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ReadWriteMobile has posted an interesting Infographic created by Kinvey mapping the current mobile ecosystem (click on image to view larger version):

(Image source: http://kinvey.com/images/kinvey_backend-as-a-service_mobileecosystem_2100px.png)

First of all thanks to Kinvey for creating this wonderful map and including Appery.io in it (blue Mobile SDK line). Appery.io could actually span 3 different lines: BaaS, Mobile SDK and Mobile API. Appery.io is a cloud-based HTML5 mobile app builder, so it’s not exactly a mobile SDK. In fact, the technology under the hood is HTML, JavaScript and jQuery Mobile. For hybrid apps, the app can be wrapped in PhoneGap, which also provides access to native device features. So, there is no really “custom” SDK.

Second, from the builder it’s incredibly easy to consume any REST API (yellow Mobile API line). Appery.io comes with a pretty nice REST services console where any service can be tested. From the same console, the REST service response (structure) can be automatically created. Once the service is defined, it is mapped to jQuery Mobile UI using a visual mapper (UI to service input, service output to UI).

Thirdly, as most BaaS services (orange line) are exposed as REST, HTML5 mobile app built in Appery.io, can easily connect and use those services.

Lastly, and maybe the most important point is how incredibly fast you can build apps. It sort of all makes sense.. you got cloud-based mobile backend (exposed as REST) and cloud-based app builder to build the apps. It sounds simple.. but a really elegant picture.

This perfectly describes Appery.io. Appery.io is cloud-based builder for creating HTML5, jQuery Mobile, PhoneGap, and RESTful mobile apps.

Originally posted here.

Recording of our Learn How to Build Mobile Apps in the Cloud with HTML5, jQuery Mobile, REST, and PhoneGap webinar.

One of the really great benefits building a mobile Web app is that you can use any custom JavaScript, a 3rd party library or something you wrote yourself. In Appery.io Mobile Apps Builder, you build mobile Web apps (which alter can be exported as native with PhoneGap) and so you can use any custom JavaScript. How do get the custom JavaScript code in the app? There are three ways.

First is using Run Custom JavaScript action attached to any HTML event. For example, let’s say you want to invoke some custom JavaScript on button click:

This approach works well but usually should be limited to just doing “small” tasks.

The second approach allows you to import a full JavaScript file/library into your app. It’s done by creating a new JavaScript file (asset) and you get the following options:

As you can see, you can easily create a file by importing it from a URL or load it from a file.

The last option is to add a JavaScript resource via project profile (Project > Project Profile > External resources):

This option will link to the specified file.

Happy mobile development.

When: November 16, Wednesday, 11am US Pacific Time
Register: https://​www1​.go​tomeeting​.com/​r​e​g​i​s​t​e​r​/​4​6​6​4​2​5​672

One of the great things about Appery.io Mobile Apps Builder is its support for end-to-end development, going all the way from an idea in one person’s mind to an app running in thousands of phones. In this webinar, we’ll show you exactly how it’s done (and how easy it is) by walking you through a hands-on example. The focus will be on exporting options for apps. In this case, we’ll export an Android binary (.apk) and publish to the Android Market. Of course, we’ll quickly build an app first, so you can learn or refresh your memory about how to build the UI with jQuery Mobile, connect to REST services, and test the app.

Navigating between pages in Appery.io is very simple. You first add an HTML event to a component, such as click for a button, and then add Navigate To Page action where you select the page to navigate:

This works very well, but it will replace the entire page. An alternative way to navigate or transition between pages is to use jQuery swipe transition which in my opinion looks better. Here is how to do it. You use the same event, such as click for a button. Then, we add Run Custom JavaScript action with the following code:

navigateTo('end', 's');

The first argument is the page name. The second argument indicates that a swipe transition should be done. That’s it. You are probably wondering why not do this via Navigate To Page action? It will be possible soon. We are going to add a check box so you will be able to select what type of transition you would like, a page replace or swipe. For now, this is a very simple work around.

Want to try it?

Just scan this QR code:

One of the key features in Appery.io is the ability to add HTML events such as value change, click, blur and others to components on the screen and then invoke any of the actions:

• Set HTML Attribute
• Set Property
• Set Local Storage Variable
• Navigate to Page
• Navigate to Link
• Open as Popup
• Close Popup
• Invoke Data Source
• Run Custom JavaScript

If there is a page that has numerous components with defined HTML events and action, then trying to view or edit a specific event/action requires selecting the component and then switching to Events tab (in Properties). Although it allows to view a particular event/action, it doesn’t give you a full picture, it doesn’t show other components and thier events/actions. Well, we made it much simpler now. A few weeks ago we introduced a new Events tab, which will show you all the HTML events and actions defined for all components on the current screen.

Above you can see two components and their events and actions. mobilesearchbar1 component defines value change event and Set Local Storage Variable action. mobilebutton1 defines click event and Run Custom JavaScript action.

To go back to the phone, simply click the Design tab.

As you can see, it’s much simpler now to view and edit HTML events and actions. And, you can also add new events and actions. Select the component, add event, pick and action and click Add:

Ask anyone involved in making applications as a developer or a customer: Would you like to see how the app looks and behaves before we actually build it? The answer is an overwhelming yes. We humans are very visual. For us, to understand something better, we would rather look at a prototype than just read a description. That’s exactly why prototyping is hugely important today.

Even though prototyping is crucial to any project, a real prototype is rarely fully developed. Why? There are a number of reasons. First, lack of the right tools. Second, most of the tools that do exist today just enable you to create a static mockup. And third, some believe it’s a waste of time, as the real app usually looks very different from the prototype, so why even bother with it. These are all valid concerns, but a new prototyping tool solves these problems. This prototyping tool is Appery.io Mobile Apps Builder.

Appery.io is cloud-based service for building mobile apps. It enables you to quickly and easily build real mobile Web and native apps, entirely in the cloud. Mobile prototyping and prototype testing is a major part in this cloud-based service.

Continue reading: http://uxmovement.com/resources/innovative-features-in-tiggr-mobile-apps-builder/

A number of users asked us how to use a custom image as background for mobile app. We are working on this feature but a simple work around exists. We want to run a very simple jQuery CSS query when the mobile screen loads. First, add load event to the screen. Then, add Run Custom JavaScript action with the following code:

$('div[dsid="mobilecontainer"]').css('background-image',
   'url("http://www.sdcblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/italy.jpg")')

I removed the Header and Footer parts and also looking for mobilecontainer1, as this is the content where I want to set the background image.

The result (click image to view the app):

Image source: http://www.sdcblog.com/2011/06/italian-artchitecture-bellissimo/italy/

PhoneGap is one of the foundation technologies for Appery.io Mobile Apps Builder. Appery.io extensive capabilities in JavaScript customization allow developers an easy way to use the PhoneGap API to make native apps that access device features (like using the camera). In this webinar, we’ll show you how it’s done with hands-on examples and then you’ll have the chance to ask questions.

Register for the webinar.

I’m sure you’ve heard about platform-as-a-service (PaaS) or cloud-based services like Google Apps Engine,CloudBees, Heruko, Engine Yard, and Cloud Foundry. All are excellent platforms that ease the process of managing, maintaining, and administering the platform on which an application you develop runs. Most tend to be focused on the hosting and managing side of the finished application. But what about a cloud-based service that enables you to build an app, and specifically a mobile app? Well, such a service already exists. The cloud-based service is called Appery.io Mobile Apps Builder.

Read the full article here:
Appery.io: a simplified cloud service for building mobile applications