Flash CS5: Native iPhone Application Development

The new support for iPhone applications in the Flash Platform tooling will not allow iPhone users to browse web content built with Flash technology on iPhone, but it may allow developers to repackage existing web content as applications for iPhone if they choose to do so.Flash Player uses a just-in-time compiler and virtual machine within a browser plug-in to play back content on websites. Those technologies are not allowed on the iPhone at this time, so a Flash Player for iPhone is not being made available today. Flash Professional CS5 will enable developers to build applications for iPhone that are installed as native applications. Users will be able to access the apps after downloading them from Apple’s App Store and installing them on iPhone or iPod touch. Developers can deliver applications built with Flash Platform tooling just like any other iPhone application. This will require the developer to be a member of the iPhone Developer Program and follow the program guidelines. iPhone applications built with Flash Platform tools are compiled into standard, native iPhone executables, just like any other iPhone applicatio. Applications can be built targeting iPhone OS 3.0 and later.

Update: Apple has bowled out Adobe’s effort to get iPhone application development on Flash platform with introduction of new clause in its iPhone SDK 4.0 license agreement which makes developing iPhone application using tools other than from Apple as illegal. Check more details about whats new in iPhone SDK 4.0 and its implications at http://www.macoscoders.com/2010/04/09/new-features-in-iphone-os-4-0/

Cut, Copy and Paste

This top requested feature works across all applications and it’s easy to use. Apple interface designers managed to come up with a good solution for the touch interface.

To cut or copy you have to double tap the text, then fine tune the selection by dragging the dots. Tap the cut or copy buttons to activate to move or copy the selected content to the clipboard. Now navigate to any other page and click paste. If you made a mistake pasting, just shake the device.

MMS or picture SMS

Although I think MMS is a dead end in mobile technology, Apple was forces to include it in the iPhone to avoid constant criticism. In my opinion SMS makes sense as a beeper, but for serious messaging most people prefer email. MMS isn’t a safe option as not all phones have MMS receiving capabilities. Thankfully you can switch off MMS in preferences.

Regardless, if you decide to send an MMS just tap the little camera icon in SMS (chat) mode and pick from your existing images or take a new one with the camera.

When you’re in the photo gallery you now will have MMS as an option to share your image besides the existing Email and other choices.

If you take an image for an MMS message you have the option to retake or use the image, which is convenient if you can’t get the image right from the first go.

Spotlight search

Left to your Home screen you will find Spotlight and it essentially does the same as Spotlight on your Mac. You can search for a keyword and results will appear categorized by content type. You can program the iPhone to access Spotlight by double tapping the Home button.

Landscape mode

Finally we have the option to read and type in landscape mode in all applications including the Stocks application which now also offers news besides the figures.

SMS management

Finally you can forward SMS messages. And you can delete individual items instead of only being able to delete the whole thread.

Contacts forwarding

You can also forward contacts. Compatibility of business cards between Nokia and Sony Ericsson has always been a problem. I expect problems in this area with the iPhone as well.

Events

You will be able to create and send invites to new events. This is cool, but unfortunately I use Google’s calendar within the mobile Safari browser, which always allowed adding appointments, but no invites yet.

Voice notes

There were many free and payed third party apps that allowed recording voice on the iPhone.

This function now will come by default on every iPhone. The application looks cool and simple. I’m happy for this feature as I felt no third party app really nailed it yet.

Not sure if voice recording can be turned on during a phone conversation, but it would surely be a good idea, especially when taking a brief over the phone from a client.

Safari links and images management

In Safari if you tap and hold on a link or image you get options to copy the link or to save the image. You also have the option to open the link in a new page.

100 more small things

Several areas got small improvements, such as more wallpaper images and several more languages. You can also shake the iPhone to shuffle your iPod application. There will be auto-fill in Safari. Notes will sync with your Mac. Etc.

Push notification

The iPhone SDK also got updated and it will allow programmers to be even more creative with their apps. Push notification running in the background even if the app itself isn’t running will allow for cool updates on many already existing applications and will allow for a plethora of new ideas.

In app purchase

The new SKD will also purchases within applications allowing developers to create iTMS like stores for their apps. All purchases will be handled through the iTunes Store.

Accessories and peer-to-peer

Important addition is the ability to handle external accessories not only through the iPhone connector but through Bluetooth as well. iPhone hardware customization will go wild.

