How to create a simple app for iOS and Android?

[I, Brian]

Looking to get a simple app created for iOS and Android which links to an online PDF newsletter.

Not sure how to approach this - anyone any suggestions on getting started, or companies that provide this service without charging enterprise fees?

[Brad]

For iOS you have to get it into the curated Apple app store.  This means it needs to be pretty polished and might need to be more than just a gateway to a web page or PDF.  You should check the Apple guidelines before proceeding.

How about a "web app" a web page optimized to render well on both iOS, Android and probably Win Phone 7 and other mobile devices? Cheaper and easier to maintain.

[dogboy]

Appcelerator might be an option if you really need an app and not just a html5 native experience.

[Brad]

You might try the Enyo framework which HP recently open sourced:  http://enyojs.com/

My understanding is that the apps produced by Enyo need about 5 lines of code changed before they can run on each platform (webOS, Android and iOS. Not sure about Win. Phone 7.)  Apps from the newest versions of Enyo are capable of running on both tablets and phones.

That said, I'm not a coder, I'm just passing along what I've read. YMMV.  Still if it really will produce cross platform apps it might be worth a look.

[Rooftop]

I wasn't blown away by appcellorator. Haven't looked at it for quite a while, but it was pretty limiting when I did. I keep meaning to check out Haxe.org properly as that looks pretty interesting.

[Rooftop]

That app inventor link Jason posted is genius.  Just been going through it (and already have an utterly obscene app as a result). Android only, but a really clever way of introducing people to development. Love it.  

Think I might get our work experience nipper on it when he's with us.

Late edit: Apps created this way cannot be added to the market. Arse.

[thesaintv12]

As a .NET person, I like the look of http://xamarin.com/monotouch which lets you code in c# for iphone and android (you can also code directly for windows phone using c#, VB etc).

There is a cost though, so probably not worth it for a one off development.

I am currently doing some Windows phone stuff (young market and I can use existing skills) and will port over anything that proves to earn money.

[I, Brian]

I've got very limited coding skills. I can code HTML but don't expect me to program anything, not even a video player.

I figure because I just want to link up to a URL for a PDF there should be a simple process - just add app graphic.

Must be a simple way.