Russell Keith-Magee - Build a Data Visualization App For Your Phone | PyData Global 2023

Python

Learn how to build cross-platform data visualization mobile apps using Python, Beware tools & Toga. Covers native UI development, packaging & mobile deployment.

Key takeaways

Beware is a suite of open source tools for creating native user interfaces in Python across desktop, iOS, Android, web and console apps
Toga provides cross-platform GUI capabilities with native widgets and interfaces for each platform
Briefcase handles packaging Python applications into standalone bundles for distribution, managing dependencies and platform-specific requirements
Pure Python packages generally work without issues on mobile, but binary wheels/modules require special handling for iOS/Android platforms
Development workflow:
- briefcase new to create project scaffolding
- briefcase dev for rapid development iterations
- briefcase create generates platform-specific project files
- briefcase build compiles the application
- briefcase run launches on device/simulator
Configuration managed through pyproject.toml with platform-specific overrides possible
Apps get native platform capabilities like accessibility, sensors, and UI components automatically
Binary dependencies like NumPy/Matplotlib work but require pre-built wheels for mobile platforms
Common mobile development challenges include:
- Permission handling
- Device sensor access
- Binary module compatibility
- App store deployment requirements
Active development continues on iOS/Android support with goals of official Python mobile platform support

Russell Keith-Magee - Build a Data Visualization App For Your Phone | PyData Global 2023

More talks