Where is the tool?

You can find the Intel AppUp(TM) Encapsulator tool here.

What is the Intel AppUp Encapsulator?

The Intel AppUp Encapsulator is a web-based tool that makes Intel AppUp(SM) center-ready apps out of your web code.

How mature is Intel AppUp Encapsulator?

We're currently deploying the alpha version of the Intel AppUp Encapsulator 2.0. This new version allows you to build, test, and start submitting apps. However, since the Encapsulator 2.0 is still an alpha version, the developer assumes responsibility for the final quality of applications submitted during the alpha phase. (For now, you can also continue to use Encapsulator 1.0 if you wish.)

Start here for version 2.0 alpha. You can choose version 1.0 once you arrive.

What’s new in the 2.0 alpha version of the Intel AppUp Encapsulator?

The Intel AppUp Encapsulator 2.0 adds JavaScript APIs to support: In-App Upgrades, In-App Purchases of consumable and non-consumbable items, In-App Content Purchase via the Urban Airship portal, and application usage measurement. Also, this new version of the Encapsulator incorporates the Chromium* WebKit for improved HTML5 and JavaScript* support.

What about technical support?

You can ask questions, get help and provide product feedback in our AppUp Encapsulator Support Forum.

Why would I use Intel AppUp Encapsulator over just making my own website/web app?

From a business standpoint, end-users find your apps in the context of the Intel AppUp(SM) center store. This may increase the likelihood that they’ll have a purchase mentality over a standard website where they may have a “free” mentality.

The Intel AppUp center(SM) makes selling your web apps possible!

From an end-user experience standpoint, your app gets a dedicated UI that you control instead of a generic web browser UI. Your app can run and work offline just as well as it can when online—there’s no requirement to have a constant connection to a website or depend on offline feature compatibility across browsers.

How do these apps look and feel to the end-user?

End users find and install your app on the Intel AppUp center(SM) just like any other app. Once installed, end-users launch your app just like they would any other app on the device. Your app gets its own, dedicated UI—no web browser involved!

Do I need a website or web server to host my app?

No, you aren’t required to have a server for your app. Your code and resources (i.e., UI images) are bundled with the app you make. These are installed to the end-user’s device when they purchase your app through the Intel AppUp center.

What does the Intel AppUp Encapsulator do with my web code?

The Intel AppUp Encapsulator embeds your web code into a native application wrapper (aka hybrid app) and then creates an MSI installer package for Windows*, which can be submitted to the Intel AppUp(SM) developer program. The native application wrapper integrates the Intel AppUp™ SDK for store authorization, and Chromium* WebKit, which provides the HTML5 and JavaScript* engines that execute and render your web app code.

(The 1.0 version of the Encapsulator also supports converting Adobe AIR apps into MSI packages and creates RPM packages for MeeGo. The 1.0 version uses Qt Webkit.)

Do I have to do anything special to get my code to work with the Intel AppUp Encapsulator?

You pretty much build your web code like you would other web apps—HTML, CSS and JavaScript*, images, and AJAX all work like they would if they were served up from a website.

Of course, you still need to test and debug your app. But you can run Intel AppUp Encapsulator as many times as you like until your app works just right. Then you can submit your final product to the Intel AppUp(SM) developer program.

What HTML5 features does the Intel AppUp Encapsulator supports?

To check what features are currently supported by Intel AppUp Encapsulator, you can check this web page. This article will be periodically updated with newest information regarding updates and added support. (The HTML support page for the 1.0 version is here.)

Can I use my existing web APIs and other third party APIs (e.g., social media APIs)?

Yes. You can put code in your app that makes use of your existing APIs and other code on the web. Be sure you follow the terms and conditions required by the owners of third-party APIs/services.

Can I embed third-party widgets such as YouTube* videos or Google* Maps into my app?

Yes. Be sure to follow the terms and conditions required by the owners of those services/widgets.

Okay, so I’ve used the Intel AppUp Encapsulator, I have MeeGo* and Windows* installer packages, now what?

Great! You need to test your app on the target operating systems and devices. If you find errors, you can fix your code, and then use the Intel AppUp Encapsulator again to create new packages. Repeat those steps until your app is ready for prime time, and then submit your app to the Intel AppUp(SM) Developer Program.

I didn't read any of the text above—and I just want to see some pictures!

Here you go ;)

Here's a diagram that shows the basic workflow:

Here's a diagram that shows what Intel AppUp™ encapsulator alpha 2.0 does with your web code:

(Not Shown: Version 1.0 can create RPM packages for MeeGo and convert Adobe AIR apps into MSI packages. Version 1.0 uses the Qt Webkit.

Okay, those diagrams totally convinced me ;) Where is the tool?

You can find the Intel AppUp Encapsulator tool here.