HTML5 hybrid app development platform Monaca has released Onsen UI 1.1 with Global Object support. Onsen UI is described as a custom-elements-based HTML5 UI framework for building mobile user interfaces for PhoneGap and Cordova.
Global Object support essentially hides the complexity of AngularJS and, at the same time, makes libraries like jQuery available. This means that developers who know JQuery can use Onsen UI to quickly build mobile interfaces.
It is worth pointing out that AngularJS.org says that while HTML is great for declaring static documents, it falters when developers try to use it for declaring dynamic views in Web applications. "AngularJS lets you extend HTML vocabulary for your application. The resulting environment is extraordinarily expressive, readable, and quick to develop," reads the site.
Monaca CEO Masahiro Tanaka says that Onsen UI 1.1 provides the power of modern HTML5 technology without requiring a deep understanding of the underlying complexity.
"With our new jQuery support, developers will have even more options when using Onsen UI to create world-class hybrid apps. This is especially useful for developers and designers who desire a more lightweight solution than AngularJS, or who want to increase the performance of their existing apps without a fundamental change," said Tanaka.
Onsen UI 1.1 also allows developers access to Onsen CSS Components, a free resource of UI templates and theme roller functionality.
Onsen UI 1.1 supports Android 2.3 and up, iOS 6 and up, and now Google Chrome and Safari. Onsen UI is built on the stack of Topcoat, AngularJS, HammerJS, and Font Awesome. Onsen UI itself is free and available under the Apache License.
