In today’s time, mobile app development is perhaps one of the most critical steps that decide a business’s fate. According to Mary Meeker, internet usage is increasing rapidly every year. Simultaneously, the number of hours spent on desktop decreased while mobile increased up to 3+ hours daily.
Based on the report by Statista, in 2017, the total number of mobile apps downloaded were more than 178 billion. This number is expected to expand exponentially to 258 billion by 2022, which is a rise of 45%. In terms of revenue, mobile apps are expected to generate nearly $200 billion this year.
When you combine this with the global lockdown which the world is facing due to the pandemic, you can expect the number to rise even exponentially.
Present Scenario and Dilemma
All the above reports suggest the significance of mobile app development for any business. Most mobile app developers want a process that allows them to enhance the speed of development cycles, increase the app’s performance, and decrease the time required to deploy them.
Android and iOS dominate the present scenario in mobile application development. This forces the companies to create the application suitable for both platforms to enhance the user experience. Another option is to select the preferred platform and offer better performance on it. But this will mean you will lose the customers for the other platforms.
Solution
The most efficient solution for this dilemma is to create a hybrid app. These apps are developed using JavaScript or CSS and HTML5, all of which are existing technologies. Along with them, it uses a wrapper that allows it to function like a native app on any platform.
A hybrid application retains the essential comfort of development present in web apps and combines it with a native application’s high-performance ability. Facebook’s React Native UI framework is the most popular choice for this crusade. Hybrid app developers heavily rely on React Native to develop mobile apps. It has emerged as a go-to option for these developers and is used in several industries for hybrid app development. You can understand the popularity of React Native by the fact that it is coined as the “Future of Hybrid App Development.”
The Future of Hybrid App Development
So without further ado, let’s take a look at seven significant reasons which make React Native so useful and futuristic –
Serves Both Android and iOS Platforms
You have already read about the dilemma developers have to face while choosing either iOS or Android. The most crucial use of React Native is perhaps the fact that it caters to both platforms. Facebook’s React Native gives developers the capability to provide mobile UI suitable for both iOS and Android ecosystems.
What is even more beneficial is the fact that React Native is an open-source framework. This further opens the gate of future hybrid app development on desktop platforms like Windows and iOS.
Can be Applied to Existing Code Smoothly
A lot of time upgrading the app to another platform comes at the price of a lengthy process. And this is where React Native comes as the saviour. The application development process using React Native allows companies to enhance their existing application without having the headache of changing the app structure.
It allows for a seamless transition in the hybrid app development by incorporating components in the existing codes or ionic-based codes or plugins for Cordova.
Utilizes the Existing Technology
Making it easier for the developers to adopt and explore, React Native uses “native components” as its fundamental element. This allows the direct association to the native platform. Furthermore, this helps the developers to eliminate the WebView components existing in different hybrid applications.
Ultimately, this enables the development process of the hybrid apps to be performed using a web-style, agile method that offers the feel, speed, and functionality of the native mobile application.
Enhances Native App Development
Developers usually consider native app developments to be inefficient, complicated and reduced productivity. But React Native is not your ordinary native app development. It brings agility and speed to the table and intensifies the hybrid app development.
A Practical Choice for Mobile and Front-end Developers
To be an iOS mobile developer, you need to understand platform-dependent languages like Swift. Similarly, for Android, you need knowledge of Java.
But this is not the case with React Native. You will require some basic introduction to JavaScript, some understanding of platform APIs, native UI elements, and a few platform-specific patterns. This ensures that you get started with being a React Native Mobile developer and gain knowledge along the journey.
UI-Centric
The heart of React Native lies in the creation of mobile user interfaces. This gives it an edge over other frameworks like MeteorJS or AngularJS as they are more generalized in their approach.
React Native allows developers to create more responsive and fluid hybrid apps as it allows asynchronous JS communications with the native ecosystem. Essentially, this means that the apps developed using React Native will have a smoother feel and faster load time than other hybrid apps.
Versatility
As you already know that hybrid app developers are on the constant lookout for frameworks that allow them the flexibility to enhance their apps. React Native is touted as the future of Hybrid App development because of its ability to be versatile enough to support third-party plugins to improve the process of hybrid app development.
This flexibility of React Native allows developers to include functionalities through third-party plugins. Additionally, this results in faster loading, less space consumption, and compatibility with older versions of operating systems.
Conclusion
The Hybrid app industry is in its initial stages and is predicted to grow exponentially. The abilities of React Native makes it a potent weapon in the industry of hybrid app development. It is vital for businesses to have a mobile application to stay connected with customers and clients.
So if you’re looking to expand your business, it is essential to hire a React Native developer who can provide to your requirements and make the best out of your mobile apps. Ultimately, this will allow you to reach the maximum audience and grow consistently in the world of Hybrid App development.
