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Are there any significant advantages in hand-coding an app versus using PhoneGap?

by JeffE
11 replies
I'm trying to convert my website (the one in my signature) into a app for both the Android Market and the App Store. Was wondering whether I should go through the hassle of converting all my code to Objective-C/Java just so my app can be "native." Are there any significant advantages in having a native app instead of a web app?

By the way, if I would make a web app it would most likely be through PhoneGap. However, I've heard rumors that Apple doesn't accept some apps created using PhoneGap, although they might be false. Can't even find the page where I originally heard this anymore.

So, what would you recommend: making a web app or a native app for the app version of the website in my signature?

Edit: Apparently I confused a web app with a hybrid app. My question is now should I create a hybrid app or a native app? Sorry to all those that posted for the other question.
#app #iphone #make #native #web
  • Profile picture of the author Speedyapoc
    Native. You get the publicity of having an application in the App Store, and the performance boost of having something that runs natively. However, there are some issues if you are merely content scraping an RSS feed of a blog, or something similar - you have to provide a large amount native functionality to get accepted.
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    • Profile picture of the author sylarrr
      Definitely native.

      Why?
      + Performance
      + Visibility in Android Market/App Store
      + Handling requests*

      *on phone you can do all the calculations on the phone processor, you don't have to send a request to your server, make the calculations and get back the response.
      Signature
      Use Androidâ„¢ smartphone?

      Read Warrior Forums?

      Warrior Forum Reader for Androidâ„¢ FREE
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      • Profile picture of the author JeffE
        Apparently, I confused a web app with a hybrid app. My question is now should I make a hybrid app or a native app? Sorry for all those that posted for the previous question.
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        • Profile picture of the author sylarrr
          Originally Posted by JeffE View Post

          Apparently, I confused a web app with a hybrid app. My question is now should I make a hybrid app or a native app? Sorry for all those that posted for the previous question.
          By hyprid-app, do you mean a app built with HTML/CSS/Javascript specially for mobile devices?
          Signature
          Use Androidâ„¢ smartphone?

          Read Warrior Forums?

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          • Profile picture of the author JeffE
            Originally Posted by sylarrr View Post

            By hyprid-app, do you mean a app built with HTML/CSS/Javascript specially for mobile devices?
            Uh-oh, was I right in the first post? What I mean by hybrid app is an app that was originally designed as a website application and then converted into an app using software such as PhoneGap. If you don't know what PhoneGap is, just search phonegap and it will be the first result. I'm unable to post links yet.

            Sorry to be so clueless.
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  • Profile picture of the author productsmith
    There are four possible types

    a. Web App
    b. HTML5 App for smart phone
    c. Native App (PhoneGap falls in this, as it actually generates objective C code)
    f. Facebook Apps. (Look at my signature Shameless plug
    Signature
    cloudegg.com
    fbreveal.com
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    • Profile picture of the author JeffE
      Originally Posted by productsmith View Post

      There are four possible types

      a. Web App
      b. HTML5 App for smart phone
      c. Native App (PhoneGap falls in this, as it actually generates objective C code)
      f. Facebook Apps. (Look at my signature Shameless plug
      Alright, I think I might finally get the differences. So, I'll edit my question again: Are there any significant advantages in hand-coding an app versus creating one using PhoneGap? My guess is there are differences in speed, but how significant are they?

      I already apologized for being clueless, so now I'll apologize for being stupid. =)
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  • Profile picture of the author Speedyapoc
    There are definitely significant differences in speed. It is like cooking with Splenda, or sugar - it's quite difference. With a native application, you can adjust the memory management, use native classes and APIs, and adjust intricate details of your application.
    Bottom line, you can't do things in JavaScript that you can in Java, and Objective-C.
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  • Profile picture of the author productsmith
    PhoneGap apps are faster and easier to build. They can call native features, but you need to write a plugin.

    Search for "videogreetingcard" in iTunes app store. I built that
    Signature
    cloudegg.com
    fbreveal.com
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    • Profile picture of the author JeffE
      Alright, for my first app I guess I'll choose to use PhoneGap. I don't know either Java or Objective-C, so the amount of time required before I can even begin the project is pretty enormous. In the future I may take the time to harvest the advantages, however.
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  • Profile picture of the author zardon
    There is also Appcelerator which has a Javascript API which allows you use of native UI controls; however its tutorials and support are pretty crappy.

    I see hybrid apps as fine for simple, brochure like apps, etc; but more complex stuff I would probably use native.
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