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Ask HN: Mobile dev - Bypass apps and go straight to HTML5?

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Ask HN: Mobile dev - Bypass apps and go straight to HTML5?

#1

Post by hymanroth »

Assuming a mobile service needs to be launched in 6 months time, does it make sense to go straight to HTML5? Will the market be ready?

The recent release of the first version of JQuery mobile looks promising, for example.

There is a huge temptation to bypass native apps altogether (even with tools like PhoneGap). Not only does one avoid the app approval process, but, just like having to download plugins causes friction for desktop websites, giving users the opportunity to directly interact with a mobile-specific site as if it were a native app sounds like a big win all round.

Re: Ask HN: Mobile dev - Bypass apps and go straight to HTML5?

#3

Post by hymanroth »

apl wrote: post #2

What about monetization? If it's ad-based, alright; however, in many cases the simple payment process offered by iTunes, for instance, is essential.

Good point. I should have mentioned monetization is not an issue. In other words, if what we aim to build were in an app store it would be free anyway.

Basically I'm asking whether HTML5 will be mature enough both in terms of functionality and browser market share in around 6 months time.

Re: Ask HN: Mobile dev - Bypass apps and go straight to HTML5?

#4

Post by chunkyslink »

Here is an example of where exactly what you are asking has been done to good effect.

By inserting a line of code in your normal website, we detect which device you are on and redirect you to a HTML5 + Jqtouch version of the site which acts and looks a lot like a native app (especially on the iphone)

See http://www.pocketdiner.co.uk

We've had no problems so far so the answer to your question is yes - HTML5 is mature enough for mobile devices from our experience.

Re: Ask HN: Mobile dev - Bypass apps and go straight to HTML5?

#5

Post by drpancake »

It depends how technically interesting your app is. If it's just an RSS reader, then HTML5 is probably the way to go.

But you've got the factor in the audience that the App Store gives you. AFAIK there's currently no decent way of discovering mobile web apps (unless you count Google?)

Perhaps PhoneGap is a good compromise, but I've not seen how well it works in practice...

Re: Ask HN: Mobile dev - Bypass apps and go straight to HTML5?

#8

Post by kolinko »

I'd say - build an HTML5 app, but add native wrappers (just Webkit) so you can push it to App Store or Android Store. That's what I'm doing now (after a couple of native apps).

on iPhone webapps are still not as good as native ones - you can't put them on App Store (a large audience) and they don't handle multitasking well.

Assuming your app can be done in HTML5.. if it's a game or it requires a lot of integration with platform then native is the way to go (duh)

Re: Ask HN: Mobile dev - Bypass apps and go straight to HTML5?

#9

Post by andrewf »

hymanroth wrote: post #3
apl wrote: post #2

What about monetization? If it's ad-based, alright; however, in many cases the simple payment process offered by iTunes, for instance, is essential.

Good point. I should have mentioned monetization is not an issue. In other words, if what we aim to build were in an app store it would be free anyway. Basically I'm asking whether HTML5 will be mature enough both in terms of functionality and browser market share in around 6 months time.

Never mind six months from now - if you're thinking native app, then you've got a particular set of phones in mind. Take a look at the state of the browser on them now.

Re: Ask HN: Mobile dev - Bypass apps and go straight to HTML5?

#10

Post by matthewcford »

tomerico wrote: post #7

The App Store / Marketplace is a very important distribution channel, which I wouldn't be so quick to dismiss. Downloading an app in today's modern phone is almost as frictionless as entering a website.

Get the best of both worlds, build in html5 and put a thin wrapper around a webview with phonegap/titanium to get in the distribution channel
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