Need a backend platform for your iOS app?

Just stumbled upon this today: www.parse.com. Parse offers a complete backend server platform for mobile apps. iOS and Android are supported. The feature set includes:

• Data Storage in a schemaless format in the cloud;
• Push Notifications Servers;
• User management inside your app for easy signup features;
• Social media integration for user sign in.

The service is currently in beta and free for that period. Seems very nice. The documentation is very well done!

The best way to kill a platform - look at HP

I'm in shock. Today, HP announced that they want to get rid of its webOS platform as well as the TouchPad hardware and Pre smartphone. I'm shocked. Don't get me wrong, HP's TouchPad wasn't perfect and looked outdated a bit on the hardware side but on the software side, there is a lot to love to the webOS UI.

This seems so sudden. HP just confirmed last week that the price reduction on its TouchPad (100$ off bringing the device at 399$ for 16 gb, wifi) was permanent and Pre3 began shipping in Europe.

Now webOS is up for sale. Basically. I'm shocked. There is no better way to kill something like HP just did with Palm and webOS.

WWDC 2011 software only event - what it means

It is now official, WWDC 2011 will take place June 6th thru June 10th. Entirely focused on software: iOS and Mac OS X. Here is why this could prove to be a smart move.

A lot of people thought that Apple would be unveiling new iPhone hardware this year. After all, this has been the case for the last three years. But Apple has nothing to do with traditions. Apple is about disrupting trends. Right now, Apple offerings are much more mature. No matter how you slice it, the iPhone 4 is still and will stay competitive for a while without major hardware update. I can only see minor things to upgrade on current iPhone 4 but this would make the new device look like what iPhone 3GS looked compared to iPhone 3G.

What makes the hardware stand is the software running on top of it: iOS. iOS is a mature OS: since 2007 we've seen major updates to iOS: 2.0, 3.0 and now 4.0. In between these releases, we saw incremental changes mostly to add end user features or support new hardware (iPad, AirPlay, iPod refreshes, etc.). I expect iOS5 to continue the trend of major additions to the APIs as well as end user features. But what is still missing beside a better notifications handling? What does Apple want to show us, developers, that make both iOS and Mac OS X converge? After all, Apple like clear messages. They don't like sending too many pulses at the same time on the market. This is confusing. If they want to send a clear message about something, they may decide to skip a few things for later announcement. Here is the answer: This year, Apple want to offer serious cloud-based services and personal assistant APIs in their platforms. 

There is one thing that we didn't see from Mac OS X Lion so far: integrated cloud-based services APIs. Expect the same for iOS 5. When a company has a giant customer base like Apple does, it can try to build infrastructures and services that leverage upon that. Apple first step was Ping but I don't think they will stop there. They could build on top of this by providing new APIs to interact with Ping. What about opening sync services to sync objects with the next revision of MobileMe cloud services? Steve Jobs said that MobileMe would be a lot better in 2011. Offering cloud-based music storage is one thing but could this be in part through the proposal of new APIs in iOS tied with yet unknown new services on MobileMe? I think so. Finally there is Siri, a company Apple bought a while ago. They will eventually reuse this personal assistant technology into the core of its mobile operating system. That is a no brainer.

As you can see, iOS 5 could bring very cloud centric new APIs that ties together a revamped MobileMe with iOS and Mac OS X. I can wait for iPhone 5. Another great take on the subject: WWDC 2011 may be all software, signaling change in iPhone strategy.

Finally, what is your take on iOS5? There is a poll for that.

Writing iOS apps with high level frameworks and languages

Recently, a friend of mine asked me to test one of his iOS app he was working on for a while. A very simple app that is used to fill a very specific need. He wanted my feedback on the app (stability, user interface, wording, etc.). So I installed the whole thing on my iPhone 3GS and gave it a serious look.

After a while, I noticed this app was doing weird things visually:

• animation of complete views that I was not aware we're available in UIKit;
• text fields that we're a bit strange looking;
• navigation bar at the top was moving up and down as I was scrolling the whole table view (that one was the most surprising: the navigation bar never scroll with a table's content!);

Once I was done with my tests, I decided to FaceTime this guy and give him my impressions. They we're mostly positive and I think I've helped him get a few things corrected. When I was showing the navigation bar moving with the table's content, he was not surprised at all. He said: "oh yeah, this is expected as the whole view is a UIWebView with complete HTML/CSS implementation of basic iOS interface elements". What?

