ArcGIS JavaScript API v1.3 OUT

This is a developer centric release. The enhancements include custom layers, error handling and more layer management in the Map which have been requested time & time again. Check out the full list of What's New.

At the Dev Summit in March, Jeremy & I will be presenting the 'An overview of the ArcGIS JavaScript APIs' and 'Developing Advanced Applications with the ArcGIS JavaScript API' sessions. Jeremy will also be presenting 'Patterns and Best Practices for Building Applications with ArcGIS API for JavaScript' and finally 'Using the ArcGIS Server REST API' with Keyur. To see when these sessions are offered, go to the session search page and search by session name.

We will take an in-depth look into the v1.3 developer features in the advanced sessions. In depth looks into error handling, using esri.request, custom layer, etc. You can hear a podcast about our sessions too.

In case you are interested in attending for the ESRI Developer Summit, check out the website.

Google Latitude & the iPhone

I'm sure everyone has heard about Google Latitude, essentially a mobile app that lets you share and find friends in the vicinity, with caveats. Well, what it may potentially tell us about the next iPhone OS release is that the OS will probably have background processes. I know its a long shot, but here goes:

The google latitude page states: http://google.com/latitude -> Will it work with my phone? -> iPhone and iPod touch devices (coming soon).

In the FAQ for Latitude: http://www.google.com/support/mobile/bin/answer.py?answer=136647&topic=20071, the page states:

... Latitude can automatically detect and update your location in the background ...

... you will have the option to continue sharing your location in the background even with Maps for mobile closed.

So in order for Latitude to truly work on the iPhone, they need background process support in the SDK. And guess what, it may be 'coming soon'. Fingers crossed & hoping so...