App Development: iPhone vs. Android

Apple's custom application integration changed the way we use smartphones - phones integrate into our daily routine, changing how we are connected to the world. The days of simply checking your email are gone - you can remotely connect to your computer from half a world away. The development of the android operating system created an open source solution to programmers, attempting to "free up" the market and make platform development easier. The iPhone, however, still has a tedious approval process, but maintains a larger customer base. This fact alone poses one question: what do developers prefer? It's simple.

The larger the customer base the better, meaning that Apple has won by a landslide. The platform in and of itself is simple to program for, the SDK is available to nearly everyone, and only a small portion of applications fail to pass the application process. Developers have access to daily download statistics and have near complete control over their application. The Android platform, though powerful, simply does not have the subscriber base.

The iPhone has also begun to seep into business with its simple exchange integration and, with the recent upsurge of business use, many business have begun to create their own applications for use. The android platform still has the stigma of being a toy, much like the iPhone did at first, but can not quite seem to shake it. Apple set the barriers of entry very high within the app market, and only time will tell if other platforms can compete.

Iphone software development class

At the University of California Davis a professor is teaching a Iphone application development class. The professor wanted to teach a class that was relevant and could also keep the interest of students. There have been several universities that offered software development classes, but the first for U of C Davis. The only prerequisite for the class is students were to have their own iphone, ipod (touch), or Mac that can run SDK( Software Development Kit).

The break down of the class consisted of the first 5 weeks learning SDK and some C language. The following 5 remaining weeks students were to split into teams of 2 and worked on their applications. The end of the semester brought some cool new apps, like how to tune a piano and maps of the university campus.

Professor Drake even talked about how big the application programing for cell phones are right now. With application being and open source we've only scratched the surface of whats yet to come with phone applications.

Oxygen XML Editor 11.0

While working with XML files, received from a server, I was looking for a tool to help me. Until now I worked with around nine different APIs and their XML responses. After the implementation of ebay, my third API, I desperatly wished a good XML tool.

After some research I found the Oxygen XML Editor. This editor features syntax highlighting, debugging, validation, xpath to address seperate tags,xquery to search the document and much more nice features.



This tools makes it easier to read xml-files. You can copy the content from your server's response into a new xml document. With one click, the xml will be organzied that you can read it. Marking a tag and just clicking on "copy xpath", you will get the exact path, with childnode and so on. The best thing, you can use it 30 days for free!
Update: Sorry, I forgot. Here is the link!

The iPhone App and the winter!!!!

It seems that the winter came already without a prior notice. We all know how annoying it is to wait in the car in the freezing cold waiting for the heater to work. Personally, I don't own a remote starter just because my roommate does and sometimes his car would start by itself while we are watching a movie or something. He has changed his battery twice due to that and I'm not willing to go through that. I would rather wait 5 minutes than waiting half an hour for my friend to pick me up. Without further due, as usual, iPhone app developers have come up with one of the coolest apps which is Viper SmartStart from Directed Electronics.

Couple of nice things about this app is the fact that it literally start your car from almost any where as long as there is a cell phone signal. While the regular remote starters have a specified range (ie. 30 feet), the viper app solves this issue with providing a virtually unlimited range. As others, I don't like my car running in front of my parking lot because this seems like an open invitation for someone to steal it. If you think like that, don't worry! The viper app has a locking option in which you can lock or unlock your car. Unless someone breaks your glass, you wont have to worry about getting robbed.

something uncool about this app is price. When i first browsed into the article, I thought it would be free or somewhat cheap. Well, It is not! I guess convenience is never free. This app has two cost options; it could be installed for non-remote starters owners for $499 or it could updated/mated to remote starters owners for $299. There would be also an annual service fee of $29.99. This app is compatible with iPod Touch as well.

Cool Apps

Since the release of the iphone, there has been a plethora of application for this phone. There have been good one's that can make your life easier, bad ones that make you shake your head and say why and some just to make you say hmmm.

I ran across a cool application for the iphone called my starbucks app which allows you to purchase and create you drink. Using a your debit card, you can order and pay for your drink and create what you want in your drink. This is great for the starbuck junkies. It also uses google maps to find the closes Starbucks to you. Downside is the purchase feature is for a few test stores. Once all the kinks are worked out, more Starbucks will allow you to purchase at there location.

This has the potential to create new ideas for future apps. The good thing about this app, is it's free of charge.So if your a Starbucks junkie check it out and download the application.