This developer is actually using a framework called jQTouch. More information is available here: http://jqtouch.com/. Honestly, I felt a bit deceived. I felt that way because I thought this developer was trying to have it easy! Why not develop in full Objective-C? Why not a native application? The debate was open!

This is not the first time these questions are asked. And this won't be the last time too. After my initial reaction, I changed my stance. I tried to understand his motive for using jQTouch. I think they are reasonable. He wanted to write his first iOS app that is easy with tools that gives fast results. On top of that, the developer is already fluent with web programming languages. So, He went with what he was knowing best. How about the application quality then?

On the application quality, I can see there is a bit of a difference because I'm a developer myself. But, what about the normal user? They don't really care as soon as the app is usable and produce the desired result. I think this is fine. But, the same day, I had a chance to try this application: Ars Technica Reader for iPad (link to the article presenting the app and the behind the scene view!).

They developed this application with HTML5, CSS and JavaScript. They wrapped this stuff in an application wrapper called PhoneGap. The result? Great on paper. Very Bad on the iPad actually. Sooooo bad. Other users seems to agree too.

In this case, using non native language to develop an iOS app is a complete failure to seize an big opportunity. The app is so slow on a device that is known to be so fast. I wonder why this app could even be developed until the end without being scraped and rewrote in native language.

What does this story boils down to?

1. A developer can use high level framework or language to write an application, a very basic one. And this is ok!
2. A developer with very challenging application should avoid using these high level languages. They produce portable garbage that can easily go from iOS to Android but this only serves the developer, not the user. 
3. I understand why Apple was so hesitant to relax their approval rules. Now, we see in action what garbage these tools are capable of. 
4. HTML5/CSS/JavaScript seems to get a lot of press these days. But in fact, are they the path of future app development on mobile device? I don't think so. They don't produce optimized results. They are too slow. Yes they produce outstanding things from a browser perspective but that is it! Mobile platform are much more than only webkit-based browsers. 
5. The App Store is bloated with natively written applications that are very badly designed too. This is not my point. My point is having too much of an emphasis on the tools used to write the app, we loose focus on the objective: writing app that are useful, easy to use and enjoyable. Just like the iPhone.

My two cents worth opinion. What is your opinion?

Some toughts on platform openness

This week, at Apple's financial conference call, Steve Jobs took a few moments to talk about Google's platform seemingly openness versus Apple's seemingly closed one. Here are my toughts on the subject.

As a developer, do I care?
I think as a developer, we do care a lot. Everybody would like complete freedom: what language to use to write an app, what tools to use to debug it, what means to use to deploy it, etc. It may seem quite cool to be able to push rapidly a new version of an app without having to "ask for permission". We cannot be against virtues. You're successful on iOS and want to give Android a try. You want to expand. So you start building software for Android. You keep iOS development too. You start to spread thin. You think you're building apps but you are replicating. This is the point where providing experience is no more, because you're too busy trying to be opportinistic. You lose focus.

As a manufacturer do I care?
You bet. When you're name is Nokia, HTC, Sony-Ericson, you do care about openness. Take for example HTC. They want to be able to get an easy way to go to market without having to build a complete mobile OS themselve... This is way too hard. So they choose Android. But, they don't want to look like everybody else. Hardware is not enough to differenciate yourself. Then, since they don't invest much in software foundation, they build skins. So they develop a skin on top of Android to make their phones look pretty and not alike any others. As a manufacturer, you think you're open, innovate and provide choices.

As a telco company, do I care?
Oh you bet. Because your only job is to plant cell towers, how can you make yourself different than any other telcos? You pick and choose handsets from manufacturers that looks cool and think will make people visit your store. You don't really care about user experience, you care about ways to get the maximum money from your customers. If you can find a manufacturer that will allow you to install crapware on the handset, even provide your very own App Store because this is the only way that you found to innovate, then this is the jackpot. As a telco, you think you provide choices.

As an advertiser do I care?
Oh my god, yes every advertisers care about openness. The more different devices, the more they've got channels to push their crap to the handset users. They are happy, they think they educate the communities.

As a security expert, do I care?
Openness is the path to hell from a security stand point. Look at Windows and the security software business that is around this platform. Think: Facebook and security. Think identity thief. Think about information stealing. Openness is the friend of adversiters that are looking at very specific profiling information. Google is an information cruncher. They like information and providing their own platform they plant the seeds for future information indexing techniques.... Like they say: you ain't see nothing yet.

