1. e-BLS develops innovative training solutions
Shane Wilson
5 March 2012
Technology Taranaki

2. the Dogbert app…

3. e-BLS holds ISO 9001:2008
Certification in:
“Multimedia and
resource development,
specializing in creating
customized training
solutions”.

4. why are we here?
Kiwis' internet smartphone usage tops 2.5m
“The number of mobile broadband subscribers rose 34% to 2.5 million in the
12 months ended June 30 compared to a year earlier”
NBR, Oct 2012
Total NZ Mobile Connections
Vodafone: 2,434,000
Telecom: 1,987,000
2degrees: 875,656
TelstraClear/MVNOs: 50,000
NBR, Feb 2012
That’s over 5m mobile connections for 4.5m people!

5. definitions
term definition
app / application - computer software designed to perform specific tasks
web site - set of web pages containing text, images, video, audio, etc
- static [does not perform a task]
mobile web app - an app accessed online, and coded to adapt to suit
whatever device it is viewed on
native app - an app that is downloaded and installed on a users device
from an app store
hybrid app - an app that is appears native, but much content from the
web (e.g. Sencha)
cross-platform app - Create one app, and publish to many platforms

6. native app development tools
iOS (Apple): Xcode and the iOS SDK
Language: Objective C
Android: Eclipse + ADT (Android Developer Tools) SDK
Language: Java
Microsoft: Visual Studio
Language: C++ or Visual Basic.net

7. pros of native apps
access all sensors and data:
-geolocation, accelerometer, camera, compass, media, contacts,
events, connections, notifications, storage/files
very rich mobile experience
access apps offline
cons of native apps
have to choose which Operating System (OS) to program for:
-iOS (Apple), Android, Palm webOS, Windows Phone 7 & 8, Bada &
Symbian, Tizan
-or create multiple versions for multiple systems
-can become expensive if significant functionality required
submitting to each app store is timely
Apple’s App Store will charge 30% for all purchases

8. mobile web app development tools
(Dreamweaver, notepad ++ etc)

9. pros of web-based apps
- smartphone, tablet & PC friendly (cross-platform)
- no approval required to submit to app store + no revenue paid
- significantly reduces time, cost, complexity
cons of web-based apps
- cannot access most sensors or data: accelerometer, camera,
compass, media, contacts, events, connections, notifications,
storage/files
- no offline access to app
- no marketing support of the app stores

10. hybrid app development tools
iOS (Apple): Xcode and the iOS SDK
Language: Objective C
Android: Eclipse + ADT (Android Developer Tools) SDK
Language: Java
Microsoft: Visual Studio
Language: C++ or Visual Basic.net
PLUS HTML 5, CSS 3, and JavaScript (Dreamweaver,
notepad ++ etc)

11. pros of hybrid apps
- program primarily for web (html5), & create native components
as required
- access all sensors and data
- some offline capability
- faster to develop and update than pure native apps
cons of hybrid apps
- need to submit to each app store / market (payments +
permissions)
- need to hire or contract native and web app developers

12. cross-platform app development tools
PhoneGap (Adobe)
Titanium (Appcelerator)
Sencha Touch (native + web)
Adobe Air
- Total of 97 on wikipedia (native + cross-platform)!
- Range from very basic ‘drag & drop’ to very good (and
expensive) that are close to native

13. pros of cross-platform app development
- program once (+ 10%) and publish to multiple app stores
- multiple screen sizes, devices and operating systems
- tools require CSS3, JS & HTML5 (no Java/C#/Objective C, C++ etc)
- offline capability and access to all sensors
- marketing support of app store
cons of cross-platform app development
- layer between native code and app: not as perfect as native
- vendor lock-in (proprietary languages) risk
- functionality 6-12 months behind native device features
- requires payment to app stores and permission time lag

14. a popular mobile web app

20. -saves FT 30% on all subscription revenue
-allows FT full access to info on subscribers
-2m users within 10 months
-12% of FT’s paying subscribers use the app

21. e-BLS created the 2010/11
NPDC Festival of the Lights
app, available on iTunes App
Store and Android Market
(Play).
Designed to inform the
public about the
entertainment programme,
provide maps, and any
additional information.
Flash-based: a good option
in 2011… (fastest to develop,
available offline, multi-OS).NPDC Requirements
-Fast to build and inexpensive
-Content available off-line
-Multi-platform: iOS & Android
-Able to update/edit XML
Scripting for changes to events

22. A training Web App for Powerco (software by Zebra Crossing)
Web-based training
solution to enable
users to understand
and practice software
changes/updates.

23. Zero tech know-how, but you have a great App idea?
Use a product like AppGyver…

24. AppGyver: enabling business weenies since 2013
http://techcrunch.com/2013/03/01/pitching-app-ideas-appgyver-delivers-mobile-app-prototypes-in-minutes-no-technical-know-how-need

25. Summary - major considerations
Do I need a native app or can I use a mobile web app?
Do my users need to access the app offline?
Will my users be on one type of device or do I need to plan for
multiple types?
What programming languages do I already know that can be used?
Should I start with one app store (iOS or Android) or both/all?
If I need a native app, will a multi-platform approach be a
better way to start or should I go native from the start?

26. Kia ora and thank you
Questions?
www.e-bls.com