MobiFlex App Studio

MobiFlex

Developer(s)	MobiFlex, Inc.
Stable release	1.96 / 2 August 2011
Operating system	Android, iOS
Website	viziapps.com

MobiFlex ViziApps Studio^[1][2] is an online service for creating native mobile apps using drag-and-drop wizards.^[3] The entire design of an application, including the interface for data managmenet^[4], is done without coding. ViziApps Studio was developed by MobiFlex, Inc. and introduced in November 2010.^[5] The platform supports both iPhone- and Android-based mobile applications. Support for developing web apps, iPad-based tablet apps, BlackBerry,^[6] Windows Mobile, and other mobile devices is on the MobiFlex roadmap for 2011. It is the first mobile app creation service accessible through Google Apps Marketplace.^[7]

MobiFlex's ViziApps Studio enables the user to visually design a native mobile application by dropping functional fields onto the smartphone canvas and then moving and scaling them into place. Any number of pages can be created in free form this way. A storyboard feature aids users in maintaining the overall context of the application while they are working on any given page. Users can add custom backgrounds, images and buttons or pick from thousands of stock choices. Users also can choose to build an application from scratch or customize from a variety of template applications. Fields with actions such as buttons and tables can be mapped to a number of functions that include email, SMS, phone call, sharing on Facebook, Twitter and FourSquare, as well as go to another page.^[8][9] Other functions enable the application to access backend data across the Internet in a Google Docs spreadsheet,^[10] SQL database or Web Service.^[11] The design of the network interface is also done graphically without coding.

Once the design is complete, it can be downloaded to the smartphone or tablet in seconds where it can run as a complete application. The application has access to all the native resources of the device including the camera, GPS, audio recording, contacts and calendar. After provisioning of the application, design changes can be made in the ViziApps Studio in minutes. Once those changes are committed, they will automatically be updated to all users.^[12]

With a totally visual design and quick testing and provisioning, the MobiFlex ViziApps Studio creates a new category of mobile app creation platforms. With such a platform, businesses can routinely create new mobile apps in hours to days and publish them immediately. Then, they can upgrade and update the apps rapidly at no extra cost. This adds a whole new dimension for businesses to engage their employees and customers with mobile apps – interactively, personally and socially.^[13]

Features

The key features of the MobiFlex App Studio include:

• A graphical drag-and-drop design platform to create mobile apps visually without coding.
• Manages smartphones on-device resources including camera, GPS, audio, calendar and others to build native apps.
• Back-end integration models for Google Docs spreadsheets, web services or SQL databases.
• Immediate deployment to smartphone for testing in seconds by download.
• App upgrades and changes are free and updated automatically on user’s devices.
• App publishing via the Apple App Store & Android Market.

See also

• Multiple phone web based application framework
• Mobile application development
• List of rich internet application frameworks
• PhoneGap

References

1. ^ "MobiFlex announces debut of ViziApps platform". MetroWest Daily News. 23 August 2011. http://www.metrowestdailynews.com/business/x1153509369/Business-Digest-for-Aug-23. 
2. ^ "MobiFlex, With Rebranding, Tries to Change How Businesses Make Mobile Apps (No Coding)". Xconomy Boston. 16 August 2011. http://www.xconomy.com/boston/2011/08/16/mobiflex-with-rebranding-tries-to-change-how-businesses-make-mobile-apps-no-coding/. 
3. ^ "The New Wave of App Development". TechNewsWorld. 1 February 2011. http://www.technewsworld.com/story/The-New-Wave-of-App-Development-71758.html?wlc=1306176983. 
4. ^ "4 Tools for Building a Business Mobile App". Mashable. 4 September 2011. http://mashable.com/2011/09/03/mobile-app-building-tools/. 
5. ^ "MobiFlex promises speedier app development". Mass High Tech. 8 December 2010. http://www.masshightech.com/stories/2010/12/06/weekly6-Mobiflex-promises-speedier-mobile-app-development.html. 
6. ^ "Tech vets tackle mobile apps at startup MobiFlex". Boston Business Journal. 24 December 2010. http://www.bizjournals.com/boston/print-edition/2010/12/24/tech-vets-tackle-mobile-apps-at.html. 
7. ^ "MobiFlex is First Mobile App Creation Service in Google Apps Marketplace". 24-7PressRelease. 15 March 2011. http://www.24-7pressrelease.com/press-release/mobiflex-is-first-mobile-app-creation-service-in-google-apps-marketplace-201996.php. 
8. ^ "Mobile App Builder MobiFlex Adds Facebook Sharing Tool To Its Arsenal". Boston Innovation. 31 August 2011. http://bostinnovation.com/2011/08/31/mobile-app-builder-mobiflex-adds-facebook-sharing-tool-to-its-aresenal/. 
9. ^ "MobiFlex’s ViziApps™ Adds Facebook, E-mail, and SMS Sharing Capabilities". Social Barrel. 1 September 2011. http://socialbarrel.com/mobiflexs-viziapps%E2%84%A2-adds-facebook-e-mail-and-sms-sharing-capabilities/19036/. 
10. ^ "Build A Mobile App Without Knowing How To Code With MobiFlex". Boston Innovation. 20 January 2011. http://bostinnovation.com/2011/01/20/build-a-mobile-app-without-knowing-how-to-code-with-mobiflex/. 
11. ^ "Develop Smartphone Apps". Craig Peterson. http://craigpeterson.com/downloads/bc/590-03-george_adams-mobiflex-develop_smartphone_apps.mp3. 
12. ^ "Big Opportunity For Non Techies To Help Small Biz With Tech". small biz technology. 12 January 2011. http://smallbiztechnology.com/archive/2011/01/big-opportunity-for-non-techie.html/. 
13. ^ "Make an App for Your Small Business – Without Hiring a Developer". Mashable. 17 November 2010. http://mashable.com/2010/11/17/mobiflex/. 

External links

• MobiFlex Web site