Hybrid mobile or Cross platform mobile applications are a combination of Native and Web applications. Hybrid mobile applications are typically web applications that are hosted inside a ‘native container’ or ‘shell’ that utilises the mobile platforms Web View.
This can be thought of as web content being displayed in a full screen web browser without any other controls being displayed that are available on any standard web browser. This allows Hybrid apps to access all the built-in features of the device including the Camera, Phonebook, GPS etc.
These are mainly built using Web technologies (HTML, CSS and JavaScript) rather than native software development kit (SDK). Hybrid apps are similar to native apps in that they are available through app stores and can be installed on the mobile device but the major difference is that Hybrid apps unlike native apps can work across various mobile platforms without the need to code separately for each device.
At Websites ‘N’ More Sydney our team of Android, iOS and Windows app developers who can develop hybrid mobile applications using cross platform app development tools such as Phone Gap, Sancha and IFactr.
Some of the key advantages of choosing cross platform (hybrid) app development as your app development methodology
Cost Effective
Hybrid apps require less effort since they are not dependent on the platforms SDK to develop the app. Instead they use web technologies combined with cross platform tools that allow for rapid development across multiple platforms.
Requires Less Time and Effort
The developer needs to code only once using web technologies such as HTML, CSS, JavaScript and then use the same code to develop an application that can work across various platforms rather than building a app from scratch based on each platforms SDK.
Available through App Stores
Similar to Native apps, Hybrid Apps are made available to the public through an app Store.
Work Offline
Hybrid apps are available locally on the device and don’t require a network connection in order to be accessed.
Access the Devices Features
Hybrid apps can make full use of the devices native API’s. This means the app can use the devices camera, phonebook, compass etc.
Easily available Skill Sets
These apps can be built using skill sets that are easily available. Web Technologies (HTML CSS, JavaScript) have existed for a while now and it is easy to find programmers who can work using these technologies.
Some of the key DISadvantages of choosing cross platform (hybrid) app development as your app development methodology
Slow Speed
Mobile apps that are developed using Cross app Development platforms are slower compared to Native Mobile Apps and Dedicated Web Apps.
Delay in Feature Updates
Since Native apps are built using the platforms SDK, they have ready access to any new features and software updates that are available however such updates take time to be made available to developers due to an abstraction layer that needs to be written which is a time consuming process.
App Updates
Unlike Web apps that are instantly updated once the new versions are made available on the hosting server, updates for Hybrid apps need to be submitted to an app store and an approval is required before the update can be made available to its users.
In a nutshell, Hybrid apps are a more cost effective option if you are looking to launch a mobile app across various platforms at once.