Dive summary:
- Most site functionality as the reason to go with native apps as opposed to HTML5, but cross-platform functionality is still an advantage of a browser app. Here are some stats from Information Week:
- 52% of those building native applications say they can't get the functionality needed in a browser app.
- 55% cite coding for differences in Internet Explorer, Safari, Android, Opera and Chrome as a top challenge when developing browser-based applications.
- 71% of survey respondents identify the Apple iPhone as the top target for both native and browser-optimized custom apps, compared with 64% for Android phones and just 22% for BlackBerry.
- 74% of organizations have or will build custom mobile apps
From the article:
IT teams that want to develop mobile apps are torn between methodologies. They worry that employees and customers accustomed to slick native apps will spurn browser-based versions, but native development complicates cross-platform code reuse—a factor cited as critical or important by 64%. Meanwhile, 52% of those building native applications say they can't get the functionality needed in a browser app, a legitimate concern until HTML5 matures.
