MotherApp Turns Web Sites Into Native Apps For iPhone, Google Android, Windows Mobile

April 15, 2009
MotherApp generates a native mobile phone application from a Web site

MotherApp creates native mobile phone applications from Web sites

Looking for a recession proof business? Try mobile applications, and more specifically for the Apple iPhone.

In just a little more than 9 months, Apple will serve the one-billionth iPhone application from its App Store.

A gold rush that left many companies on the starting blocks, incapable of building their own application, either because of a lack of expertise in Objective-C – the computer language used to develop iPhone applications – or of available iPhone developers.

And that’s where MotherApp comes in handy.

The Hong-Kong base 7-people startup offers a an automated service that will take any Web application and turn it into a native app for the iPhone, Google Android and/or Windows Mobile devices.

Support for the Blackberry is coming in July and in September for Symbian/Nokia.

All you need is a web site to build a iPhone app!

“MotherApp is a kind of compiler and it’s a 2 step process. First you develop a Web site using our HTML standard that includes some proprietary extensions to access the mobile phones special hardware, like the GPS radio or the camera. Then send us a link to the Web site and a day or two later, we send back the native application for any or all of the supported mobile platforms,” explains Ken Law, one of the three co-founders and an ex-Googler (pre-IPO) that I first met earlier this month at the Web 2.0 Expo conference.

A MotherApp application costs $1,000 per mobile platform.

The biggest stumbling block in MotherApp service is that customers have not access to the native mobile application source code. “But they can modify it as much as they want for 6-months for free and we are thinking of a business model where companies would pay a $99 a month subscription for example which will let them change their applications as much a they want,” responds Ken.

The other limitation of MotherApp’s technology is the kind of applications that MotherApp can actually “compile.”

“We are focused on client-server applications, like the Facebook, Youtube or LinkedIn apps. And they can be pretty complex like OpenRice, the Yelp of Hong-Kong. But we can not handle “fancy” applications like video games,” confides Law.

Although MotherApp raised an Angel round from Googlers, the startup is mostly self-funded by the 4 wealthy ex-Googlers co-founders and is already profitable.

The company is looking to expand in Silicon Valley, seeking to partner with Web developers with expertise in developing Web sites and gadgets/widgets and looking to offer mobile apps as well, and Web 2.0 companies wanting to turn their web site into native mobile applications.

For Law, MotherApp’s main competitor is open source development tool PhoneGap.

“The PhoneGap is embedding a browser inside the native application. So instead of learning Objective-C, you can use Web standards like AJAX and CSS. But it’s not a true iPhone app and you can not use the camera or access the device’s file-system for example,” warns Law.

Here’s a video excerpt of my conversation with Law in a Mountain View, Calif.-cafe:

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Posted by TechPulse 360

[ESC'09] Phoenix Technologies Shows A PC Booting In 73 Milliseconds

March 31, 2009
Its possible to boot a PC in less time than snapping a finger!

It's possible to boot a PC in less time than snapping a finger!

The BIOS is the main culprit for endless PC boot time; even before Microsoft Windows kicks in.

But today at the Embedded Systems Conference in San Jose, Calif., Phoenix Technologies showed that it shouldn’t be that way.

The Milpitas, Calif.-company demonstrated a VIA-based PC that boots up in only 73 milliseconds, less than the time it takes to snap your fingers; from a power-off situation to the beginning of loading Windows.

“Clearly, if it’s possible for us to boot a PC in 73 milliseconds, it is possible for all BIOS manufacturers to do that. Although today they don’t all do that, mostly because there’s a time to market issue; you have to actually do work to fine tune the BIOS to achieve that,” explains Steve Jones, chief scientist at Phoenix Technologies.

I just can’t imagine the time, the energy and the money the world could save, if only the PC manufacturers took a little bit more time to optimize their BIOS!

In a related news, Phoenix showed off for the first time their HyperSpace quick boot software running on an ARM-based PC.

Here’s a short video excerpt of my conversation with Phoenix Technologies Steve Jones:

The Phoenix Technologies’ boot time demo:

And the HyperSpace demo running on an ARM-based PC:

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Posted by TechPulse 360

One Laptop Per Child 2.0 Will Use ARM Chips; Hires

March 15, 2009
The second generation of the OLPC laptop will use an ARM chip

The second generation of the OLPC laptop will use an ARM chip

The momentum keeps growing for ARM.

The British chipmaker is already expecting a dozen netbooks using its power-efficent processors to ship this year, including Always Innovating’s Touch Book.

