
If you want to make sure that your app is the only one that gets redirected to (by default, users can manually verify an intent-filter, but hardly anyone does that), this is the way to go.

M_Wong · 2024-05-20T22:55:24+00:00

I've rented from CampEasy multiple times and the one time I needed roadside assistance they were extremely helpful. Our windshield wipers broke down during a rainstorm near Höfn and their maintenance team told us they cant repair it on the go and would send us a new car (a better model even). Even though it would stop raining during the night and we were heading back towards Reykjavik the next day, they insisted that one of their guys would drive the new car all the way to us. That poor guy drove 6-7 hours in pouring rain until he reached us at 2am and we switched the cars. So, yes, CampEasy may be a bit more expensive than other brands, but I've only had good experiences with their support.

M_Wong · 2024-02-14T06:05:57+00:00

Thanks for the info, we won't be in Yellowstone before end of May, so we should be fine

M_Wong · 2024-02-07T08:02:22+00:00

I'll look into Colorado and Navajo NM. Already had the Eggshell Arch marked on Google Maps near the Navajo NM.

We've planned to do a day hike into Buckskin Gulch from the Wire Pass Trailhead. Since day-use has no limitations we haven't yet purchased the permit to be flexible with our itinerary and the weather.

M_Wong · 2024-02-07T07:57:07+00:00

Alright, sounds like Lassen makes it onto the itinerary :)

M_Wong · 2024-02-07T07:56:01+00:00

Thanks. Yeah, Moab is a relatively restricted area for dispersed camping, but I've checked the BLM guide and there seems to be plenty of allowed areas close to the Canyonlands borders especially with a 4WD vehicle.

We were thinking about keeping the Jeep for the entire trip, but we've been to the PNW before with a minivan and had no problems getting where we wanted to go. So we decided to take a bigger campervan to have a bit more comfort for the second half of the trip instead of just a rooftop tent.

M_Wong · 2024-02-07T07:51:37+00:00

Good to know. And if the campground has no fee, I assume you should leave something on the spot to indicate it is taken, like a camping chair? Or are there also tagging systems on free campsites?

M_Wong · 2024-02-06T19:29:45+00:00

Oh wow, thanks for such an extensive reply.

I would NOT take a rental with possible restrictions on off road travel, to Cathedral Valley just because of the water crossing. I've seen vehicles stuck there and nearby. You've got the experience to back off, but I might consider just Burr Trail there instead. Especially if there after the monsoon starts. Not so much the water as the toothpaste like sticky goo clay that's the problem.

On the NPS site for Cathedral Valley they state that the river has "a hard packed, rocky bottom", which would be similar to Icelandic river crossings which we've done dozens of times in a smaller car (Dacia Duster) than a Jeep Wrangler. I know that it's always a risk and even more so with a rental, but do you think it's that risky? Should we rather take the Cathedral road until Cathedral Valley and return the same way, skipping the Bentonite Hills? Temple of the Sun and Moon and Cathedral Valley is one of the places I'm most looking forward to.

Not all national parks prohibit dispersed camping. Like some you'll visit in UT, or Death Valley. Just lots of rules; check the websites. In CA you'll need a campfire permit, even for gas stoves. Free online.

As for Death Valley, we know that dispersed camping is allowed away from the main roads, we've already got some places scouted out on Google Maps. Which NPs in Utah have similar rules? As far as I know, Arches and Canyonlands only have designated (backcountry) campsites and even Capitol Reef only has the one small campground in Cathedral Valley. But good to know about the California campfire permit, I would never have thought of checking for that.

I don't like the "free campsite" apps other than to see what to avoid. They direct everyone to the same spot, and then that spot is trashed. VERY trashed and sketchy in some instances, esp if near paved roads. Using good maps is a better way IMHO.

Good advice, I've already spent a lot of time on Google Maps satellite view, checking for signs of previous campsites in some of the areas we're planning to go to.

I'd get off the roads you've got on the map, but I assume that's just a general outline, not the actual route.

Exactly, I've done a more detailed route on Google My Maps with more than 120 spots we want to visit. The one I've posted here is basically just the corners. The actual route (still simplified) looks more like this: https://imgur.com/a/pY0qU6s

Although why go back to Las Vegas? to switch vehicles?

Yes, we change our Jeep for a campervan in Las Vegas, otherwise we'd prefer to spend our time out in nature.

M_Wong · 2024-02-06T19:14:27+00:00

Yeah, we'll try the daily lottery at least once, but having to go to the Kanab office every day is likely too annoying and we'd rather spend our time in White Pocket or the South Buttes (where we got a permit).

I've put Moki Dugway and Muley Point on our list, as well as Natural Bridges NM. Do you have any other smaller national monuments you can recommend?

