As the world is preparing itself for a new generation of apps with HTML 5, a question largely looms in the minds of developers across the globe. Will HTML 5 replace native apps? In simpler terms, will the evolution of HTML 5 signal the end of native mobile app platforms like the Android and iOS. Probably not at least in the near future. Here are three reasons why.
Missing Elements:
HTML 5 still continues to be a novel concept and lacks several capabilities that native apps have – such as Digital Rights Management that is essential for multimedia services, incapability to support background processing, erratic behaviour in the absence of internet or weak network connection, etc. These problems may be addressed soon, but are at present big hindrances to its adoption.
Browser fragmentation:
According to a recent report by Appcelerator, a differential of 30 per cent was observed across different browsers for supporting HTML 5 based apps. To be more precise, 30 percent of apps that work in one browser does not work in another. This saga continues in mobile browsers as well.
Branding:
Native apps of Android, iOS as well as others have already branded themselves as established icons in the industry. It will be very difficult for HTML 5 to compete with their recognition and popularity levels in the near future.
At present HTML 5 does not have a clear-cut path to success but it is a promising technology. Just as native apps became the replacement for legacy mobile phone applications, one day we could see HTML 5 standards replacing native apps as well.
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