And they did it again! Was not enough for the periodic releases from the Ext JS framework, the Ext team, now with the new name Sencha, took the next big step and introduced the first framework for mobile devices under the HTML 5 standard. See here a few features, and a first analysis of Sencha Touch framework.

Mobile applications without barriers

The first thing that caught my attention was the interface that the framework generates very similar to the standard Apple and Google. But being a web framework, you can create applications similar to existing mobile devices without worrying about the authorization of the manufacturers (read AppStore) or facilities, nor with the software distributions. Just develop, make available on a web server and all mobile device users can use.

I confess that I’m interested in the mobile area, especially with regard to the iPhone. But right away you need to have Mac OS on your computer. It is difficult to be installed on non-apple computers (not impossible but difficult). Then you have to learn objective-C, a language that to me is very boring. And finally you have to respect all the Apple standards because if you not they shouldn’t approve the distribution of your application. It’s easy to see how good was the launch of Sencha Framework. Imagine developing mobile applications using web language, it’s fantastic!

Integrating Ext JS with Sencha Touch

We must not confuse one framework with another. Ext JS is a web framework and Sencha Touch a mobile framework. But the team has said in his blog that the data layer is the same in both Sencha Touch as in Ext 4 (forthcoming). Knowing this, to turn a desktop application in mobile, you just have to reprogram the interface. All the data layer, queries to the database, and everything that relates to the server side (PHP, ASP.NET, Java, etc. ..) will remain equal!

Concluding

It is readily apparent that the “mobile wave” is increasing. First with the iPhone launch, a decent smartphone, without squeezed keyboard, not intuitive navigation, and etc (don’t want to join the discussion) … And then with the launching of multiple applications and development of even more advanced smartphones. It seems that the Sencha Touch greatly facilitate the migration to this platform.

It is also evident that the Sencha team is aware of new standards, and there is the promise of major advances in existing products in the company, mainly Ext JS. They have created a framework using CSS 3, demonstrating its ability to do the same in Ext Framework. Only the implementation of CSS 3 in the Ext JS represent one of the greatest advances made, because all images and sprites to build gradient and rounded corners would be exempt.

Congratulations to Sencha team! And you? What do you think the news? Cheers!

• See oficial post
• See Sencha Touch page
• See demos