Filed under: Macworld, Software, App Store
VixML debuts iPhone development middleware, demos 'TrueFlirt'
Viximo has debuted TrueFlirt, a $5.99 iPhone application that demonstrates the capabilities of VixML, a simple development environment for creative entrepreneurs.
TrueFlirt, as you might suspect, allows you to send animated "flirts" to other users of TrueFlirt. You can "FlirtBack" with one of a few pre-populated "playful" replies.
TrueFlirt is -- while perhaps not suitable for the iTunes "productivity" category -- an interesting technology demonstration of VixML, an XML-based content creation platform that enables interactive designers to create native iPhone content for Viximo applications.
The way it works is a content creator signs up with Viximo, who provides them their framework and tools for development. Developing VixML uses structured XML that -- at first glance -- seems easy to understand, and includes code support for animation, interaction and music. Viximo says it's a much lesser investment in terms of time and money, since you don't need to become an Apple developer, nor pay to submit the app to the App Store.
Once an application is developed, Viximo will check it for problems, and submit it for publication in the App Store. It's unclear how pricing is structured, or how much of a cut Viximo gets for each application.
VixML applications are analogous to standalone Flash animations, but obviously they don't use Flash. Instead, they use the OpenGL 2D and 3D graphics engines built into iPhone OS. Applications can send and receive data (like TrueFlirt), as well as interact with the iPhone and iPod touch's built-in accelerometer.
Viximo, in addition to TrueFlirt, is releasing more titles expected to arrive in the App Store during the first quarter of 2009. TrueFlirt is available in the App Store now (for $5.99), and a free version is coming soon. The free version will be able to receive flirts, but the paid version can both send and receive them.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
mentalsticks said 8:10AM on 1-08-2009
>It's unclear how pricing is structured, or how much of a cut Viximo gets for each application.
Wow... wouldn't you say that's rather important information when you're writing about a company that acts as a middle man so you can avoid having to pay the $99?
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Jeff said 8:56AM on 1-08-2009
Pretty cool. I'm interested to see what comes out of this.
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Jeff Clark said 9:04AM on 1-08-2009
Disclaimer: I work for Viximo. Tell your friends.
While VixML is a way to get content onto the iPhone, it's not a development platform in the "create an app and we'll post it for you" sense.
VixML is a way for creative folks to create content for applications that support it without having to become an iPhone dev, learn the iPhone SDK or pick up Obj C. Example: you would use VixML to create the flirts for TrueFlirt, which would then be distributed to all of the folks with TrueFlirt installed.
Or if that farting app was to partner with Viximo, you as a creator could create other farts (with interactive animations...?) in VixML and distribute it through iFart. (Which I think would be hilarious btw - call me!)
As a creator, when your content is sold, you get a 20% rev share of the sale, and we'll handle the marketing, distribution, etc etc etc. Same with our virtual goods on social networks and whatnot.
Obviously, more info on the viximo.com website, but I'll reply to comments too if I can.
"boom"
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Silo said 10:47AM on 1-08-2009
*sigh*
And I was all excited about this. I was really hoping for something useful. Perhaps I'm suffering from a lack of imagination here, but who gives a rats a** if VixML gives me the ability to design another piece of nothingness to sell through yet another middleman and for pimply teenagers to buy? Digital goods are a highly interesting concept from a techno-sociological POV (I just made that up!), but mostly because it causes me to have reactions like "jesus, that's stupid - I can't believe someone spent money on that".
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Rick said 4:08PM on 1-08-2009
So the Facebook suprepoke (or whatever) app for the iphone more or less.
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