If there is one constant in the world of computing, it is the continuing rise in the number of users accessing information and completing tasks on their smartphone. The growth of app usage has continued unabated at a dizzying pace. This makes the mobile app development sector one of constant change, even if the subject matter remains the same. Even more, multi-niche businesses are getting in on the game. No longer are apps merely curiosities to be fawned over by gamers or those seeking relief from boredom. Many companies now stake their entire business model on effective, engaging, and useful mobile apps.
In the world of mobile app development, HTML5 is still so important because it is extremely flexible in meeting the needs of fast-growing businesses. It represents the best blend of developer performance, technological evolution, and specific business requirements. But what makes HTML5 such an attractive proposition for effective mobile app development?
For starters, HTML5 is an open standards product that allows developers to create high-quality, rich content that transcends specific devices and operating systems. Developers can rely on HTML5 to deliver a solid product across multiple platforms. Even more, HTML5 allows for audio, video, and canvas elements that provide for rich multimedia or graphical elements on either a website or web app. Even better? Developers don’t have to rely on APIs or plug-ins to get the job done.
How emerging technologies converge within HTML5 and mobile app development
Consider the number of cutting-edge technologies that appear by the day. From artificial intelligence (AI) to the Internet of Things (IoT), wearable devices and more, consumers are continually looking for high levels of quality, interactivity, and usability in their products, whether digital, physical, or a combination of both. This complex technological landscape presents unique challenges to mobile app development teams looking to deliver quality products on a variety of devices and platforms.
This is where HTML5 comes in. Building web apps utilizing HTML5 provides a level of flexibility you just don’t get in other coding environments. HTML5 allows for freedom from app store restrictions, advanced UI components, video and audio support, geo-location services, and even offline support. It should be no surprise then that today, a majority of developers have embraced HTML5, which has enjoyed worldwide support for many years, thanks to the web development community’s familiarity and the language’s overall ease-of-use.
Still, this doesn’t mean HTML5 is not without a few question marks hanging over its head. While HTML5 is not dependent on a specific operating system or platform, will it continue to be an effective language as high-tech mobile devices take over and the user landscape shifts? Furthermore, it is not difficult to find an app developer who ardently believes that HTML5 will never perform as well as a native mobile application. Yet, in this area, the cost can also be a factor. HTML5 reduces costs by allowing developers to only develop one version of an application. But for those with money to spare, many point to high-end native apps as the answer.
Still, if you look closer, in many cases a user would never even be able to tell the difference between a mobile app experience built on HTML5 or one built on a native platform. There are a lot more apps using web technologies than you may think, with huge players – such as Netflix – using HTML5 in their products.
As leaders in software, web, and mobile app development, Clever Coding knows the ins, outs, ups, and downs of HTML5 and other technologies designed to use compelling, usable, and engaging digital products. Whether the need is native or web-based, we’ve got our clients covered.