The Native apps are specific to a given mobile platform (iOS or Android) using the development tools and language that the respective platform supports. These Apps perform the best!

The HTML5 apps are using web technologies like HTML5, JavaScript, and CSS. This write-once-run-anywhere approach to mobile development creates cross-platform mobile applications that work on multiple devices. Though the developers can create sophisticated apps with HTML5 and JavaScript alone, some critical limitations are there related to session management, secure offline storage, and access to native device functionality. A lot of this work is currently carried out as freelance work.

Hybrid Mobile Applications:

Hybrid App development combines the best from the Native and HTML development. It is a web app, primarily built using HTML5 and JavaScript, wrapped inside a native container. It enables you to access the native platform features also. PhoneGap is an example of a framework for creating hybrid mobile apps.

Existing freelance web developers with expertise in JavaScript and CSS can create beautiful layouts, and write HTML code that works on any platform. In certain circumstances, native developers can write plugins for tasks like image processing.

On iOS, the embedded web browser or the ‘UIWebView’ is not similar to the Safari browser. While the differences are minor, they can cause debugging issues. It is preferred to use the known and tested hybrid frameworks that have addressed the limitations.

Implementing a Hybrid Apps:

The native apps are installed on the device, while HTML5 apps reside on a Web server, so you might be wondering if hybrid apps store their files on the device or a server.

The two ways of implementing Hybrid Apps are:

Local – You can package HTML and JavaScript code inside the mobile application binary, like the structure of a native application. Here, you use the REST APIs to move data back-and- forth between the device and the cloud.

Server – You can also implement the full web application from Server using the container as a thin shell over the UIWebview.

Example: Netflix has a cool app that uses the same code base for running the UI on all devices: tablets, phones, smart TVs, DVD players, refrigerators, and cars.

Advantages of Hybrid App:

The recent boost of innovation within hybrid app technology is making it an increasingly attractive option for developing an app. Whereas native app technology is limited to one specific operating system, hybrid app technology applies a ‘write once, use anywhere’ approach. It means that only one codebase is there for an iOS app, the Android app, and even the web app.

It offers a cross-platform technology that works on most devices. The majority of apps contain elements that may differ according to their operating system, looking at the differences in user interfaces for Android and iOS but the core concept remains the same. The Hybrid app development has just one code base.

What is happening with Legacy Apps?

The legacy enterprise applications are difficult to modernise because it’s nearly impossible to move them entirely to a public cloud. The legacy multi-tier enterprise applications typically have a composite web of dependencies on underlying operating systems, network topologies, and typical hardware and they are not easy to modernise.

The majority of the enterprise application software budget is going in modernising, functionally expanding or substituting long-standing business and office applications with Cloud-based software-as-a-service (SaaS).

Key advantages of Hybrid Applications:

Hybrid Apps are getting popularity and clients are also demanding for their App to be developed using Hybrid technology mainly for the below reasons:

Device data access: Hybrid apps, like native apps, can access data that devices pick up like Camera or GPS and can also use push notifications and address book information.

Offline working: As hybrid apps have the native infrastructure, they can work offline. Although, while offline, data updates are not possible, but the users can still able to load the app and access previously loaded data, unlike web apps.

Resource availability: Using the web for app development makes hybrid app development much easier. The knowledge of web development and web technology is widely available than that of native coding, so there are resources available to deliver it. You can get multiple references and online help also.

Easy scaling as required: These apps are easier to scale to a variety of platforms and operating systems. The web technology is similar across different platforms and operating systems, the code can be reused with no need to rebuild the whole app from scratch.

Using Cloud Computing and Hybrid Cloud:

The cloud offers a tremendous opportunity to extend and optimise business applications. It enhances security measures and maximises IT resources. They also offer cost savings, especially considering the costs for upgrading on-premises infrastructure and applications frequently.

You may be experiencing a high business growth and a larger workload; you need to support a growing mobile workforce or are struggling to navigate industry regulations. A hybrid cloud model can support current requirements and provide capacity for future growth. It can also accelerate the speed to market for new products or services as you expand operations in new areas. Technology should be an asset one that helps you to anticipate, manage and respond quickly to change and reduce cost.

Flexible storage for employees’ files and data- Easily access and work with your latest files with cloud drive for Business, which synchronises files across PCs and devices, whether online or offline. Get the most from your servers with the hybrid platform. Move to the cloud while getting the most out of your on-site servers.

Summary:

The time has come to move to Hybrid Apps, and Hybrid Could model also! The Hybrid Apps are providing you an opportunity to club together the best of Native and HTML5 Apps and expand by using many new features. It is providing freelance designers and developers a great opportunity for you to expand your business without any additional investment. The features you can add to your Native App are available free of cost, and you only need to develop some new skills!

Kitty Gupta
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