According to the latest usage statistics published on W3Techs, more than 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 applications to native and hybrid mobile applications.
HTML5, along with CSS3 and JavaScript, helps developers create responsive websites that look good on every device. Additionally, HTML5 applications 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. The major operating systems and web browsers currently support the fifth version of HTML. Therefore, it is easier for developers to manage, update, and distribute mobile applications seamlessly. There are also a number of reasons why many analysts believe that HTML5 is constantly changing the landscape of mobile application development.
Why is HTML5 transforming the mobile app development landscape?
Simplify cross-platform mobile app development
To generate more revenue, developers today create mobile applications targeting multiple mobile platforms. The features and native programming language of individual mobile platforms vary. Therefore, developers must spend more time and effort creating native applications for each specific mobile operating system. But HTML5 makes it easy for developers to build cross-platform mobile apps using commonly used web technologies. Programmers can also write a single code base and reuse the same code base on different mobile platforms.
Overcome fragmentation of the operating system and mobile devices
When developing mobile applications, developers find it overwhelming to address key challenges such as fragmentation of the operating system and mobile devices. For example, they have to create applications targeting a variety of devices with the latest versions of iOS or Windows Phone. Similarly, they must ensure that the application runs smoothly on a wide variety of devices with different Android models. HTML5 enables developers to create applications that run seamlessly on every mobile device, platform, and network. Therefore, it is easier for HTML5 developers to focus on the features and functionality of the application, rather than worrying about device and operating system fragmentation.
It is not necessary to learn the native language of each platform
When developing native applications, developers must use the native programming language of each specific mobile platform. For example, they have to write Android applications in Java and iOS applications 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 build a variety of cross-platform mobile apps and responsive websites.
Easy to maintain and update apps
As noted above, HTML5 allows developers to write the mobile application once and deploy it on multiple mobile platforms. Therefore, developers must maintain a single code base. They can easily make changes to the code so that the application 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 putting pressure on users to update their applications. They can even change the content of the apps easily to keep users interested and engaged.
Improve application visibility
Today, users have the option to choose from 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. Similarly, they must 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 do not need to be submitted to multiple app stores. The open distribution mode also helps companies improve the visibility and discoverability of their applications, while reducing competition.
Option to use many robust HTML5 frames
Developers also have the option of significantly reducing 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 various 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 app stores.
Reduce development cost
HTML5, CSS3, and JavaScript are open source web technologies. Therefore, these technologies help companies to significantly reduce the costs of cross-platform mobile application development. A company also has the option of creating hybrid mobile applications by leveraging the skill of its 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 extra time and effort. The reduced development time and simple distribution model further help companies significantly reduce time to market.
However, developers still have 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 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 applications to make new applications available on multiple platforms in a shorter period of time.