I'm confused about Apps...

TimothyW · 22nd May 2014, 11:09 PM

I'm watching a tutorial about apps -- guy says the main difference between a mobile SITE and an APP is that the app is RESIDENT on the phone -- once it's installed, one does not have to get on the web to access the info within the app.

So far so good.

But then he shows you can put lots of YT videos within the app. REALLY?!? If that's so, how in the world can the phone owner access those videos *without* getting online somehow? Don't tell me the videos are somehow SAVED within the app!!!

Any simple explanation out there?

Thanks!

-- TW

If the app DOES require the user to go online to get the content, then why not set up an "app" that is MERELY an ICON which is a link to a mobile website any way?!?

David B · 22nd May 2014, 11:53 PM

Yes you can store content like videos,webpages, images etc within an app. You can also set an app up that has links that point to online content. You could even set it up to download new content when the user is online and store it for use offline.

I have been working on a website to build android apps that do both online or local content like you are describing. If you want more details on how to store thinks locally let me know, I would be happy to help.

TimothyW · 23rd May 2014, 12:52 AM

Originally Posted by David B

You can also set an app up that has links that point to online content.

As far as the above part (only), there's no difference between that and a mobile site, right?

David B · 23rd May 2014, 08:37 AM

Sort of, it depends on how you implemented it. On a Galaxy S4 for example if you have an app that points to a url the default behavior is to ask the user what browser app to use if they haven't chosen a default and then the selected browser app displays the url like a regular website in the browser but the user will no longer be in the app any longer. You will also lose any native control that the browser doesn't allow.

But yes you could build an app that has an icon and when you click on it it takes you to a regular mobile website.

You may also want to look at Apache Cordova that let's you design a mobile app using html5 and jquery which then gets installed and executed as a native app. It would give the advantage of a mobile website with the ability to access some native functions like the phone location, calendar etc.

gferrand · 23rd May 2014, 10:23 AM

On apps for the iPhone, for example, there is a thing called the UIWebView that allows the app to show web content. The app might still be native, residing on the phone, but it can show HTML if you need it for certain things. If your app is just showing online content via a WebView, it might as well be a mobile site. Also, Apple doesn't like it and could reject your app if it's just all based on WebViews.

Hope this helps. Sorry if I got a bit technical!

wizbiz · 28th May 2014, 02:09 PM

Originally Posted by TimothyW

Any simple explanation out there?

How you think you are receiving SMS if you are offline? Common.

Most apps needs web access. How else you going to navigate, how you going to

show updated Prices? Descriptions? and so on, How you going to pay for things, communicate if you offline?

jonathan12345 · 28th May 2014, 02:34 PM

Mobile websites = customer acquisition

Mobile apps = customer retention & loyalty

MobiDev · 29th May 2014, 04:26 AM

The basis is the app, which is installed to the smartphone. And it updates and take extra information when it's connected to the web. You can put YT video in your app, but besides it will have some other functionality that will be available in the app without Internet connection.

22nd May 2014, 11:09 PM	#1
TimothyW VIP Warrior War Room Member Join Date: 2007 Location: Maui, Hawaii, USA Posts: 2,845 Thanks: 1,471 Thanked 497 Times in 352 Posts	I'm confused about Apps... Share on: I'm watching a tutorial about apps -- guy says the main difference between a mobile SITE and an APP is that the app is RESIDENT on the phone -- once it's installed, one does not have to get on the web to access the info within the app. So far so good. But then he shows you can put lots of YT videos within the app. REALLY?!? If that's so, how in the world can the phone owner access those videos without getting online somehow? Don't tell me the videos are somehow SAVED within the app!!! Any simple explanation out there? Thanks! -- TW If the app DOES require the user to go online to get the content, then why not set up an "app" that is MERELY an ICON which is a *link to a mobile website* any way?!?
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22nd May 2014, 11:53 PM	#2
David B Active Warrior Join Date: 2014 Posts: 34 Thanks: 2 Thanked 6 Times in 5 Posts	Re: I'm confused about Apps... Share on: Yes you can store content like videos,webpages, images etc within an app. You can also set an app up that has links that point to online content. You could even set it up to download new content when the user is online and store it for use offline. I have been working on a website to build android apps that do both online or local content like you are describing. If you want more details on how to store thinks locally let me know, I would be happy to help.

23rd May 2014, 08:37 AM	#4
David B Active Warrior Join Date: 2014 Posts: 34 Thanks: 2 Thanked 6 Times in 5 Posts	Re: I'm confused about Apps... Share on: Sort of, it depends on how you implemented it. On a Galaxy S4 for example if you have an app that points to a url the default behavior is to ask the user what browser app to use if they haven't chosen a default and then the selected browser app displays the url like a regular website in the browser but the user will no longer be in the app any longer. You will also lose any native control that the browser doesn't allow. But yes you could build an app that has an icon and when you click on it it takes you to a regular mobile website. You may also want to look at Apache Cordova that let's you design a mobile app using html5 and jquery which then gets installed and executed as a native app. It would give the advantage of a mobile website with the ability to access some native functions like the phone location, calendar etc.

23rd May 2014, 10:23 AM	#5
gferrand Active Warrior Join Date: 2014 Location: San Francisco, CA Posts: 33 Thanks: 4 Thanked 3 Times in 3 Posts	Re: I'm confused about Apps... Share on: On apps for the iPhone, for example, there is a thing called the UIWebView that allows the app to show web content. The app might still be native, residing on the phone, but it can show HTML if you need it for certain things. If your app is just showing online content via a WebView, it might as well be a mobile site. Also, Apple doesn't like it and could reject your app if it's just all based on WebViews. Hope this helps. Sorry if I got a bit technical!
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28th May 2014, 02:34 PM	#7
jonathan12345 Active Warrior Join Date: 2014 Posts: 77 Thanks: 11 Thanked 24 Times in 21 Posts	Re: I'm confused about Apps... Share on: Mobile websites = customer acquisition Mobile apps = customer retention & loyalty
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29th May 2014, 04:26 AM	#8
MobiDev HyperActive Warrior War Room Member Join Date: 2012 Location: San Francisco, CA, 94108 Posts: 206 Thanks: 12 Thanked 23 Times in 21 Posts Blog Entries: 163	Re: I'm confused about Apps... Share on: The basis is the app, which is installed to the smartphone. And it updates and take extra information when it's connected to the web. You can put YT video in your app, but besides it will have some other functionality that will be available in the app without Internet connection.
	Software development is a Passion!