According to the latest usage statistics published on W3Techs, over 54% of all websites currently use HTML5 as their markup language. The effectiveness of HTML5 can also be determined by the fact that YouTube is currently using it as its default video player. Likewise, Facebook has also switched from Flash to HTML5 for all of its videos. Various surveys have also highlighted that a large percentage of developers today prefer HTML5 mobile apps over native and hybrid mobile apps.
HTML5, along with CSS3 and JavaScript, helps developers create responsive websites that look good on all devices. Additionally, HTML5 apps provide an optimized viewing experience on desktops, laptops, smartphones, tablets, and phablets. Unlike native and hybrid mobile apps, HTML5 mobile apps run in web browsers. All major operating systems and web browsers currently support the fifth version of HTML. Thus, it becomes easier for the developers to manage, update and distribute the mobile apps seamlessly. There are also a number of reasons why many analysts believe that HTML5 is constantly changing the mobile app development landscape.
Why HTML5 is transforming the mobile app development landscape
Simplifies cross-platform mobile app development
To generate more revenue, developers today build mobile apps by targeting multiple mobile platforms. The features and native programming language of individual mobile platforms vary. Therefore, developers must spend more time and effort to create native applications for each target mobile operating system. But HTML5 makes it easy for developers to build cross-platform mobile apps using commonly used web technologies. Programmers can write a single code base and reuse the same code base on different mobile platforms.
Overcome fragmentation of mobile devices and operating systems
When developing mobile apps, developers find it daunting to tackle key challenges like mobile device and operating system fragmentation. For example, they have to create apps that target a variety of devices running the latest versions of iOS or Windows Phone. Similarly, they need to ensure that the app runs smoothly on a wide variety of devices running different Android models. HTML5 enables developers to create apps that run smoothly on every mobile device, platform, and network. Therefore, it is easier for HTML5 developers to focus on app features and functionality, rather than worrying about device and OS fragmentation.
It is not necessary to learn the native language of each platform
When developing native apps, developers must use the native programming language of each target mobile platform. For example, they have to write Android apps in Java and iOS apps in Objective-C or Swift. But HTML5 allows developers to make the web application available on many mobile platforms without using multiple programming languages. They can simply use commonly used web technologies like HTML5, CSS3, and JavaScript to create a variety of cross-platform mobile apps and responsive websites.
Easy to maintain and update applications
As noted above, HTML5 allows developers to write the mobile app once and deploy it to multiple mobile platforms. Therefore, developers must maintain a single code base. They can easily make changes to the code so that the app is bug-free and flawless on many platforms. Similarly, the single code base makes it easy for developers to add new features and functionality to the application, without forcing users to update their applications. They can even easily change the content of apps to keep users interested and engaged.
Improve app visibility
Today, users have the choice of millions of mobile apps available on the App Store, Google Pay, and the Windows Store. Therefore, companies must implement a strong marketing strategy to improve the visibility and discoverability of their applications. They must also promote paid apps effectively to convince users to prefer them over similar free apps. But companies often find it easier to distribute and market HTML5 applications. Unlike native apps, HTML5 apps don’t need to submit to multiple app stores. The open distribution mode further helps companies improve the visibility and discoverability of their applications, while reducing competition.
Option to use many robust HTML5 frameworks
Developers also have the option to significantly reduce mobile app development time by using robust HTML5 frameworks. Depending on the nature and requirements of the project, they have the option to choose from several HTML5 frameworks, including Kendo UI, Ionic, Intel XDK, Sencha Touch, and Framework 7. Developers can also use PhoneGap to natively package HTML5 applications and distribute them. . through the app stores.
Reduce development cost
HTML5, CSS3, and JavaScript are open source web technologies. Therefore, these technologies help companies to significantly reduce the cost of developing cross-platform mobile applications. A business also has the option to build hybrid mobile apps by leveraging the skill of their existing web developers. Any developer familiar with these commonly used web technologies can easily create a variety of mobile applications. Additionally, HTML5 frameworks allow developers to build robust applications without spending additional time and effort. The reduced development time and simple distribution model further help companies significantly reduce time to market.
However, developers still need to address a number of challenges when developing HTML5 applications. For example, the slow execution speed of HTML5 affects the performance of mobile applications, since most mobile devices have limited processing power. Similarly, HTML5 mobile apps cannot take advantage of the specific features of devices and operating systems. Also, these apps lack monetization and marketing options as there is no centralized store for these mobile apps. Many developers still prefer to develop HTML5 mobile apps so that new apps are available on multiple platforms in a shorter period of time.