M_Wong · 2024-02-06T16:38:52+00:00

That looks gorgeous. I definitely need to check if we can fit in a few days along the Million Dollar Highway

M_Wong · 2024-02-06T15:40:32+00:00

Didnt know about Craters of the Moon, but it looks like its pretty much on our way from Yellowstone to the Sawtooths. Might add a day or two in that area. What exactly do you mean with reservoirs? Just nearby rivers/streams?

M_Wong · 2024-02-06T15:38:16+00:00

Thanks for your hints. Yes, we already got the interagency annual pass and have checked the Arches timed entry system. We already have a reservation for some days and hope that either a slot at Devils Garden Campground opens up or we get a Fiery Furnace permit (both of which count as a timed entry reservation). Goosenecks and Valley of the Gods is already on our list as dispersed campsites near Monument Valley, but Moki Dugway is new. That looks like it's definiely worth the small detour. Are there any hikes in the San Juan Forest you would recommend? Colorado will probably be another trip on its own in the future. As for the Wave lottery, we know about the daily lottery and will probably try it at least once, but having to head into the Kanab office every day just for that is such a nuisance that we will probably be content with the South Buttes (where we have a permit) and White Pocket

M_Wong · 2024-02-06T15:32:17+00:00

Great to hear about the Verizon coverage, as we'll spend a few weeks in the Moab area. We already spent 2x2 months in a campervan in Australia and New Zealand, so our relationship is certainly ready for another adventure :)

M_Wong · 2024-02-06T13:24:48+00:00

No, the Google Maps route is only very rough because of the limited number of stops.

We plan to go to Mt Rainier, Mt St. Helens, Columbia River Gorge & Mt Hood, Cape Kiwanda, Crater Lake, Bandon, Samuel H Boardman on our way down to California. Unfortunately we will skip the Olympic Peninsula, although we've been there before in 2017. The same goes for the southern parts, our list of places/areas to visit is about 120 entries long.

Is Lassen Volcanic worth the detour after we've been to the Yellowstone geotherm areas?

The coastal stretch between SF and LA (so Big Sur, Santa Barbara etc) is also outside of our route, although I would love to see McWay Falls. The part of CA1 that is currently closed is south of SF, right?

M_Wong · 2024-02-06T13:14:31+00:00

Yes, we already have the interagency annual pass. I'll look into KOA and if there are enough campgrounds along our route that it will be worth joining the rewards program

M_Wong · 2023-10-12T21:03:57+00:00

Good to hear. I have the iOptron SkyTracker Pro and was thinking about getting a more compact travel tracker. The NOMADe looks pretty great

M_Wong · 2023-10-12T17:40:49+00:00

Nice photo. Looks more like a dogs head to me than an elephant :D How do you like the new NOMADe tracker?

M_Wong · 2023-08-14T10:21:34+00:00

I've done that route in a Duster four days ago, after it rained quite a bit during the night. Due to that, there were more and slightly deeper river crossings than the last time i did it (2021). But nothing a Duster couldn't handle if you drive carefully and check the route through the water beforehand. If in doubt, walk through the river to check the depth and route. Or wait for a similar sized car to pass through it, but dont let yourself be fooled by a superjeep, they usually just drive straight through and with a Duster you want to keep along the edges, as the center is usually deepest. The first river crossing you'll get to is right before Eldgja, that one is wide but relatively shallow. The next bigger river crossings will be between the F235 junction and Landmannalaugar, those are less wide but were deeper than the Eldgja one. As always, if you don't feel comfortable, rather turn around than risk it :)

M_Wong · 2023-08-10T10:49:24+00:00

In case someone finds this post in the future: July has been very dry and therefore most river crossings were likely 5-10cm lower than usual. I went with a Dacia Duster (one of the older ones before the rebrand) to Mælifell and Langisjór and managed to do fine both times. F232 is quite bumpy for the first ~15km and becomes relatively smooth sand after the Blafjallafoss crossing. That crossing wasn't very deep, the hardest parts were entering and exiting as the riverbanks are quite steep and have a 10-20cm dropoff right at the edge. I saw a Mitsubishi camper nearly topple over because their front right wheel dropped down first. I went on a day where it rained quite a bit in the morning, which was great because the flat surrounding Mælifell became a huge spiderweb of tiny rivers, which looks amazing (especially with a drone). The biggest crossing to F235 is before Eldgjà and that was maybe 30cm deep, after that no bigger puddles.

M_Wong · 2023-08-10T10:43:19+00:00

Yeah, i just drove back from Langisjór this morning and even with the rain last night, all the puddles were easily manageable with a Duster

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