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iPhone-optimized web app (demo)

fjleon said:
Hey neven, i never log in here, but wanted to post this. I understand that you don't want/have the time to make the web page cross browser, but at least you could write legal javascript.

For example,

Code: 
	btnClear.hide();
}

You can't use id's without using document.getElementById("id_goes_here"). Otherwise stuff will break. I am amazed that safari can read that, given that they are standard nazis.
Click to expand...

Apparently, you can use IDs without going through document.getElementById(). It's not "legit", but it works in Safari and it keeps the code smaller, and I've never understood the reasoning behind document.getElementById.

I don't see what the problem is as long as it runs in Safari. I'll get to updating it, but it would change nothing for the end users so it's not a priority.

// Edit: sorry, that was harsh of me. You're right, but I was trying to figure out a ton of other things first. I'm legitimizing it.
 
scottydude said:
No, if you watch the Apple promo vids the safari address bar disappears after you interact with the website in this semi-fullscreen sorta mode.
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As I see it, the address bar only disappears when you scroll down (just as it does when viewing a webpage like the NYT). When you are on top, the address bar is still visible.

These three pictures are three consecutive frames from the keynote, he just begins to scroll down. You can see the adress bar disappear:
 

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neven said:
Since there will be no third-party apps for iPhone in June, I thought I'd try creating a web app that would run like a widget on iPhone. You would surf over to it in Safari on iPhone, and it would fill the screen nicely to look like a "real" iPhone app. By that I mean, it shouldn't get scaled down, and it's small and compact
Click to expand...

Good for you! But... here's some friendly advice:

Display for testing purposes in a window that's iPhone size, 2" x 3". Perhaps even cut out a piece of paper that size and keep it by your computer to remind you how tiny it is.

You'll find that the buttons aren't tall enough for touchscreens. You need about 1/3 - 1/2" height per button, ideally the latter.

Therefore you might be better off having two columns of buttons.

Optional text entry should ideally be the first item, as other apps do. That's so it doesn't have to move up too oddly when the keyboard appears.

I'm afraid that I used your app as an example of what NOT to do. Don't take that badly, though, since very few out there have any touchscreen experience on handhelds.

http://groups.google.com/group/iphonewebdev

Oh, and have you tried saving the data in a cookie? (Does Safari allow local cookies if running from disk? Some browsers don't and I haven't tested Safari yet.)

Cheers, Kev
 
hey, neven I just had an idea, that when you check off an item and you have a big list maybe an overlay can show up for about 2 seconds letting you know how many more items left to shop for. " 20 items left" example! then it would fade out. Once the list would be complete also would be cool to ask if theres anything else you need? and it would show some suggested items according to the list, then maybe say time to check out. and start a new list option.
 
kdarling said:
You'll find that the buttons aren't tall enough for touchscreens. You need about 1/3 - 1/2" height per button, ideally the latter.
Click to expand...

This has occurred to me. I'm working on it.

kdarling said:
Optional text entry should ideally be the first item, as other apps do. That's so it doesn't have to move up too oddly when the keyboard appears.
Click to expand...

I'm not sure what you mean by this. First item in what?

kdarling said:
Oh, and have you tried saving the data in a cookie? (Does Safari allow local cookies if running from disk? Some browsers don't and I haven't tested Safari yet.
Click to expand...

Yes, OneTrip saves the list in a cookie.

Thanks for your feedback!
 
kdarling said:
Good for you! But... here's some friendly advice:

Display for testing purposes in a window that's iPhone size, 2" x 3"...
Click to expand...

This would only help if your monitor has the same pixel density as the iPhone. The iPhone is pretty dense (in a good way!), so its going to be very difficult to address these sorts of usability issues without a phone or a display with the same density in front of you.
 
neven said:
I'm not sure what you mean by this. First item in what?
Click to expand...

From what I can gather, it means put it at the top of the list. That way, when the keyboard interface appears on the bottom of the screen, it won't cover up anything important or make things "move up too oddly."

Of course, that's completely irrelevant since your app slides over to a new screen to enter in anything. :confused: I wonder if this person looked very closely at your OneTrip. They obviously didn't read this thread or look around your website much, since they were asking about cookies.

In any case, I like the new features. "Saved Items" in particular is very nice.
 
neven said:
Since there will be no third-party apps for iPhone in June, I thought I'd try creating a web app that would run like a widget on iPhone. You would surf over to it in Safari on iPhone, and it would fill the screen nicely to look like a "real" iPhone app. By that I mean, it shouldn't get scaled down, and it's small and compact

Here it is:

OneTrip - an iPhone shopping list.

It will only work in Safari (obviously). Comments? Do you think it will be a worthwhile effort to create such iPhone-ready websites?
Click to expand...

Thumbs up. I had fu with your app, and I really need a list like that at the grocery store. I'm one who lets my stomach do the talking, picks up everything in the store and acts shocked at the register :)
 
Just wanted to let everyone know that I've completely rewritten OneTrip - I hope I've addressed most of your issues (cross-browser compatibility, new features.) Many thanks to kdarling for his comments.

Here it is - OneTrip
 
Just a quick thread bump for those who are following - I launched a new website for my present and future iPhone web apps. Here it is:

http://onetrip.org/apps

It will serve different content depending on whether you view it from iPhone or not. I hope you find this useful.
 
Cleverboy said:
Agreed. You are one of the only app creators who didn't screw it up. :) Nice job. The application list site just became a writhing mess and crashed my iPhone a couple of times, even after I was able to click through to a few different sites.

~ CB
Click to expand...

Ding, ding, ding. :)

OneTrip went with simple and efficient, and did it very well...

David Cann went a little too fancy, and because of it, his apps aren't usable at all on the iPhone. He tried to emulate behaviors that the iPhone was going to provide, and because of it, you can't scroll using iDigg at all. Add in the display issues, and it is just a mess.

Hats off to you neven.
 
neven said:
I don't think existing websites should be made iPhone-friendly, and it probably wouldn't be worth anyone's time to create an iPhone-optimized blog or online store, but I really hope that it's easy to make things look and feel "native" on iPhone. I can think of a number of simple widgets like this that I'd really like to have on my phone - so until we get actual widgets, I hope this will do.
Click to expand...

Why not, if notice apple has done that, if the iphone really catches on, and other companies imitate. your site's javascript can look for the iphone user agent and configure the site accordingly. It does not cost that much in terms of programming .

Do you think other cell companies are going to sit idle, I hear there's run on photo copiers.
 
Here's a pic of OneTrip on my iPhone:



I rolled out some fairly significant updates over the weekend - I hope you like them.
 
neven said:
I rolled out some fairly significant updates over the weekend - I hope you like them.
Click to expand...
Doh! I was looking forward to checking out the updates, but then it stopped working. The "Email to iPhone" button pulls up an error that says "Safari can't open the page. the error was: "lost network connection" (NSURLErrorDomains:-1005)". In Safari, I get an error that simply says "Safari can't open the page." In Firefox, I'm prompted to download a page, and that page "email.php" is empty. Not quite sure what that feature is supposed to do, and its not described anywhere. You probably shouldn't have to clear your shopping cart just to get to "More Info" on the program (which doesn't have as much info as it had before).

Also, I don't think giving up the "loupe" is a bad thing, but I think the app shouldn't be capable of accidentally resizing on a double-tap.

Also, I read about your "animation" woes. You should talk to CyberGeek here on the forums. He's does a rather nice "Tip" calculator, and has animated "tips" on the bottom. He found out something pretty interesting about WHY animations are sometimes less than effective and what he did to resolve it.
https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/325046/

~ CB
 
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