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2.1 Update Allows Web Apps To Run In Full-Screen Without Safari Wrapper

Submitted by Edward Kirk on October 23, 2008 - 12:23pm.
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An extremely useful new feature that Apple neglected to mention has been found in the latest iPhone software update. An AppleInsider reader discovered that a feature in the latest 2.1 software update creates the ability to launch properly formatted web applications in full-screen mode without the Safari wrapper, effectively mimicking a native application.

The new feature requires the web developer to add a special piece of code that enables full-screen mode. A demo web application with the proper formatting has been created to illustrate the new feature.

To view the app in full screen mode:

  • load the demo app in Mobile Safari on your iPhone located here
  • Hit the "+" button at the base of the Safari app
  • Select "Add to Home Screen"
  • Save the App to the Home Screen
  • Tap the icon that was just saved to your Home Screen
  • The demo App should load in full screen without the Safari wrapper.

Once loaded in full-screen, the web app behaves the same way a native application would, although occasionally it lags while the interface and resources are loaded from the web.

Saving the web app:

Loading the web app full screen:

[via AppleInsider]

Submitted by kalahari on October 23, 2008 - 1:05pm.
Thanks for the tip! I'd heard mention of this functionality but had never seen it described.

Going to have to try it. Have been avoiding Safari use, because it's easier using apps, but this gives me a way to EASILY get to those iPhone-optimized websites.

Submitted by Stephen007 on October 24, 2008 - 8:15am.
Odd that this would show up in 2.1. This sounds possibly like their 1.0 solution to not allowing any native apps... before we even knew the App store was coming.