Web Directions @media Interview: Jonathan Stark – Mobile Web Apps
Craig speaks to Jonathan Stark, a mobile technology guru presenting “Building Mobile Apps with HTML, CSS, and JavaScript” at Web Directions @media in London, 8-11 June 2010.
@media boasts an amazing lineup of speakers including jQuery creator John Resig, SitePoint authors Rachel Andrew, Bruce Lawson and Simon Willison, and British designers Andy Clarke and Mark Boulton. Craig will be there too, but don’t let that put you off!SitePoint readers are eligible for a £100 discount on @media tickets. Simply enter the code SitePoint when you register at the Web Directions website.
Craig Buckler: Please tell us a little about yourself, your work, and how you became involved with web directions @media.Jonathan Stark: John [John Allsopp, Web Directions co-founder] wrote a couple great posts in 2008 about native iPhone apps being a giant leap backward. I commented on one of them post (I sort of disagreed with him at the time – how embarrassing!) and we’ve just sort of kept in touch ever since.Here are the posts if you’re interested:
CB: What can developers expect from your presentation “Building MobileApps with HTML, CSS, and JavaScript”?JS: Generally, web designers and developers are amazed by what you can do with mobile web apps these days. Recent developments in HTML5 and CSS3 allow us to create awesome stuff. Offline access, smooth animations, and if you throw in something like PhoneGap, access to device hardware like the accelerometer, camera, and more.CB: The mobile market is evolving rapidly. Which platforms do you consider to be the most important?JS: Whichever ones my customers are using ;)These days, that means iPhone OS, Android, and Blackberry, but things are changing so fast it’s hard to say what’s around the corner. That’s why the HTML development approach is so appealing to me – it’ll run pretty much anywhere.CB: What excites you the most about mobile web app development?JS: The ability to reach the biggest worldwide audience in human history, and hopefully, to make their lives a little better.CB: And what’s the most irritating, annoying or frustrating aspect?JS: It is frustrating that people still think web apps can’t run offline.CB: Have you presented at an event of this size before?JS: I’ve presented at a bunch of conferences that I think were similar in size — SXSW was the biggest.CB: Are there any awkward questions you like us to avoid asking at your presentation?!JS: “How come you’re not wearing pants?”:)CB: Er, right?! Many thanks Jonathan.See Jonathan speaking at Web Directions @media in London, June 2010. Use the promotional code SitePoint when you register to receive a £100 discount.
