Creating Mobile Apps With a Point and a Click

Creating mobile applications for Android and the iPhone isn’t just for code-writing geeks anymore

By Dave Prochnow Posted 01.22.2010 at 10:54 am 9 Comments

Break From Code An app made using the PhoneGap development tool Brian Klutch

Even with the huge number of mobile apps already available, cellphone screens are always awaiting new ideas from innovative developers. If you have your own idea for the perfect app, whether for a wide audience or just your own use, you’re in luck—you no longer need to be a deft programmer to produce it. There are now a number of app-generating tools on the Web that will enable you to bring your concept to life by clicking instead of coding. You may have even downloaded some of the resulting mobile apps already, like Inside Trader, a strategy game built with a tool called PhoneGap, or the Spinal Tap iPhone app, made at MobileRoadie.com. The best app-building option will depend on your price range, the platform you prefer (iPhone, BlackBerry or Android) and the functions you want. Some will even navigate the processing of submitting the app for you. Here’s a guide to help you choose the right tool.

MAKE YOUR OWN MOBILE APPS

Mobile Roadie: Courtesy Mobile Roadie

Easy: App-Building Sites

MOBILE ROADIE (mobileroadie.com)
Cost: $500, plus $29/month
Platform: iPhone
Originally designed for bands, Mobile Roadie lets you publish news, video and music to your app, and it can connect to an online store.

SWEBAPPS (swebapps.com)
Cost: $200–$400, plus $25/month
Platform: iPhone
Make a four-, six- or eight-button app with features like “Events” and “Portfolio.” When it’s ready, Swebapps submits it to the App Store.

AppBreeder: Courtesy AppBreeder

Medium: App Templates

APPBREEDER (appbreeder.com)
Cost: $95, plus $0–$60/month
Platform: Android, BlackBerry, iPhone
Offering 10 templates plus a custom option,
AppBreeder lets you build, edit, and publish your app with e-mail, geo-location and video options.

MYAPPBUILDER (myappbuilder.com)
Cost: $20, plus $29/month
Platform: iPhone
MyAppBuilder enables you to publish your e-book, music, RSS, Twitter and video content using eight different templates.

Phonegap: Courtesy Dave Prochnow

Advanced: App Wrapper

PHONEGAP (phonegap.com)
Cost: Free
Platform: Android, BlackBerry, iPhone
PhoneGap allows you to repurpose existing Web-based applications, HTML, CSS and JavaScript into amazing mobile apps, and for multiple platforms at the same time. Unlike the others, it’s not a drag-and-drop tool; you will have to debug your app, fix any errors, and shepherd it through the submission process yourself. But if you don’t mind the extra work, it’s worth it to cover all the mobile-app markets in one fell swoop—for free.

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9 Comments

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Fishmark

01/24/10 at 11:15 pm

It is great to see the Mavericks Surf app we developed using PhoneGap and the SonyEricsson WebSDK shown here. If developers would like to know more about how to use PhoneGap they should check out Jeremiah Cohick's blog post here www.awe.sm/42TKY

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Eh44s

02/11/10 at 4:58 pm

For those app developers that don't know Objective-C and Cocoa Touch and don't want to outsource development, check out localbeacon (an iphone app builder) at www.bigforge.com. Great for those who want to build just one app or developers interested in white label. Full integration of Twitter and Facebook.

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DanielZ

05/20/10 at 10:16 am

I hope phonegap will keep improving. I have always like open source solution. That's up to the community ;p

www.scrabblecheat.org

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Blogfornothing

05/25/10 at 7:20 am

If I may recommend: Phonsai can be a good solution for a do it yourself mobile application development platform.
You can create applications without coding, They run on 2000 models even Java, symbian, RIM or windows mobile, you can send and report your mobile application. I know that it is web based and currently they are gicing 5 wappush credits for free. I have no idea about the pricing. http://www.phonsai.com

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aabliss

10/17/10 at 10:35 pm

Yet another recommendation; tasckcity helped my come in under budget. This site allows you to create a proposal and have others bid on your project. I found an experienced developer in two days.

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FormotusGlen

01/05/11 at 4:28 pm

Anyone looking for an easy way to create cross-platform mobile business apps with standards-based data connectors into your back end systems should check out Formotus. Our InfoPath-compatible forms currently run on iPad, iPhone, Android and Windows Mobile devices. www.formotus.com

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VladZ

11/18/11 at 11:07 am

Thanks for sharing the info with us. You may also include to the above list SeattleClouds, online mobile app builder tool (www.seattleclouds.com). Using this service you may easily create mobile apps (both for iOS and Android OS platforms). Just, select a starter application template, or use a blank one, and begin designing your app's appearance. Along with editing the design of your app, you may also add some native pages to it, thus making it more interactive and at the same time raising the chances for it to get approved by AppStore Review Team, once submitted to them.

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Vadim

11/21/11 at 4:05 am

The benefits of using a web-based app builder is that you do not have to install software on you computer. This allows online CMS to be non-depending on a particular OS.
You might like to try developing your app for iOS/ Android using www.SeatteClouds.com, as suggested above. You can sign up for a account and use the service for free.
Also you can preview your app on your device using SC previewer app, downloadable for free from AppStore and Android Market.

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mlee3680

02/01/12 at 9:34 pm

Great post. Here’s a tool to use to build your mobile apps in minutes without coding. Just
point-and-click http://www.caspio.com/online-database/features/mobile.aspx