The new iPad is here and it’s Retina screen is really great (I have mine in hands at this moment). The big question now is: should you build your projects or not for the new device? Wait before simply answer “Of course!”. You will see the answer is not that simple.
Let’s start with some facts first:
– due the size and resolution of the screen, your projects will grow (average) 3x in size;
– only 6% of the iPad market is running the new device at this moment;
– projects made for the old iPads will automatically be re-scaled by iOS 5.1, with no need of rewriting code (you will need to update your current app using one of the Corona builds mentioned below). In fact it works pretty well, although the scaled images seems to be a little washed in the Retina display.
So, if you plan to have your app (using the same content) running as an Universal project (including export for Android markets), you need to think twice. Google Play (the old Android Market) now accepts projects up to 50Mb (Nook and Fire are close to that, if I am not wrong) but, having 3 different files for the same image (@4 for the new iPad, @2 for the old iPads and @1 for smartphones), can really eat the 50Mb easily.
What are the options?
First of all, you need to install Corona build 704a or the latest daily build in order to create new iPad apps (you need to do it too if you already have an app made with Corona, otherwise the new iPad will screw your project – believe me, from the dozens of apps made with Kwik I have installed, only a couple have updated the bits, meaning they are NOT WORKING at this moment in the new iPad!).
This morning I updated version 1.9.3. It brings several options and new export module for images. Here are they:
– New Universal: use this one for new projects targeting all kinds of devices, including the new iPad. It will create pages with 2048×1536, with resolution of 264 pixels per inch. When you use this, Kwik will export 3 images per project: @4 (for the new iPad), @2 (for the old iPads and other tablets) and @1 (for the old iPhones and Android smartphones).
– New iPad: use this one for new projects targeting all kinds of iPads, including the new one. It will create pages with 2048×1536, with resolution of 264 pixels per inch. When you use this, Kwik will export 2 images per project: @2 (for the new iPad) and @1 (for the old iPads).
– Universal: use this one for new projects targeting all kinds of devices, but NOT the new iPad. It will create pages with 1024×768, with resolution of 132 pixels per inch. When you use this, Kwik will export 2 images per project: @2 (for the old iPads and other tablets) and @1 (for the old iPhones and Android smartphones). This export is the same as in old Kwik versions.
– iPad: use this one for new projects targeting all kinds of iPads, but NOT the new one. It will create pages with 1024×768, with resolution of 132 pixels per inch. When you use this, Kwik will export 2 images per project: @2 (for the old iPads and other tablets) and @1 (for the old iPhones and Android smartphones). This export is the same as in old Kwik versions.
So, should you go iPad 3 or not?
If Apple has already launched the new iPad in your market, this should be a good indication to move on to the new resolution. Otherwise, you may be hitting all disk space of the old iPads with high-resolution images that will not be seeing anytime soon.
If you plan to use the same code for multiple platforms (Nook, Fire, etc), I suggest you to keep creating Universal projects only as the New Universal mode will increase the project size at least 3 times, meaning your app will be rejected by Amazon, Google, Barnes, etc.
If you want to be in edge of the technology, taking the advantage of (potentially) be highlighted in App Store Great Apps for the new iPad (yes, there is a new are just for that), the New Universal or the New iPad projects are right for you.
No matter you decide, Kwik will render the job for you. Keep creating!
Alex