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 users 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 are 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 utilizes 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 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.
