Keynotes | Web Directions Unplugged

Keynotes

Each day at Unplugged begins and ends with a session to get you thinking about the big picture. The legendary Chris Wilson kicks off with The Interconnectedness of All Things; Brian Fling considers the great native vs. hybrid vs. web conundrum; You kick off day two, at the Unplugged Roundtable; and then Jason Grigsby will close the conference with native is easy, mobile web is freaking hard!.

Native is Easy. Mobile Web is Freaking Hard!

Presenter: Jason Grigsby

No one who advocates for the mobile web wants to admit it, but it is true. Native is easier.

It’s easier to sell to stakeholders. Easier to monetize. And most importantly, easier to implement.

Argue about programming languages, memory management and reach all you want. There is one undeniable disadvantage that the mobile web faces that native apps don’t–over a decade of legacy code, cruft and entrenched organizational politics.

But the web is essential. Even companies whose businesses are centered on native apps need web pages to sell those apps. We can demonstrate time and again that a web-based approach is a smart investment.

So how do we sell mobile web projects? How do we work with the systems we currently have to build compelling mobile web experiences?

And most importantly, how should we be changing our web infrastructure, tools and workflow for the coming zombie apocalypse of devices.

See the slides and hear the podcast.

The Unplugged Roundtable

Presenter: You

Web Directions events aren’t just about sitting back and digesting, they’re also about participation, sharing your thoughts, and learning from the experiences of others.

Day 2 of Unplugged kicks off with roundtable discussions, lead by our speakers and invited experts, focussing on the most pressing topics and challenges you’re currently facing, like

• application performance
• the 10 foot UI
• accessibility and universal access
• native, hybrid and web

and many more, in fact, anything you think needs to be discussed — let us know!

Grab a cup or two of great coffee, and some breakfast, pull up a chair, and share your thoughts and ideas with your peers and our invited experts.

The Convergence of All Things

great experiences across the universe

Presenter: Chris Wilson

This keynote will focus on the unique potential offered to web developers — the ability to use the web platform to build compelling applications that reach across different devices, scenarios and environments. In discussing the approaches necessary to deliver great experiences across all these spaces, we will also uncover unique opportunities in a platform that reaches from mobile phones to the biggest display screen in your house.

See the slides and hear the podcast.

Native v hybrid v web

The lay of the land

Presenter: Brian Fling

It’s an exciting time to be working on the web. With the explosion of new platforms and form factors, three clear strategies for application development have emerged.

• native apps, written in languages like Objective-C, Java and C++
• hybrid apps, written in HTML5 and web technologies, packaged and deployed to various platforms using solutions like PhoneGap and AIR
• web apps, running solely in the browser

Each has its strengths and weaknesses.

Each has its strong adherents.

Each has its place, depending on the project.

In this session, Brian Fling brings together a number of deeply knowledgeable, experienced developers to pragmatically consider these different approaches, their strengths and weaknesses, and their appropriate use cases, to help you decide which tactic is appropriate for any project.

Cut through the ideology, and hear from people who really know what they are talking about in this summit style session to end day one.

Images:

The images are downsized due to limited space here. The original dimensions may differ.
Click on the image to open it on a new tab.