A (hybrid app) is a
software application that combines elements of both native apps and web
applications. Hybrid apps are essentially web apps that have been put in a
native app shell. Once they are downloaded from an app store and installed
locally, the shell is able to connect to whatever capabilities the mobile
platform provides through a browser that's embedded in the app. The browser and
its plug-ins run on the back end and are invisible to the end-user.
Features of hybrid Apps :
Enhanced UX/UI
Hybrid App Development offers a
consistent and flawless user experience across iOS, Android platforms. Hybrid
applications are about making it work for mobile by embracing the web. Further,
the lightweight hybrid app UI helps in loading content and graphics quickly.
The apps adapt faster to different device screens for faster data display and
seamless data streaming. The excellent UI experience even improves the chances
of the application’s approval at the app store.
Saves Time
One of the main advantages of hybrid
mobile apps is that they are easier and faster to develop than a native app. It
enables companies to leverage their existing web development talent pool to
lead the mobile market. The development team requires knowledge of JavaScript
and HTML. So once the code gets written, the application can be run on both
operating systems (namely iOS and Android).
Easy to Maintain
Another benefit of hybrid mobile
application development is its simplified maintenance. For native apps, the
development teams need to roll out new versions with each update. Further, the
users are required to update their apps with every new version release. A
hybrid app bypasses versioning and makes app maintenance as simple as updating
a web page, that too in real-time.
Lesser Costs
The most significant advantages of hybrid
apps come from its reduced development costs. The hybrid mobile development
approach enables the targeting of multiple platforms without maintaining
numerous code bases. Unlike native apps, hybrid applications use a single code
base for various platforms. Thus, it allows the development teams to accelerate
the development process, which reduces the time to market significantly. Also,
it will enable them to reach a higher number of users.
Offline Support
Mobile applications commonly suffer from
limitations arising due to the lack of offline support. It is a challenge for
companies that cater to customers from rural areas or places where internet
connectivity is a challenge.
Statistics indicate that 70 percent of
users abandon an app because it takes too long to load. As one of the advantages of the Hybrid app, the offline accessibility feature helps overcome this challenge.
Therefore, the end-users have uninterrupted access to the app’s data without
performance glitches.
Improved Performance
Hybrid apps offer high speed and
performance just like native apps. In fact, in some cases, they are even faster
than progressive and responsive apps. The reason being no dependency on network
communication. Further, even apps with a higher number of users exhibit better
speed on all devices. Hybrid apps have proven their high speed and performance
standards with brands like Twitter and LinkedIn.
