do you think it would be possible (legally) to use the iAd JS framework (the one that is provided for the developers for creating the ads) to create the whole iOS web application itself?
I've tried reading some legalese (iAd Network Contract) but it doesn't mention about in what ways I'm allowed to use their JavaScript framework.
It has so many pre-implemented controls and UI eyecandy that it would be a shame if the framework usage was restricted to implementing advertising only :)
When you download and install the iAd JS Developer SDK, you are presented with a license agreement as part of the installer (look for the Software License Agreement step).
I'm not sure if I'm allowed to post the text of that agreement here, but read section 2.1 carefully. It explicitly states that iAd JS is only for use in crafting rich media ads for the iAd platform, and that you are not allowed to use or distribute the framework for any other purpose. This seems to indicate that, for now, you can only use this for designing iAds.
You should file a bug at https://bugreport.apple.com/ to let Apple know that you're interested in using iAd JS outside of the iAd network.
I think if Apple wanted to restrict its usage it probably would have said so in the license agreement. They have released a framework called PastryKit which might be worth taking a look at; the internals may even be quite similar to iAd.js.
Related
Let say were starting a website from the ground up and want to also create apps.
Could you just create the website with a REST API's and have it work on browser and PhoneGap? Would there be a conflict with Cordova plugins you may use?
So the design is responsive and its all HTML, CSS and Javascript and connects to a REST API (log in, reg, messages, db calls, etc) for the browser website and apps.
This way you can use the same code for everything and can still use some of the great Cordova plugins for the app to make it more flexible.
Would this work?
I posted this answer else where but I think it is relevant here.
Unfortunately for your app to pass Apple App store approval it will have to provide some basic functions and display correctly without an internet connection. This means at a minimum, if you plan to generate content on a server you will probably need the Cordova plugin for network information:
https://cordova.apache.org/docs/en/latest/reference/cordova-plugin-network-information/
I would make sure you are familiar with the Apple Human Interface Guidelines:
https://developer.apple.com/ios/human-interface-guidelines/overview/design-principles/
You will probably also need to bundle any JavaScript. Apple is very picky about apps that download code (this can include JavaScript).
This is a section from the iOS developer Agreement.
3.3.2 Except as set forth in the next paragraph, an Application may not download or install executable code. Interpreted code may only be used in an Application if all scripts, code and interpreters are packaged in the Application and not downloaded. The only exceptions to the foregoing are scripts and code downloaded and run by Apple's built-in WebKit framework or JavascriptCore, provided that such scripts and code do not change the primary purpose of the Application by providing features or functionality that are inconsistent with the intended and advertised purpose of the Application as submitted to the App Store.
Another big concern is performance. How will your app handle a poor 3G or even 2G connection? Do you need to cache the responses from the API and only download them if they have changed on the server?
If a user is browsing your website on a browser they know they need an internet connection, if they are using your app they want it to work when online and offline.
Edit
Apple commonly uses this reason for rejection for website only apps.
We found that the experience your app provides is not sufficiently different from a web browsing experience, as it would be by incorporating native iOS functionality.
While your app content may differ from your web site or other existing sites, the experience it provides does not differ significantly from the general experience of using Safari, as required by the App Store Review Guidelines.
Does anyone know if I use the Twitter Framework will my app contain encryption?
Frameworks are not included in your app. They are in the device's firmware and are not copied into your app. So even if an iOS framework had encryption in it, it is not included in your app, you just make function or method calls to it, and are not distributing encryption software.
I think no one really answered your question directly; they were merely inferring your intent. The Twitter framework docs only mention HTTP for API requests. The Twitter docs on this say that SSL is optional though encouraged. So I'd imagine that iOS is handling user authentication via SSL in the background, but that all API requests by developers are done over HTTP using oauth. This is only speculation -- to verify you'd want to run a packet sniffer on your local network and check out the transactions when you call the framework methods.
Regarding the export controls mentioned in other comments here, I'd advise you to look at the iTunes Connect FAQ dealing with export controls within the Dev Center. Apple makes it very clear in that document that using encryption integrated into the iOS frameworks still requires you to apply for an ERN with the US Dept. of Commerce. (I won't quote it due to NDA) The other comments currently on this page are simply wishful thinking. I'm sure some developers were confused (and it is confusing), or perhaps have outright lied and have apps in the store which are violating US law. IANAL; I'll leave that choice up to you.
Having said that, there have been some exemptions added to these requirements, as outlined here.
I want to integrate Skype APIs in my native app. Is that possible? I have Googled around and couldn't find a way to start. I know there are APIs available for Mac OS X.
Can I make use of those APIs for my iPhone app? I know it is possible, as many apps like Nimbuzz have integrated Skype APIs in their iPhone apps.
Skype has a Public API which you can reference. This page has a wealth of information on how to use the API and the various commands. There is no public framework which abstracts it any further so you'll need to investigate how to make the actual commands by deconstructing the various wrappers.
I don't think Skype wants to particularly bring their API wrappers to the iPhone because you'd be competing directly with their own application. They do provide Cocoa wrappers but those are in the form of a framework and you can't have your own custom frameworks in an iPhone Application (only Apple approved ones). Also relevant: Skype bans Nimbuzz and fring while faking stats
SkypeKit sounds like what you want.
SkypeKit prohibits development on iOS devices. What may be of use to you is the URI scheme, This should let you open the skype App on your iPhone and place a call.
For additional help visit the Skype Developer Forum
As per the title. I searched all through the Apple website, and cannot find anything about it. I am not an iPhone developer member (yet) so don't have access to that stuff. I just want to develop an Android application that can talk with the FaceTime protocol.
It would be a bit silly if we all had to pay Apple just to view the FaceTime documentation to implement the protocol in our non-iOS applications.
The docs for facetime are not yet available. You're not missing anything.
Apple has been unable to release it as an open standard because of the patent battle it lost.
There is community documentation of the protocol, including this series of blog posts:
Special Look: Face Time
part 1: Introduction
part 2: SIP and Data Streams
part 3: Call Connection Initialization
At least to get started, take a look at this for the list of IETF standards used by Facetime: http://blog.imtc.org/index.php/2010/06/09/the-technology-behind-apples-facetime-standards/
Additionally, Apple has said it will be submitting Facetime as an open standard - so there should be more documentation on how all these standards glue together in Facetime. . anyone know when this will come out?
Update
You don't have to pay to test on devices as of 2015. Payment is required to deploy on the app store, get beta access and sundry other stuff as per Apple's page
Original
You don't have to pay to get the SDK, just to be able to test on devices
I was considering developing an application which would:
1) form part of a suite of similar applications; and
2) allow the user to download additional chargeable content.
I would be extremely grateful if somebody could point me in the direction of any resources where this approach is discussed programatically and practically (i.e. Apple's requirements for doing so as well as code samples outlining the appproach).
I think what you have in mind is In App purchases, you can start with the in app purchase guide from Apple and the quick start guide. I've implemented this and found it very effective and fairly simple to implement.
Programmatically it uses the StoreKit framework which is described in the guide I posted above.
If you want to address the suite of apps you can also run ads that cross promote them, I've seen admob used for this it has an in-house ad feature that allows you to serve ads for your own applications for free across your own apps.
You can charge for additional content with In App Purchases. After reading Apple's In App Purchase Guide as recommended by paulthenerd, you can also check out ilime.com and urbanairship.com. These are services which make In App Purchases easier to implement.