How could I create a shortcut on desktop in iOS through an app

Question

What do I mean is that I want to use the app to create a shortcut with icon on the desktop which will allow user to speed access some functions of this app.

How coul

Answer 1

You can not add icons to the 'desktop' (Springboard) other than your application's. What this app is doing is displaying a replica of the iPhone 'desktop' within their app.

UPDATE: The link now points to an app which does this and it seems it is somewhat possible although rather hack in my opinion.

This is how I believe the application works (it is similar to answer below but in more detail).

• The application creates the webclip image and sends it and the phone number to a web service.
• The web service then creates a page with the webclip information attached. The phone number/email is converted to a url which will trigger the corresponding app (Mail/Messages/Phone). i.e "+834 895 734" -> tel:834895734 or sms:834895734
• The app then opens that page in MobileSafari and that page
  presumably has instructions on how to "Add to Homescreen".
• The user will then have to navigate to and tap the "Add to Homescreen" button. This will add the webclip to the Springboard as an icon.
• When tapped the webclip activates the url and the Mail/Messages/Phone is launched with the number/email

You could implement something similar (although I wouldnt suggest it). These are the steps to follow:

• Register your own url scheme
• Host a page somewhere which contains a webclip for each function/url you want a shortcut for. If the urls are not static or you want dynamic icons, you will need a web service.
• Handle the url in your application in this AppDelegate method

- (BOOL)application:(UIApplication *)application handleOpenURL:(NSURL *)url

Note: If your application is deleted, the webclips will no longer work and will confuse the user. Apple may also reject your app.