Build Native Mobile Applications Easily & Quickly | Creolabs Review

Mobile app building process is widely known to consist of two aspects, design and development stages. While handling the two independently remains relatively acceptable for designers and developers among other creative individuals, there is no question that they would appreciate a tool that harmonizes both processes in one simple and easily executable platform. It goes without saying that at a time when many players in the niche prefer focusing on creating unique and fresh mobile apps, Creo comes in handy in filling existing gaps in this regard.

What is Creo?

Simply put, Creo is an efficient tool that streamlines the process of app development for MacOS. It takes into consideration how long it takes to design and develop mobile apps with traditional tools, so it is built to make app creation processes simpler and faster. In place of handling design and development aspects separately, maybe, utilizing different tools, it allows users to combine everything into one workflow. As a result, it facilitates a close focus on fine-tuning the details of the product instead of dealing with endless code or any other typical operations you can easily avoid. In short, Creo is all about integrating design and development in one seamless application.

Features of Creo

CreoKIT native framework

The secret behind the impressive functionality and unprecedented performance of this tool is the CreoKIT framework. Thanks to the technology users do not have to deal with simulated or web-based code instead they get to utilize native components and classes which open way for more efficiency. The CreoKIT technology is by many standards responsible for a number of elements that run on this tool.  It opens the way to endless possibilities such as:-

Run iOS code directly on your Mac

Creo is all about affording a better user experience. As such it allows the execution of any iOS code (ability to work with Android will soon be available) on MacOS without any change. As a standard MacOS framework, CreoKIT makes porting of mobile applications to Mac quite straightforward. It offers users the power to run the native iOS app on Mac when linked to relevant source code thanks to the Objective-C/Swift native framework.

Preview and testing

The CreoKIT framework also enables developers to design and make improvements on their apps and effectively preview and test them on their on their Mac. Ideally, applications built on Creo can be thrust instantly into an in-built simulator and test the Creo apps on a mobile device running the CreoPlayer only requires that the Mac and mobile device be on an identical network. CreoPlayer is compatible counterpart iOS app that provides for previewing when an iOS device is linked to a Mac via Wi-Fi network or USB cable. By pressing the send on the Mac the app transfers to the mobile device and works normally as any other native app would behave consequently allowing designers to have a feel of their work along the way. And when you are done one can always create and sign a native IPA archive which can be copied and transferred to the Apple App Store.

Intuitive interface

Creo boasts of a very flexible user interface with simple drag and drop controls, classes, and objects which can easily be arranged to user specifications. With mere mouse clicks, it is possible to execute complex navigation hierarchies with ease not to mention the clarity of creating windows. Ideally, the interface is designed such while you are into the details of designing your app every touch is as natural as it can get. Thanks to the CreoKIT framework every change that is made is effected in real-time magically without any further action. Ordinarily what you have on your screen is exactly what is reflected on the mobile device.

Animations like a Pro with real-time feedback

In modern mobile apps, animations are widely used to better the user experience. To this end, Creo offers a fresh way to build animations. Courtesy of its intuitive timeline interface that supports real-time feedback, users can simply drop the objects they need to animate in the relevant panel and immediately embark on testing the properties, timing, and settings. Creo makes it easy to create efficient animations by eliminating the need for complex calculations and time taken to handle a lot of details. When done, the product is usually a native Core Animation object that will run at native speed on a device.

Objects

Programming has a lot to do with connecting objects. Well, almost every element in Creo is an object. Talk about UI control, database, animations or windows, each has a set of predetermined properties, methods, and events that can be arranged without any difficulty. For instance, when you want to execute an action, you only need to write your Gravity code inside the corresponding event. Similarly, in case you want to customize an object you just need to add the methods and properties via the interface and you will be set. Creo promises more in the future such as the ability to export your Creo app to a native Xcode project.

Gravity

Creo offers an alternative small but high-performance programming language with distinct features to satisfy an array of needs. If you are looking for a modern syntax, class-based language that provides for the productive use of object-oriented programming this is for you. Creo’s Gravity is a new and highly efficient programming language that has JavaScript and Smalltalk blended into a tiny size virtual machine that can work on any operating system. It is independent with the VM implementation just a little below 4000 line of high-performance C99 code. Gravity supports advanced features such as dynamic typing, higher order functions, classes and inheritance, lexical scoping, coroutines (via fibres), high-efficiency closure support, language extension with C API, garbage collection, and operator overriding just to mention.

Handling data

One of the most common inadequacies of many UX tools is the failure to provide for the use of real data. Creo solves this problem by allowing users to link up real data to their interface in real-time instead of filling mockups with representative ideas and information.  It also offers increased flexibility in handling data. For example, using a spreadsheet like UI you can set predefined data, with the drag and drop you can link databases; you can also handle files in different formats and so on. And using the integral Gravity programming language or inspector you can filter and manipulate data as necessary.

Pros:

• Harmonizes design time and runtime
• Allows use of real data
• Plenty drag and drop UI elements
• Enables execution of iOS code without any third-party tool
• Simplifies and hastens app design and development

Cons:

• Nothing major to report

Pricing and availability

Creo lifetime license is available for download at $99 per year. With the version, you will free updates for a year but beyond twelve months after purchase, you can keep the version as it is forever. Since the license can only be used on one computer, you can purchase the volume license at a discount or add more seats to your current license at a discount.

Alternatively, you can also try out the free unregistered version that also allows working unlimited projects.

Creo for educational use

This tool is available for teachers and students at 50% discount subject to verification.