The mobile apps development market has changed at a rapid pace ever since the first Apple iPhone was launched and the change is expected to continue in the near future. The introduction of new technologies including but not limited to cloud computing, HTML5 as well as the continued advancement of mobile hardware is expected to facilitate further changes in the way software development companies approach mobile applications development. The starting point of this shifting paradigm is the introduction of hybrid apps i.e. mobile apps which include features of both HTML5-based web applications as well as native mobile applications.
Key HTML5 Features for Smart phone Applications and Related Benefits
The growth in use of HTML5-based applications is directly linked to the substantial increase in the availability of wireless internet connectivity. Moreover, the availability of relatively cheap data plans for mobile phones and rapid improvement in mobile hardware are expected to drive further changes in the smart phone apps market. HTML5-based web apps for touch mobiles allow rapid feature innovations, while enabling the operation of complex apps using an ordinary web browser. These capabilities allow software development companies to focus more on the specific application with less importance on developing specific and separate server pages.
Present day users are not satisfied with just having applications that work, they demand applications which provide an enriching user experience along with a responsive, intuitive and user friendly UI. These users also demand more and more customization options, which can only be delivered using HTML5. The emphasis on web-based cloud dependent applications is already on the rise even though some companies have barred users from using a few leading cloud apps citing corporate data security concerns. These and other apps which provide a web-based alternative to native apps are definitely the future of mobile apps development.
Why Still Keep Using Native Apps?
HTML5 is great, but the future of mobile apps is not an either-or question and that’s simply because Native Apps score significantly higher in terms of security. A majority of the web-based mobile applications would often be using a third-party server and this poses a serious security concern for organizations. Not only are organizations required to comply with local and national regulations related to data security, but they are also required to ensure that all customer/vendor data as well as business critical data is protected at all times. Native apps allow organizations to exert greater control on the flow of such sensitive data even if employees complain about the memory usage, responsiveness etc. of these applications.
In the near future, native apps are expected to continue dominating specific segments of the market, however, leading offshore software development companies are expected to incorporate existing and new mobile apps with features of both HTML5-based web apps and native apps to strike a balance between features that users demand and the mandatory data security requirement of enterprises. If last year’s global PC shipments vs. global smart phone/tablet sales are any indication, this paradigm shift will definitely dictate the mobile apps development market sooner rather than later.
