Monday, December 26, 2011

Kendo UI: "native looking" HTML5

Kendo UI - The Art of Web Development


Telerik, the maker of popular web development tools and libraries
have a new JavaScript framework that helps make "native looking" mobile HTML5 apps. This is a result of 10 years of development of web tools...

Kendo UI is similar to jQuery Mobile UI, but with important difference:
while jQuery Mobile UI provides universal look and feel for all platforms,
Kendo UI auto-adjust to platform, such as iOS, Android, etc.
This helps make web apps that look more like "native",
to help acceptance of apps in app store.

This approach is similar to Mono tools for iOS and Android,
where "native" apps are built in C#, but GUI is based on controls from actual platform.
Apparently users like "native looking" and now is the race how to make them most effectively.

Kendo UI library has a dual license: commercial ($399/dev), and GPLv3 open source.

Here is an excellent related podcast interview @ Hanselminutes.

Extending Batteries Life

Battery Univeristy: How to Prolong Lithium-based Batteries

If at all possible, avoid frequent full discharges and charge more often between uses. If full discharges cannot be avoided, try utilizing a larger battery. Partial discharge on Li-ion is fine; there is no memory and the battery does not need periodic full discharge cycles other than to calibrate the fuel gauge on a smart battery.

Elevated temperature is anything that dwells above 30°C (86°F), and a high voltage is higher than 4.10V/cell... Exposing the battery to high temperature and being at full state-of-charge for an extended time can be more damaging than cycling...

Users should not worry too much about the state-of-charge; a cool and dry place is more important...


Giz Explains: Why Batteries Die