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.

Rush to Mobile Commerce Retail Applications

Recently I read an article on Internet Retailer titled “Mobile commerce tech vendors experiencing a pre-holiday season boom”. Its shows a strong signs that mobile commerce will start picking up in coming years. The significant increase in the number of mobile device users has created a very strong demand for emerging mobile commerce applications and services. The launch of the Apple iPhone 3G, RIM BlackBerry Storm and the G1 Google Android enabled phone proved that this industry is capable of getting over the small screen challenge.

Many of the leading retail e-commerce websites traffic stats showing that in recent months the traffic is increased from Mobile phones . And the mobile channel is more personal than any other and there is no doubt that mobile commerce sites and services will strengthen the bonds between brands and consumers. According to Internet Retailer research, there are almost 100 retailers, big and small, in m-commerce today and few more will add to this list in the coming holiday season.

To capture the new business opportunities all the leading mobile commerce vendors will be investing millions of dollars in its technology in the coming years. Leading software vendor IBM will invest $100 million in mobile enterprise applications in coming 5 years. Digby (ABI Research ranked Digby in its Top 8 Mobile Commerce (Non-NFC) Vendor Matrix) will be investing heavily in its technology in the next two years.

Mobile Business Opportunities

About Mobile: In today’s world mobile phone is one of the essential electronic gadgets in human life. Most of the people rely on mobile phone for communication and entertainment in their daily life. Mobile phone is one of the device which helps to connect people either via the direct communication or by Text messaging.

Mobile populations: According to the United Nations survey 60% of the world’s population uses mobile phones i.e. 6 in 10 of world’s population. Yes it is hard to calculate precisely How many of them actually uses mobile. But, there is a significant population for a business opportunity and many of the Financial Institutes and Retailers have penetrated into the Mobile Market.

http://www.itindustrynews.co.uk/60-of-worlds-population-using-mobile-phones-says-united-nations-873.html

Mobile phone business opportunities: With the growing population in mobile usage mobile phone has become one of the prime channels in Financial Services. The two key functional areas where mobile helps the Financial Services are Mobile Notifications and Mobile Payments. Let’s consider Bill presentment and Payment functionality in retail Market. Bill Presentment and Payment is a common and important functionality (For example: receiving and making payments for the utility bills like Mobile bill, electric bill, Gas bill, etc). As of today Text Messaging is the quickest way of presenting a bill summary to the Consumer and to send a gentle reminder for a Payment. Consumer can pay the bill via Text Messaging as soon as they receive the bill summary message or a reminder notification.

Challenges: Security, Legal Issues and Pricing. Let’s look into these areas of concern in the next blog.

Mobile Price Comparison Applications

A plethora of new mobile applications are available to consumers to use by typing bar code or snap a picture to compare the prices from thousands of reputed stores. These new applications will definitely play a significant role in electronic commerce. I did some research and found the following applications are interesting in this space.

ringfo.com: Ringfo service will help consumers to find the best deals on books, CDs, and many other products. By using this service user can listen the new and used product prices.

Steps to use the service
1. find the bar code on any product -- also called UPC or ISBN
2. using phone keypad, enter the numbers found below on product's bar code**
3. listen for new and used prices*, customer ratings, and similar items

frucall.com/m: Frucall allows consumers to get pricing and customer rating information about items they see in store by making a call from their mobile phone.

Users can use this comparison tool in 3 ways
1. Phone call 2. Text Message 3. Mobile Web

mshopper.net: Mshopper is an easy-to-use mobile shopping tool which lets consumers use their cell phone to access the lowest online prices for any in-store item

• Get real time price comparison right in stores
• Browse to find categories and merchants you’re interested in
• Use the info to negotiate a better deal

mobSaver.com: By text messaging mobsaver, consumers can instantly compare online vs. retail prices while you're at the store. If you decide to buy online, you no longer have to memorize the titles and hope to still remember them by the time you get home. Simply text mobsaver, sign in when you get home, and you'll see your saved list of items.

I invite you to share here in comments your interesting Retail price comparision Mobile App

Reasons to Buy Apple iPhone

I didn’t get convince to buy the iPhone when it was first introduced in Dec. 2007, the main reasons were.. just enough features and the price of the product. But after seeing the 3G, I temped to experience the product features and then immediately decided to order the iPhone. Now I am really, really enjoying the iPhone 3G features... Kudos to Steve Jobs and his team

I thought now every mobile user can consider to buy this awesome product for the following reasons

• 3G Speed


• Affordable Price


• Myriad iPhone Applications


• Video Recording


• Multi-Touch Screen


• Internet Over WI-FI


• Better battery Power


• Scientific Calculator


• Voice Turn by Turn GPS ...and may more exciting features

Future of Global Retailing

Mobile technology has become powerful month by month and that it has a dramatic impact on the future of retailing. Social media experts saying that mobile technologies will definitely change the way you interact with your customer, the way people shop, the way you manage your brands, and the way companies advertising. The coupons, promotions, and bar-code readers for mobile phones will be more competitive. And the U.S. retail industry is behind compared with its Asian and European counterparts. For example, Japanese consumers can scan food items using the barcode reader included in their mobile phones so they can easily check the freshness.

I think M-commerce may not be explode in next 1 or 2 years, but it is likely to continue growing steadily as more wireless devices become available, and more and more apps are released to facilitate “anywhere shopping”. The biggest challenges we will see with m-commerce over the next few years will be a continuation of the struggles that retailers have facing today such as: lack of standards, lack of ubiquitous wireless network coverage, security violations, user experience confines, and negative notion about the m-commerce investment.

In US, few retailers already have m-commerce capabilities and those includes: 1-800-Flowers with the Mobile Gift Center; Sears with Sears2go; Polo Ralph Lauren with m.RalphLauren.com; Target with the creative Target Gift Globe app; Amazon with Amazon Remembers, which enables users to take a picture of a product and the same will saves on Amazon’s servers as well. Once your picture is on its servers, Amazon will attempt to match your picture up to a product. If it’s successful, Amazon will shoot you an email to let you know; and PETCO’s pilot program, where customers can use their mobile phones to get ratings and reviews of products in stores.