App Store or Bust
If you’re under the impression that web-based iPhone apps, that is, the apps that are browser based but save directly to your iPhone’s home screen, are somehow slow or less pleasing than their actual in-browser counterparts, you might be on to something.
According to tests performed by unnamed app developers and the UK Register, Apple (AAPL) may be doing exactly that. While the article does state that it’s unclear whether the speed differences between the two versions of the same app were being caused by bugs or by Apple’s own design, there is something clearly amiss with regards to the use of Javascript each app calls on.
Additionally, it appears that home screen web apps aren’t using the same caching systems as their Safari counterparts nor are they being rendered using the latest Apple tech, leaving the web-based versions of the apps quite lacking.
While there wouldn’t seem to be a huge reason for Apple to throttle home screen web apps when anyone who wanted to use a better version of the app could just as easily open it up within their Safari browser, it could push developers to just throw the app into the App Store, which would net Apple 30 percent of its profits.
Of course, this whole issue could just be minor confusion caused by an overlooked bug in how home screen web apps are created. We’ll see soon enough!
SoundTracking co-founder Steve Jang on the pulse of the social music experience
When asked to think about your favorite music apps, it’s likely you instantly gravitate towards Shazam or SoundHound; apps that let instantly help you find out the name of that song that’s currently playing. Steve Jang, the developer of SoundTracking, is hoping to get his app’s name thrown into that exclusive company. His app combines the features of a Shazam-style app, with social networking features that allow you to share not just the song you’re listening to, but where and how you’re experiencing it.
It’s an interesting app concept to say the least, and this interview from TechCrunch at SXSW sheds more light on how Jang sees the app world and his space in that world.
Anyone interested in not only the app itself, but also the business aspect of building interest in a very competitive app field, would do well to check out the interview.
While numerous interest-oriented apps have popped up with social networking features, I haven’t seen very many that emphasized music along with social networking. This seems strange given how much of a social bonding experience music can be. Perhaps Jang’s SoundTracking will change that, or at least inspire further innovation in the app genre.
