With the recent release of the iPhone UI building toolset, Joe Hewitt brings a great collection of tools to bear on the burgeoning iPhone apps space.

A collection of JavaScript resources and CSS bundled together, Hewitt has given developers a suite of code that includes the following features:

1. UI controls

List groups, on/off switches, and fieldsets that look like the iPhone
"Settings" app

2. Linking to external pages via Ajax

Links to external URLs are now loaded via Ajax and inserted with animation into the page. When a link is loading, it will show a nice activity indicator while the user waits.

To see this in the demo, click on the "Stats" link.

Here is an example of Ajax-linkable source: http://joehewitt.com/iui/stats.php.txt

3. Submitting forms via Ajax

Just like with external links, if you submit a form it will post it via Ajax and insert the resulting content into the body.

To see this in the demo, click on the "Search" button and perform a
search.

Here is an example of PHP used to handle an Ajax form post:
http://joehewitt.com/iui/search.php.txt

4. Correct history support

The back button now shows the name of the previous page instead of just the "home" page.

5. Visual polish

The visuals replicate more of the fine details from Apple's designs.

6. JavaScript compression

There is a variation of "iui.js" called "iuix.js" which is compressed
using Dojo ShrinkSafe. It is about 4KB, where the original "iui.js"
is 8KB.

source: http://groups.google.com/group/iphonewebdev/browse_thread/thread/573a1d243f829db

With the collection of scripting available to leverage for the development of more iPhone web apps I am looking forward to a bevy of new web2.0 applications with rich design.

Labels: Applications, developers, iPhone, iUI, Web2.0

AT&T and Apple on Tuesday said wireless service plans for the iPhone will range from $59.99 to $99.99 a month.

The $59.99 monthly plan includes 450 minutes of voice time, a $79.99 plan includes 900 minutes, and a $99.99 plan includes 1,350 minutes. All three offer 200 text messages, unlimited data services, minutes that roll over month-to- month, and mobile-to-mobile calls. There also is a $36 activation fee.

For me these plans pale in comparison to what I can get from Verizon. Two hundred TXT messages wouldn't last nearly long enough and unless Apple can add Instant Message ability or a web2.0 site offers IM for the iPhone through the browser this doesn't much appeal to me.

I also rather think the thirty six dollars is just a kick in the shins after shelling out the cash for the device to begin with.

Am I going sour on the iPhone? No. But I do have to wonder if the rate plans will open up a bit for those of us who happen to prefer TXT over voice.

Labels: Apple, ATT, Instant Message, TXT, Verizon, Web2.0