Coming From a Hybrid Application POV.
This is a javascript example, I have a Update Available footer on my main menu. If an update is available (ie. my version number within the config file is less than the version retrieved, display the footer) This will then direct the user to the app/play store, where the user can then click the update button.
I also get the whats new data (ie Release Notes) and display these in a modal on login if its the first time on this version.
On device Ready, set your store URL
if (device.platform == 'iOS')
storeURL = 'https://itunes.apple.com/lookup?bundleId=BUNDLEID';
else
storeURL = 'https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=BUNDLEID';
The Update Available method can be ran as often as you like. Mine is ran every time the user navigates to the home screen.
function isUpdateAvailable() {
if (device.platform == 'iOS') {
$.ajax(storeURL, {
type: "GET",
cache: false,
dataType: 'json'
}).done(function (data) {
isUpdateAvailable_iOS(data.results[0]);
}).fail(function (jqXHR, textStatus, errorThrown) {
commsErrorHandler(jqXHR, textStatus, false);
});
} else {
$.ajax(storeURL, {
type: "GET",
cache: false
}).done(function (data) {
isUpdateAvailable_Android(data);
}).fail(function (jqXHR, textStatus, errorThrown) {
commsErrorHandler(jqXHR, textStatus, false);
});
}
}
iOS Callback: Apple have an API, so very easy to get
function isUpdateAvailable_iOS (data) {
var storeVersion = data.version;
var releaseNotes = data.releaseNotes;
// Check store Version Against My App Version ('1.14.3' -> 1143)
var _storeV = parseInt(storeVersion.replace(/\./g, ''));
var _appV = parseInt(appVersion.substring(1).replace(/\./g, ''));
$('#ft-main-menu-btn').off();
if (_storeV > _appV) {
// Update Available
$('#ft-main-menu-btn').text('Update Available');
$('#ft-main-menu-btn').click(function () {
openStore();
});
} else {
$('#ft-main-menu-btn').html(' ');
// Release Notes
settings.updateReleaseNotes('v' + storeVersion, releaseNotes);
}
}
Android Callback: PlayStore you have to scrape, as you can see the version is relatively easy to grab and the whats new i take the html instead of the text as this way I can use their formatting (ie new lines etc)
function isUpdateAvailable_Android(data) {
var html = $(data);
var storeVersion = html.find('div[itemprop=softwareVersion]').text().trim();
var releaseNotes = html.find('.whatsnew')[0].innerHTML;
// Check store Version Against My App Version ('1.14.3' -> 1143)
var _storeV = parseInt(storeVersion.replace(/\./g, ''));
var _appV = parseInt(appVersion.substring(1).replace(/\./g, ''));
$('#ft-main-menu-btn').off();
if (_storeV > _appV) {
// Update Available
$('#ft-main-menu-btn').text('Update Available');
$('#ft-main-menu-btn').click(function () {
openStore();
});
} else {
$('#ft-main-menu-btn').html(' ');
// Release Notes
settings.updateReleaseNotes('v' + storeVersion, releaseNotes);
}
}
The open store logic is straight forward, but for completeness
function openStore() {
var url = 'https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/appname/idUniqueID';
if (device.platform != 'iOS')
url = 'https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=appid'
window.open(url, '_system')
}
Ensure Play Store and App Store have been Whitelisted:
<access origin="https://itunes.apple.com"/>
<access origin="https://play.google.com"/>
