Webkit for dummies®, (paperback)

WebKit is the key to creating mobile apps that run on all devices * learn to use it now!

What do Android phones, iPhones, iPads, BlackBerry devices, Kindles, and most other mobile devices have in common? They all have web browsers powered by WebKit, the de facto cross-platform mobile app standard. Whether you"re a business owner seeking to go mobile or a developer wanting to create dynamite mobile apps, this book will help you get there!

• The big picture * get an overview of mobile web app design and the browser engine that makes it possible

• Create your first app * develop several web apps from scratch, learn about mobile app testing, and use real-world tools and techniques such as jQuery Mobile and Mobile Boilerplate

• Dig deeper * learn to plan your app, all about HTML5 and CSS3, and how to use JavaScript and AJAX to enable interactivity

• Optimizing secrets * find out how to optimize your apps for performance and for iOS, Android, BlackBerry, and webOS

• Get more advanced * explore how to use PhoneGap to convert apps from web to native, add advanced graphics and animation, maximize your use of phone features, and beef up your apps

Visit the companion website at for code examples and sample apps used in this book. You"ll also find links to great resources for more information about the mobile web.

Open the book and find:

• Some background on how browsers work

• The difference between web apps and native apps

• Useful keyboard and menu shortcuts

• How to make WebKit your default browser

• Design tips for mobile apps

• All you can do with JavaScript®

• Tips on maximizing touch events

• Online performance testing tools

Learn to:

• Acquire, install, and use the latest version of WebKit

• Build better web apps using HTML5, CSS3, and JavaScript®

• Optimize your apps for iPhone®, iPad®, Android, Blackberry®, Safari®, and Chrome

• Use WebKit"s cutting-edge features and functions

Part I: Introducing WebKit 7

Chapter 1: Opening for Business 9

Chapter 2: Configuring WebKit 33

Part II: Your First Mobile Web App 61

Chapter 3: Building Your First Mobile Web App 63

Chapter 4: jQuery Mobile 87

Chapter 5: Testing and Debugging 109

Chapter 6: Flying Solo 131

Part III: Mobile Web Fundamentals 141

Chapter 7: Web versus Native 143

Chapter 8: Mobile Web App Design 155

Chapter 9: HTML5 167

Chapter 10: CSS3 183

Chapter 11: Scripting with JavaScript 199

Part IV: Optimizing Your Apps 221

Chapter 12: Optimizing for iOS 223

Chapter 13: Optimizing for Android 235

Chapter 14: Optimizing for BlackBerry 245

Chapter 15: Optimizing for webOS 255

Chapter 16: Optimizing for Performance 263

Part V: Advanced Topics 273

Chapter 17: Converting from Web to Native 275

Chapter 18: Accessing Phone Features 285

Chapter 19: Graphics and Animation 303

Chapter 20: The Future of WebKit and HTML5 327

Part VI: The Part of Tens 339

Chapter 21: Ten Cool WebKit Tricks 341

Chapter 22: Ten Amazing HTML5 Demos 351

Chapter 23: Ten Useful Safari Extensions 361

Index 369