Meet Captain ArcTouch, digital defender of justice, and his super apps! Captain ArcTouch is an iPhone comic book app developed by ArcTouch.

Web Apps Delivers Full Functionality In A Browser

Captain ArcTouch is a Web App. Web apps are delivered over the Internet from a web site to an iPhone or iPod touch through Safari web browser. Unlike traditional mobile web sites, however, which are simplified web pages created for viewing over a the browser on the phone, Web Apps are very similar to the graphically rich and interactive “native apps” delivered through the iTunes App Store.

For example, Web Apps can contain complex animations and transitions through the capabilities of modern HTML5, CSS, and Javascript. Web Apps can also take advantage of unique functionality of the hardware device, such as the GPS, accelerometer, and swipe and pinch/zoom gestures. Web Apps can store data locally on the phone, and can even be launched right from the phone’s home screen into full screen (without Safari’s navigation buttons) like our very own Captain ArcTouch web app. Best of all, Web Apps can be deployed quickly and easily right from your own web site and can be updated just as easily too.

Web Apps are also more portable to other platforms, since the Android, BlackBerry and the webOS all have some support for modern HTML5 and CSS.

Apps Make You Super. We Make Super Apps.

Contact us to learn more.

The latest IDC smart phone market report claims that although the iPhone receives the most visiblity and attention in the marketplace, the new iPhone 3G S came in second to BlackBerry’s Curve as the phone most bought in America in the second quarter of 2009. In fact, according to IDC, BlackBerry smart phones outsold all iPhones.

IDC’s top ten selling smart phones in America in 2Q 2009:

1. BlackBerry Curve (BlackBerry OS)
2. iPhone 3G S (iPhone OS)
3. BlackBerry Pearl (BlackBerry OS)
4. iPhone 3G (iPhone OS)
5. BlackBerry Bold (BlackBerry OS)
6. BlackBerry Storm (BlackBerry OS)
7. HTC T-Mobile G1 (Android OS)
8. Palm Pre (webOS)
9. HTC Touch Pro (Windows Mobile)
10. HTC Touch Diamond (Windows Mobile)

BlackBerry OS based smart phones occupied 4 of the 6 spots in the top 10 list. If you’re thinking of developing a custom app, make sure to include BlackBerry development in your plans. We are experienced BlackBerry developers who can help you bring your app to this platform.

Palm has accepted ArcTouch into the early access Palm Pre developer program and given us the Palm Pre Mojo SDK. We’re thrilled to be part of this exclusive group of Palm Pre developers who have early access and are well underway to developing great Palm Pre software applications for our clients.

Palm Pre webOS

Palm webOS, the next generation operating system from Palm, integrates the power of a window-based operating system with the simplicity of a browser. The user experience is designed around multitasking, and makes it easy to run background applications, switch between applications in a single step, and handle interruptions and events without losing context. Using webOS, we’re able to develop fast (and beautiful) apps for our customers.

Palm Pre Mojo Application Framework

Palm webOS applications are easy to program using Mojo, a new application framework based on the HTML5, CSS, and JavaScript standards. WebOS applications are installed and run directly on the device at native speed and have access to a wide range of device services.

Mojo allows us to:

• Program apps with gesture-based navigation, transitions, and scrolling
• Use the webOS notification system to alert users without interrupting them
• Leverage the local storage capabilities of HTML5 so that data is available even when users are offline
• Use a JSON-based message bus to tap into a wide range of device services, including contacts, calendars, and location

Palm Pre Mojo SDK

Besides the Palm Mojo Application Framework, the SDK includes an Eclipse-based IDE, sample code, documentation, and development tools.

Application Development For Palm Pre

There’s currently a limited number of apps in the Palm App Catalog so there’s plenty of opportunity for new applications. If you’ve got a brand new idea for an app, or you’ve got an existing iPhone, Android or BlackBerry app that you want to offer on the Palm Pre, contact ArcTouch to learn about our custom application development and programming services for the Palm Pre.

“Crikey! I’ve lost my Mojo! Thank the Queen that ArcTouch is building my app for me. Oh behave!” – Austin Powers

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mhGq-Z7RqDY[/youtube]

Google IO Developer Conference
May 27 – 28 at the Moscone Center in San Francisco

At Google IO, developers come together to learn how to develop applications with Google technologies, such as the Android phone platform, App Engine, Chrome, Google Web Toolkit, AJAX APIs and more. We’re particularly looking forward to the Android Fireside Chat, where members of the Core Technical Team will be available for a candid discussion about Android app development, including the brand new Android OS 1.5 (based on the Cupcake development track) and perhaps a sneak peak at the Android OS 2.0 release.

Apple Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC)
June 8 – 12 at the Moscone Center in San Francisco

WWDC is THE event to learn every aspect of iPhone development, and this year’s WWDC will have extensive coverage of the new iPhone OS 3.0 and how to create innovative mobile apps that take advantage of new features such as in-app purchases, peer to peer connection via Bluetooth, communication with hardware accessories, and alerts using Apple Push Notification service.

Palm Pre Availability
June 6

Just two days before WWDC starts, Palm is set to introduce the Pre – one of the most anticipated new touch-based smart phones. The Pre’s webOS allows multiple apps to run at the same time, which provides a distinct advantage over the iPhone, and we’re excited to develop for it.

ArcTouch’s developers will be attending Google IO and WWDC and we’ll have reports on our blog. We’ve also started an events calendar for mobile phone software developers, such trade shows, development conferences, industry announcements. It’s where we’ll track events like the ones mentioned in this blog post.

So, like we said, it’s a great time to be a mobile phone software developer! There’s so many exciting things going on. It’s also a great time for our customers, who now have even more choice and opportunities to reach out to their customers through apps that complement their existing business’ products and services.