As a user, do I care?
If you're a geek. Yes. If  you're an average user? No. Users cares about experience. Look at what is going on in an Apple Store? Experience. Have you seen people talking about their iPhone? They talk about experience. Have you seen people smiling when using their iPhone or iPod touch or iPad? You bet. They experience something unique, they feel confortable they move from one device to the other without having to think about it. Enough of geekyness. They look for experience.

Those who build platforms, are the one to look for. Those who build experience on top of platform are the one who will win mindshare. This is the bottom line. Like Steve Jobs said, openness may be was good in the past but with smartphones and tablets to the masses, most couldn't care less because all their attention is on experiences.

Now it is your turn. What do you think of openness?

WWDC 2010 Keynote comments

Here are a few personal comments on the WWDC2010 keynote.

First, the iPhone 4.Looking at the pictures and videos, I cannot but tell to myself how great looking is the new iPhone 4. Apple seems to be at its best on the industrial design side of the things. I'm anxious to see one myself in person. Wow what a device. There is so many things improved. Apple's iterative manner of improving its hardware is one of their strength. What is less clear is how the new screen resolution will affect the application user interface development. I wasn't at the WWDC myself so I do not know. I understand that system fonts and buttons will benefit right away but how to handle different artworks size in the UI is not obvious to me.

iAds seems to be so cool. They are factual apps by themselves but built on open standards.

So there was no MobileMe announcement. Many are disappointed by that but maybe they don't remember when Apple came out with its new MobileMe services at the same time of iPhone OS 3 and Iphone 3G in 2008? That was a nightmare for Apple and most of all for their customers. I prefer that Apple takes smaller steps rather than big ones. All I can say is that I think we will see some big changes for MobileMe before the end of the current year coupled with new iTunes "In the cloud".

Safari 5 wasn't shown at the keynote because Steve Jobs had more important things to say. One of the many messages that ought to go out was: Apple supports HTML5 and they control their App Store, no mather what people think of this. They do that on purpose because they care about the user experience with the App Store and the general quality of the apps found in there. You as a developer, if you don't subscribe to this, go somewhere else. You as a customer, if you don't like Apple curating the content of it's App Store or what can be or cannot be installed on a iDevice, then buy something else. That is it. As for HTML5 clear endorsement, again this is clear: Apple doesn't want to be dependent on a commercial-driven "standard" under the control of one company: Adobe. They bet on HTML5 because they believe it will fly in the future.

Now on iPhone OS 4. Sorry, iOS4! I think that renaming the OS makes sense as this become more and more clear that this will become the only OS that Apple will really care about in the long run. Mac OS X will stay but eventually, iOS will run on top of it sometime. We didn't hear about Apple TV because I think Apple is still not ready with the Apple TV SDK because we will eventually see that too in the near future. Mark my words, WWDC 2011 will be the year where Mac OS X will get iOS apps. Beside those notes, we didn't hear new things that we didn't know. I suspect that closed door sessions with NDA forms to sign at the door we're much more telling on what will be going on with Xcode and dev tools in general.

Tidbits. I think iMovie for iPhone will be bigger than most people think right now. Why? Because it is so easy it seems to create small videos without going to the computer. Easy to upload. Easy to share. Winning formula. One more thing: FaceTime. Well, this is version 1.0 boys. Wifi only is only temporary. In 2011 will remember that and we will all be using, at some point, FaceTime on Wifi, 3G and whatever network technology will be available. In itself, FaceTime is a nice addition and it shows again how Apple is about solving simple problem in elegant ways. Bravo.

One of the things that we didn't hear was the iPhone lock screen content. In iOS4, the lock screen stays the same. So to see appointments, new messages, notifications, etc, we have to unlock the device and open each application one after the other in order to get a complete picture of what's new. I guess they didn't introduced APIs for this either. Maybe iOS 5 will bring relief in that space next year. We'll see. For now, imagine this implementation: slide your finger on the status bar in order to get a global view on notifications with the main view sliding down in order to make room for those notifications (a little bit the same principal for the task switcher but at the top of the screen).

Steve Jobs seemed in great shape and I think this is its best presentation in recent memories. The many thanks that went to Apple teams was a really nice touch and well deserved.

Finally, what this keynote tells me is this: Apple is not standing still. The best thing Google is doing to Apple is being there in many of their markets. This keep Apple awake and innovative and we all benefit. Nokia fell asleep a while ago. RIM is falling asleep as of this writing. Microsoft is waking up but its too late. Palm is gone.

