The 8 Best Android Apps for Designers and Web Developers

At IDR Solutions lately I have been extremely busy with web development and designing new things that were implemented to our new website (we wrote about our experience in moving it here). Although there is alot of software for Web Developers and designers for use on Windows PC, OSX and Linux, I decided to take a different spin on things.

I have a keen interest in technology and love my gadgets so i decided to take a different approach and grabbed my trusty Android Phone to see what I could find that would help me with my work.

Surprisingly I found that there was alot of Apps available on the Google Play store that would be best suited for my needs, so after installing and trying, and using some for designing and web development I have comprised a list of what in my opinion no Designer or Web Developer should be without.

920 Text Editor

I have found that there are alot of code editors for the Android platform but after testing I’ve found that 920 Text Editor is quick and clean which is extremely useful for viewing and editing your code anywhere.

It also comes with features such as, multiple file tabs, support for web syntaxes including HTML, CSS, JavaScript and PHP, ASP, ActionScript, C/C++, C#, Erlang, Frink, HTML/XML/WML, CSS, Javascript, Java, JSP, Perl, PHP, Python, Shell/Bash, Lua, SQL, VB/VBS, Tcl, TeX/LaTeX, Verilog, AutoHotKey, AutoLisp, PowerShell, Pascal,Fortran, ColdFusion, VHDL.

It also comes with configurable color coding and automatically detects open file encoding and as alot of encoding support.

VT View Source

This application works similar to “view source” in browsers as it can be used to view the HTML, CSS, JavaScript or XML sources of webpages and other remotely located files.

It comes with lots of features which include support for different syntax highlighting themes, adjustable colors, line numbers, text wrapping, in-source active links, multiple viewing modes such as mobile and desktop browser modes amongst other features.

Further more source code can be open via typing the URL address or using “Share page” functionality of your Android device browser (native Android browser, Opera Mobile, Dolphin, Chrome, Firefox, etc.).

Hackers Keyboard

This keyboard is particularly useful if you are missing using your Laptop or Desktop Keyboard. This keyboard for your android phone as has separate number keys, punctuation in the usual places, and arrow keys.  It provides working Tab/Ctrl/Esc keys, and the arrow keys are essential for devices for navigation. Although there are plenty of apps for keyboards on the store, they are not primary designed for coding, whereas Hacker’s keyboard provides a full 5-row desktop-like experience with multiple layouts and language options and is comfortable to use.

Wifi Keyboard

On the other hand if you fancy using your real Keyboard for a keyboard-less Android phone like a Nexus 5, you can use this app to to type on your phone using your computer’s browser. It uses WiFi for low latency input but you can also use a USB connection, but this requires some technical knowledge and the relevant cables cable. The Source code is also Source Code (GPL2).

Learn HTML5

Although most web developers already know HTML5, I found this application useful as a cheat sheet as it contains a list of all elements used in HTML 5 Explanations, and you can see the browser and source code. Its especially good if you have a memory block and need to find out to do something fast.

Webmaster HTML Editor

Webmaster HTML Editor was a really useful and handy HTML editor which you can carry in your pocket! Its the ultimate Source code editor for web developers and designers. It has a set of webmaster tools which include: html editor, php editor, css editor, javascript editor and even text editor with multiple text encodings (supports Japan, Cyrillic, Chinese, Western and Central Europe) , code completion, syntax highlighting for HTML, PHP, CSS and JavaScript files, built-in preview features and virtual keys for tags and popular keyphrases for editing your HTML, CSS stylesheets and JavaScript files

It supports the following file formats: js htm html html5 dhtml css php php3 php4 php5 txt, and xml.

WordPress for Android

Our new website is based on WordPress  and I’ve found having access to WordPress essential if I need to make tweaks. This little App for Android puts the power in your hands, whether you use it for your website or for a blog.

It is easy to create and consume content on the go and its very easy to Write, edit, and publish posts to your site, check stats, and get inspired with great posts via the built in reader.

WordPress for Android supports WordPress.com and self-hosted WordPress.org sites running WordPress 3.5 or higher and also is open sourced.

Google Analytics

The last thing you need once you set your site up is to be able to monitor the site stats, this can be accessed though this app. All of your Google Analytics web and app information can be accessed of one phone. The app was recently updated and  optimized for phones and tablets, so you can easily get your Analytics where ever you may go.

Hopefully this guide as given you some useful ideas of what you can use and do with your Android phone in terms of designing and web development.

Do you use your Android Phone in a similar way? let us know what apps you use.

If your a programmer why not check out the ‘Top 10 Android Apps and IDE for Java Coders and Programmers‘

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