Building HTML based mobile phone applications

Building HTML5 based mobile phoneapplications
Mikko Ohtamaa

Preface
Mobile application platforms come plentiful and in great varieties
HTML and Javascript, prevailing technologies to build web sites, are the only common denominator across phones
If one wishes to distribute application as wide as audience possible HTML based technologies are recommended
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HTML application rationale
Every developer is familiar with HTML technology
Fast and cost effective development times
Existing services are already running on HTML technologies
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More rationale…
Creating the same application for every platform from the scratch is very cumbersome
No other common platforms besides HTML:
iPhone doesn’t support Java ME
iPhone and other don’t support Flash Lite
Most applications are on-line, so network usage is justified in any case
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Filling the gap
Application layers exists to fill “gap” between HTML and mobile phone: it allowsapplificationing of HTML
The end-user cannot distinguish HTML application from applications made using other technologies
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HTML + Javascript
Application layer (platform specific)
GPS, contacts, photos, SMS

HTML applications vs. mobile sites
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HTML applicationlogic
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Most application logic is on the server side. Installable mobile application consists of application layer, stub application and bootstrap HTML/Javascript files
Server sends HTML+Javascript which builds the user interface
Mobile application w/ HTML5 application layer
Server
Application responds to user interaction and asks new data from the server

Example deployment
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Core service on the server
Shared HTML code
Phonegap application layer
With iPhone user interface
Nokia web-runtime application layer with Series 60 user interface

Platforms
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Application layers
http://phonegap.com
http://www.nimblekit.com/
http://www.rhomobile.com/
http://www.forum.nokia.com/Technology_Topics/Web_Technologies/Web_Runtime/
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Application examples
Phonegap: http://phonegap.com/projects
Nokia: http://store.ovi.com
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Questions?
mikko.ohtamaa (at) twinapex.com
http://www.twinapex.com, http://www.twinapex.fi, http://www.twinapex.mobi
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