My predictions for WWDC 2010 Keynote

OK, in a few hours, the world will know what Apple is up to regarding the iPhone platform. Before Apple make their announcements, here is a few predictions.

On the software side.

iPhone OS 4: this is a given! Apple will release the final beta of OS4 and set the deadline for developers to make their application "iPhone OS 4.0 ready". June 18th. Expect to hear a lot about iPhone OS 4 and see a few demos of application based and built on it.

iAd: we will be updated on the state of this new advertising platform from Apple. Maybe we will get to know more about the inner working of the iAd platform from the developer point of view. Does anybody know how developers will integrate ads in their app?

Safari 5: Steve Jobs answered a user a few weeks ago about the fact thet Safari 4 was not 100% HTML 5 compliant. His answer was that this would be fixed shortly. Seems tomorrow is the day when Safari 5 hit the Software Update utility screens. Well, at least according to many rumour sites.

On the hardware side.

iPhone 4G: this one is also a given. Because of the many leaks that this device suffered in the past weeks, Apple is eager to let the cat out the door. A nice thing would be if Steve Jobs would let the guy who "lost" his iPhone prototype to come on stage and present a bit of the new device himself. That would be cool.

Apple TV SDK: we may see Apple going out with an Apple TV SDK based on iPhone OS 4. But I don't expect any new hardware as this will be part of the fall lineup of entertainment devices like the new iPod touch.

A few side dishes
Expect to get new sales number for the iPhone and iPad. Maybe an updated Macbook air or Mac Pro will show up.

One more thing?
Steve Jobs responded to a user asking if Apple would make any announcements in order to blow us away. His answer: we won't be disappointed. We'll see if he was right.

Breaking: Steve Jobs Open Letter of Flash

First, please read: http://www.apple.com/hotnews/thoughts-on-flash/. Steve Jobs is so right on with this. I cannot agree more with him.

Second, Adobe, stop complaining and stop trying hard to put Flash on mobile devices and work on HTML5, CSS and JavaScript authoring tools. Embrace open standards. Look forward. Reinvent yourself. Embrace 2010 and beyond.

Third, everybody wins.

Period.

Apple iAd platform

One of the most interesting thing Apple previewed at the iPhone Os 4.0 preview event April 8th was the iAd advertising platform. Steve Jobs seemed very enthusiast about it. What is the big deal ?

Well, to me, looking at the iAd presentation, this is another market Apple could change for better in a big way. Here is why.

• Search on mobile is not going to happen anytime soon. On mobiles, it's all about Apps. Apple know it and this is what they told us. Everybody is talking Apps. This is where the action happens, so this is where the ads revenue will come from.
• Emotion. Why so many companies are just trying to port something from the desktop to the mobile space without trying to reinvent it. This is true for Microsoft and its Windows OS for the mobile phones (well, maybe before Windows Mobile 7), This is true with Google about search business and ads. Apple came up with yet another view on something many were doing since many years. Ads are about emotion, engagement, enlightenment. Banners ? So boring, so passive. Fail.
• Complexity of ad content. Looking at the Toys Story 3 ad, this thing seems to be an application by itself. All HTML 5 based. Menus, videos, sound, interaction. So nice. 
• There is a lot of new opportunities to enter the iAd content creation and I'm just anxious to look at the first ads. Yes, really.

A few questions still unanswered. From the dev perspective things are less clear. 

• How will we adapt our apps to display banners... ?
• From the current application approval process, we don't know how Apple is going to review the new ads... or will they ?
• How iAd will be published, through iTunes Connect ?

The coming months will be exciting. 

Stop being lazy! Enough.

I could not find a point of view that could illustrate so well how I feel about those whiners (Adobe, are you listening !) that Apple is hurting customer because they refuse to support Adobe's Flash:

As this blog post from Ian Samuel puts it:

"The simple effect of the new SDK is to announce, loud and clear, that developers who want to write iPhone and iPad software have to do it the iPhone and iPad way. You are supposed to use Xcode and Objective C and Webkit, just like Apple does. You are supposed to use Cocoa Touch and borrow the user interface metaphors that Apple has helpfully illustrated in their own apps. If you do anything else, Apple is going to try and stop you. That means no cross-compiling other languages; no cross-platform frameworks like Qt; nothing. Stop trying to get out of writing real iPhone apps, Apple seems to be saying."

If you don't want to learn CocoaTouch, Objective-C 2.0 or any of the Apple technologies... go somewhere else, lazy developers. We won't miss you.