HTML5 Development Environment – what’s new this summer?

"Write once, run anywhere" – the principal reason that HTML5 has become one of the languages of choice for developers, and one of the reasons that I frequently touch on the subject in my blogs.

Of course, it’s still up for debate as to whether HTML5 has the long-term edge over native coding when it comes to app development. It has for example been criticised for lacking in web standards, and having weaker UIs than native apps.

On the other hand, it overcomes woes such as device fragmentation and is used by many leading developers, including Facebook. This article from The Guardian gives a good overview of the debate.

I am a fan of HTML5; so I thought it might be useful for anyone with a similar predisposition to my own if I gave an overview of the updates that Intel has released in its HTML5 Development Environment. Each of them is designed to enable you to do more with less, freeing up your resources and creating a smoother, more efficient overall process.

Here we go:

• The App Porter tool has now been incorporated into the XDK, bringing together the development workflow for these two tools.

• Tizen is now available as a build target within the Intel HTML5 Development Environment, adding to the number of app platforms developers can build for using the tool set.

• The App Game Interface makes app development with HTML5 easier. Smaller innovations include the ability to handle multiple touch events on Android, play multiple channel sound, and access more HTML5 canvas commands.

• The new App Framework 2.0 offers a clean, straightforward, and responsive user experience with minimum code work. It now adapts its UI based on the device and operating system to provide a consistent look and feel throughout.

• Intel’s new App Starter is an ideal quick-start wizard, allowing users to rapidly create their own App Framework applications. The App Starter enables users to create an application template, specify screen layouts, custom headers and footers, and navigation.

So if you are (like me) looking for any excuse to hide from this blistering heat, then please do take the time to explore these new capabilities and let me know what you think.

• This blog post is written by Softtalkblog, and is sponsored by the Intel Developer Zone, which helps you to develop, market and sell software and apps for prominent platforms and emerging technologies powered by Intel Architecture.