BbitbbitBook Dev Log #12 — Web Version and Android: What's Next for BbitbbitBook
It Started as a Landing Page
BbitbbitBook had a website from early on.
At first it was a simple landing page. App description, App Store link, Terms of Service, Privacy Policy. The App Store requires a privacy policy URL for apps that handle user data — that's why the site existed.
What If You Could Use It on the Web?
While running the landing page, the question formed.
"What if people could manage their reading records from a browser, without the app?"
Before building an Android app, I wanted to make BbitbbitBook accessible to Android users and anyone without an iPhone through a web browser.
So I evolved the landing page into a full web application.
Web Version Scope
Implementing every iOS feature in a browser isn't realistic.
Camera barcode scanning, photo editing, local notifications — these require native mobile APIs.
But the core features translate fully to the web:
- Book search and registration
- Library management (Read / Reading / Want to Read)
- Memo writing
- Reading Passbook and Carrot earning
- Bbitbbit Collection
- Statistics
Since Firebase serves as the backend, logging in syncs data across platforms. Reading records created on iPhone appear in the web version, and vice versa.
Android: In Development with Kotlin
Android development is running in parallel with the web version.
SMART LOTTO and 3weeks used Flutter for cross-platform support. BbitbbitBook took a different approach.
Why Kotlin instead of Flutter?
BbitbbitBook's iOS app is complex — UIKit-based with custom image editing, camera integration, and intricate layouts built specifically for UIKit. Migrating to Flutter would be a near-complete rewrite.
Unlike SMART LOTTO, where the source code was lost and a rebuild was forced, BbitbbitBook's iOS codebase is intact and working. Keeping iOS in UIKit and building Android independently in Kotlin lets each platform be developed natively without compromising either.
Current Status
The Android app is functionally complete.
All iOS features are implemented, sharing the Firebase backend for data synchronization.
Currently preparing for the Google Play closed testing requirement — 12 testers, 14 days. The same gate faced with SMART LOTTO. Tester recruitment is underway; once the closed test completes, the public launch follows.
iOS → Web → Android
BbitbbitBook's platform expansion:
iOS in May 2023. Web version launched. Android coming soon.
What started as "an app I built because it bothered me" is becoming a service that works on any platform.
If you want to keep reading records, you'll be able to use BbitbbitBook regardless of what device you're on.