Ask HN: iPhone/iPad online app-development

[zam]

I don't own a Mac, but would like to get started iPhone/iPad development using Objective-C.

Is there any online tools which lets me submit code in Obj-C and which compiles and displays the app on a simulator?

Please do share if you have any other suggestions on the easiest way to get started.

[Magneus]

Apple does not support any development environment other than XCode on an Intel Mac.

Thus, if you want to do Objective-C development, your best bet is to get your hands on a Mac. Barring that, you could rig up Hackintosh, or Hackintosh VM in VMWare/Virtualbox.

If you are willing to consider some zanier options, there's a open source project that's attempting to create a portable iPhone toolchain: http://code.google.com/p/iphone-dev/.

If you're willing to forgo Objective-C, and try cross-compiled development, there's stuff like PhoneGap, xmlvm, etc.

[xsmasher]

You can get a Mac Mini for $599, hook it to your network, and access it using logmein.com or some other remote access method. That's what I did to get started, and it's worked very well.

[wallflower]

Check out:

It might make more sense to buy your own Mac, after all. I initially assumed this service rented Mac Minis.

"We are a mac mini colocation service. In other words, we place your Mac mini in a high-end data center where you can use it as a server. We provide you with a menu of services including redundant very high speed internet connections, remote control electrical power, a highly secure location to house your Mac mini, and remote human hands."

http://www.macminicolo.net/

[samratjp]

Obligatory Obj-C+iPhone Tutorial: http://www.stanford.edu/class/cs193p/