Developing for UI Mobile Information
There are two types of mobile apps – native applications and web applications. Each section below is broken down into the different device types as each device has different requirements for both native and web applications. If you have suggestion for a new mobile app, please submit your suggestions at http://m.uiowa.edu in the feedback section.
Web Applications
Apple Devices (and other Webkit based browsers)
Web applications are essentially web pages built using HTML, CSS and JavaScript. Since web applications cannot be submitted to the iPhone Store, there are no licensing issues. While web applications can be developed using traditional web-development tools (Dreamweaver, FrontPage, etc.), Apple supports an iPhone-specific web development environment called Dashcode.
Icons
Icons created for the iPhone need to be 50px square transparent PNG files. The grey background and rounded corners will be added automatically on the site so you do not need to include that in your icon design.
Badge Number
Note: Badge numbers will not be displayed on generic mobile browsers.
If your application would benefit from having a badge number on the icon, a PHP function that returns the following string needs to be provided:
<span class="badge">#</span>
where # is replaced with the number for the badge.
HawkID Authenticated Apps
An app that requires authentication will have the lock logo added to the icon. Information about setting up mobile page authentication is available as well.
CSS Properties
While any CSS can be used, for consistency we encourage the following properties for your pages:
- body
- {font: 11px "Helvetica Neue", sans-serif; background: #BECCDA; color: #222; min-height: 356px; margin: 0; padding: 0;}
- h1
- { text-align: center; color: rgb(47, 52, 61); text-shadow: rgb(204, 204, 204) 0px 1px 1px;margin: 10px 0
- a
- { color: #22F; font-weight: bold;}
- #content
- { width: 88%; margin: 0 auto 10px auto;font-size: 1.2em; background: white; border: 2px solid #232323; -webkit-border-radius: 10px; -webkit-box-shadow: 0px 0px 5px #232323;}
- ul.content
- { padding: 0; }
- ul.content li
- { padding: 10px;list-style-type: none; margin: 0; border-bottom: 2px solid #232323;}
- ul.content li:last-child
- { border-bottom: none;}
The body styles will set the default fonts and colors for the site, while the h1 allows you to do a heading for each page. The a styles the links. The #content can be renamed and used however you like. The ul properties allow you to use an unordered list instead of a div for your main content if you like.
Generic Mobile Info
Icons & Badges
Icons are hidden on generic mobile browsers.
CSS Properties
Again, while any CSS can be used, for consistency we encourage the following properties for your pages:
- body
- { background: #eaeaea; font:10px sans-serif;}
- h1
- { margin: 5px 0;}
- a
- { color: #000000;}
- #content
- {padding: 0; margin: 0; background: #FFFFFF;}
The body styles will set the default fonts and colors for the site, while the h1 allows you to do a heading for each page. The a styles the links. The #content can be renamed and used however you like. The properties in there allow for the rounded corners on the divs with a white background.
Native Applications
Apple Devices
Native applications are built using Objective-C, in Apple’s Xcode development environment. The iPhone Developer University Program, offered by Apple, provides instructors with development resources and allows students to develop, test and share their work with their classmates. Students retain the rights to applications they develop as part of a course, which can be published to the iPhone Store (without University of Iowa branding) if the student purchases their own development license ($99). If students would like to publish applications with the University of Iowa listed as the author, they can transfer all code and rights to the University. The application becomes the property of the University of Iowa and goes through the same review process as applications developed by UI developers.
Licensing and Distribution FAQs
- I am interested in developing and selling my own iPhone apps through the App Store
You will need your own license agreement with Apple. Licensing information is available at http://developer.apple.com/iphone/. You may not use University graphics, such as the logo and wordmark, on commercial applications without prior permission.
- I am interested in developing iPhone apps for the University of Iowa
If your app should be distributed with “The University of Iowa” as the author, please contact mobile@uiowa.edu for assistance. The app must be the property of the University of Iowa and may need to follow guidelines for use of the University logo, wordmark, or other graphic identifiers. The app must undergo a brief review process, both by the University and by Apple, before it is offered through the App Store.
- I am interested in developing iPhone apps for my unit (college, department, etc.)
If your app should be distributed with your unit as the author, then your unit will need its own license agreement with Apple. Feel free to contact mobile@uiowa.edu for information or assistance in this process.
- I am interested in web development for mobile platforms (not iPhone specific)
See above.
- I am interested in teaching a course that includes iPhone application development
The University license agreement with Apple allows for development and distribution of apps between students in a course. Contact mobile@uiowa.edu for assistance, including device provisioning and distribution certificates.
Other Platforms (Android, Windows Mobile, Palm Pre, etc)
We don’t know of any current University development, licensing, or distribution for these platforms. We’d love to hear about what you are doing, and help if we can; contact mobile@uiowa.edu and we’ll talk.