Sencha , formerly known as "Ext JS", has announced the beta release of Sencha Touch, an HTML5-based mobile application framework. Sencha Touch gives mobile application developers access to HTML5 technologies that can be deployed to both Apple and Android devices, while giving users applications that look and feels like native applications, with no need to download application updates.

"HTML5 technologies are here, they're being adopted very quickly, and by the end of the year they'll be running on every mobile device that matters," said Sencha's Abe Elias. "As server and client frameworks continue to fragment, the mobile device industry has consolidated on the HTML5-capable Webkit browser as its default platform."

Until now, says Sencha, developers have had to learn different languages and tool chains to build mobile-targeted user experiences for Android, iPhone, iPad, and other devices. Sencha Touch provides a single framework that runs across every major mobile browser, providing UI components that work across platforms. Sencha Touch is built on technology formerly known as Ext JS, a cross-browser JavaScript library for building rich internet applications. It includes customizable UI building blocks, an extensible component model, and an API.

Currently in beta, the product will be generally available in July. Sencha Touch will be available under both GPLv3 and commercial license options, and licensed per developer seat.