The paradigm shift in mobile app development
The mobile app development market has changed at a dizzying pace since Apple’s first iPhone was released and the change is expected to continue in the near future. The introduction of new technologies including, but not limited to, cloud computing, HTML5, and the continued advancement of mobile hardware are expected to facilitate further changes in the way software development companies approach mobile application development. The starting point of this changing paradigm is the introduction of hybrid applications, that is, mobile applications that include functions of both HTML5-based web applications and native mobile applications.
HTML5 Key Features for Smartphone Apps and Related Benefits
The growth in the use of HTML5-based applications is directly related to the substantial increase in the availability of wireless Internet connectivity. In addition, the availability of relatively cheap data plans for mobile phones and the rapid improvement in mobile hardware are expected to drive further changes in the smartphone application market. HTML5-based web apps for touch-enabled mobile devices enable rapid feature innovations, while allowing complex apps to function using a regular web browser. These capabilities allow software development companies to focus more on the specific application with less emphasis on developing separate, specific server pages.
Today’s users are not satisfied with just having working apps, they demand apps that provide a rich user experience along with a responsive, intuitive and easy-to-use user interface. These users are also demanding more and more customization options, which can only be provided using HTML5. The emphasis on web-based cloud-dependent applications is already on the rise, even though some companies have banned users from using some leading cloud applications citing corporate data security concerns. These and other apps that provide a web-based alternative to native apps are definitely the future of mobile app development.
Why keep using native apps?
HTML5 is great, but the future of mobile apps isn’t a matter of either/or and that’s simply because native apps score significantly higher in terms of security. Most of the web-based mobile applications often use a third-party server and this poses a serious security issue for organizations. Organizations must not only comply with local and national regulations related to data security, but must also ensure that all customer/supplier data, as well as critical business data, is protected at all times. Native apps allow organizations to exercise more control over the flow of this sensitive data, even if employees complain about memory usage, responsiveness, etc. of these apps.
In the near future, native apps are expected to continue to dominate specific market segments; however, major overseas software development companies are expected to incorporate new and existing mobile apps with features of both HTML5-based web apps and native apps to strike a balance. between the features that users demand and the mandatory data security requirement of companies. If last year’s global PC shipments vs. Global smartphone/tablet sales are any indication, this paradigm shift will definitely dictate the mobile app development market sooner rather than later.