Launch iOS app faster

Question

I figured out that some iOS apps are launching really faster (e.g. YouTube-from google,Skype,iTunes).

I created an empty application (used standard tabbed application template) and i did not change any code at all, just added splash images. When i tested (tried both developer and Ad-Hoc provisioning profiles to sign to check whether if there any difference), it did not launch as fast as the above mentioned apps.

When i tap the app icon on the device app icon get darker for about 0.2-0.5 seconds and then start showing splash image.

My question is how to make my app launch really fast, and is there any trick to show splash image very quickly? (i wonder how my empty application launches slower than above mentioned apps?)

Thanks

Answer 1

I think you also may be falling for a trick: at least for the iTunes app, Apple is overwriting the splash image with one that looks very much like the app while running, which creates the illusion that the app loads immediately. Try it:

Launch iTunes (or "Music") and start it playing, then go do something else to cause the system to swap the process out as much as possible (say, browse some heavy websites). Then relaunch iTunes and immediately try to pause the audio. On my iPhone 4, it takes about 3 seconds before the controls catch up: the position indicator will jump to the correct location, and until that time, the "play" button is inactive - you can't pause the audio. You're seeing a splash image that is meant to make you think that the app is launching immediately, even though it's really taking a few seconds to launch.

I've also noticed Chrome for iOS doing the same thing. I actually dislike this design decision, because it communicates that the app is ready before you can do anything with it.

Answer 2

i did not changed any code at all just added splash images

The loading images are not intended to show splash images, they are intended to show a static version of your application's interface to give the illusion that your application is loading more quickly than it really is.

Splash images are specifically warned against by Apple in the HIG.

Stop abusing loading images to show splash images, start using them properly, and your application will look as if it is loading more quickly.