Mobile devices have captured the attention of merchants and online businesses. The prospect for developing within the mobile environment is filled with great potential for any developer up to the task.
Here is a list of development tools for each of the most popular mobile operating systems – Android, iOS, BlackBerry, Windows Mobile, webOS and many more – as well as list of cross-platform development tools to develop rich apps for any device.
Mobile Development Tools by Device Operating System
Android OS. Download the Android SDK and start developing apps for this increasingly popular platform. Android has the tools, sample code and all the tutorials and documents that you need to get started right away. Language: Mostly Java, but some C and C++.
iOS. Get all the tools, guides and sample code for creating apps on some of the most widely used devices in the world – iPad, iPhone and iPod Touch. Download the Xcode toolset bundled with iOS SDK, simulators, analysis tools and more. Language: Objective-C.
BlackBerry OS. At the BlackBerry Developer Zone, developers can get all the tools and resources they need to develop, test and distribute apps for BlackBerry devices including the Torch, Curve, Bold, PlayBook and many more. Language: JavaScript.
Windows Mobile OS. Develop, test and release applications and games for devices that use the Windows operating system, including Windows Mobile phones and mobile devices that use Windows FU and Windows CE. Language: C and C++.
Palm/Garnet OS. Garnet OS is the new Palm OS and it expands on Palm by incorporating support for a broad range of screen resolutions, wireless connections and the ability to build apps for phone, multimedia or enterprise use. For use with building apps for all Palm/Garnet OS handhelds. Language: C, C++ and Pascal.
HP webOS. Create and launch apps for HP mobile devices that support webOS like Pre2, Veer and TouchPad, but developers that work within webOS can port their projects over to other cross-platform development environments like PhoneGap. Language: JavaScript, CSS, HTML, C and C++.
Symbian. Develop, test and distribute apps for Nokia’s line of mobile devices. Language: C++.
Cross-Platform Mobile Development Tools
Airplay SDK. Write your app in Airplay using C++ and then deploy it natively for Android, BREW, iOS, Maemo, webOS, Symbian, Windows Mobile and more. Language: C and C++.
Microsoft .NET Compact Framework. Build and deploy apps in this hardware-independent development environment for use with Windows Mobile devices as well as any device that runs Windows CE. Language: C#, VB.NET and Basic4ppc.
AlcheMo. Development in alcheMo enables simultaneous multi-platform development with a single code base so you can save time by writing a single app and then porting or bridging it natively for Android, BREW, iOS or Windows Mobile devices. alcheMo for Brew, alcheMo for Android, alcheMo for iPhone, alcheMo for Flash, alcheMo for Windows Mobile. Language: Java.
WidgetPad. An open-source and browser-based alternative for iOS developers to create fully interactive, stand-alone and downloadable mobile apps in various programming languages. Language: HTML5, CSS3 and JavaScript.
Appcelerator|utmcmd=referral|utmcct=/wiki/Appcelerator&utmv=-&utmk=192424106). Use Appcelerator’s Titanium architecture and build native apps for Android and iOS devices, with plans for BlackBerry OS in the works. Language: JavaScript.
Bedrock. Design, develop, target and deliver your single application to hundreds of devices across practically every platform and operating system. The CrossCompiler utility can convert any Java ME code into native language for use with Android, BREW, BlackBerry OS, iOS, webOS, Sony PSP, Symbian, Windows Mobile and more. Language: Java.
BREW. Create a single app that is compatible with hundreds of devices from Qualcomm, Motorola, Nokia, HTC and more. Language: C.
DragonRAD. Build and launch apps for Android, BlackBerry and Windows Mobile devices in a single development environment that requires no programming language – it’s a drag and drop interface — to build dynamic and interactive applications. Language: A visual drag & drop interface, no programming language required.
MobiFlex. For use with Android and iOS mobile devices. MobiFlex is an alternative development environment where no programming language is needed, simply drag and drop your ideas into place and deploy your app to millions of users nationally. Language: A visual drag and drop interface, no programming language required.
MoSync. An open-source SDK option for universal mobile app development and launch for use with devices running Android, iOS, Java ME, Symbian, Windows Mobile, and BlackBerry OS. Language: C, C++ and Lua.
Whoop. A browser-based option that allows developers to create apps without using any programming language. Instead, use Whoop’s WYSIWYG-based app builder to create apps for use with mobile devices running Android, BlackBerry OS, iOS, Windows Mobile, Java ME and more. Language: WYSIWYG app builder, no programming language required.
PhoneGap. Create dynamic apps for use with iOS, Android, BlackBerry OS, Symbian, Windows Mobile and webOS all in a single development environment. Language: HTML, CSS and JavaScript.
Java ME. The Micro Edition of the Java Platform, use Java ME to create richly interactive and multimedia apps for use with thousands of mobile devices around the world. Language: Java.
Adobe Flash Platform. Develop in the Flash Platform and create rich apps and video products for thousands of mobile devices and home entertainment devices. Language: ActionScript.
