ISBN: 9780989072106
Table of Contents
• Introduction
• Why I Wrote This Book
• Who This Book Is For
• Chapter 1: The Mobile Landscape
• How We Got Here
• What Are Web Standards?
• Touch Devices & Web Standards
• Types Of Mobile Experiences
• Mobile Websites
• Mobile Web Apps
• Native Apps
• Hybrid Apps
• App Evolution
• Webkit + Progressive Enhancement
• Reduce Complexity, Leverage Existing Skills
• Data Monster, Me Hungry
• Enough Already!
• Chapter 2: The Tools
• Web Technology Crash Course
• HTML
• CSS
• JavaScript
• What Is A JavaScript Library?
• jQuery Mobile, Introduced
• Core jQuery Example
• PhoneGap, Introduced
• The PhoneGap API
• PhoneGap Build
• PhoneGap Build Tools
• Get Ready to Rock
• Chapter 3: The Process
• Create: Start with Content
• Develop: Leverage jQuery Mobile
• Test: Use Safari, PhoneGap and SpeedLimit
• Safari Development Setup
• Safari Development Rundown
• PhoneGap Build Tools
• My Network Is Slower Than Brick Tamland (Or, 60% Of The Time, It Works All The Time)
• SpeedLimit
• Package: Leverage PhoneGap Build
• Submitting To PhoneGap Build
• Deploy: Submit To App Stores
• The Sphinx Gate
• Submitting To App Stores
• Submitting An iOS App To The iTunes App Store
• Chapter 4: The Future Of Hybrid Apps
• Faster Devices, Faster Networks
• Better Web Standards Support
• More Designers & Developers With Web App Experience
• To Infinity, And Beyond! (Or, Firefox OS)
• What's Next?
• Glossary
Acknowledgements
Writing this book has been a fun and challenging experience for me. I started writing it before either jQuery Mobile or PhoneGap were at version 1.0, which presented the difficulty of writing about technologies while they're still being incubated, and changing rapidly.
The book started as a way for me to keep my sanity: I was tasked with developing apps for iOS, Android, and BlackBerry platforms, with only web development experience in my back pocket. I started documenting the steps involved in downloading, installing, configuring and eventually using the individual SDKs for a variety of mobile platforms. As I spent more time working with the individual SDKs, I began to realize what a monumental task this is for someone getting into mobile app development for the first time. I also believed there had to be a better, and easier way.
Mobile App Manual: The Blueprint is a summary of what I learned while going through this process, and it wouldn't have been possible without the help of a few key individuals.
First I'd like to thank Leonard Phillips, for his expertise in editing technical subjects. Without his attention to detail, my prose would not be nearly as eloquent.
I'd also like to thank Kevin and Mary Pelletier, for the wonderful web and cover design, respectively. I can't wait for the 2nd edition so we can start the hupdates (hupdates.com).
I'd like to thank my parents, and my grandparents, for providing me with an environment in which I was able to thrive, and without whom I would never be in the position I'm in today.
Most importantly, I'd like to thank my wife and children, for allowing me to spend so much time over the past few years focusing on writing this book. I wouldn't have had the ability to create this book without your unconditional understanding.
If you enjoy Mobile App Manual: The Blueprint, or just have suggestions or any feedback at all, feel free to get in touch with me at withinsightdesign@gmail.com, tweet me at @withinsight, or visit the companion website at mobileappmanual.com.
Jeff Pelletier
April 6, 2013
Introduction
Mobile applications have made a large impact in recent years. The numbers are nothing short of phenomenal. If you don't have a mobile app for your product or services, chances are you're interested in creating one. This book will help you get started.
The mobile app landscape is a complex, ever-changing one, and can be confusing to anyone diving in for the first time. My hope is that through this book, I can share the knowledge I've gained publishing mobile apps over the past few years to individuals or businesses that may not have the budget to staff a full-time mobile developer, or to provide an improved, more cost-efficient process to