Now its the turn to the One Laptop per Child association to confirm that it will use an ARM chip – instead of the current AMD X86 processor – for the second generation of its low-budget machine, dubbed “XO-2.”

The new “open hardware” XO-2 is expected to be released next year and will be smaller, consume less than its predecessor, and will feature a dual-touchscreens.

Microsoft could develop an ARM version of its upcoming Windows 7 operating system to support the XO-2.

In  a related news and despite a January reorganization or “refocus” during which OLPC cut 50% of staff, reduced the salary for the remaining 32 people and spun off Latin America, Africa, and the development of its graphics interface Sugar. the non-profit is hiring 4 new directors.

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Internet Explorer Optional In Windows 7, Microsoft Confirms

March 6, 2009
Disabling Internet Explorer 8 and more will be possible with Windows 7

Disabling Internet Explorer 8 and more will be possible with Windows 7

In a blog post today, Windows 7′s engineering team confirmed that users will be able to turn off key “features” or applications like Internet Explorer 8, Windows Media Player or Windows Search.

“In Windows 7 we are expanding the number of features you have control over in this regard, giving customers more control, flexibility and choice in managing the features available in this version of Windows,” wrote Jack Mayo, the group program manager for Windows 7 Documents and Printing team and who also worked on Internet Explorer 8.

Although, turning “off” an application was already possible in Windows XP – using the Set Program Access and Defaults utility – with Windows 7 Microsoft is extending that feature to more applications:

  • Windows Media Player
  • Windows Media Center
  • Windows DVD Maker
  • Internet Explorer 8
  • Windows Search
  • Handwriting Recognition (through the Tablet PC Components option)
  • Windows Gadget Platform
  • Fax and Scan
  • XPS Viewer and Services (including the Virtual Print Driver)

    • However, what the European Union is really asking Microsoft for, is to let users disable these applications during the initial Windows set-up.

    “We know some have suggested that this set of choices be a “setup option”. Some operating systems do provide this type of setup experience. As we balanced feedback, the vast majority of feedback we have received was to streamline setup and to reduce the amount of potential complexity in getting a PC running. We chose to focus this feature on the post-setup experience for Windows 7,” adds Mayo.

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    Posted by TechPulse 360

    [Demo 09] Xandros Presto Boots Windows Laptops In 10 Seconds Or Less

    March 2, 2009
    With Presto, users can access the Internet faster than with Windows

    With Presto, users have a quicker access to the Internet and their Windows files

    At the Demo conference today, Xandros announced Presto, a downloadable software for Windows Vista and XP that enables new and existing laptops and PCs to boot up in 10 seconds or less.

    Presto is a variant of Linux that boots quicker and which comes pre-installed with the Firefox browser, Skype, RealPlayer and even allows users to access data stored in the laptop’s Windows folders.

    More applications will be available through Xandros’ Application Store like Google’s Picasa or Adobe’s Acrobat.

    From always-on to instant-on

    To build Presto, Xandros leveraged its technical expertise gained in creating the platform for the ASUS Eee PC and its experience with Windows to provide seamless access to Windows folders and files.

    And unlike rivals like DeviceVM’s Splashtop, Dell’s Latitude ON, Phoenix Technologies’ HyperSpace, IntervalZero, or Corel’s InstantON, Presto doesn’t require a special BIOS or chipset, or any additional hardware upgrade to work.

    Moreover, Presto connects to networks over WiFi, 3G, xDSL, LAN and cable.

    A beta version will be available from Xandros’ web site on March 16. The full version will be on sale for $19.95 on April 13.

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    Analyst: Sales Of Apple Macintosh To Decline In 2009

    February 19, 2009
    Apple suffered a steep decline in sales of Macintosh computers in retail

    Apple suffered in January its first monthly decline in three years of Macintosh sales at U.S. retail stores

    The recession is finally catching up with Apple, which so far refused to lower its prices despite the sudden drop of consumer spending.

    According to market-research firm NPD, unit sales of Apple computers through U.S. retail channels fell 6 per cent in January, while Windows PC unit sales were up 16.6 per cent, compare to the same period last year.

    In dollar value, the drop of Mac sales was much steeper, at 11 per cent.

    However, all Macs are not treated equal. Mac notebook growth was 9.4 per cent, compared with 26.6 per cent for Windows portables, while Mac desktops drop 31.5 per cent and -6.5 per cent for Windows laptops.

    Did Apple lost its Mojo?

    Apple’s market share, measured in dollars, is now 13.7 per cent of the U.S. PC market, down from 16.4 per cent in January 2008; and far behind H-P’s, now at 40.1 per cent, up from 39.2% a year earlier.

