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Unread 21st Oct 2012, 06:58 AM   #1
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I might need a *serious* app, how to?
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Dear members,

I have followed the discussion about apps vs. mobile websites for some time, and in general I tend to use and recommend mobile websites.

However, I got asked today if I could create an app that really does something like a computer program, things that can't be done easily by a mobile website.

The main reason is while users use the app they are on an aeroplane where they can use their smartphone, however, have no Internet access, at least on most flights.

I have written the software years ago for use with PCs, and it is around 5000 lines of code.

Could somebody recommend an app development system that would be suitable for such an application?

Also I know I would in fact need to create 2 apps, one for Android and one for Iphone. Would there be any other operating systems I do not know?

Thanks
Dan Hower



Last edited on 21st Oct 2012 at 07:28 AM. Reason: Editing since I forgot a question
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Unread 24th Oct 2012, 01:03 AM   #2
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Re: I might need a *serious* app, how to?
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Originally Posted by Dan Hower View Post

Also I know I would in fact need to create 2 apps, one for Android and one for Iphone. Would there be any other operating systems I do not know?
You have mentioned 2 out of 3 of the main ones. Android and iOS (iPhone). The next serious contender is BlackBerry followed by Symbian (Nokia). Then of course there are the Windows powered Smartphones.

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Unread 24th Oct 2012, 05:27 AM   #3
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Thanks both

I have learned in the mean time that I might have to create the app for the operating systems separately which means at least twice the work.

Or I need to use C++ which is very similar for IOS and Android.


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Unread 24th Oct 2012, 12:21 PM   #4
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Re: I might need a *serious* app, how to?
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You can try something like Corona SDK that allows you to code once and port to iOSm Android, kindle fire and nook all from one set of code.

I am hoping that they somehow can add in windows 8 eventually. That would be sweet.

One place to code and port to iOS, Android and Win 8... if you find that let me know!

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Unread 24th Oct 2012, 08:01 PM   #5
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Re: I might need a *serious* app, how to?
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Originally Posted by Dan Hower View Post

Dear members,

I have followed the discussion about apps vs. mobile websites for some time, and in general I tend to use and recommend mobile websites.

However, I got asked today if I could create an app that really does something like a computer program, things that can't be done easily by a mobile website.

The main reason is while users use the app they are on an aeroplane where they can use their smartphone, however, have no Internet access, at least on most flights.

I have written the software years ago for use with PCs, and it is around 5000 lines of code.

Could somebody recommend an app development system that would be suitable for such an application?

Also I know I would in fact need to create 2 apps, one for Android and one for Iphone. Would there be any other operating systems I do not know?

Thanks
Dan Hower
Hey Dan
We have used PhoneGap, which allows developers to create apps for Android, Palm, Symbian, BlackBerry, iPhone, iTouch and iPad devices. It uses standard web development languages such as HTML and JavaScript and allows you to work with device hardware features such as accelerometer, GPS/location, camera, sound and other functionalities.

It also offers an Adobe AIR app and also online training courses to help you access native API’s and build mobile apps on its own platform.
HTH
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Unread 25th Oct 2012, 12:42 AM   #6
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Re: I might need a *serious* app, how to?
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There are several mobile apps development platforms, I had created a small squidoo lens related to it you can read it here squidoo.com/top-10-android-development-tools

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Unread 25th Oct 2012, 01:44 AM   #7
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Re: I might need a *serious* app, how to?
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Hey Dan Hover
Try HTML 5, it is really simple and the apps developed supports all mobile platforms (as HTML 5 is cross platform supportive). Another point you put on was can you make an app that does the work of software on PC, Yes it is possible, there are many apps that lets you do a lot of complex work (check out the apps of omnigroup).

I am Daniel Jones, working in a Mobile Application Development Company as a Mobile App Developer. I enjoys exploring apps on iOS, blackberry, android and other mobile platforms.
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Unread 25th Oct 2012, 07:02 AM   #8
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Re: I might need a *serious* app, how to?
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Originally Posted by shoopt View Post

Hey Dan Hover
Try HTML 5, it is really simple and the apps developed supports all mobile platforms (as HTML 5 is cross platform supportive). Another point you put on was can you make an app that does the work of software on PC, Yes it is possible, there are many apps that lets you do a lot of complex work (check out the apps of omnigroup).
What I need to do is not displaying some content, but do a lot of calculations. That's why it normally would not work with HTML since it is not a programming language.

