InkPal - Reading Management

InkPal was one of my first React Native developments, conceived as a mobile app to organize readings, discover books, and connect with other readers. Although its development was discontinued due to limitations in the Google Books API quota, the project was fundamental to my early learning in creating mobile applications and integrating external services.

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InkPal - Reading Management

The Vision: Innovating the Reading Management Experience

The development of InkPal arose from the need for a solution that facilitated reading management and connection among readers. Despite its discontinuation, the project explored new ways to interact with literature.

Technologies

  • React Native
  • Expo
  • Firebase
  • MySQL
  • JWT
  • Google Books API
  • OpenAI API
  • AdMob

Challenges

Integration and Management of the Google Books API

I implemented integration with a Google Books API to allow users to search and discover new titles. This involved handling pagination and caching results to improve performance.

Exploration of an AI Recommendation System (Conceptual)

I developed a recommendation system based on users' past readings, using AI to analyze reading patterns and suggest new books.

Design of Social Features: Sharing and Group Reading

I implemented a feature allowing users to share their readings and opinions with friends, fostering social interaction and the discovery of new books. Additionally, the creation of group reading rooms, where users can read together, see which book they are reading, and what page they are on.

Attractive User Interface

I designed an intuitive and attractive user-centric interface that facilitates navigation and reading management. The application included features such as reading tracking, book ratings, a friends system to connect with other readers, user profiles, and gamification.

Learnings

InkPal was a crucial stage in my development: I first faced the integration of third-party APIs (and their challenges), explored concepts of recommendation systems, and reinforced the importance of an attractive UI. Although it didn't reach production, it laid the foundation for my React Native and Firebase skills, and taught me valuable lessons about the viability of projects dependent on external APIs.