Ego Boost

I don't put too much faith in their ranking system, but I must admit that it feels good that our book has shot up in the Amazon rankings. A few weeks ago, we were ranked in the #12,000 range, before the NDA dropped, we had moved up to about #4,000, and since the NDA drop, we've shot up to a whopping #1,404 in the overall ranking for all books (or thereabouts, it changes constantly). Nearly half the people visiting the Amazon page for our book are ordering it, and we're the #2 book in several relevant categories.

I have no idea what this means in terms of pre-orders, but it does give me the warm-fuzzies. Last time I checked, our book was the highest ranked of any of the iPhone SDK books, and the competition is not exactly lightweight. I'd be thrilled to even be running a close second to some of the other planned iPhone SDK books.

I'm hoping to have a publication date soon. The production side of the book has been on the back burner because of the NDA. Now that it's been lifted, we're in hurry-hurry-rush-rush mode, but I don't think the October 27th date is going to happen. Hopefully we won't miss by much, though. When I know more, I'll post more.

It's been a long haul, but the book has given me the opportunity to work with some really great people. Thanks to everyone who has offered their kind words of support (and those who e-mailed me that the NDA had been dropped).

Adobe Flash To Come To The iPhone

Adobe Systems’ Sr. Director of Engineering, Paul Betlem announced at the Flash on the Beach conference in Brighton

that Adobe Flash would be coming to the iPhone soon. He also added that “Apple calls the shots as to when it’ll be available.”

Paul Betlem said, “My team is working on Flash on the iPhone, but it’s a closed platform”. He noted that Apple makes all the decisions; so in other words, the ball is in Apple’s yard at this time. If Apple says yes, Adobe will have the player available in a very short time.”

Flash for the iPhone will be a closed platform and once Apple decides its go time, we will see a Flash player for the mobile phone very soon. This will mean that websites designed in Flash will be available for viewing on the iPhone.

References:

http://www.iphoneatlas.com/2008/09/30/adobe-official-confirms-flash-for-the
-iphone-says-apple-will-decide-when/

Holy %@#$!

It looks like Apple finally decided on a course change. This morning, they dropped the NDA. The timing couldn't be much better, as the book is almost ready to go to press. We've got a few comments from the production people to address in a few chapters, and then a final review of the bluelines, and then it's off to the printer.

I'm so happy, I'm practically giddy. Up until just a few days ago, we were hearing from people inside Apple that they didn't think it was likely that the NDA would drop any time soon.

It's like Christmas came early for me.