The users will not be online when they use the app but flying in an airplane.

The calculations are quite complex, and there is a large database containing all airports worldwide. It works very well on a PC but is a rather large software which took me months for the first version.

You mentioned HTML5, and I hear a lot that it is different from previous HTML versions, so I will check out if it can be used for programming.

If I had one version for all operating systems that would certainly save me a lot of work. Also I am not too eager to write an application with C++

Cheers

Dan Hower


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Unread 25th Oct 2012, 07:04 AM   #9
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Re: I might need a *serious* app, how to?
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Originally Posted by wsotoolz View Post

You can try something like Corona SDK that allows you to code once and port to iOSm Android, kindle fire and nook all from one set of code.

I am hoping that they somehow can add in windows 8 eventually. That would be sweet.

One place to code and port to iOS, Android and Win 8... if you find that let me know!
I don't know how important Win 8 will be but I'd rather stay on the safe side and keep searching for that one system that covers them all. ...

Cheers

Dan Hower


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Unread 25th Oct 2012, 07:12 AM   #10
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Re: I might need a *serious* app, how to?
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Originally Posted by kohorn View Post

Hey Dan
We have used PhoneGap, which allows developers to create apps for Android, Palm, Symbian, BlackBerry, iPhone, iTouch and iPad devices. It uses standard web development languages such as HTML and JavaScript and allows you to work with device hardware features such as accelerometer, GPS/location, camera, sound and other functionalities.

It also offers an Adobe AIR app and also online training courses to help you access native API’s and build mobile apps on its own platform.
HTH
Kohorn
Hi Kohorn,

if I understand correctly Phonegap is a web-based applicaton platform so I can't use it since the users will use the app while flying - see my software description a few posts further up.

Cheers

Dan Hower


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Unread 25th Oct 2012, 09:24 AM   #11
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Re: I might need a *serious* app, how to?
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Originally Posted by Dan Hower View Post

What I need to do is not displaying some content, but do a lot of calculations. That's why it normally would not work with HTML since it is not a programming language.

The users will not be online when they use the app but flying in an airplane.

The software takes the flight data and calculates acupressure points to massage during the flight to stimulate certain inner organs that control the body clock so to finally adjust the body clock gradually during the flight to the local time at the destination. The purpose it to avoid jet lag.

The calculations are quite complex, and there is a large database containing all airports worldwide. It works very well on a PC but is a rather large software which took me months for the first version.

You mentioned HTML5, and I hear a lot that it is different from previous HTML versions, so I will check out if it can be used for programming.

If I had one version for all operating systems that would certainly save me a lot of work. Also I am not too eager to write an application with C++

Cheers

Dan Hower
For something like that, I would use HTML5 / CSS3 to design the app (or you could use something like jQuery Mobile). And then use jQuery / Javascript to perform the calculations. And since your users will not be connected to the internet, you would need to include all of the jQuery files inside your app (instead of simply 'referencing' them from a remote URL). And if you need jQuery to connect to a client-side database, see this.

That would be waaaaaaaaaay simpler than using C++. Not to mention, it would be instantly compatible with not only all of the major mobile platforms (iPhone, Android, etc), but with desktop computers as well.


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Unread 25th Oct 2012, 09:53 AM   #12
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Re: I might need a *serious* app, how to?
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Well.... you can try this online service which does have a lot of options and features inside for building your Iphone/Android/Kindle applicatios - AppsMoment: Builder Application | Develop Iphone App | Ipad Publishing | App Maker android
Also... if you need more complicated stuff - than only one solution - Visual C++

regards
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Unread 29th Oct 2012, 12:25 AM   #13
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Re: I might need a *serious* app, how to?
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Originally Posted by Brandon Tanner View Post

For something like that, I would use HTML5 / CSS3 to design the app (or you could use something like jQuery Mobile). And then use jQuery / Javascript to perform the calculations. And since your users will not be connected to the internet, you would need to include all of the jQuery files inside your app (instead of simply 'referencing' them from a remote URL). And if you need jQuery to connect to a client-side database, see this.

