Mobile Web Frameworks - Part2

In the last post we talked about list of Mobile Web UI frameworks and in this post I wanted to highlight the list of Mobile Web application frameworks. A mobile web application framework provide services, such as an application packaging model, JavaScript APIs for accessing device features e.g., geo-location, local file system / database, photos, and touch / accelerometer controls. And some of the App framework API's are portable across different mobile platforms e.g., iPhone, Android, RIM

The following are few of the popular mobile Web application frameworks:

Appcelerator Titanium: The Titanium platform enables web developers to leverage their deep knowledge of industry standard tools and technologies to easily and quickly create rich native applications that are connected to the web. Almost every Titanium-created mobile application uses web connectivity, leverages information from a customer datacenter or user base, and mixes in device-centric contextual functionality like geo-location or mobile file system access. The result is a new class of mobile applications unlike those seen in today’s app stores.

NimbleKit: NimbleKit is the fastest way to create applications for iPhone and iPod touch. Developer doesn’t need to know Objective-C or iPhone SDK. By providing its own API on top of Cocoa Touch, NimbleKit allows would-be developers to access core iPhone functionality with Javascript functions. You can build an entire application using an HTML template with embedded Javascript, compile it and run it on your iPhone/iPod touch.

PhoneGap: PhoneGap is an open source development tool for building fast, easy mobile apps with JavaScript.

Rohmobile: Rhodes is an open source framework to rapidly build native apps for all major Smartphone operating systems (iPhone, Windows Mobile, RIM, Symbian and Android). These are true native device applications (NOT mobile web apps) which work with synchronized local data and take advantage of device capabilities such as GPS, PIM contacts and camera.

ZK: ZK is the proven Ajax + Mobile framework available, designed to maximize an enterprise’s operational efficiency and minimize development time and cost.

Mobile Web Frameworks - Part1

In just 1½ year time frame myriad mobile web frameworks are available to the developer’s community to develop applications fast, compatible & extendable. In this posting I am writing the list of popular Mobile UI frameworks and in next post will write the list of Mobile Application frameworks.

A Mobile Web UI framework is used to create mobile web user interfaces and the framework provides Web Widgets, Themes, Events and Animations to the developers.

The following are the list of Mobile Web UI frameworks available to the developer’s  community. And all these are available for free of cost.

iWebKit is a file package designed to help developers to create iPhone and iPod Touch compatible website or webapp. It is easy to use, fast, compatible & extendable.

jQTouch is a jQuery plugin which helps create immersive experiences on the iPhone and iPod Touch.

Magic Framework is a native iPhone UI imitator and HTML5 db interface built in html/css/javascript. It's useful for online websites or on-device Webkit-based applications looking to imitate the native iPhone UI and/or use native storage without having to write native code. Magic Framework will only work with Webkit based browsers.

Safire is an open source framework written in HTML/CSS/JS. It make's building/porting applications to the iPhone ridiculously easy.

WebApp.Net is light weight and provides powerful and easy to use items, based on javascript and cascading style sheets technologies.

WidgetPad , the collaborative development environment for developers to develop fully-interactive, stand-alone, downloadable SmartPhone applications in HTML5, CSS3 and Javascript. WidgetPad  allows developers to develop cross-platform smartphone applications and eliminating the need to learn platform specific API sets. WidgetPad offers project management, source code editing, debugging, publishing, code-sharing, and even versioning - all inside a browser.

I invite you to share here any other popular Mobile Web UI framework you came across

Media Convergence

I would like to share this interesting video here. Actually this is a promotional video for the Economist Media Convergence Forum.

(Video Source: Economist Media Convergence Forum)

Next Generation Mobile Browser – Opera Mini 5

Opera Software recently launched Opera Mini 5 beta version. It offers an outstanding new user interface that is a significant improvement over previous versions of Opera Mini. Opera Mini 5 is a thin-client application: when you use it to request a web page (1), that request is sent off to a server-farm (2); a proxy server receives the requested web page (3), renders and reformats it, and then converts it to a light and efficient format developed by Opera called OBML (4). This is then sent to the Opera Mini client (5), which displays it on the phone screen (6).

Opera Mini 5 uses the Presto 2.2 rendering engine, which supports the majority of JavaScript functions, except those that require asynchronous operations. It still lacks the rich content support (Flash, Silverlight etc.)

