Developers looking to quickly create Web, Facebook, and mobile applications can use the new version of RadPHP XE2 from Embarcadero Technologies. Making its debut at ZendCon, RadPHP XE2 is the only component-based visual design and development environment that supports the Zend framework and mobile app development, according to the company. 

“The demand for mobile applications continues to rise and many companies are facing both native device and Web-based mobile application development needs; in particular to address emerging "bring-your-own-device" (BYOD) requirements,” said Michael Swindell, senior vice president of products and marketing for Embarcadero Technologies.  “RadPHP XE2 is the ideal solution for companies looking to support multiple mobile devices with both Web and native options and connect them to a PHP backend, all within the same component-based visual development environment. 

“Companies have found that it is costly to do native development on iOS and Android, due to two completely different development environments, languages, and APIs. RadPHP XE2 enables companies to deliver both from the same effort and cost,” Swindell said. 

Companies use RadPHP XE2 for developing a variety of mobile applications from healthcare to travel to banking. RadPHP XE2 enables them to create both mobile enterprise applications powered by a data driven PHP backend for use by their field personnel as well as consumer applications that their customers can use. 

Many enterprises are choosing HTML5 and Web technologies because they offer fast time-to-market and a common codebase across all major mobile device platforms, without sacrificing the native look and feel of device specific features. RadPHP XE2 helps developers deliver both native and Web-based mobile applications using HTML5 and standard Web technologies. 

Components and Frameworks Supported

RadPHP XE2 supports popular mobile component libraries like HTML5 and jQuery Mobile and frameworks, such as Zend Framework and qooxdoo.  RadPHP XE2 offers more than 200 drag-and-drop components for building user interfaces, displaying and interacting with data and services, such as Google maps and Facebook, and database connectivity. 

RadPHP XE2 has integrated a visual designer, a customizable source code editor, integrated debugging, performance profiling, and wizards for creating new Web, mobile and Facebook apps. 

Developers can take advantage of touch optimized layouts in RadPHP XE2, native look-and-feel user interface elements and professional mobile themes using HTML5 and jQuery Mobile technology in an easy-to-use visual approach. The software tool also has more than 35 popular Zend Framework components, enabling developers to include new features in applications in an easy, component-based way. 

Integration with PhoneGap

For developing native iOS and Android applications, RadPHP XE2 integrates PhoneGap, an HTML5 application platform for building mobile Web apps and packaging them for distribution through popular mobile app stores such as the Apple App Store and Android Marketplace. iOS and Android Web apps built in RadPHP XE2 using PhoneGap also gain access to mobile device features like cameras, accelerometers and GPS.

Availability

RadPHP XE2 is available for purchase worldwide for $299. Upgrade pricing is available to registered users of 2007 and later versions of RadPHP. Trial downloads are available at http://www.embarcadero.com/downloads. For ZendCon attendees, Embarcadero was offering a show special of 10 percent off RadPHP XE2 and RAD Studio XE2.