Archive for August 31st, 2009

Choosing the right platform – Part 2 of 3

In this 2nd part, lets take a look at what is needed to develop for one of the hottest mobile platforms today. The iPhone.

What do you need to start developing native iPhone applications? Well, there are a few things. let’s take at the basics.

Step No. 1

Register in Apple’s iPhone developer program.

Step No. 2

An Intel-based Mac running Leopard (OS X 10.5.3 or later). Any Mac released since 2006, laptop or desktop, should work. Borrow one or better,buy one!

Step No. 3

Download and Install the iPhone App SDK

Step No. 4

Object Oriented Programming, Objective C and Cocoa Touch

However, those are the utmost basic requirements. You need to equip yourself with more knowledge about the iPhone App universe to get going :

In this 2nd part, lets take a look at what is needed to develop for one of the hottest mobile platforms today. The iPhone.

What do you need to start developing native iPhone applications? Well, there are a few things. let’s take at the basics.

Step No. 1

Register in Apple’s iPhone developer program.

Step No. 2

An Intel-based Mac running Leopard (OS X 10.5.3 or later). Any Mac released since 2006, laptop or desktop, should work. Borrow one or better,buy one!

Step No. 3

Download and Install the iPhone App SDK

Step No. 4

Object Oriented Programming, Objective C and Cocoa Touch

However, those are the utmost basic requirements. You need to equip yourself with more knowledge about the iPhone App universe to get going :

Useful External Documents/Sites: Outside of the iPhone Dev Center, I found the following useful:

  • CocoaDev: A fantastic wiki site for MAC OS X Cocoa developers.
  • From C++ to Objective C: [pdf] While I never learned C++, as a C programmer this document at least spoke my language and helped me translate much of what I learned in the world of C to the world of Objective-C.
  • Objective-C Resource Center: This site contains links to useful Objective C FAQs, tutorials, etc. However, these are of limited use since they all pertain to generic Objective-C and not to Apple’s proprietary version of Objective-C framework, namely Cocoa.
  • xCode

    • xCode: To apply all the Objective C and Cocoa goodness I’ve been learning, Apple provides a fantastic development tool – xCode. xCode is a multi-facetted development tool used to develop both Mac and iPhone applications. If there is anything that will delight you in the iPhone App development process its xCode. It just does what you want a development environment to do. So many of the menial tasks of the past are handled effortlessly for you. For details see the xCode Workspace Guide.

    iPhone xCode Interface Builder

    • Interface Builder: Interface Builder (pictured above) is the part of xCode that you use to develop the visual/graphical interface to iPhone Apps – what you see and manipulate on the iPhone as you use iPhone Apps. The video version of the ‘Cocoa is my Girlfriend’ tutorial below was helpful as was this part of the more generic Intro to Cocoa Application Tutorial. The Interface Builder user guide is here (again, available only to those who have registered).

    iPhone simulator

    • iPhone Simulator: One of the last pieces of the iPhone App development puzzle (before you start testing on an actual device that is) is the iPhone Simulator (pictured above). At any time during the development process you can build and test a version of your iPhone App and run it in the iPhone Simulator. It’s pretty nifty and easy to use.
    • Online Tutorials: There are several online tutorials that hold your hand, step by step, through basic iPhone application development:
      • Your First iPhone Application (Apple’s introductory tutorial). This includes a terrific step-by-step description of the basic bootstrap process.Note: You will need to be logged into the iPhone Development Center to access this.
      • icodeblog Tutorials: A computer science student named Brandon at the University of New Mexico has been posting useful iPhone App development tutorials on his icodeblog blog. His forum allows would-be iPhone developers to discuss his tutorials and learn from each other. His tutorials have been invaluable to my learning process.
      • Cocoa Touch Tutorial: iPhone Application Example – [video version] (Cocoa is my Girlfriend);

    Look Around : Nokia Announced Finalists for CallingAllInnovators Contest 2009

    I posted this news for  reference and also for readers to look around and analyse where the market is going. Take their ideas as some kind of inspiration ok. Finalists in the 2009 Calling All Innovators contest include:

    Internet Innovation Category. Developers were asked to submit either web applications known as Web Runtime widgets, or websites which are optimized for mobile browsing with Nokia devices.

    1. Pixelpipe for Share Online. This WRT widget application from Pixelpipe, enables individuals to create and configure Nokia Share Online to use the Pixelpipe Media Gateway to distribute photos, video, audio and files to more than 90 popular social networking, photo/video, and blog services directly from the built-in phone gallery and camera applications.

    2. Dianping. This widget for one of the top websites in China provides information about more than 275,000 restaurants, including descriptions, recommended dishes, address, phone number, price range and more. Individuals can search for restaurants by districts, categories, price range and key words. The application includes access to more than 7.5 million restaurant reviews, and coupons for restaurants, too.

    3. Tech Buzz Homescreen Widget. The Tech Buzz Widget from UK-based Mippin, provides access the latest tech news anywhere on Nokia mobile devices. It regularly downloads tech stories from across the web, displaying the headlines and images in rotation on the Nokia N97 home screen, to give users immediate access.