Opera Mini 5 popular features

Tabbed browsing: Browse several Web sites at the same time. Jump easily from one to another.

Speed Dial: Your favorite sites are just one click away.

Touch & Keypad: The interface optimizes the display for both touch screen and keypad phones.

Password manager: Log on to your e-mail, social network and other sites with just one click.

Power scrolling: Scroll at warp speed using your phone keypad or by dragging the page on a phone with a touch screen.

BlackBerry users running OS versions 4.2x, 4.3x, and 4.7x can go to the m.opera.com/next to download Opera Mini 5 to their devices. Device support for Android and iPhone is not yet complete.

10 Best Practices for Mobile Commerce Site/App

Commerce over mobile devices is booming across the globe. According to Internet Retailer research, there are almost 100 retailers in US, big and small, in m-commerce today. Mobile commerce is still in its infancy and is showing a lot of promise.

Recently I did some research on mobile commerce sites layout and features and come up with few best practices...

1. Keep It Simple: Mobile commerce sites should be lightweight. So keep the required content and use images when necessary. 1-800-flowers mobile site is the best example to this

2. Keep the Products up-to-date: Update product catalog and attributes daily if necessary

3. Few clicks to checkout: keep the number of clicks as few as possible from the homepage to the checkout. Amazon mobile site is the best example to this

4. Assurance of Security: Ensure a secure mobile interaction through customer authentication and fraud detection.

5. Market the mobile store: Promote mobile store on mobile search sites and ad networks.

6. Update the order status: Update users of any changes in the status of their order.

7. Device/Network Neutrality: Users should have access the site regardless of their mobile device and service provider.

8. Track the Mobile sites statistics: Track site visitors and orders on a daily, weekly and monthly basis.

9. Shortcuts for frequently‐used activities: Provide programmed shortcuts for popular and frequently‐used activities.

10. Redeem coupons: Allow customers to present and redeem coupons via mobile device.

Top Mobile Web Brands

BuzzCity recently released the findings of its study of mobile Internet users across the globe. The survey investigated the brands (products and services) that are likely to meet the needs / interests of mobile internet users and influence their purchasing decisions. The survey was conducted in ten countries from 7 th May 2009 to 17 th July 2009.

The study found that the following brands were the most favoured by mobile internet users across the globe.

(Source: BuzzCity)

The survey revealed that users typically base their preferences on brand performance, reliability, price, style, reliability, quality, value and trust. The study found that although 54% of mobile users would recommend a brand to their peers only 4% would in reaction to a specific sales promotion. This finding offers brands significant insight when it comes to the type of campaigns to run over a mobile platform.

10 coolest new Mobile Startups

I am closely following the Mobilize 09 event, today 10 of the coolest new startups management representatives were presented their business models. And I would like to share that coolest startups list here.

Line2 adds a second line with voicemail to your cell phone. Place and receive calls from either number. Each has its own voicemail, callhistory, and contacts.

Glympse is a mobile service that allows GPS-enabled mobile phone users to share their location via a Web-based map for a pre-set period of time with anyone they choose. With Glympse, you are in complete control – you choose WHO you want to see your location, WHEN and for HOW LONG.

Ondeego is a mobile application and platform provider who's AppCentral serves enterprise IT, employees and developers.

Pageonce is the leading smartphone personal information management company which products provide comprehensive and simple ways to manage your life on the phone.

Metaio develops software products for systems driven by visual interaction in both real and virtual worlds. By using software products from metaio, customers can leverage Augmented Reality technology to increase their revenues and lower their costs.

Waze is a social mobile application providing free turn-by-turn navigation based on the live conditions of the road.

Square Connect has created DotControl, it gives you control of your entire home entertainment system from your ever-present handheld - making your iPhone or iPod touch the only control you will ever need.

IQ Engines Mobile visual search, recognizes the cell phone camera image and retrieve the object information

Distimo provides app store analytics tool for mobile developers and In-depth reports, giving valuable insight in trends in the mobile app ecosystem.

Locle is a mobile phone application that lets users see where their friends and family are without the need for GPS. Wherever you are, always find out where people are and meet them for lunch, drinks or whatever you want to do. Just make sure you don't miss out on anything.