Several questions about Canappi and iOS-/Android-Development

[Mrokii]

Hello,

subject says it all, but maybe I should explain a bit: Somebody asked
me if it's possible to do an app for both platforms that makes the
phone act like a TV-control, so here are my questions:

1) Can one use OS-APIs directly from within Canappi-Sourcecode? I
guess that would be necessary to control the IR-sensors on both types
of devices, meaning one would probably need to use the iOS- or Android-
specific functions, right?

2) If I understood it right so far, it seems that one needs to compile
Canappi-source for both platforms separately, right? In that case, the
specific functions to control the IR-sensor would have to be
implemented before compiling the code?

3) I didn't find anything about the pricing-model of Canappi. Can
somebody explain that?

Tia.

[Mrokii]

I should mention that I have no clue at all about programming on both
devices. Let alone to control some kind of IR-device that would
probably have to be connected to the phones.

[Jean-Jacques Dubray]

Hi,

here are the answers:

1) yes, Canappi generates code and only generates code, this code can be changed as needed
2) yes, Canappi generates code for a number of platforms (client and server), so that means you need to implement the code for both platforms. We actually support iPad too, we are rolling it out in about a week. We support if as "universal binary" and allow you to create a specific Views for iPhone/iPod and iPad in the same binary. The code detects the device and displays the corresponding view for each.
3) Canappi is free for individual developers who use it occasionally, we charge for services. Even reasonable support is free. Since we generate code, once you use the generator, there is no dependency left on Canappi once you deploy your application.

JJ-

[Jean-Jacques Dubray]

Canappi requires a minimum knowledge of software development. I would be difficult for someone who has never written code to use Canappi.

To the best of my knowledge you would need a hardware bridge like bluetooth -> IR, there is no IR capabilities on these devices.

JJ-

[Kurt Schmidt]

Tia

Neither platform currently supports IR natively. This is managed by
after market devices and their software.

Consequently if you are interfacing your app to some universal remote
app you would be developing to their third party APIs.

Canappi's solution level language (mdsl) does not allow direct coding to
the device. This is managed by writing native custom code. The custom
code developed is hooked into any code developed within Canappi (e.g.
views, layout, controls) to add the universal remote function to your app.

Good luck, this capability may be a bit of a challenge to incorporate
into your own app, but some decent solutions with proprietary devices
are already available if you are just looking for a stand alone remote.

Kurt

--
Kurt P. Schmidt | Director, Client Solutions
Convergence Modeling, LLC | Austin, Texas
www.canappi.com
+1 512 413 7730