Transformation in Web and Mobile App Development in 2024

Technology has evolved to be an integral part of our lives for the past few years. In fact, a study done in 2019 indicates that the amount of time spent on the Internet using our mobile phones as opposed to other gadgets has increased by 48%.

This means that people have built a lifestyle that integrates the use of the most accessible gadget. This has led to an increase of internet usage screen time all over the world. South East Asians leading the survey with 10 hours of screen time per day. This accelerating growth has led to progressive changes to web and mobile app development.

Differences Between Web and Mobile

Not a lot of people are aware of the difference between web and mobile applications. Oftentimes, it is assumed that if there is a website, there will most certainly be a mobile version of it.

Native mobile apps are also made with a different programming language that is built in. However, they have significant differences, from the development to the deployment, which is why site engineers and developers work hard to bridge the two.

A key distinction between the two is the need for connectivity and updates. While mobile apps can work offline to the user’s convenience, a web app requires constant connectivity.

On the other hand, mobile apps require regular updates to operate fast, while web apps have automatic updates. Technology has had us all turning to our phones to solve almost every minor inconvenience. This need for ease and convenience is what initiated a further improvement of web and mobile applications.

Building of Hybrids

Both web and mobile apps have their pros and cons, and the ideal setting would presumably be smack dab in the middle. It is for this reason that hybrid apps were developed. This kind of app was built to suit an operating system, making it access native apps as well as the web counterparts.

However, when used in the mobile version, it functions as the web app but only through a WebView. This is because these apps are written with the same programming language as web apps, namely HTML, JavaScript and CSS.

Hybrid apps are the earlier attempts of developers to build a gray area between the web and mobile. These kinds of innovations are quite difficult to develop since there are no standards for software development. Nonetheless, they are usually quick and easy once they are developed due to existing templates, but do not promise the richness and plentitude of features.

Progressive Web Apps to the Rescue

Developers have found more ways to improve the connection and collaboration between web and mobile applications. This was initiated to cater for the anticipated increase of world connectivity, given that statistics report the number of worldwide smart phone users have reached 5 billion in 2019.

The need for connectivity and convenience is on the rise and this has led to the development of PWAs. Progressive Web Apps (PWAs) bridge the gap between the web and the mobile interfaces, allowing a website app to work as efficiently in the mobile counterpart.

This innovation is extremely helpful to internet users who have predominant access through their mobile phones and are paying per MB of download. It offers a practicality that makes every download cost effective. Additionally, it leads to speedier processing because it requires lesser plugins to install.

PWA’s also continue to work despite flaky internet connections, allowing you access to the previously saved data. A few of the best known PWA’s include Pinterest, Twitter, Uber and Spotify.

This is an emerging technological trend that suits the recent advancements of software programs and browsers. PWAs may be somewhat similar to a hybrid app in concept since it also relies on operating system support and updates when used in mobile. Then again, this initiative has led to the efficiency to many fields of work and study.

Conclusion

Given that our exposure and reliance to technology will only increase, we can look forward to great transformation in both web and mobile app development in 2020. Besides, these developments are bound to improve further with the coming years.