That would be waaaaaaaaaay simpler than using C++. Not to mention, it would be instantly compatible with not only all of the major mobile platforms (iPhone, Android, etc), but with desktop computers as well.
Hi Brandon, I think I would go the way you suggest.

However, I am not sure how to sell the app in that case.

If I build the app with HTML5 combined with the others you mention could I still sell it in the Apple appstore?

Thanks
Dan Hower


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Unread 29th Oct 2012, 02:22 AM   #14
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Re: I might need a *serious* app, how to?
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Originally Posted by Dan Hower View Post

What I need to do is not displaying some content, but do a lot of calculations. That's why it normally would not work with HTML since it is not a programming language.

The users will not be online when they use the app but flying in an airplane.

The software takes the flight data and calculates acupressure points to massage during the flight to stimulate certain inner organs that control the body clock so to finally adjust the body clock gradually during the flight to the local time at the destination. The purpose it to avoid jet lag.

The calculations are quite complex, and there is a large database containing all airports worldwide. It works very well on a PC but is a rather large software which took me months for the first version.

You mentioned HTML5, and I hear a lot that it is different from previous HTML versions, so I will check out if it can be used for programming.

If I had one version for all operating systems that would certainly save me a lot of work. Also I am not too eager to write an application with C++
Hey Dan Hower
Displaying info is not all what you can do with HTML 5, the platform is refreshed and provides pretty nice features for development. It is possible to retrieve flight info and make calculations and other work you mentioned in some app developed using HTML 5. May be it will be bit complex for such tasks while coding but the produced app will work on all mobile platforms.

Cheers.

I am Daniel Jones, working in a Mobile Application Development Company as a Mobile App Developer. I enjoys exploring apps on iOS, blackberry, android and other mobile platforms.
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Unread 29th Oct 2012, 04:24 AM   #15
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Re: I might need a *serious* app, how to?
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Originally Posted by shoopt View Post

Hey Dan Hower
Displaying info is not all what you can do with HTML 5, the platform is refreshed and provides pretty nice features for development. It is possible to retrieve flight info and make calculations and other work you mentioned in some app developed using HTML 5. May be it will be bit complex for such tasks while coding but the produced app will work on all mobile platforms.

Cheers.
Thanks Daniel,

see my post one further up. I am on my way to HTML5, and the more information I gather the more I look forward using it.

Cheers
Dan Hower


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Unread 29th Oct 2012, 04:58 AM   #16
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Re: I might need a *serious* app, how to?
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You can do this: i-jetty - I-Jetty: webserver for the android mobile platform - Google Project Hosting

Have an internal web server which will solve all your problems, no?
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Unread 29th Oct 2012, 09:33 AM   #17
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Originally Posted by Dan Hower View Post

Hi Brandon, I think I would go the way you suggest.

However, I am not sure how to sell the app in that case.

If I build the app with HTML5 combined with the others you mention could I still sell it in the Apple appstore?

Thanks
Dan Hower
Dan,

I've never tried to submit an app to Apple, so I have no idea what their requirements are. Perhaps someone else could chime in about that?

At any rate, if they don't accept HTML5 apps, then you could use something like Phonegap to "convert" your HTML5 app into a native iOS app.


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Unread 9th Nov 2012, 06:21 AM   #18
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Question about payment plans for iPhone apps:

As explained further up in post #8 I might get offered that job to write an app that users will use during in intercontinental flight. If they want to use it on another flight three weeks later they would have to buy the app again or pay a usage fee again for another use.

Basically use it once = $2, then use it again, pay $2 again, or something like that.

The experts keep discouraging me, and tell me Apple does not allow anything like that.

And the investors want a clear plan how the customers will and can pay before they order that app from me. We are talking about a five digit amount to create the apps so they will not go ahead until I can come up with a payment method that will work for all platforms.

I am stuck. Any ideas?

Thanks
Dan Hower


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Unread 16th Nov 2012, 06:21 AM   #19
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Have you tried phonegap? You build an app using html5 and javascript and phonegap gives you the ability to tap into mobile features like gps, camera, sensors etc.

At the end of the day when you are done you can upload the app you created for one platform lets say for android and their service will port it to android, sybmbian, bada, blackberry, microsoft and ios

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