mLearning: Tips and Techniques for Development and

mLearning: Tips and Techniques for Development and Implementation

November 14 & 15, 2013

201

Exploring Cross-platform Tools For Mobile Development:

Lessons Learned

Perry Bennett

mLearning: Tips and Techniques for Development and Implementation — November 14 & 15, 2013

Session 201 – Exploring Cross-platform Tools For Mobile Page 1 Development: Lessons Learned – Perry Bennett

Exploring Cross-platform Tools

for Mobile Development:

Lessons Learned

Perry Bennett

2013 Nov 14

Overview

What is Cross-platform Mobile Development?

Pros and Cons of Cross-platform Tools

Tools: Adobe AIR, PhoneGap, Titanium SDK,

Corona SDK, Unity, and Responsive Web Design



3 http://applaudservices.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/various-mobile-devices.gif

Native Hybrid Web

4

Have We Been Here Before?

http://www.paulirish.com/2010/high-res-browser-icons/



5 http://www.androidauthority.com/samsungs-26-screens-226746/

6 http://http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Recycle001.svg

Pros: Reusable Code Base



7 http://www.techradar.com/news/phone-and-communications/mobile-

phones/android-4-1-vs-windows-phone-8-vs-ios-6-1086326

Pros: Maintenance

8 http://blogs.disney.com/oh-my-disney/2013/06/13/dreams-do-come-true/

Pros: Cost Effective



9 http://www.swfgeek.net/blog/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/as3logo.jpg

Pros: Utilize Existing Skills

http://akraya.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/web-

trifecta_html5_css3_js-strict.png

10 http://www.tapscape.com/iphone-vs-android-why-apple-has-stumbled-while-

android-grows/

Pros: Flexibility



11 http://www.coronalabs.com/products/corona-sdk/corona-is-10x-faster/

Cons: Proprietary / Limited API’s

12 http://www.brighthand.com/shared/picture.asp?f=23359

Cons: Performance Issues



13 http://www.sdncentral.com/companies/vyatta-and-brocade-glove-or-square-peg-in-

a-round-hole/2012/11/

Cons: Framework Specific Code

14 http://developer.android.com/design/patterns/pure-android.html

Cons: Inconsistent UI Patterns



Mobile OS Development Mac PC

Android P PP

Blackberry P P

iOS P O

Windows Phone O P

Computing Setup: Mac vs. PC

15

16

Deliver Standalone Flash

Applications Outside of the Browser

Can Be Created Using HTML,

JavaScript, Flash, or Flex

Port Existing Desktop Flash Apps to

Mobile Devices

http://www.softicons.com/free-icons/application-icons/adobe-cs3-icons-by-adam-

betts/adobe-air-icon

Overview of Adobe AIR



Pros Cons

Existing ActionScript / Flex Skills Apps Not Consistent Across Platforms

Can Port App to Many Platforms Performance May Not Be Optimal

Native Extensions to Utilize Device Features

17

Pros and Cons of Adobe AIR

18

App: QR Scanner



19

App: QR Scanner Cont.

20

Free and Open Source Framework

PhoneGap vs. Apache Cordova

Utilize HTML, CSS, and JavaScript

to Create Native Application

Webview Within Native Application

http://phonegap.com/uploads/artwork/Build-Bot.png

Overview of PhoneGap



21 http://phonegap.com/uploads/artwork/Build-Diagram-3.png

Overview of PhoneGap Cont.

22

App: Pocket Guide



Pros Cons

Existing Web Design Skills Webview Within a Native Application

APIs That Tie Into Native Device Features Mobile Browser Inconsistencies

Compile to Many Native Platforms

PhoneGap Build Compiles Apps Without SDKs

23

Pros and Cons of PhoneGap

24

Uses JavaScript to Deploy Native,

Mobile Web and Hybrid

Applications

Open Source SDK

Modules Can Extend the Base

Functionality

https://my.appcelerator.com/auth/signup

Overview of Titanium SDK



25 http://www.appcelerator.com.s3.amazonaws.com/web/infographics/sdk-interaction.png

Overview of Titanium SDK Cont.

Pros Cons

Lots of Developer Resources / Community Inconsistent Behavior Across Devices

Rapid Prototyping Difficult to Debug Apps

Web Oriented Development Performance With Graphic Intensive Apps

26

Pros and Cons of Titanium SDK



27

Cross-platform 3D / 2D Game

Engine

Can Be Used Through Web

Browser, Standalone Desktop,

and Mobile

https://www.unity3d.com

Overview of Unity

28

App: Flight Simulator



Pros Cons

Pretty Consistent Across Various Platforms Unity GUI System

Flexible Scripting Options Source Control / Versioning

Great Documentation / Examples

Asset Store

29

Pros and Cons of Unity

30

Cross-platform 2D Game Engine

Built For Mobile, Uses the

Scripting Language LUA

Deploy to iOS, Android, Windows,

Nook, Kindle

http://forums.coronalabs.com/topic/35293-unofficial-high-resolution-corona-sdk-

logos-for-credits/

Overview of Corona SDK



31

App: mLearning Framework

Pros Cons

Pretty Consistent Across Various Platforms No Official IDE for Graphic / Text Layout

LUA Scripting is Quick to Learn Evolving API’s Can Break Older Code

Great Documentation / 3rd Party Tools No Offline Builds

Active Community

32

Pros and Cons of Corona SDK



33

A Technique to Have

Websites Adjust to Varying

Screen Sizes

Uses Standard Web

Development Languages

Apps Are Viewed Through the

Desktop / Mobile Web

Browser

http://www.desiznworld.com/2013/09/responsive-web-design.html

Overview of Responsive Web Design

34

Responsive Web Design Examples

http://www.mediaqueries.es



Pros Cons

One Code Base Adapts to Any Type of Screen More Time Consuming to Develop

Utilize Existing Web Development Skills Ample Testing for Desktop and Mobile Browsers

Users Don’t Need to Install Apps on Devices Harder to Visualize Final Design

35

Pros and Cons of RWD

Cross-platform Tool Pricing

Adobe AIR Adobe Creative Cloud - $49.99 per month

Adobe Flash CC - $19.99 per month

Adobe PhoneGap Free + Any Text Editor That Supports Web

Development Languages (Free - $)

Appcelerator Titanium SDK

Titanium – Free

Appcelerator Platform (Public Cloud) –

Contact Company

Appcelerator Platform (Virtual Private Cloud) –

Contact Company

Unity Technologies Unity

Unity / Mobile Add-ons – Free

Unity Pro - $1,500

Mobile Add-ons Pro - $1,500 each

Corona Labs Corona SDK

Starter – Free

Basic / Pro - $192 / $588 annually

Enterprise - $948 / $2,388 annually

Responsive Web Design Any Text Editor That Supports Web

Development Languages (Free - $)

36



Summary

What is Cross-platform Mobile Development?

Pros and Cons of Cross-platform Tools

Tools: Adobe AIR, PhoneGap, Titanium SDK,

Corona SDK, Unity, and Responsive Web Design

38

Thank You!

Perry Bennett, Multimedia Developer

[email protected]

www.thevisualstation.com

mailto:[email protected]

http://www.thevisualstation.com/

Documents

mLearning: Tips and Techniques for Development and