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Big Tech
Industry Insights
Mobile

Google has added iOS and Android simulators directly within its cloud-based developer workspace, Project IDX.

The search giant launched Project IDX six months ago as an experimental tool to streamline full-stack, multiplatform app development. It consolidates the complex workflows traditionally associated with building mobile and web apps into a single, collaborative environment.

Pasquale D’Silva, developer of the AI-powered content creation app Tanaki built with Project IDX, said the shared workspace has been “so fun” and like “a magic collaboration portal” for his remote team.

The Firebase Blog is another project now fully authored, developed, and deployed using Project IDX. Google Distinguished Engineer Lloyd Tabb is also using it for his multiple ongoing data projects, including Malloy, allowing him to “quickly spin up an instance to solve a problem.”

New iOS and Android simulators allow developers to preview their apps without leaving Project IDX. For web and Flutter templates, the appropriate Chrome or Safari preview is loaded automatically. This feature lets devs spot check layouts and behaviour as they build.

Project IDX has also gained new app templates including for Astro, Go, Python, Flask Qwik, Lit, Preact, Solid.js and Node.js — addressing user requests. The template gallery itself has been improved as well.

Nix configuration powers IDX workspaces and has been enhanced to ease customizations. Improvements include better template modifications, code editing with syntax highlighting and suggestions, and faster environment rebuilds when fixing issues.

Additional developer-friendly upgrades include auto firewall adjustments for services, quick access to command line tools, and Docker support. Project IDX’s AI capabilities have also expanded into 15 more countries.

Google is continuously adding to Project IDX and urges developers to keep providing feedback.

(Image Credit: Google)

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About the Author

Ryan Daws

Senior Editor

Ryan Daws is a senior editor at TechForge Media with over a decade of experience in weaving narratives and dissecting complex topics. His articles and interviews with industry leaders have earned him recognition as a key tech influencer from numerous organisations. Under his leadership, publications have been praised by analyst firms for their excellence and performance. Connect with him on X, Mastodon, Bluesky , Threads, and/or LinkedIn.