Facebook is to open up its test suite for HTML5 apps Ringmark to developers, taking the tool open source for the first time since launch.
The move is designed to help studios looking to deliver browser-based HTML5 apps avoid fragmentation, with Ringmark allowing titles to be tested on compatible browsers.
By going open source, Facebook will now accept tests from third parties, with any feedback set to be "baked into Ringmark itself".
A mobile move
"This is the beginning of a process, starting with open sourcing the tests," said Facebook engineer Matt Kelly.
"As we continue to build, we'll continue to open source even more of this work. Ultimately, we believe that web technologies are important to the future of mobile and that we can help to make HTML5 a well-supported platform for mobile developers to build upon."
Facebook introduced Ringmark back at Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, with a total of 400 test available. It's hoped going open source will see that number rise at pace, bringing stability to the platform as a whole.
"For those that are building with the web today, it's a major hurdle to learn native technologies like Objective-C and Java: and we hope that an improved mobile web can unlock a large contingency of developers that could, and will, be developing for mobile."
Setting the standard?
Of course, Facebook will be the major benefactor from any improvements to Ringmark, with the social network looking to up its app roster.
Though the hype leading up to the launch of Facebook's HTML5 platform dubbed Project Spartan was immense, the exodus from native app stores many predicted the social network's exploits would trigger has failed to materialise.
Commentators have criticised both the lack of a promo push for the platform, and the way apps are listed, which they claim makes it difficult for users to find games.
Nevertheless, Facebook claims it will soon submit its Ringmark tests to the Core Mobile Web Platform Community Group in the W3C, with the company looking to establish a single set of standards for HTML5 web-based app development.
[source: Facebook]
News
With a fine eye for detail, Keith Andrew is fuelled by strong coffee, Kylie Minogue and the shapely curve of a san serif font.
Top Stories
Feature
May 17th, 2024
New release roundup: The best new mobile games from a battle royale to a console classic remake
Feature
May 16th, 2024
Behind the scenes: How adding sandwich offers to an idle merge game boosted three metrics at once
Events
Valencia Indie Summit 2024 | Europe | May 16th |
Digital Dragons | Europe | May 19th |
GamesBeat Summit 2024 | North America | May 20th |
Mobidictum Meetup Tallinn May 2024 | Europe | May 21st |
Nordic Game Spring 2024 | Nordic | May 21st |
Impact 2024 - Indie Games | May 23rd | |
MomoCon 2024 | North America | May 24th |
Morocco Gaming Expo | Africa | May 24th |
Popular Stories
Feature
May 14th, 2024
53 top mobile games in soft launch: Squad Busters, Battle Guys: Royale, Plants vs. Zombies 3, LEGO Hill Climb Adventures, and more
Feature
May 13th, 2024
Hot Five: Dubai's new Gaming Visa, April's mobile game charts, and Xbox studio closures
News
May 10th, 2024