XUI For Mobile Devices

Developing an Ajax based application for the mobile platform is a challenge. Sure there are frameworks today that can easily run in mobile browsers such as Opera but mobile devices can never handle an Ajax based application when they are fully implemented.

Although there are mobile phones that can easily handle an Ajax based application, the application can just be bloated with unnecessary functions.

This is especially true when you are trying to build an Ajax based application with the help of JavaSciprt libraries. Today’s present libraries (MooTools, JQuery and others) have the ability to minimize their functions that it could be readable in mobile browsers.

But still, they will be coming with a very heavy burden since they have to deal with cross browser compatibility and other problems a computer would have in handling the application.

For that reason a JavaScript library was created specifically for the mobile device. Called XUI, this application was developed by Rob Ellis, Brock Whitten and Brian LeRoux – all members of the PhoneGap team.

Although the library is still progress when it comes to additional functions, the basics and the things that should be expected to build an Ajax based application has already been covered.

Everything Simplified

As expected, the XUI makes everything simple so that the application could be launched with almost no glitch. But do not expect a couple of CSS and HTML integration on this library. The XUI is a full-fledged JavaScript library that will help developers a full Ajax based application.

The difference in the functions in this library is that it makes them really simple that it does not have to deal too much with browser incompatibility. The XHR, JSON and other functionalities should be launched in any updated browsers without any problem.

Do We Need It?

There is always a debate whether developers really need another library in building an Ajax based application for mobile phones. After all, we all have the libraries that we need in building on. But XUI apparently does not have to be taken as “another one.”

This JavaScript library has specifically carved out a niche as it does not go with the flow. If you have checked their website, you will notice that their focus is mainly on mobile devices.

Instead of breaking out into the mainstream, we will see XUI being improved only for mobile browsers. Although we’re not wishing this would force everyone to follow what they want, they would become a powerful browser.

How About Windows Mobile?

Earlier, Microsoft was in the forefront of development. Today, they catch up on what the world is currently concentrating. This is also true in Windows Mobile 6. The pocket IE unfortunately does not have the ability to handle JavaScript or in that fact, any powerful coding.

The good news about XUI is that they are also concentrating on how to work with the current version of pocket IE so that the application could be read in different browsers. It is still on its early stage but it sure looks promising.