Flag

We stand with Ukraine and our team members from Ukraine. Here are ways you can help

Home ›› Technology ›› Choosing an Approach to Mobile Development

Choosing an Approach to Mobile Development

by Andre Charland
3 min read
Share this post on
Tweet
Share
Post
Share
Email
Print

Save

Exploring the pros and cons of each development approach.

Mobile applications are the new Shangra La for software development shops. This article in the Washington Post reports that more than 800 million iPhone applications have been downloaded and there are now more than 25,000 apps in the iTunes store. Clearly, there’s an enormous market for mobile applications. But, when it comes to choosing the best method for developing iPhone apps, it’s not always obvious which approach aligns with your business goals. This article outlines three different development methods for building mobile apps along with pros and cons to help you choose the development approach that’s right for your business.

Build In the Browser

The easiest option for creating an iPhone, Blackberry or Android application is to build it in the browser using Web development languages like HTML and JavaScript. There are some solid reasons to take this approach. For starters, if you’re a Web developer and are familiar with HTML and JavaScript, but not versed in the native iPhone app development language of Objective-C, you can build an iPhone application in the browser using the skills you already have. Second, browser-built apps are easier to build and distribute. They’re portable and accessible from multiple devices, which helps to spread the application’s popularity. Also on the upside, browser-built apps update instantly, generally load faster, are easier to read and update and offer more flexibility for future feature updates. Popular browser-built iPhone apps include Gmail and SlideShare.

The simplicity of browser-built iPhone apps attracts many developers, especially Web developers, but there are problems with this method. A major setback is that applications built this way can’t access native iPhone features like accelerometer, GPS, camera, contacts, etc. That’s a significant handicap when users are clamoring for applications that make the most of iPhone technology.

Create a Native App

Native applications built in Objective-C make full use of all the iPhone features: GPS, accelerometer, local storage, camera and more. This approach works especially well for robust applications, like 3D games. If your goal is to sell a complex, full-featured application, building a native application is your best bet.

So, why doesn’t every development shop build native iPhone apps? Because they’re built in Objective-C, an obscure programming language that can be difficult to learn. Not only are Objective-C developers hard to find, their skills don’t always transfer to other Web development projects. Finding and hiring a team of Objective-C developers is costly and not very practical, unless you plan to focus entirely on iPhone application development.

Take the Hybrid Approach

If you’re not ready to take the Objective-C plunge, there is a hybrid method that combines the browser-built approach with the benefits of native development. Hybrid development tools, like the open source PhoneGap framework, provide a set of tools and libraries that enable Web developers to build iPhone applications with HTML and JavaScript, but also provide access to native iPhone features. The obvious benefit here is that there’s no need to learn yet another programming language. Your JavaScript team can build these hybrid applications with ease.

Of course, every method has its drawbacks. In this case, achieving JavaScript performance can be a challenge. But, if your developers are already well-versed in JavaScript and HTML, a hybrid approach is the fastest, most effective way to add iPhone app development to your roster, especially if you’re building social networking applications, simple games and companion applications to websites. This avenue opens up options for cross platform development because iPhone applications built with PhoneGap also run on Blackberry and Android.

To find out more about using the hybrid approach with PhoneGap visit www.phonegap.com.

post authorAndre Charland

Andre Charland, Andre Charland is the co-founder and CEO at Nitobi Inc. He's been at the forefront of Web 2.0 software development for almost a decade and is an expert on the next generation web. Andre is an advocate for usability and user experience and speaks regularly about how to keep users engaged and active on websites or web-based application. Most recently Andre presented on the Adobe AIR Tour throughout Europe. He's also been a speaker at the Voices That Matter web design conference, Adobe MAX, JavaOne and AjaxWorld. Andre is the co-author of "Enterprise Ajax", published by Prentice Hall last summer and is the lead blogger for O'Reilly's InsideRIA.com. You can read Andre's blog at https://blogs.nitobi.com/andre.

Tweet
Share
Post
Share
Email
Print

Related Articles

Discover how Flux.1, with its groundbreaking 12 billion parameters, sets a new benchmark in AI image generation. This article explores its advancements over Midjourney and Dall-E 3, showcasing its unmatched detail and prompt accuracy. Don’t miss out on seeing how this latest model redefines what’s possible in digital artistry!

Article by Jim Clyde Monge
Flux.1 is a Mind-Blowing Open-Weights AI Image Generator with 12B Parameters
  • This article examines Flux.1’s 12 billion parameters and its advancements over Midjourney and Dall-E 3. Highlights its superior image detail and prompt adherence.
  • The piece explores the shift of developers from Stability AI to Black Forest Labs and how this led to Flux.1. Analyzes the innovation impact.
  • It compares Flux.1 with Midjourney V6, Dall-E 3, and SD3 Ultra, focusing on visual quality, prompt coherence, and diversity.
  • The guide explains how to access Flux.1 via Replicate, HuggingFace, and Fal. Covers the different models—Pro, Dev, Schnell—and their uses.
  • The article investigates Flux.1’s capabilities in generating photorealistic and artistic images with examples of its realism and detailed rendering.
Share:Flux.1 is a Mind-Blowing Open-Weights AI Image Generator with 12B Parameters
5 min read

Is true consciousness in computers a possibility, or merely a fantasy? The article delves into the philosophical and scientific debates surrounding the nature of consciousness and its potential in AI. Explore why modern neuroscience and AI fall short of creating genuine awareness, the limits of current technology, and the profound philosophical questions that challenge our understanding of mind and machine. Discover why the pursuit of conscious machines might be more about myth than reality.

Article by Peter D'Autry
Why Computers Can’t Be Conscious
  • The article examines why computers, despite advancements, cannot achieve consciousness like humans. It challenges the assumption that mimicking human behavior equates to genuine consciousness.
  • It critiques the reductionist approach of equating neural activity with consciousness and argues that the “hard problem” of consciousness remains unsolved. The piece also discusses the limitations of both neuroscience and AI in addressing this problem.
  • The article disputes the notion that increasing complexity in AI will lead to consciousness, highlighting that understanding and experience cannot be solely derived from computational processes.
  • It emphasizes the importance of physical interaction and the lived experience in consciousness, arguing that AI lacks the embodied context necessary for genuine understanding and consciousness.
Share:Why Computers Can’t Be Conscious
18 min read

AI is transforming financial inclusion for rural entrepreneurs by analyzing alternative data and automating community lending. Learn how these advancements open new doors for the unbanked and empower local businesses.

Article by Thasya Ingriany
AI for the Unbanked: How Technology Can Empower Rural Entrepreneurs
  • The article explores how AI can enhance financial systems for the unbanked by using alternative data to create accessible, user-friendly credit profiles for rural entrepreneurs.
  • It analyzes how AI can automate group lending practices, improve financial inclusion, and support rural entrepreneurs by strengthening community-driven financial networks like “gotong royong”.
Share:AI for the Unbanked: How Technology Can Empower Rural Entrepreneurs
5 min read

Tell us about you. Enroll in the course.

    This website uses cookies to ensure you get the best experience on our website. Check our privacy policy and