    And this time, declining iPod sales will not be able to offset Apple’s lower Macintosh sales. Indeed, NPD reports that iPod unit sales were also down 14% year-over-year in January.

    Looking ahead, NPD expects 2009 sales of Macintosh to decline year-over-year; for the first time since 2003!

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    Posted by TechPulse 360

    Palm Kills PalmOS; Plans Application Migration

    February 13, 2009

    It’s now official: PalmOS is dead!

    Palm CEO, Ed Colligan, confirmed earlier this week in a meeting with investors that the current Palm Centro is the last smartphone running the legacy operating system.

    Looking ahead, Palm will only carry smartphones running WebOS – which operates the Palm Pre – and Windows Mobile, for devices targeting consumers and businesses, respectively.

    However, according to a product manager we talked to at the Consumer Electronics Show, the Mojo software development kit has “bridges” or APIs to help the 30,000+ developers migrate their applications to the newest operating system. Mojo is expected later this year.

    In a related comment, Colligan confirmed that Sprint will be the exclusive carrier for the Palm Pre, at least until sometimes in 2010; probably a year after the Pre launches next month.

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    Posted by TechPulse 360

    Why Slimmer Kindle 2 Will Flop

    February 10, 2009
    Can Amazon's Kindle 2 sell in a recession?

    Can Amazon's Kindle 2 sell in a recession?

    As widely anticipated, Amazon launched the second iteration of its electronic book reader.

    The general feeling is that in spite of the thinner design, the Kindle 2‘s $359 sticker shock is simply too high of a price, especially in these recessionary times when retail spending is falling like a rock (at least 30% to 40%).

    Among the Kindle 2 features:

    1. A new controversial Text-to-Speech feature that can read every book, blog, magazine, and newspaper out loud. Book publishers likened this feature as an audiobook which requires a separate license. But I think there are wrong as text-to-speech is a standard feature in operating systems like MacOS or Windows;
    2. Built-inOxford American Dictionary with 250,000 word definitions
    3. More memory (but still just 2GB) that holds over 1,500 books, compared with 200 with the original Kindle;
    4. 25% longer battery life and 20% faster page turns.

    Despite already selling more than 500,000 Kindles and the huge Kindle Store, that holds more than 230,000 books, plus newspapers, magazines and blogs, I just can’t see – unlike Citi analyst Mark Mahaney – how Amazon’s latest Kindle will fly off the e-shelves, Oprah or not!

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    Posted by TechPulse 360

    Microsoft Revamps Mobile Windows; Plans App Store, Free Wireless Sync Service

    February 9, 2009

    Microsoft prepares a revamp of its mobile strategy that looks like an Apple copycat.

    In a keynote at next week’s Mobile World Congress conference in Barcelona, Microsoft’s chief plans to unveil Windows Mobile 6.5, the latest version of the company’s smartphone operating system, as well as an application store a-la iTunes and the free My Phone wireless “over the air” (OTA) synchronisation service.

    However, just like for Windows Vista vs Mac OS X, Microsoft is years behind Apple in its smartphone strategy, despite its 10+ years head start, and this interim 6.5 version still pales compare to the iPhone or even the Palm Pre.

    Users will have to wait next year, with the release of Windows Mobile 7 to catch up with Apple’s current generation of iPhones. By then, you can expect lots of improvements coming from the Cupertino, Calif.-company.

    No wonder that Windows Mobile slid from its position as the world’s second-most popular mobile operating system a year ago to now be number four, behind Nokia’s Symbian, Apple’s OS X Mobile, and RIM’s BlackBerry. And by next year, Windows phones might slid even one more notch behind Palm’s Pre!

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    Posted by TechPulse 360

    Windows Vista Finally Getting Some Respect

    January 30, 2009

    Corporate technology decision makers are finally warming up to Windows Vista.

    Nearly a third of IT managers are deploying Vista

    Nearly a third of IT managers are deploying Vista

    Vista is running on fewer than 10 percent of business computers, but almost of a third of information-technology managers now say they have begun to migrate to the Windows XP successor, according to Forrester Research.

    What’s more, there is considerable interest among these North American and European managers for Windows 7, Vista’s successor scheduled for release in early 2010.

    All this could be good news for Microsoft, which is feeling the brunt of the global slowdown. “Vista is finally shaping up to be the operating system that dethrones Windows XP,” says Forrester analyst Benjamin Gray.

    Still, IT execs say they worry about the challenge of administering an environment with two operating systems – Vista and Windows XP. That fear will only intensify as Windows 7, OS X from Apple and desktop Linux enter the picture.

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    Posted by Mark Boslet

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