For those who are thinking about developing apps such as smartphones and those in charge of companies, it is a matter of concern whether to make it a native app or a web app.
There are not only native apps and web apps but also hybrid apps. This time, we will introduce the types of apps, including native apps, and how to develop apps
so that you can work on app development efficiently.
table of contents
- 1. What kind of apps are there?
- 2. What is a new type of web application?
- 3. What are the advantages and disadvantages of native apps?
- 4. What services are native apps suitable for?
- 5. Is there a company recommended for application development?
- 6. First, let’s choose the app format that suits your purpose.
What kind of apps are there?
| App type | |
|---|---|
| Native app | Apps that can be installed and used on smartphones and PCs |
| Web app | App operated on a web browser |
| Hybrid app | An app that combines a web app and a native app |
In short, native apps are apps that you install and use on your smartphone or tablet device. Install and use it from the application store such as Google Play for Android OS and App Store for iOS such as iPhone and iPad on the home screen of the terminal. Since it is an application dedicated to each OS, it is characterized by being able to make the most of OS functions such as camera, location information, and push notification. It takes time to install but once installed, you can use it without an internet connection, an icon will be displayed on the home screen, and you can start it quickly.
On the other hand, a web app is an app used on a web browser such as Google Chrome or Safari. For example, “Gmail” and “Google Docs” provided by Google are web applications.
The biggest difference between native apps and web apps is where they work. Web apps run on the web, while native apps run on the device. Therefore, it will not work unless you are connected to the Internet. Also, web apps tend to be slower than native apps because they connect to the Internet and run. Therefore, it is suitable for apps that are simple to operate and do not require operating speed.
Web apps have the advantage of not incurring fees because they do not have to go through an application store such as Google Play or the App Store. In addition, since there is no need to undergo an app store review, the timing and content of app distribution will be more flexible. Users can use the app on various devices as long as they have an account, and the point is that they can run it anywhere there is an internet environment.
In addition to native apps and web apps, there are also “hybrid apps” that combine these two characteristics. Unlike web apps, hybrid apps allow you to use smartphone cameras, microphones, and various sensor functions, just like native apps. In addition, the hybrid app is characterized by being a multi-platform that can be operated for the same purpose on various device models and OSs. The reason is that hybrid apps can be developed using a function called “Webview” that is available on each OS. Review is a feature that allows you to use your app like a web browser, which allows hybrid apps to display websites within your app.
So what’s the difference between a native app and a hybrid app? The mechanism for displaying a website within an app is different. Native apps have different development environments for each OS and require engineers for each development environment, but hybrid apps have the advantage of requiring fewer development environments and engineers because they are multi-platform compatible.
What is a new type of web application?
Native apps are also in the form of a new web app called Progressive Web Apps. This is an app that installs a web app on your device like a native app to improve stability and speed satisfaction. Taking that acronym, it is also called PWA.
PWAs need to be installed on the device, but they don’t have to go through the app store as native apps do. Since you do not have to go through the App Store or Google Play, you can develop with a high degree of freedom without being bound by the guidelines of the application store, and you can freely decide the delivery time of the application. Users can launch the app from the URL and start using it. Therefore, PWA can also be shared via SNS, email, text messages, online advertisements, QR codes, etc.
So far, we’ve looked at the types and characteristics of apps. The following introduces basic information and procedures for app development that you should know when outsourcing app development. Please refer to it.
■ What is application development? What you need to know when outsourcing app production
What are the advantages and disadvantages of native apps?
The advantages and disadvantages of native apps are as follows.
| Advantages and disadvantages of native apps | |
|---|---|
| merit | Demerit |
| Can be used even in places where the communication environment is unstable or offline | The hurdles for acquiring new users tend to be high |
| There is a high possibility that it will be used continuously | Low degree of freedom in development |
| Easy to monetize | Development costs are likely to be high |
● Advantages of native apps
One of the big advantages of native apps is that they can be used even in places where the communication environment is unstable or offline. Once installed, the icon will be displayed on the home screen and the startup speed will be fast. Unless the user uninstalls it, it is more likely that it will continue to be used. Another advantage is that you can develop apps that make the most of smartphone functions such as cameras, location information, and various sensors. In addition, native apps have the advantage of being easy to monetize because in-app purchases are relatively easy.
● Disadvantages of native apps
Native apps have a higher hurdle to acquiring new users because they follow the procedure of “installing from the application store”. You also have to follow the guidelines of the application store, which reduces your freedom. At the time of release or update, there is a review by the store, so it is often the case that the release time is delayed due to the review period. Native apps also have the disadvantage of being costly to develop because they require different development environments and programming language skills for each medium.
What services are native apps suitable for?
Native apps are suitable for the following services due to the characteristics of being able to make the most of smartphone functions such as camera, location information, and sensor functions.
- Service using push notification function
- Service using the camera function
- Service using location information function
● Service using push notification function
For example, in a “learning app” that is useful for studying, it is easy to obtain a very high effect of continuous use by efficiently using the push notification function. Of course, push notifications cannot be delivered without your permission. If the content of the push notification is determined to be useless, the user will turn off the push notification. The learning app will send push notifications when it’s time to study for those who are thinking of making studying a habit, which makes it easier to improve the license rate.
In addition, it will be easier to obtain the effect by notifying the content of the push notification separately for each grade of the user and the trend of the user (people who have recorded study and those who do not). You can make the most of the notification function to increase user satisfaction and encourage continuous use.
● Services using the camera function
Among the apps, there are many “selfie apps” that use the camera function of smartphones and face recognition systems, which are popular among women. When the user takes a selfie with the camera, it can be semi-automatically processed and combined using functions such as “filter” and “stamp”. Many filters can make your subject look whitish, pinkish, or delicious.
There are many types of stamp functions, such as attaching ears to the face like a dog or cat or making it look like a character. In addition, it is not uncommon for apps to be able to perform small face processing, make-up-like processing, and more cute processing than taking a picture with a normal camera. It can be said that apps that make the most of the camera function and face recognition system of smartphones are suitable for native apps.
● Services using location information function
As an app that utilizes the location information (GPS) function, there is a “watching app” that aims to share location information and watch over where children and families are. There is also a “fitness app” that allows you to record your running pace, time, distance, calories, etc. in detail by recording your location information. These apps are suitable for native apps that utilize the location information function.
If you want to create something different from the apps that have the characteristics of utilizing the functions of smartphones as seen here, you should consider web apps and hybrid apps. For example, if you want to use it not only on your smartphone but also on your computer, a web application is suitable. The following sites introduce the flow and points of specific development methods for successful application development. Please refer to it.
■ 8 steps to make app development successful. Detailed explanation up to the release method
Is there a company recommended for application development?
In the modern age of Reiwa, there are many free development environments for individuals, and some people develop apps as a hobby. On the other hand, in cases where “there is no development environment in-house” or “the resources for application development cannot be allocated”, it is recommended to ask an external company to develop the application.
Many system companies are good at developing native apps and web apps, and they develop apps that meet their needs and budget. Outsourcing to a system company with technical capabilities and a proven track record makes it easier to succeed in application development regardless of development know-how or the presence of engineers.
Even native apps that require engineers in multiple development environments and development languages can be outsourced. If you want to maximize the effect without compromising the function of the application, after comparing multiple system companies, select the system company that is good at the characteristics of the application you want to make. Is important.
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