Framework mimics native apps using HTML, CSS

Apple has apparently created a new web-based framework for the iPad, potentially allowing developers to create web apps using HTML, CSS and JavaScript code. Done21 developer Jim Hoskins allegedly uncovered the framework, known as AdLib, while exploring the iPad User Guide, which opens in Safari but mimics functionality typically reserved for native apps.

The user guide contains scrolling panes that can be navigated using a single finger. The interface also shows the iPhone OS scroll bars and elastic transitions. Hoskins took a closer look at the JavaScript code, which indicated the system was reading touch events and calculating the scrolling inertia before manually drawing the scroll bars.

Further investigation uncovered an entire framework consisting of 4,300 lines of code, with each class and constant prefixed with the letters "AD" and contained in a file labeled AdLib-ug-ipad.js.

"The framework looks to be extremely well thought out and complete," Hoskins says. "Perhaps this will be a framework to support a future release of Dashcode, an application for writing dashboard widgets and Safari/iPhone web apps."

Apple has yet to disclose the framework or offer documentation. It is unclear if the code will be announced as part of the upcoming iPhone OS 4 event.

by MacNN Staff