Apple Plans Native WebApps, Homescreen Icons?

Edward Kirk · October 3rd, 2007, 06:55 PM

According to Ars Technica, an unnamed source at Apple has informed them that Apple is currently working on updating their current iPhone SDK for web apps. The source said that Apple is planning a handful of software updates that they hope will appease complaints about the lack of native app support, though they still have no intention of releasing a true native-app SDK in the near future.

Apple's decision not to allow native application development on the iPhone has the developing community frustrated to say the least. It looks like they got the message, or at least partly. The source claims that Apple has planned a series of additions to the iPhone's software and Safari application in an attempt to help appease some (probably most) of these complaints.

One such update they are currently working on will add offline storage capabilities to Safari. This would still be limited to web applications, but would host them locally on the device for offline use, simulating a native app, similar to Google Gears.

In conjunction with this, they also might be planning more local JavaScript access for useful iPhone functions, and may even be able to create home screen icons for these native web applications.

"The entire purpose of all this work is to make the iPhone 'SDK' (WebKit) more usable," the source said.

Unfortunately, this means that the Apple's SDK for the iPhone will most likely remain web-app based for some time to come, limiting development primarily to HTML, CSS, and AJAX.

"You can't write [bleep]ing [bleep] in that," says our source. Needless to say even Apple insiders are disappointed with the web 2.0 limitations. So, how does he explain the lack of a native SDK?

"Jobs is a control freak and doesn't want people messing with perfection."

Yep, that sounds like Steve.

[via Ars Technica]

chr1s60 · October 3rd, 2007, 11:20 PM #2

I guess this is a step in the right direction. It isn't 3rd party apps, but it is closer to them than we currently are. I hope Apple will allow this soon, it could boost iPhone sales as well as make some owners a little happier. I still think eventually 3rd party apps will be allowed, but until then I am willing to accept any improvement.

October 3rd, 2007, 11:39 PM #3

Somehow I feel they just don't get it.

vertigo · **Coverflow** - October 4th, 2007, 03:52 AM #4

Crazy... Coverflow was just some guy messing with the itunes and wishing for a change in interface. It then got implemented, blew Steve's mind, and got bought up by Apple for way too little money, I'm sure.

Imagine all the cool ideas you could buy and integrate into apple products if you just let us write for iPhone like we wrote coverflow?

Or you could just steal it, like Konfabulator, I don't care. Just let us write code.

Hans · October 4th, 2007, 09:14 AM #5

they need to get their heads on straight because one of the iphone clones that start coming out soon are going to allow 3rd party apps and everything else people are having problems with on the iphone which will start taking away the market

dondada · October 4th, 2007, 11:13 AM #6

Is it me or does it seem like we are going back in time...running static offline web apps on a phone...how boring...how not so challenging...

My old Nokia (The Brick) from 1996 had more features then my iPhone...

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Edward Kirk WrAdminterizer Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Illinois, USA Posts: 3,084 Thanks: 19 Thanked 26 Times in 25 Posts	Apple Plans Native WebApps, Homescreen Icons? - October 3rd, 2007, 06:55 PM #1
	According to Ars Technica, an unnamed source at Apple has informed them that Apple is currently working on updating their current iPhone SDK for web apps. The source said that Apple is planning a handful of software updates that they hope will appease complaints about the lack of native app support, though they still have no intention of releasing a true native-app SDK in the near future. Apple's decision not to allow native application development on the iPhone has the developing community frustrated to say the least. It looks like they got the message, or at least partly. The source claims that Apple has planned a series of additions to the iPhone's software and Safari application in an attempt to help appease some (probably most) of these complaints. One such update they are currently working on will add offline storage capabilities to Safari. This would still be limited to web applications, but would host them locally on the device for offline use, simulating a native app, similar to Google Gears. In conjunction with this, they also might be planning more local JavaScript access for useful iPhone functions, and may even be able to create home screen icons for these native web applications. "The entire purpose of all this work is to make the iPhone 'SDK' (WebKit) more usable," the source said. Unfortunately, this means that the Apple's SDK for the iPhone will most likely remain web-app based for some time to come, limiting development primarily to HTML, CSS, and AJAX. "You can't write [bleep]ing [bleep] in that," says our source. Needless to say even Apple insiders are disappointed with the web 2.0 limitations. So, how does he explain the lack of a native SDK? "Jobs is a control freak and doesn't want people messing with perfection." Yep, that sounds like Steve. [via Ars Technica] __________________ About my iPhone: iPhone & Color: iPhone 3G 16GB White iPhone Version: 3.0 Computer & OS: MacBook Pro 15", Mac OS X 10.5.4 Twitter

chr1s60 Forum Ninja Join Date: Aug 2007 Posts: 119 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	October 3rd, 2007, 11:20 PM #2
	I guess this is a step in the right direction. It isn't 3rd party apps, but it is closer to them than we currently are. I hope Apple will allow this soon, it could boost iPhone sales as well as make some owners a little happier. I still think eventually 3rd party apps will be allowed, but until then I am willing to accept any improvement.

NetMage Guest Posts: n/a	October 3rd, 2007, 11:39 PM #3
NetMage Guest Posts: n/a	Somehow I feel they just don't get it.

vertigo New Recruit Join Date: Sep 2007 Posts: 11 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Coverflow - October 4th, 2007, 03:52 AM #4
	Crazy... Coverflow was just some guy messing with the itunes and wishing for a change in interface. It then got implemented, blew Steve's mind, and got bought up by Apple for way too little money, I'm sure. Imagine all the cool ideas you could buy and integrate into apple products if you just let us write for iPhone like we wrote coverflow? Or you could just steal it, like Konfabulator, I don't care. Just let us write code.

Hans Super Moderator Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Denver, CO Posts: 391 Thanks: 0 Thanked 6 Times in 6 Posts	October 4th, 2007, 09:14 AM #5
	they need to get their heads on straight because one of the iphone clones that start coming out soon are going to allow 3rd party apps and everything else people are having problems with on the iphone which will start taking away the market

dondada Forum Lurker Join Date: Sep 2007 Posts: 2 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	October 4th, 2007, 11:13 AM #6
	Is it me or does it seem like we are going back in time...running static offline web apps on a phone...how boring...how not so challenging... My old Nokia (The Brick) from 1996 had more features then my iPhone...