Christina Warren just posted a good high level overview of how HTML5 is addressing cross platform dev for devices.
On PhoneGap:
PhoneGap is an HTML5 app platform that lets developers build native apps using HTML5, CSS3 and JavaScript. What really sets PhoneGap apart is that it lets developers create a full-functioning mobile web app but place that app in a native wrapper, so that it can use native device APIs and get submitted to the App Store or Android Market.
In essence, it enables mobile developers to create an app just as if they were targeting the mobile browser but with the benefit of being able to get into the App Store.
PhoneGap Build is a new service (still in beta) that lets developers quickly and easily create app-store ready versions of their apps for various platforms. It does all the work of compiling the code for various platforms and gives the developer a final build suitable for submission to the app market of their choice.
I don’t really consider Titanium as an HTML5 solution but it does tackle cross platform dev.
Fred Wilson a very well respected investor just came to a realization about HTML5 apps that is going to send fan boys screaming!
I saw two HTML5 apps yesterday. One running in my Android browser. The other running in the iPad browser. They looked and worked exactly like their mobile app counterparts. It was a mind opening moment.
via A VC: HTML5 Mobile Apps. So how much money is Fred going to be putting in companies building multiple native apps per platform? This is going to be more an more the case as HTML/JS technologies evolve and devices get faster. Fred’s not even talking about PhoneGap apps which could give you even more features that makes you HTML5 equal to a native app, yet cross platform. Although a large number of technologists have understand this for a long time it’s nice to see non tech focused folks starting to realize that HTML5 can be on par with native apps…so don’t through your money away!
For insights from Fred I’d have a look at the recent interview from Fred at O’reilly’s Web 2.0 Summit. Fred calls it like he sees it and doesn’t get wrapped up in hype that other folks in the echo chamber might.
FYI. Fred’s an investor in Twitter, Foursquare, Tumblr and others you may have heard of via Union Square Ventures.
HTML5 and the future are coming to a mobile browser near you and faster than we may have expected. Over on Maximiliano Firtman’s blog he talks in detail about some of the new features available in Safari in iOS 4.2.
*Accelerometer
*Gyroscope support through the DeviceOrientation API
*WebSockets API from HTML5
*Updated HTML5 Form Support
*Partial XHR-2 Support
*Print Support
*New JavaScript data types
*New DOM events
*Enhanced SVG and Canvas support
via Safari on iPhone & iPad 4.2: Accelerometer, WebSockets & better HTML5 support | Mobile Web Programming.
Here’s a demo of the Accelerometer working on an iPhone in Safari that I found on the ReadWriteWeb’s write up on the new HTML5 features.
See from a 4.2 iOS device here
Obviously since PhoneGap leverages webkit on the device your PhoneGap based apps will get acces to these great new features too. Quit doubting web technologies and start thinking cross platform!
Our very own Brian Leroux of inappropriate presentation fame holds it together on this great panel over the weekend.
Moderators: Ben Galbraith, Founder, Set Direction
Dion Almaer, Founder, Set Direction Panelists: Brian LeRoux, PhoneGap
Charles Jolly, Strobe Dave Balmer, Jo Project Greg Avola, Untappd LLC
Description: Building a mobile app usually involves using one proprietary SDK that targets one platform. This ensures a native look and feel as well as full access to features specific to that device or operating system. Sometimes, however, you don’t need full device access. Sometimes you might want to code at a very high level using just web standards and be able to run the application on multiple operating systems. This is similar to coding a mobile website, except that as a local application your app can launch faster, work offline, and have access to local resources. This session presents unique insights into solutions to cross-platform fragmentation
Just wanted to point out a great post on PhoneGap Build on the ReadWriteWeb:
PhoneGap's newly launched service, PhoneGap Build, the compilation of native apps using standard Web technologies is done in the cloud. Also, unlike many competitors, PhoneGap Build is free - at least for now, while in beta. And it will remain free for any open source projects in the future.
PhoneGap Build eliminates the complexities involved with building mobile applications for the increasingly diverse mobile OS landscape, where each operating system requires the use of its own SDK (software development kit) and programming languages.
via PhoneGap Build: Cross-Platform Mobile App Creation Using Web Technology.
Sony Ericsson released their WebSDK Packager this week as an open source project on Github. We’re really excited about this obviously because it’s built on top of PhoneGap. Our new Build service also got a little plug in the PC World coverage:
“Earlier this month, Nitobi announced the beta of PhoneGap Build, a cloud-based tool that allows developers to write applications using HTML, CSS and JavaScript, upload their apps to PhoneGap Build, and get back applications that work natively on smartphones based on Android, webOS, Symbian and the BlackBerry OS, and soon on iOS, Windows Mobile, MeeGo and Bada.”
via Phone Makers, Software Vendors Push Web-based Apps - PCWorld Business Center.
Nice to see the mainstream tech media picking up on the issues and tooling around cross platform mobile apps.
At Nitobi, we work in a mixed IT environment and use a wide variety of technologies like Ajax, Flash, Flex, Ruby, etc. We also use the Microsoft .NET Framework because more of our clients are investing in .NET these days.
This month, Microsoft is highlighting Nitobi’s use of .NET in a case study posted on Microsoft’s website. The article focuses on the work we do at Nitobi and discusses why and how we’re using .NET.
Here’s a short excerpt from the case study:
To meet its customer’s technology needs and help deliver rich Internet apps, Nitobi determined that adding Microsoft .NET Framework 2.0 and .NET Framework 3.5 into its development mix as a way to handle some user interface (UI) technologies would help to improve collaboration and add value to customers already using the .NET Framework.
“Interoperability is something that our customers demand and developers need to boost performance. We felt that including .NET in our development arsenal would help to increase developer collaboration and business agility, which is critical for our success,” says Charland.
Last week we were at Web 2.0 Expo in NYC where we were part of an exciting announcement with Sony Ericsson, the release of the Sony Ericsson WebSDK. The WebSDK is an open source tool created in collaboration with the PhoneGap open source community. With the Sony Ericsson WebSDK, web and mobile developers can create mobile apps using HTML, CSS and JavaScript that access platform features and data including accelerometer, GPS, camera and contacts. Sony Ericsson Web SDK initially supports Android (e.g. XPERIA) and Symbian (Satio) platforms.
“With the Sony Ericsson WebSDK our focus is on bringing all the capabilities of web technologies to mobile applications and giving web developers wide access to easy-to-use tools and mobile phone platforms.” says Christopher David, Head of Developer and Partner Engagement at Sony Ericsson. “We are driving this initiative together with the PhoneGap open source community and invite developers to join us as we offer advanced mobile devices and a clear monetization path.”
If you want to find out more about the Sony Ericcson WebSDK, check out the official announcement from Web 2.0 Expo.
“Mobile development is increasingly no different from Web development, but proprietary hooks remain.” said James Governor, RedMonk industry analyst, “By building on Phonegap, Sony Ericcson can grow its developer community and allow the apps built to take advantage of native platform functionality.”
Some of the crew here at Nitobi has been carefully grooming moustaches this Movember in an attempt to raise money and awareness for breast cancer. Please chip and donate a couple dollars to our team.
Some of the crew here at Nitobi has been carefully grooming moustaches this Movember in an attempt to raise money and awareness for breast cancer. Please chip and