iPhone Programming Basics

We have been giving many articles for trained iPhone developers throughout our journey. So, in this post, let us go back to basics and give some valuable suggestions for the beginners of iPhone application development.

The version of iPhone from Apple was released way back in 2007. It was launched as a very smart phone at that time. Then due to rising demand in the market for applications development in the market, Apple released iPhone Software Development Kit – popularly known as SDK in 2008. This toolkit allows the developers to create the applications.

There are basically 2 types of applications developed:

1. Web Applications; they are most simple level applications that can be developed using Java, ASP, .NET, JSP, RoR, etc. They primarily run on a browser using HTML5, CSS and some programming language that can generate dynamic content.

2. Native Applications; they run on iPhones like any other applications on the mobile device. They use iPhone software development kit (SDK) released by Apple with the inbuilt frameworks and other frameworks and other frameworks that it supports.

Thus, the iPhone developers can install the required SDK at their machines and start developing the web/native applications.

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Apple Push Notification Service

Apple Push Notification Service

As the name suggests, the Apple Push Notification Service is created by Apple Inc. and it was introduced for the first time as a part of iOS 3.0. The APNS is the centerpiece of the push notifications feature. It is definitely highly effective service for propagating information to devices such as iPhone,iPad and iPod touch devices.

Technically, it uses push technology through a constantly-open IP connection to forward notifications from the servers of 3^rd party applications to the Apple devices. the notifications include badges, sounds as well as any custom text messages.

The service providers here originate the notifications in their server software. The provider connects with APNS through a secure channel while monitoring incoming data intended for their Client applications. Whenever some new data for the application arrives, the provider prepares and sends a notification through the channel to APNS, which pushes the notification to the target device. In addition to being a simple transport device, the APNS include a default quality-of-service component that provides store-and-forward capabilities.

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iPhone: Security Tips

Security has always been a major concern in all the forms of mobile applications development. According to a survey report from Computing Technology Industry Association (CompTIA) for 2024 Information security professionals earlier this year, more than 50% of respondents say that risks related to mobile devices and remote workers are up significantly compared to the last year.

Here are some in-general tips that one should follow and potentially save ourselves of damage control:

1.       Enable the Auto-lock feature of iPhone

2.       Enable the Passcode lock

3.       Use Wi-fi safely on the iPhone

4.       Securely Access Corporate, Web Mail

5.       Browse the Web via Safari

6.       Set Device Usage Restrictions

So, overall this article is not particularly for the iPhone developers, it is for one and everyone who is using an iPhone and is worried about its security concerns. As far as coding is concerned, we have different rules, strategies and regulations to be followed at SPEC INDIA thus to ensure that the security of that application remains intact after it is live at App store, and is ready to download.

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Challenges in Mobile Applications Development

Creating a standard application on a mobile device itself would require a huge amount of platform knowledge, domain expertise and a programming experience in C# and VB languages. The list here goes on and on. Another level of complexity is introduced due to the different levels of platform support for different smart phones. 

These are the major challenges faced by the mobile applications developers:

Ø  Operation of the application in various modes

Ø  Handing occasionally connected networks over limited bandwidths

Ø  Ensuring security, scalability and robustness to Clients

Ø  Mobile device programming

Ø  Flexible mobile forms development environment

Ø  Data integration to and from backend systems

Ø  Seamless application distribution and updates to field devices

Ø  Integration of mobile peripherals including printers, barcode scanners, card readers, etc.

Ø  Integration of the 3^rd party scripts with the main code

At SPEC India, we have a well-trained team of mobile apps development professionals. A simple conversation with them says that above are the major challenges in the sector of mobile applications by the mobile application developers.

Happy programming!

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Listing iPhone Apps on iStores

iPhone application development process typically consists of the following 3 steps in a sequence: development, testing and debugging and selling it or listing on the iPhone app store. Here, we will try to explain the process of how the custom iPhone apps are designed, then accepted and later on listed on the iPhone store. The listing process on Apple’s online iPhone app store is vital as it is the only way to mass-distribute the developed iPhoneapplication, in any category or business sector.

Registration of the iPhone developer at Apple’s iPhonedeveloper program is a must for developing and listing the apps on the store. The things to be conveyed to Apple at the time of listing are all the relevant details of the app that they require and after receiving the application profile, the iPhone developer will test and optimize your app on real iPhones’ (and not simulator) before it can be listed on app store.

The apps can be commercial or technological in nature, and they can range from the price band of $0.99 to $999.99. The price has to be decided by the developer only. Apple charges 30% of the sales revenue as retailing fees while you retain the rest 70% of the sales revenue generated in total.

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Few Must Things To Start Developing iPhone Applications

We have been giving away many posts on our blog for the experienced iPhone developers. And now, it is the turn of the beginners. Was just wandering like if a developer or a programmer wants to start programming and developing iPhone applications, then what must be there with him/her in order to begin the proceedings. Here we go:

1.    Hardware requirements. Basically a computer with a Mac OSx. Here, any computer system like Mac mini, Mac book or Mac pro will do.

2.    The most important thing is the iPhone Software Development Kid (SDK). It is available free to download. So, one can build the application and test the same without any extra costs. And then if you want to publish the app to the app store or iTunes, then you must have the apple developer license with you to mark your credibility. If you are thinking to take the programming stuff at higher levels and become an ace iPhone developer, you must have the apple developer license as well. This will definitely have an edge if you want to list your developed apps on the iTunes store.

3.    Programming language for iPhone apps development is Objective C, and in a general sense it is very much similar to C/C++. So, a normal programmer can do the trick here and can learn the iPhone apps development coding. The designs will be as similar as in the case of the normal website designs.

4.    Testing. Again the important thing. There are various paid as well as free simulators available on internet to test the iPhone apps. But, again as the developer if you are looking forward to take this hobby on a higher scale, then it is recommended to purchase a live iPhone and test the apps on iPhone itself, rather than the simulator. This will give you the practical experience with the memory usage, image loading speed, etc. – considering the fact that the iPhone also must be having some files and other apps stored with itself.

At SPEC, our well trained team of iPhone developers can take care of any requirement with proper analysis of the app as well as testing part. We have well rated simulators as well as iPhones and iPads blessed with latest features and versions of Operating systems. Our QA department takes care of thorough testing of any iPhone app before it goes live with the Client.

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