    Flash Category. Developers were asked to submit applications that expand the capabilities of Adobe Flash Lite on Nokia devices.

    1. FLORIN: Personal Finance Tracker. With the FLORIN flash-based application from UK-based BlueskyNorth, consumers have access to a highly capable, but easy to use personal finance tracker for use on Nokia Series 60 5th Edition devices.

    2. Reuters Slideshow. The Reuters Slideshow app from UK-based Tui Interactive Media, combines Flash and WRT widget functionality to deliver a constantly updated feed of pictures and news.

    3. ActiveChinese. This mobile educational application, from the company of the same name, is comprised of 10 flash-animated lessons for English speakers to begin to learn how to speak Chinese. A series of built-in flashcards provides the most useful word and phrases, and includes: the Chinese character, Chinese pronunciation, PinYin, and the English translation.

    Emerging Markets and Mobile Necessities Category
    . Developers were asked to submit applications or solutions that are the most innovative application using Nokia platforms, ranging from SMS through Series 40 and S60 device platforms. All applications would be evaluated, including those developed using Java, Python or open source.

    1. Mobile JobHunt. Inspired by Nokia Life Tools in India, Mobile JobHunt from LEG aims to help people in rural areas in China. JobHunt provides timely and accurate job information from major cities on Series 40 Nokia phones. Other related services include employment news, skills training, employment legal rights, and entertainment.

    2. Mobile Credit Card Terminal. Mobile Credit Card Terminal from 2C2P in Singapore gives business owners the ability to charge a credit card/debit card, and to manage transactions securely from Nokia S60 devices without additional equipment.

    3. Blue Home. Created by Binu Johnson in India, Blue-Home installed on a Nokia S60 mobile device, and hardware in the home that can be purchased for approximately $30, an individual can monitor and operate six home appliances via Bluetooth in the mobile device.

    Apps on Maps Category. Developers were asked to submit new ideas that harness the power of location-aware services using Ovi Maps on Nokia devices. From all of the ideas submitted, 14 developers were given exclusive access to the Ovi Beta SDK to turn their ideas into a completed application for use on Nokia devices.

    1. PocketLife. As a location-based lifestyle app, with Pocket Life for Ovi Maps on your Nokia device, individuals can always be in touch with their closest friends, down to knowing precisely where they are at that given time. Using Pocket Life, individuals can discover new places, share photos, and quickly know their way around like a local.

    2. Ground Guidance. How do you navigate when there are no roads? Ground Guidance with Ovi Maps solves this problem. With technology originally built for the U.S. Army, St. Paul, Minnesota-based Primordial uses an innovative, patented technique, combined with a wide range of data sources to create a walk-able route where no road data exists. Pick any two points in the app, and the user will be presented with a walk-able path to take.

    3. Smart EggsCrack open a Smart Egg to get a multimedia review of the latest movie, or tips about special promotions from nearby shops. Engage in a mobile treasure hunt with your friends, collecting codes inside Premium Smart Eggs. This mobile app for brands, artists, and venues interacts with consumers at the local level, while promoting the use of multiple Nokia services and platforms, including Ovi Maps and more.


    The Question of Copyright

    This is another question that always made it’s way to the Q&A session during our MCC 2009 workshops.

    What if I win the competition and I want to commercialise it. Who owns the IP (Intellectual Property)? Will I still be the owner or Maxis will take it?

    Without question, copyright is very important. With regards to applications and ideas, it’a all about Intellectual Property (IP).

    I remember during MCC Workshop in Penang last month on July 23rd 2009, one of the speakers, Kartunis Ubi talked a great length about copyright and how he dealt with it in years. It’s refreshing and inspiring to be able to listen to his experience.

    According to Kartunis Ubi, there are a few ways to secure your copyright, the easy ways and the hard ways. One of the easiest way to do it is by implementing the following :

    - Compile all your materials. Your paper, your drawings, your cd, your original sketch on paper, and anything related to  your idea. ALL OF THEM.

    - Put them inside an envelope.

    - Buy some stamps from post office and seal the back of the envelope using those stamps.

    - Write your own name and address on the back of the envelope.

    - Post / Mail the envelope to yourself.

    - NEVER open the envelope after you receive it.

    Well, it’s just one way of doing things and you’ll be surprised on how easy it is actually. So, dont forget to keep all your sketches and your doodles for future reference. Who knows you might need it in the future!


    I Dare You – Part 3

    This is the 3rd in the series of challenges that I posted for readers of this blog. Especially those from Malaysian IHLs who are interested to participate in MCC 2009.

    CHALLENGE NO. 3

    “When receiving SMS, I want to see who’s sending it complete with the text, better if it also associates with my built-in contact photos. Right now, the word – New Message – is useless. It would be cool if when my phone receives an SMS, the screen will display a photo of the sender and the whole text is displayed on the screen”

    Note : Take a look at Symbian application which is called Best FSMessage. It is cool and it gives the information in one full screen without touching the phone.



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