According to the latest usage statistics posted on W3Techs, more than 54% of all websites currently use HTML5 as a markup language. The effectiveness of HTML5 can also be determined from the fact that YouTube currently uses it as its default video player. Likewise, Facebook has also switched from Flash to HTML5 for all its videos. Several surveys have also highlighted that many developers nowadays prefer HTML5 mobile applications to native and hybrid mobile applications.
HTML5, along with CSS3 and JavaScript, helps developers build responsive websites that look good on each device. Also, the HTML5 applications deliver an optimized viewing experience on desktops, laptops, smartphones, tablets, and phablets. Unlike native and hybrid mobile apps, HTML5 ones run on web browsers. Major operating systems and web browsers currently support the fifth version of HTML. Hence, it becomes easier for developers to manage, update, and distribute mobile applications without hassle. There are also several reasons why many analysts believe that HTML5 is changing the mobile app development landscape consistently.
Why is HTML5 Transforming the Mobile App Development Landscape?
Simplifies Cross-Platform Mobile App Development
Developers build mobile apps to generate more revenue by targeting multiple mobile platforms. The features and native programming languages of individual mobile platforms vary. So, developers must put extra time and effort into building native apps for each targeted mobile OS. But HTML5 makes it easier for developers to create cross-platform mobile apps using commonly used web technologies. The programmers can write a single codebase and reuse the same codebase across different mobile platforms.
Overcome Mobile Device and OS Fragmentation
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While developing mobile apps, developers find it daunting to address key challenges like mobile device and OS fragmentation. For instance, they have to build apps by targeting various devices powered by the latest iOS or Windows Phone versions. Similarly, they must ensure that the app runs flawlessly on multiple devices powered by different Android models. HTML5 enables developers to build apps that run seamlessly on each mobile device, platform, and network. Hence, it becomes easier for HTML5 developers to focus on the app’s features and functionality instead of worrying about the device and operating system fragmentation.
No Need to Learn the Native Language of Each Platform
While developing native apps, developers have to use the native programming language of each targeted mobile platform. For instance, they must write Android apps in Java and iOS apps in Objective-C or Swift. They can use web technologies like HTML5, CSS3, and JavaScript to build various cross-platform mobile apps and responsive websites. However, HTML5 enables developers to make the web application available on many mobile platforms without using multiple programming languages.
Easy to Maintain and Update Apps
As noted earlier, HTML5 enables programmers to write the mobile application once and deploy it across multiple platforms. Hence, the developers are required to maintain a single code base. They can easily make changes to the code to make the app bug-free and flawless across many platforms. They can even change the content of the applications easily to keep the users interested and engaged. Similarly, the single code base makes it easier for programmers to add new features and functionalities to the application without pushing users to update their apps.
Improve the Visibility of Apps
Users can now choose from millions of mobile apps in the App Store, Google Play, and Windows Store. Hence, businesses must implement a robust marketing strategy to improve the visibility and discoverability of their apps. Likewise, they must effectively promote paid apps to convince users to prefer them over similar free apps. However, businesses often find it easier to distribute and market HTML5 applications. Unlike native apps, HTML5 applications need not be submitted to various app stores. The open distribution model further helps businesses improve the visibility and discoverability of their applications while reducing competition.
Option to Use Many Robust HTML5 Frameworks
The developers can also significantly reduce the mobile app development time by using robust HTML5 frameworks. Based on the nature and requirements of the project, they can choose from several HTML5 frameworks, including Kendo UI, Ionic, Intel XDK, Sencha Touch, and Framework 7. The developers can also use PhoneGap to package the HTML5 applications natively and distribute them through app stores.
Curtail Development Cost
HTML5, CSS3, and JavaScript are open-source web technologies. So, these technologies help businesses significantly reduce cross-platform mobile app development costs. An enterprise also has the option to build hybrid mobile apps by leveraging the skills of its existing web developers. Any developer familiar with these web technologies can easily create various mobile applications. Also, HTML5 frameworks enable developers to build robust applications without extra time and effort. The reduced development time and simple distribution model further help businesses significantly reduce time to market.
Many developers still prefer developing HTML5 mobile applications to make new applications available on multiple platforms within a shorter amount of time. However, the developers must still address several challenges while developing HTML5 applications. For instance, the slow execution speed of HTML5 impacts the performance of mobile apps as most mobile devices have limited processing power. Likewise, HTML5 mobile apps cannot take advantage of features specific to devices and operating systems. Also, these applications lack monetization and marketing options as there is no centralized store for these mobile apps.
