Open Source
The arrival of SIAB is timely in terms of cross platform content development for mobile devices such as the iPad 2.
Open Standards and Web Content
An example of this is WebKit’, an Open Source project initiated by Apple, that promotes “real-world web compatibility, standards compliance, stability, performance, security, portability and usability.” The webkit engine is supported across a number of mobile platforms, which makes it easier for content producers to target a range of mobile devices.
The genesis of Apple’s commitment to open standards and Open Source can be traced back to 2002 when Apple released Darwin, the UNIX layer below Mac OS X as open source software. Other Apple technologies available as Open Source include Bonjour, also known as zero-configuration networking, which enables automatic discovery of computers, devices, and services on IP networks using industry standard IP protocols. Apple have also been at the forefront of the development of web standards such as HTML5 which provides a standards based approach to the delivery of interactive web content across all major desktop and mobile platforms.
Adobe Labs has just announced in August 2011, their willingness to embrace HTML5 the emerging web standard via Adobe Edge. Adobe Edge is a new design tool that allows designers to bring animated content to websites using HTML5. Most experts believe that the widespread adoption of HTML5 will change the internet especially in a mobile context. HTML5 is supported by Apple and Microsoft and is compatible with most major web browsers and also conforms to W3C specifications. “Adobe Edge software can handle code production for mobile browsers in both the Android and iOS systems.“
Both Apple and Adobe have development tools that are widely available and neither company can claim that they are entirely open. Both companies have large followings. Between them they enable production of ample consumable content and development opportunities across platforms and in the mobile App development world. This is normal healthy competition that has so far ensured diversity in the market and avoidance of monopolies.