Chicago Web Developer Asks: "Are native apps going the way of the dinosaur?"
The web is abuzz with talk of HTML 5 and with good reason. It seems pretty clear to this web developer that HTML 5 is on its way to replacing the native application. When will this happen? Probably sooner than you think.
What is a Native Application?
"Native" means compiled for a specific operating system, such as Macs and PCs and all of their respective versions. For the last couple decades most applications have been ‘native' applications.
Historically, native apps have been faster and more stable than their cross-platform counterparts, and--until recently--this has been something of an advantage. Of course, the drawback is that a native application only runs on a single operating system. (Sidebar for the geekish: it's worth mentioning that most seemingly cross-platform applications are actually native applications. But that is an article for another day.)
Enough Is Enough...already
There are often multiple versions of an application, each one compiled separately for a specific operating system. This need to release multiple versions of an application, just to keep up, has led to rising development costs and other major hindrances in the development process. That is about as sleek and efficient a use of resources in this day and age, as...well...a dinosaur.
Considering this, it's only natural that more and more companies are looking to the future for an alternative to the native application. Luckily, in the world of technology the future is always just around the corner and HTML 5 may just be the answer they're looking for.
HTML 5 v. Dinosaur
With powerful features such as file system access, web-cam access, and microphone access, HTML 5 is robust enough to provide functionality once only available to system-level applications. Plus, HTML 5 apps are lighter and nimbler--both for the web developer and the end-user.
For the first time ever, users can now drag-and-drop files straight from desktop into browser, save their work straight to the could and access their digital life from any computer, anywhere in the world. Developers can voice-enable web applications with a single line of additional code, and add realtime video and multimedia just as easily. Perhaps best of all, there's no need to install anything; the HTML 5 application in combination with your browser does it all straight from the web.
All of this suggests that HTML 5 has grabbed native application development by its big old dino tail and flung into the past to make way for a brand new era; one that has been a long time coming, but well worth the wait.
So why aren't we all using this yet?
Like many things, it takes time for a new way of thinking and working to penetrate the marketplace. Right now, there is still lots of investment in the old native apps, and as long as they are still "working" for people, they will continue to be used. Furthermore, services like Apple's App Store, Google's Android Market, and Blackberry App World still rely on native applications. But gradually, and with a momentum that picks up speed, even those giants will need to pick up the pace. When that happens we should expect to see a mass movement over to this new way of working.
What is a Native Application?
"Native" means compiled for a specific operating system, such as Macs and PCs and all of their respective versions. For the last couple decades most applications have been ‘native' applications.
Historically, native apps have been faster and more stable than their cross-platform counterparts, and--until recently--this has been something of an advantage. Of course, the drawback is that a native application only runs on a single operating system. (Sidebar for the geekish: it's worth mentioning that most seemingly cross-platform applications are actually native applications. But that is an article for another day.)
Enough Is Enough...already
There are often multiple versions of an application, each one compiled separately for a specific operating system. This need to release multiple versions of an application, just to keep up, has led to rising development costs and other major hindrances in the development process. That is about as sleek and efficient a use of resources in this day and age, as...well...a dinosaur.
Considering this, it's only natural that more and more companies are looking to the future for an alternative to the native application. Luckily, in the world of technology the future is always just around the corner and HTML 5 may just be the answer they're looking for.
HTML 5 v. Dinosaur
With powerful features such as file system access, web-cam access, and microphone access, HTML 5 is robust enough to provide functionality once only available to system-level applications. Plus, HTML 5 apps are lighter and nimbler--both for the web developer and the end-user.
For the first time ever, users can now drag-and-drop files straight from desktop into browser, save their work straight to the could and access their digital life from any computer, anywhere in the world. Developers can voice-enable web applications with a single line of additional code, and add realtime video and multimedia just as easily. Perhaps best of all, there's no need to install anything; the HTML 5 application in combination with your browser does it all straight from the web.
All of this suggests that HTML 5 has grabbed native application development by its big old dino tail and flung into the past to make way for a brand new era; one that has been a long time coming, but well worth the wait.
So why aren't we all using this yet?
Like many things, it takes time for a new way of thinking and working to penetrate the marketplace. Right now, there is still lots of investment in the old native apps, and as long as they are still "working" for people, they will continue to be used. Furthermore, services like Apple's App Store, Google's Android Market, and Blackberry App World still rely on native applications. But gradually, and with a momentum that picks up speed, even those giants will need to pick up the pace. When that happens we should expect to see a mass movement over to this new way of working.
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