Tips and Tricks for Using HTML5 for Your Mobile Development

Developing mobile apps is no more a trend. Rather the business owners are now being compelled to create mobile apps. In this regard, HTML5 is a significant technology that offers a comprehensive solution. It has become one of the most popular markup language which is undoubtedly packed with enhanced technical advancements as compared to other development tools. HTML5 is especially helpful when the developers are looking for a faster outcome. Additionally, it is also necessary that the tool is user friendly as well as cost effective. Both this features are a part of the fifth version of the HTML technology.

There are certain tricks that can further help the app developers to ensure that the development process is fast and productive –

Choose an apt UI framework: The UI framework that you are choosing should be suitable for your needs. A new HTML UI framework is released almost every day. Each framework offers a somewhat different combination when it comes to controls. However, the trick here is to opt for the framework that allows you to develop a list of controls that you are looking for. There are demo pages for most of them. As a result, the developers can check them out prior to commencing with the development. This process will also enable the developers to get a feel about the performance of the app.

Reusable Data: The primary aim of using HTML5 is that it makes the use of codes redundant. Therefore, codes once written can be used for about 90% – 95% throughout all platforms. Moreover, there is no need of any specialization as far as the developers are concerned since they are already accustomed with similar type of web development.

Decide on the features to be included: In regards to the features that are used to develop HTML5 apps, you must be aware of the features that have to be included. This is required to ensure that the same features are included during the development process. Depending on the device, the app resolution can be changed too. Additionally, notification management and bluetooth access could be managed as well with the help of HTML5 development. Native methods are applied to remove any gap that can arise during the development process. This will lead to a creation of a cheaper and smarter way to include mobile apps across all platforms.

Codes must be well structured: The trick is to present well structured codes. These are instrumental in reaching out to the server in fastest possible way. Whenever the time to call the server increases the app performance falls dramatically. This affects the SEO rankings of your website as well. Hence, it is necessary to provide the code in the app in an organized manner. It ensures a better user experience.

Maintain a single sheet for CSS: This is another trick that can accelerate your development process. Maintain a single CSS sheet instead of one style sheet paper. Handling numerous pages while developing a website is quite cumbersome. Instead of creating style sheets repeatedly, it is better to strategize how you want the project to look like across various screen sizes. Planning out about how the data would be flowing from one screen to another will be helpful as well.

Consider the upper limit: When you are building a mobile app it is necessary to take the upper limit into consideration. Under this circumstances, you will be able to design the variables. The latter leads to the changing of values. Hence, it is necessary to mention the type of variable.

Make the apps looks like native ones: The developers make an extra effort to make the mobile apps appear like the native ones. One of the first tips that can work in this regard is by hiding the address bar in the mobile application. The tag can be utilized to run it at full screen mode. The users, however, will be able to access the address bar although it remains hidden from the view. jQuery Mobile can execute this automatically.

AddToHome JS library from Cubiq is a good option for iOS app developers. This add on will demonstrate instructions to the users. The app can be added to the iOS home screen. This enables the app to have its own icon.

HTML5 development is a perfect tool to target a market that is already witnessing a boost. The above mentioned tips and tricks will only help in delivering better solutions to meet the rising demands. To get maximum benefits of HTML5, you may consider hiring services of a custom HTML5 web development company.

We provide HTML5 development services. To hire HTML5 Developer from us, please reach out to us at Mindfire Solutions.

Enterprise Mobile App Development - Native vs. HTML5

Each enterprise wants to develop mobile applications by targeting the current trends in technologies and user demand. Most app developers also opt for innovative and advanced technologies to improve user experience without putting any extra time and effort. But the mobile application market is still dominates by enterprise apps developed using conventional technologies.

Despite the rapidly growing popularity of HTML5 app development, no one can deny the supreme user experience delivered by the native mobile applications. The recent surge of interest towards Android mobile app development has exceeded all the expectations. Many recent reports have further highlighted, a mobile application developer, nowadays, have to split his time evenly between the native and HTML5 apps. So it has become essential for programmers to distinguish between these two applications to pick the right technology for their project.

Important Points of Comparison between the Native and HTML5 Enterprise Apps

Cross Platform Compatibility

The popularity of a mobile application depends on its compatibility with major operating systems. Many enterprises even launch different versions of the same app to target different mobile platforms. HTML5 has made it easier for programmers to build interfaces that will run anywhere. But customized solutions like Appcelerator have made it easier for developers to build native applications rapidly to by targeting multiple operating systems. However, HTML5 is effective in overcoming the fragmentation challenges and making the app compatible with different types and versions of mobile web browsers.

User Experience

The outcome of a survey conducted by Compuware in March highlighted the popularity of mobile applications over mobile websites. The results also indicated how the rich user experience delivered by the native apps contributes towards the popularity of mobile apps. Unlike the native apps, the HTML5 apps lack certain features like NFC, VR and passport. So the developers using native devices has option to access over 6000 native device capabilities whereas the HTML 5 developers can access only up to 50.

Performance

A powerful mobile application must load and work seamlessly even when there is no high-speed internet connection. Many reports have highlighted the high performance of native mobile apps in comparison to HTML5. For example, a user can simply click on the calendar event on the native app, and observe how it loads in an instant. Despite being an innovative technology, HTML5 requires users to put some extra time and effort.

Updating Mobile Applications

Along with launching new apps, enterprises also constantly update their existing mobile apps to deliver improved user experience. Many companies even switch to the latest and innovative technologies to attract more users. Many developers use HTML5 to update and distribute their apps in a quick and hassle-free way. However, the native apps require programmers to go to an app store and follow certain procedure to launch the updated version of the interface.

Security

With more and more users carrying out financial transactions on their mobile devices, it has become essential for developers to optimize the security features. In comparison to HTML5, the native applications are considered to be more secure, and effective in protecting sensitive user data. Along with the information stored on the mobile device, the native apps can further secure the source code, data in transit, and URLs. On the other hand, the HTML5 developers have to write additional code to enhance the security features of their apps.

Return on Investment

The current economic conditions have compelled many enterprises to curtain mobile application development costs. So many enterprises want to reduce project overheads by investing in more innovative technologies. HTML5 enables companies to deliver the most up-to-date user experience by updating and distributing apps. Further, a company can easily hire developer familiar with HTML coding to build HTML5 apps. On the other hand, the native apps can be developed only by programmers familiar with Java and Objective-C.

Many enterprises are opting for hybrid enterprise mobile apps to avail advantages of both native and HTML5 apps. The hybrid apps are written in HTML5, and wrapped in a native container developed by using the cross-platform development tools. So the hybrid mobile applications can be developed by programmers familiar with CSS, JavaScript and HTML5. Along with delivering most up-to-date user experience, the combination of both technologies will further contribute towards reducing the overall development cost.

We provide mobile app development services. If you would like to talk to one of our certified Android app developers, please get in touch with us at Mindfire Solutions.