Why is RareWire important for iOS content providers?
We believe that there is a middle ground between the current strategies promising to remove the need for robust development tools such as Objective-C while enabling rapid development. At one end of the spectrum are web technologies such as JavaScript, HTML, and CSS. The advantage to this approach lies within the openness of the standards and the network awareness of the platform. However, much of this advantage is removed when the requirements demand fully interactive and high-resolution multi-media experiences on mobile devices. Too many layers exist between the application runtime and the hardware, making it impossible to provide compelling applications that engage the user with high impact interfaces and content. At the other end of the spectrum are creative drag and drop visual suites that put powerful multi-media components at the fingertips of individuals without developer skill sets. However, a similar problem exists due to the amount of bloat that is inherent with these types of systems — it becomes nearly impossible to develop architectures that achieve acceptable performance. Our technology bridges the gap between the two ends of the chasm. By providing a powerful yet simple open format which can fully describe all aspects of an interactive application alongside a native rendering engine which is custom built for the iPad and iPhone, we achieve the best of both worlds.
Where can I find the End User License Agreement?
You can find all our legal documentation at rarewire.com/EULA
Can’t I just use HTML5 instead of Flash for publishing interactive content to the iPad?
The simple answer is no. Although the iPad and other browsers support native H.264 MPEG-4 video, that alone doesn’t provide rich interactive experiences. HTML5 is also going to be very complex, in some ways even more so than Flash and doesn’t even get to take advantage of native features of the iPad. Furthermore, complex animations, interactions, and other app like functionality all still need to be written in complex CSS and JavaScript. Our format is simple yet powerful giving designers amazing freedom to achieve their vision in an incredibly short time frame.
Is a Wire an App or a website?
It is an application which runs natively on iOS devices and other mobile platforms. The RareWire Viewer is the application, while the Wire makes up the content that drives the experience for the user. The application can be downloaded directly from the iTunes App Store just like every other app. The Wire’s content can either be bundled with the application, placing the burden of bandwidth fees on Apple’s shoulders, or it can retrieve and stream content from a content management system that we provide and you control.
What multi-media file formats can be used with RareWire to publish content to the iPad?
Just about any format you might expect. Our media conversion engine supports nearly every video, audio, and image format used in mobile development today. Once digital content is placed into the Wire, it becomes incredibly easy to describe all aspects of placement, user interaction, animation, scrolling, zooming, and timing. Even web content can be seemlessly integrated into the experience the same way you might control an image or video. Wire format makes all of this possible by simply authoring an XML document. No scripting or coding required.
How long does it take to build a Wire?
Simple applications can be built in under an hour. More complex experiences such as a fully interactive 60 page magazine may take a few days. No matter what your needs are, Wire will allow you to fully realize your vision 5x-20x faster than if using a standard development process involving Xcode and Objective-C.
How big is a Wire based application?
It depends on how you choose to deliver your content. The typical size for the XML files are 25k-500k a piece. The rest of the application’s storage requirements depend entirely on your content, and if you choose to stream or bundle.
How do I update content in a Wire once it has been downloaded by my users or customers?
If you elect to bundle all content with the application, then the only option for updating content is to resubmit the full Wire application to Apple for approval and distribution. However, if you choose to deliver the content to the application dynamically via our content management and delivery system, any changes you make to the Wire or the content will be automatically synchronized with all of your end users who have downloaded and/or purchased your application. No need for re-approval, and no need for your end users to re-download the entire application and all of its content.
Do you have a toolset that would help me avoid building a Wire with XML alone?
Providing an easy to use online application for building Wire content is our main priority in the coming months. Please check back often for regular updates.
Can RareWire help us submit an app for approval to Apple, or do we have to have our own developer account?
RareWire can work with both scenarios within our Services Department. If you do not yet have a developer account with Apple, we will be happy to submit your content to the iTunes App Store under our existing account. If we submit the app on your behalf, you will still have the option to manage your content within an easy to use web based portal. If you already have or plan on having your own developer account, RareWire can be made a temporary “Team Member” and then sign the binary application with your distribution profile. At that point you can submit the application and any bundled content to Apple. Once our desktop authoring environment is released, you will never have to rely on RareWire to design or publish your content.