Third party developers bent on creating applications for the iPhone, your attention please. The University of Washington's Emerging Technology group was able to take notes on Apple's "Developing Web Sites for iPhone" discussion taken from Worldwide Developer's Conference (WWDC), and since third party iPhone applications can only be web-based, it's good to take note of these guidelines.

Here is a list of what developers can tinker with to create iPhone applications:

• The page view feature lets you look at multiple websites and documents by scrolling through them one after another
• Full PDF support
• Double tap for zoom in
• One finger as a mouse used to pan page
• Press and hold to display the information bubble
• Two fingers as a mouse used to pinch content to shrink - zoom out
• Scroll wheel events
• New telephone links allows you to integrate phone calls directly from your web page. Only for Safari.
• Built in Google Maps client for integrated mapping from your website

However, there is also a set of limitations that should be taken into consideration:

• Separate HTML and CSS
  
• Use well structured and valid HTML
• Size images appropriately don't rely on browser scaling
• Tile small images in backgrounds, avoid using large background images
• iPhone supports both EDGE and WiFi. EDGE pipe is smaller than WIFI pipe so think about bandwidth when developing.
• XHTML mobile documents supported
• Stylesheet device width:480px
• Apply different css for the iPhone. For example displaying a one column page for iPhone vs. a 3-column page on a desktop
• There are no scroll bars or resize knobs. The iphone will automatically expand the content.
• Avoid framesets, scrollable frames are automatically expanded to fit the content
• iPhone User Agent: Mozilla/5.0 (iPhone; U; CPU like Mac OS X; en) AppleWebKit/420+ (KHTML, like Gecko) Version/3.0 Mobile/1A538a Safari/419.3
• Video: H.264 baseline profile level 3.0 up to 640-480 fps

They have also stated that the iPhone will not support Flash or Java applications, so there may be problems on running some websites. But some websites like YouTube are taking the initiative to help curb this problem by providing alternatives in accessing their content, like YouTube providing H.264 video specifically for the iPhone.

The no Flash and Java limitations may seem crippling at first glance, but this set of guidelines should help you on your way to building the best third-party program and/or game for the upcoming iPhone.

 

It seems Apple is getting into the swing of things, bringing the buzz of its Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) to the public. Forum-goers are abuzz with news that Apple is sending out teaser emails enticing people to sign up for the event. The company's main draw: a feature-complete version of the Mac OS X Leopard.

For those having difficulty reading the text, here's what it says:

At the Apple Worldwide Developers Conference, we're planning to show you a feature-complete version of Mac OS X Leopard, and you can take home a beta copy. Be the first to get your hands on the Leopard beta and get a huge head start on development. Register now for WWDC 2007 - it's your ticket to the future of Mac OS X.

According to the teaser, early registration's also been extended to May 11, so Mac lovers everywhere can save some extra cash with their applications for the June event. As for what "feature-complete" means, we're certain that grabbing the beta will tell everyone more about it. Till then, we'll just have to sit tight and wait for the WWDC.

 

Apple has announced that Steve Jobs, Apple's CEO will be highlighting the Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) with a keynote address beginning at 10 A.M. on June 11, 2007, at San Francisco's Moscone West.

It was noted that Apple plans to show developers a "feature complete version" of Mac OS X Leopard, and distribute a beta copy for home use and final testing.

Other activities from Apple at the WWDC 2007 include presentations from Apple engineers about an in-depth look at  Leopard (from its open-source foundation to other innovations like iChat Theater and Dascode), practical hands on sessions, technology labs, and other special events like the Stump the Experts event, and the Apple Design Awards.

Leopard is set to ship come October later this year.

 

There are some who believe that the Mac OS X Leopard will be released some time around May. How do they come up with this predicted release date? These are some hints:

• At WWDC 2006 (August 2006) Steve Jobs announced a "Spring 2007" Leopard release
• Apple executives continue to highlight a "Spring 2007" release
• The latest Leopard Build (9A377a) was released to Apple Developer Connection members on March 4, 2007 - buzz in the Apple community is that the release is far from stable and not ready for release
• Steve Jobs's WWDC speech indicated Leopard had several "Top Secret Features" that could not be announced until a later date
• Macworld 2007 (January 2007) didn't disclose any "Top Secret Features"
• No details of any top secret features have emerged since then
• Mac OS X 10.4.9 Tiger has been released

Aside from these, some other factors that say that Leopard will be released in May: Spring begins March 21, and Summer begins June 21. In short, Leopard will be released between these two dates, given the "Spring release". The release dates of Leopard books also happen around May and June.

And lastly, iPhone will be released at the WWDC 2007. The darling of Apple products deserves a strategic release date, and many think that the release of Leopard will not coincide with the release of the iPhone.

Apple owners may want to set their calendars for June, as Apple has scheduled this year's World Wide Developer's Conference (WWDC) from June 10 to 15, with Steve Jobs making his keynotes presentation on the 11th.

In conjunction with the WWDC 2007, it is noted that this event heralds the coming of Apple's Leopard OS, with further info on the system being released in the following months. Readers may also want to double up on the iLife and iWork software packs, with Apple possible releasing more info on these two as they will for OS X Leopard.

The event will be held at the Moscone West convention center in downtown San Francisco, with Apple releasing a formal events announcement early next month. Stay tuned for this official release.