Tech Crunch reports that Facebook plans to bypass Apple's security guards and sneak in through the iOS back door with its own app-based platform. This will be accomplished by publishing an iOS-focused HTML5 platform within Apple's own Safari browser, the one area in which Apple doesn't have full control.
Called “Project Spartan,” the new platform has already attracted 80 or more app developers including Zynga and the Huffington Post. Unnamed sources claim that Facebook wants to have these apps ready to roll out within the next few weeks for a formal unveiling shortly thereafter, so there's a good chance the apps may not be fully polished at launch. Developers have reportedly been working on the HTML5 apps for a few months; Facebook began constructing the platform long before the developers signed on.
“Imagine loading up the mobile web version of Facebook and finding a drop-down for a new type of app. Clicking on one of the apps loads it (from whatever server it's on depending on the app-maker), and immediately a Facebook wrapper is brought in to surround the app,” Tech Crunch said in a hands-on report. “This wrapper will give the app some basic Facebook functionality, as well as the ability to use key Facebook elements - like Credits.”
The goal of “Project Spartan,” it seems, is to get iOS consumers to use Facebook as the distribution model for games and other apps, not Apple's App Store, Amazon's Appstore or any other distribution platform. But at the same time, the platform will serve as an outlet for developers to create their games and other apps in HTML5 instead of Flash. We already know what Apple thinks of Flash.
“Project Spartan” will also help Facebook push its Credits monetary system out into the mobile sector. Facebook intends to have Credits built-in to alloy developers like Zynga to sell apps and offer in-app purchases. Naturally this system would bypass Apple's own App Store payment system and 30-percent cut, putting consumer dollars directly into the pockets of Facebook and the associated developer.
But naturally there are pluses and minuses about developing apps in HTML5. Taking Apple's route means developers have direct access to the device hardware, but in turn they must shell out a yearly membership fee and abide by Apple's guidelines. Like the initial apps, updates are required to go through an extensive approval process, but users may or may not even download and install those updates. Of course, if said apps were created in HTML5, then updates would be applied automatically. HTML5 apps also aren't bound to Apple's guidelines, but they don't have direct access to iOS hardware.
The Tech Crunch report also states that Android is in the scopes, but for now Apple's iOS is Facebook's primary target. A Safari-compatible HTML5 platform means that app developers have a chance to reach out to iOS consumers on the iPod Touch devices, iPhones and iPads without having to endure Apple's censorship. Does that mean Facebook's “App Store” will be like Google's Android Market and play host to malware and adult content? Most definitely not.
We expect to hear more about Facebook's HTML5 app platform in the coming weeks.
source: 2DayBlog.com