The new iPhone will allow peer-to-peer connectivity, so you can share data or play games between two iPhones. I know competition had this for ages, now it’s on iPhone as well.

Maps and iPod access

With this new platform applications will be able to access google maps and your iPod library as well opening up the possibilities for applications further.

iPod Touch users have to pay USD 10 for the update, but it’s free for iPhone users. It’s expected to be released for the public this summer.

The latest predictions come in a note to investors from Barclay’s Capital analyst Ben Reitzes, which was released ahead of Apple’s April 22 earnings report. Reitzes says that Apple has ramped up iPhone production in anticipation of high demand that will come after Apple’s Worldwide Developers Conference in June. However, Reitzes says that high demand only tells half the story and that Apple is getting ready to release more than one new iPhone model.

Reitzes believes that Apple will introduce two iPhones, according to Apple Insider. The first would be a lower-end iPhone with less storage and features. The low-end phone theory is supported by other analysts who believe the device would primarily be meant for the Chinese market, where Apple may have lined up a carrier.

Meanwhile, Reitzes predicts that a device designed with a video camera on the iPhone’s face and back will replace the current iPhone. The front camera would support video chat, while the regular iPhone camera would work as a video recorder to rival the Flip line of camcorders. This predicton is also supported by yesterday’s rumors that the new iPhone OS 3.0 has extended video editing support.

Reitzes also made the now obligatory prediction that Apple will be coming out with a tablety, netbooky-like thingy. Reitzes says to look for an Apple netbook-like device in the second half of this year. While many Apple fans might love to get their hands on an iPhone tablet, haven’t we had enough of the netbook prediction already? It just won’t die, even though Apple has disappointed on the netbook front time and again. Another prediction gaining ground among analysts is that a new device would be followed by further forays into the netbook market, all of which would be based on the iPhone OS and not OS X as previously thought.

So what to make of all these predictions? As always there’s no telling what Apple will do when the lights go up at San Francisco’s Moscone Center West this June. But it should be noted that Reitzes made similar predictions in November, and nothing ever came of it. Then again, if netbooks remain the bright spot for the computer industry, an iPhone-inspired tablet might just make sense. There’s only 76 days until we found out for sure. Until then, the guessing game continues.

Truphone’s VoIP app had transformed the iPod Touch into a WiFi iPhone. And now, Skype is all set to launch their iPhone application. Skype’s arrival will create a competitive situation in the cellular service provider market, reported Wall Street Journal. The common man can look forward to cheaper calling rates on the VoIP.

EBay’s Skype is set to launch Skype App for the iPhone platform. Later this year, Skype intends to launch the app for BlackBerry devices as well, and a panel for Sony Xperia X1 is anticipated soon. Skype as a service always existed through a multi-account IM application called Fring.

Skype uses VoIP, which allows users to make voice calls for free to other Skype users on a computer or supported mobile phones, using the Wi-Fi hotspot. Also, landline numbers can be called, but at a charge that differs from country to country.

Last month, Skype had signed an exclusive deal with Nokia at the Mobile World Congress 2009 to offer Skype as a pre-installed app in their upcoming mobile handsets.

The VoIP major Skype’s initiative will help mobile phone owners to reduce their calling costs; this could be disturbing to cellular service providers. Skype offers landline and international calls at more affordable rates than mobile service providers.

When Skype hits App Stores, iPhone owners would be able to call other Skype contacts for free. Also, iPod Touch owners can use Skype, utilizing a headset with a microphone. All the abovementioned features would make Skype attractive to iPhone, iPod Touch, and supported mobile phone owners. Skype uses a 6.25 kb per second data connection; users on an unlimited GPRS data plan can benefit from this. Now, users may wish for a front panel camera to make video calls as well, using the WiFi network, since it could be data intensive on a GPRS connection. Such a feature may be included in the next generation iPhone, hopefully.
The big question is whether cellular service providers will allow Skype to provide international calling facility to users. Allowing Skype to do that will directly affect their income from international calls.

Step 2. Hold down the power and home button.

Step 3. When you see the Apple logo, release the power button but continue holding the home button down.

Step 4. Open iTunes and wait for it to tell you that its in restore mode.

Alternative Method:

Step 1. Connect iphone to USB then listen to the sound when it connect and disconnect.

Step 2. Hold the home and power buttons until hear the disconnect sound then release power button.

Step 3. Wait until you hear another sound then release home button.