A native app is one that is installed directly onto the smartphone and can work, in most cases, with no internet connectivity depending on the nature of the app. Native apps are installed through an application store (such as Google Play or Apple’s App Store). They are developed specifically for one platform, and can take full advantage of the device features — they can work much faster by harnessing the power of the processor and can access specific hardware like GPS. In some smartphones, the app can control devices and act as a controller itself. They can also incorporate gestures (either standard operating-system gestures or new, app-defined gestures). And native apps can use the device’s notification system.
Features of Native Apps:
Built-In Features:
They can well leverage the built-in features of the mobile, such as the GPS, movement detector, or the camera. These specialized apps focus on giving better and unique user experience, as expected from the nature and design of the phone. Therefore, a native mobile app will provide its user's such functionalities that are unique to the smartphone environment (hardware or OS, etc.). Native mobile apps are therefore akin to boutique services for the users of particular mobiles.
Security and Support:
Native apps are usually quite safe and secure, since they reside on the mobile, and can hence use the security features of the mobile. They also get complete support from their respective app store or marketplace, hence are always up-to-date and have high quality. Users can easily search, locate these apps, and conveniently download them from the stores.
Efficiency:
These apps are very efficient and have better performance, due to the tight coupling with the device’s built-in features.
Updates:
Native apps need regular updates to be downloaded from time to time since they operate in standalone mode. However, this is well offset by a standardized and ready listing and automatic sync-up between the mobile and the app store triggers a prompt to the user to update the app. In fact, some apps are configured to update themselves automatically and the user is sent a notification of the same.
User Preferences:
Native apps can be used to tap in and understand the user’s usage patterns, online habits, preferences and help the app providers collect user profiles, which can be then used to push relevant product recommendations or suggest focused user-driven actions.
Convenience:
These apps such as purchase or e-commerce apps, make it convenient for the user to make a repeat purchase quickly since information such as credit card details is already stored inside the native app on their mobile.
Maximum Usage of Features:
Every mobile platform has its own specific OS, app dev environment, API’s, standard SDK, and development tools which utilize the benefits of the environment. Native mobile app development is positioned to make maximum usage of these features to develop an enhanced and better app with a richer user experience.
Expenses:
Native app development can be more expensive. They will also need prior approval and registration with the app store, before being released. Monetizing these apps may be tricky, since the platform or device manufacturers may have legal or technical restrictions with integration with certain advertisement solutions or other partnering networks. On the other hand, the app store acts as a caretaker of the payment system of supported native app, and hence tracks and maintains all revenues and commissions for that app.
Variations:
Different devices need entirely different variations of native apps, even though the logic may be the same, yet the development would need to use an entirely new set of API’s and SDK’s. The apps on different devices may also be running different versions, and so the look and feel of the user interface may be different if a user switches device. Maintaining and supporting apps on many devices is cumbersome in native apps.
