Smartphones have produced a phase shift for cell phones from being just a musical instrument with predefined packages of features to some device where one can run diverse group of functions using applications. Based on comScore, greater than 80 million Americans now own smartphones. With the rise in need for smartphones, the need for mobile phone applications is growing.
Smartphones are actually outfitted with modern browsers enabling a brand new variety of HTML5 driven web applications. These applications can run as platform independent apps requiring much less development effort and leading to lower costs. Here are a few typical points concerning the various ways smartphone applications could be built.
Native applications
These apps need to be placed on the unit to be able to run. They’re known as native because they are made to operate on specific device OS for example iOS or Android. Apps are generally pre-placed on the unit or obtainable from Application Stores supplied by mobile phone vendors like Apple’s Application Store, Google Play, the Android market, etc.
Pros
• The native application responds more rapidly
• It’s simpler to stick to a device’s visual design standards because the development tools target that single device
• Because native apps are made for any specific platform, they are able to integrate very tightly with device hardware and operating-system features
Cons
• Native applications want more time for you to develop as well as more development skill.
• For every mobile OS you will have to redevelop the Application, utilizing a new development language within the situation of iOS, Android and Home windows Mobile
• Whenever a latest version from the existing native application is released you must install the update.
• With respect to the application, it calls for tremendous amount for distribution and promotion.
Web applications
These apps are developed using standard HTML5, CSS and Javascript technology. Web Apps could be loaded from the server and they also don’t need to be placed on the unit to operate. However, because of technologies for example Phonegap/Cordova Web Apps is now able to compiled after which installed and operate on the unit just like a local Application. Web Apps aren’t device or platform specific and may therefore be utilized by all web-capable devices including normal desktop browsers. Web apps are developed once, but could be deployed on just about all devices and platforms.
Pros
• You are able to immediately connect to the application out of your mobile phone
• They’re suitable for any HTML5 browser enabled device
• Updates could be delivered easily. A person can run the application even when he upgrades or changes his mobile.
• Web apps are developed much faster than Native Apps and therefore are simpler to keep
• Pure Web Apps don’t require Application Store approval, which could take days
• Phonegap/Cordova technology enables web applications to become compiled after which delivered via Application Stores. This enables use of device hardware (camera, Gps navigation, accelerometer etc.) along with other low-level OS features
Cons
Pure web applications require continuous Internet connectivity is needed for that application to operate, although Phonegap compiled applications don’t
The apps might have slower performance and could be slightly less functional in contrast to native apps.
The developer needs to understand security risks natural in almost any web application.
Web Apps don’t have the raw graphics and computational performance of native apps.
Native versus. Web apps: things to choose
As you can tell that every from it features its own benefits and drawbacks, the selection backward and forward really depends upon your usage. Native apps would be best where performance and strict adherence to device specific design standards is needed. However, this comes at a price due the reasons involved. And if you want to run your Application on several platform, then costs increase even more.
